Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions tier list: Astarion, Shadowheart, Halsin & more
Baldur’s Gate 3 features a lot of Companions who can join players on their journey but knowing which ones are best to add and keep in your party can be a bit overwhelming, so we’ve put together a list of the very best Companions in the game.
Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 is a massive RPG where players can enjoy an in-depth customization system with plenty of classes and subclasses to experiment with, as well as hundreds of hours of content to enjoy, including the main story and a lot of additional activities.
While it’s a grand adventure, it’s certainly not an easy one, and combat can be especially tricky in the game, so having the right Companions by your side can easily improve your experience in battle, as well as in the wider world as they may be able to assist you with puzzles and in certain conversations.
Here’s a full rundown of the very best Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 that you should consider adding to your party.
All Companions in Baldur’s Gate 3
Currently, there are 10 different companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, each with their own class, personality, and specialties:
- Astarion
- Shadowheart
- Gale
- Lae’zel
- Wyll
- Karlach
- Halsin
- Minthara
- Minsc
- Jaheira
Baldur’s Gate 3 Companions tier list
Naturally, before acting on this tier list, it’s worth playing the game with the companion you think you’ll enjoy having around the most, and which one slots in with your chosen class and party – but these lists can make battles a little easier if you select some of the better companions.
- S = The best companions to play with. They’re versatile, strong, and work for most combats or conversations.
- A = These companions are great to have in your team. They may not be the strongest but they’re efficient and effective.
- B = While not the best companion in the game, they can help in a pinch depending on your playstyle.
- F = They’re not particularly effective and can make the game relatively tricky.
Tier | Companion |
---|---|
S | Shadowheart, Astarion, Karlach |
A | Gale, Wyll, Lae’zel |
B | Halsin |
F | Minthara |
Unknowns: Minsc, Jaheira (we will update the tier list when we have the chance to fight alongside them)
S-Tier
Shadowheart
Clerics are a great class on their own, but combined with the easy-going nature and constant need to speak her mind, Shadowheart projects that class to new heights. She’s a fantastic fighter and healer in combat, allowing her to slot into your party no matter the composition.
On top of this, she’s pretty easy to get along with and find, meaning players can quickly romance, or just be great friends, depending on what they prefer.
Astarion
It’s hard to resist Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3, whether that’s the vampiric charm or the pure charisma he holds. Either way, Astarion is funny, extremely flirtatious, and the right amount of trouble to get any D&D player interested.
As for combat, there’s nothing quite as useful as having a rogue by your side. Setting those sneak attacks can be deadly and the proficiency in stealth enables you to sneak wherever and whenever you need, ideal for any situation.
Karlach
Karlach is ideal for a party if they are lacking in a tank or proficient fighter, she’s got tons of health, some huge damage with her attacks, and the ability to hit multiple times.
Sure, she may not have tons of versatility but every party needs a tank and she is it. If you’re lacking in damage or someone to soak the hits, Karlach is the Tiefling for the job.
A-Tier
Gale
Upon meeting Gale, it may seem he’s a bit of a clumsy spellcaster, but when you fully explore him in combat, it’s clear to see he’s extremely proficient. Ultimately, Gale is versatile, skilled, and although squishy, makes a great combatant if you’re lacking spells in your party.
Sure, the always needing to absorb magical items can be pretty annoying, but if you need the magic spot filled, he’s your man.
Wyll
While Astarion is certainly charismatic, he’s not got a very high charisma stat. That’s especially so when compared to Wyll. As a Warlock, talking is his main skill, making him perfect for any party where you lack conversational skills. After all, fighting is great, but being able to talk your way out of it is perfect in some cases.
As for combat, he may not have the most spells, but he’s a proficient fighter and can be pretty useful, even if you just use Eldritch Blast every time. It’s not labeled one of the best D&D spells for nothing.
Lae’zel
In a typical look, Lae’zel is a perfect companion. She’s a fantastic Fighter with multiple attacks as she levels and will also give you a good standing among the other Githyanki. On top of this, she’s simple to control, and you don’t need to do any fancy quests to get hold of her.
However, she’s just plain miserable. Her race can prove to be an issue in some conversations and chatting to her can often feel like a task instead of a blessing. Sure, some may love her, but there are much kinder options out there.
B-Tier
Halsin
Halsin is pretty fun to fight with and is extremely versatile, bringing powerful spells, useful wild shapes, and a great personality.
The only issue, there are just better options out there. Druids are the jack-of-all-trades but master of none in Baldur’s Gate 3. They heal but not particularly well outside of Cure Wounds, have powerful spells but not tons, and can melee fight with Wildshape but fail to deal that insane damage we see from other classes. He’s great, but others are greater.
F-Tier
Minthara
Minthara is stuck in F-Tier for two reasons. The first is her fighting. As a Paladin she has some great melee and ranged attacks, but in the same way as Halsin, she fails to truly excel in anything specific. If you’re looking for a healer, then Shadowheart is your companion. If it’s a fighter you’re after, look at Lae’zel, not Minthara.
The second reason is the fact that most players will likely not even get hold of her. Recruiting her means you’ll have to go against the Druid Grove and could result in you losing certain other companions, so many opt to kill her.
So there you have it, those are the best companions in Baldur’s Gate 3. While setting your party up for the next adventure, take a look at some of our other handy Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and content:
Best Sorcerer build | Best Bard build | Best Rogue build | Best Ranger build | Best Barbarian build | Best Wizard build | Baldur’s Gate 3: What’s the max level cap? | Best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes tier list | How to revive characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Can you multiclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 | Baldur’s Gate 3 Soul Coins: How to get them & what they are | Baldur’s Gate 3: Fastest ways to get XP & level up | Baldur’s Gate 3: How to respec your character | Baldur’s Gate 3 Karmic Dice: What are they?