In Baldur’s Gate 3 you can find and recruit 10 Companions on the map, but sometimes just a chat isn’t enough. We show you how and where to find all companions, with exact locations on the map.
What Companions are there? In total, there are 10 companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 that you can recruit and have romances with some of them. The following are known:
- Lae’zel (female)
- Shadowheart (female)
- Gale (male)
- Wyll (male)
- Astarion (male)
- Karlach (female)
- Halsin (male)
- Minthara (female)
- Jaheira (female)
- Minsc (male)
Where do I find the companions? All companions have their specific location and can only be encountered and recruited at these points. We have labeled the locations on the map with the respective numbering of our list:
However, it’s not enough just to visit the location. You need to consider a few things to welcome your potential companions into your party. We will now show you what you need to do for each individual player so that they can join you.
All Companions at a Glance – Here’s How to Unlock Them
Lae’zel
How do I unlock her? To find Lae’zel, you need to go north of the waypoint “Cliffs by the Road.” Eventually, you will reach two Tieflings discussing what to do with the imprisoned Lae’zel.
To free her, you need a bow to hit the underside of the cage, but before you do that, you should get rid of the Tieflings. Lie to them and tell them how dangerous Lae’zel is and advise them to leave. Fortunately, a bow is conveniently located nearby.
A tip for your journey: Talk to the Tieflings and report that you are wounded and looking for a camp nearby. The Tieflings will then name a place where you can rest.
Shadowheart
How do I unlock her? Shadowheart can be encountered and recruited in many situations. However, the easiest way is to free her from the Mindflayer’s Nautiloid. To get her out of her prison, you need to find a rune in a nearby room and use it to free her.
If you have achieved that, you can find her near the beach where you are also located. Wake her up now and do not touch her artifact to not lose her trust.
If you haven’t freed her, her location is near the abandoned chapel at the waypoint “Overgrown Ruins.” You can recruit her there if you missed your chance earlier.
Gale
How do I unlock him? Near the crash site of the Nautiloid, you will find a violet glowing seal. This is a waypoint that isn’t functioning properly. Interact with the seal to see a human arm reaching out. It is Gale’s arm.
To win him as a companion, you need to pull him out of the portal at all costs. You can decide whether to use brute force or your magic to save this companion. If you succeed, Gale can be recruited, and a new waypoint, the “Cliffs by the Road” can be used.
Warning! If you play as Dark Urge, it may happen that you cannot recruit Gale!
Wyll
How do I unlock him? To find Wyll, you need to head towards the Emerald Grove. Once there, follow the further events until Wyll appears in person. After your encounter, you can find Wyll northwest of the Emerald Grove, talk to him and then recruit him.
Astarion
How do I unlock him? You can find Astarion southwest of the wreck of the Nautiloid. He wanders around near the cliffs. If you talk to him, he will report how he cornered one of the Mindflayers – you just have to finish him off. This is a trap.
Astarion will hold a knife to your throat, and you can have a conversation together. While discussing the events, you will have the opportunity to recruit him as a companion.
Karlach
How do I unlock her? You can find Karlach west of the Emerald Grove. If you already have Wyll as your companion, you can ask him about her location. He is also looking for her and will give you a tip. You know you’re on the right track if you get embroiled in a fight against Gnolls.
Halsin
How do I unlock him? To recruit Halsin as a companion, you need to head towards the Goblin camp, which is located west of the Emerald Grove. Once there, you must enter the “Ruined Sanctuary” and keep heading northeast.
You’ll then find an opportunity to free him, but be cautious; the Goblins will not agree with you. They will attack you, and Halsin will assist you in the fight. After you manage to get out, he can become your companion, provided you want him to.
Minthara
How do I unlock her? You can recruit Minthara if you fight on the side of the Goblins during the Emerald Grove quest line. Follow the quest and betray the Druids. Once you have earned Minthara’s trust, you can add her to your party.
Since Patch 5, you can also recruit Minthara the good way without having to slaughter the poor Tieflings. To do this, you need to knock Minthara unconscious in the fight against the Goblins. Remember to activate non-lethal attacks
so you don’t accidentally kill her.
She will then reappear in Act 2 at the Towers of Moonrise. You will have the opportunity to free her from prison there. Afterwards, she will join your group.
More information on what to watch for when recruiting can be found in our guide:
You can only recruit either Minthara or Halsin. The two companions exclude each other.
Jaheira
How do I unlock her? You can only recruit Jaheira at the end of Act Two as a companion for your group. Support the Druid and make sure she survives. She will then automatically appear in your camp – so you don’t have to do anything else.
Minsc
How do I unlock him? You can only unlock Minsc as a companion if you have recruited Jaheira into your group. Her quest leads you to the ranger.
You will find Minsc only in the third act of Baldur’s Gate 3. He is located in the sewers of Baldur’s Gate. To do this, you just have to follow Jaheira’s quest. There will be a fight with Minsc, and you must defeat him. But he must not be killed under any circumstances. You must knock him out with non-lethal attacks, which you can activate among your passives.
It is also important that Jaheira is present so you can recruit Minsc through a conversation afterwards.
Which companion do you like the most and which one will you betray? We would love to hear your opinion in the comments. The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 may feel complicated and overwhelming, but don’t worry; you can always start over if you want. If you’re still looking for tips to get started, we have compiled 9 tips that players have provided.
