Let’s be real:Baldur’s Gate 3didn’t win Game of the Year in 2023 because of stellar graphics – it won because offun combat,incredibly layered storytelling, and most of all: because of the companions.
The companions of Baldur’s Gate 3 are the bread and butter of your entire experience. Honestly, so much changes depending on who is in your party and who you romance.
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Plus, each companion has their own individual quest attached to them, something that furthers their character arcs and unlocks a myriad of outcomes.
While it’s easy to nitpick over who is better (and that’s honestly up to preference), the real question is: whose quest is better?
Some companions, such as Minthara and Minsc, do not have personal quests, and will therefore not be included in this list.
Introduced Far Too Late
Number of Quests
Primary Quest Title
The High Harper
The party first meets Jaheira in Act Two, atthe Last Light Inn. She’s a little too preoccupied with Ketheric Thorm and The Absolute Cult that her actual companion quest doesn’t come about until Act Three. That is, if you even accept her to join you at camp (you should she’s hilarious).
Jaheira’s quest revolves around searching for Minsc, who was going by The Stone Lord in alignment with The Absolute Cult and even The Zhentarim. That said, the only reason it’s even worth doing the quest is to get additional companions.
Unfortunately, her quest was introduced too late for itto have any real weightor merit. If it was foreshadowed a lot more in the previous Act, then it would make the wait for the quest all the more worth it (and completion all the more satisfying).
It’s fun, and it gives you an excuse to check out Ye Olde Bank of Baldur’s Gate, and it allows you to have nostalgic companions in your party – but there’s genuinely no drawback to just … not doing it.
Why Was He Cast Aside?
The Blade of Frontiers
You’d think, with him and his quest literally being called The Blade of Frontiers, Wyll would be a lot more connected to his own questline. However, you can have Wyll sit at camp through the entirety of his own quests, and nothing will change – and he, for some reason, doesn’t care.
Wyll Ravengard is connected to the world of Baldur’s Gate itself – literally being Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard’s son – yet with his questline he’s detached. From hunting Karlach to freeing Mizora, saving Duke Ravengard and even the Wyrmway, his involvement is optional. It’s almost like it’s incomplete, and considering all the cut content, it very likely is.
It’s pretty sad just how much Wyll can be invisible in his own story, especially if you try to romance him. You don’t even have to complete Act Three’s questlines to continue the romance with him.
Honestly, justice for Wyll, he should at least be required to tag along on hisownquests.
She’s Not Worth It, Dude
The Wizard of Waterdeep
A toxic relationship can really ruin the life track you were on – andthat’s exactly what happened with Gale, except his toxic ex is the literal goddess ofmagic. And she doesn’t just send awful text messages with hateful words; no, she sends her best servant to tell her ex to kill himself.
What’s bizarre is that he actually considers blowing himself updespiteThe Orb being stabilized literally moments prior.
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Gale’s questline revolves around studying Netherese Magic on the path to godhood, or Mystra’s forgiveness for the chance of a normal life. It seems the only way to get him to not care about her forgiveness at all is to either “corrupt” him and make him a god, or romance him.
His questline tackles themes about ambition at the cost of who you are, which is a very poignant ideal, but it also has a subtle, more indirect theme: let go of your ex.
No Happy Endings Are a Crime
Our Fiery Friend
Out of all the companion quests, it’s no question that Karlach’s is the saddest all the way around. Worst of all – after a questline where she’s literally fighting to live, her only options are the literal Hells, or die.
Karlach’s questline revolves around finding her Infernal Metal to fix her engine and allow her to touch people. However, Dammon drops the terrible news that, even when she can touch people, there’s no way for her to properly live without the engine bursting into flames. It’s heartwrenching, as isher speech when she finally breaks.
Plus, right off the bat, she’s presented as an antagonist to Wyll – meaning this has led to several players killing her in early playthroughs where they didn’t know much better.
That said, her questline is a heartwrenching reminder to live in the moment and enjoy being alive, as it’s a privilege, after all. Carpe diem.
An Act 2 Necessity
Lift the Shadow Curse
Halsin has only one quest since you get him rather late into Act One, but it’s one of the most important quests in Act Two: Lift the Shadow Curse.
Removing the Shadow Curse from the land of Reithwin is going to take a lot – and thankfully, it’s pretty fun. Unlike Jaheira’s questline, Halsin talks about the Shadow Curse right away, so players are well-aware of what to expect once his quest opens – and they’re more attached to it.
Plus, the encounters that this quest has players fighting are tons of fun – The House of Healing and defending the portal while Halsin searches for Thaniel both come to mind. That said, fighting Thaniel’s shadows, on the other hand, is not as fun.
Unfortunately, Halsin has no attachment to the story after this, rendering his usefulness in Act Three completely obsolete.
Be Better Than Your Trauma
The Pale Elf
Characters who are heavily traumatised and have dealt with intense, prolonged abuse often end up being bitter and resentful – and when you first meet Astarion, that’s exactly how he is. Astarion’s questline is the only one that has nothing to do with the main quest, but its message is loud and clear.
You are more than what you were made for.
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Astarion’s plotline involves him learning more about Cazador’s true plans and how to take down the Wannabe Vampire Ascendant. Yet, you can talk him down, turn him away, and break thecycle of abuse.
Combined with The Dark Urge’s storyline, and all the themes end upfitting together perfectly.
The Crèche is Illuminating
The Githyanki Warrior
There’s betrayal, and then there’s being betrayed after your own race labels you a traitor. Combine this with a mind flayer tadpole, and now we’re experiencing Lae’zel’s worst nightmare – and people still don’t like herbecause she’s mean.
Lae’zel’s questline, at first, revolves around finding a githyanki Crèche and finding a cure for the tadpole. Regardless of how you plan, however, the entirety of Crèche Y’llek turns against you, and there’s no cure after all.
In the latter half, however, Lae’zel’s world continues to crash down around her as she uncovers Orpheus and the truth of Vlaakith’s deception, which turns her questline into that or revolution. It evolves organically, and it’s incredible to see the character development Lae’zel goes through because of it.
Crèche Y’llek is also one of the most fun areas in the game, so it’s no question that it strengthens her questline while giving insight into her character as a whole.
1Shadowheart
Literally the Main Character
Daughter of Darkness
When it comes to all the companions’ questlines, Shadowheart’s is the best, without a doubt. With how deeply she’s interconnected with the main story, as well as her own personal attachments, it’s genuinely the most fleshed-out and well done quest out of anyone in the party.
Shadowheart has always been a commentary on Light vs. Darkness, and what you choose to let prevail, and it’s reflected in her questline. Like her romance, it’s slow and takes a while to grow on her, but it’s priceless once you do.
Her story is incredibly tragic once you find out the truth of it, but her resilience in response is not only admirable, but well-written; it’s one of the few companion quests that’s equally fleshed out for both good and evil outcomes.
Basically, she’s the main character of Baldur’s Gate – and if you everreplay the game as her Origin, you’ll definitely see why.
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