Companion Tier List

Baldur's Gate 3 companion tier list ranking companions like Shadowheart, Lae'zel, and Wyll based on romance, storyline, and wow moments.

Baldur's Gate 3 Companion Tier List:

• S Tier: Shadowheart, Lae’zel, Wyll
• A Tier: Astarion, Gale, Karlach
• B Tier: Jaheira, Halsin
• C Tier: Minsc, Minthara

The rankings in this companion tier list are based on initial impressions from various patches, factoring in romance options, dialogue, personal storylines, and general 'wow' moments experienced with the companions. Shadowheart and Lae’zel are considered top-tier. Shadowheart's narrative arc, particularly her involvement with the artifact and her connection to the cloister of Shar throughout Act 2 and leading into Act 3, feels central to the game's story, sometimes making her feel like the main character over Tav. Lae’zel, initially perceived as difficult, becomes more tolerable and her personal story arc significantly develops when players engage with her beyond her moody exterior. Her relationship with Vlakkith, Voss, and the tadpoles, along with her early game conflicts with Shadowheart, offers a rewarding journey. Wyll is also placed in S Tier due to his evolving appearance, interactions with his patron demon, and his overall character progression, including his 'daddy issues' plotline. His Act 3 mission, the Iron Throne, is highlighted as a favorite, and his inclusion in 5e lore adds to his significance.

A Tier companions include Astarion, Gale, and Karlach. These characters generally have decent storylines with satisfying payoffs in Act 3, though they may offer slightly less of a 'wow' factor compared to the S Tier. Gale and Wyll can quickly become romantically interested if played with a good alignment. Astarion's character arc is as expected, but also lacks the major story impact of Lae’zel and Shadowheart. Karlach is praised for her lines, empathy, and emotion, but her ranking is slightly lower due to ongoing patch content adjustments and a less satisfactory ending in early patches, with improvements expected in later updates. She is a candidate for a replay to experience her full story arc with recent bug fixes.

Companions in the lower tiers are not necessarily bad but have specific limiting factors. Halsin and Jaheira are in B Tier. Halsin's recruitment arc is tied to a major Act 2 plot point, but his character can feel less engaging after that, with his personality primarily revolving around being a 'dirty boy'. Jaheira, while having few engaging moments early on, offers interesting insights in Act 3, particularly regarding the city's criminal elements, enhancing immersion in side plots. However, a lack of end-game impact and nuanced romance options limit her potential.

Minsc and Minthara are in C Tier. Minsc can be found very late in the game, and even if recruited earlier, his personal storyline is minimal, serving more as a throwback character from previous Baldur's Gate games without sufficient development. Minthara has a potentially strong storyline, voice lines, and background, especially for an evil playthrough and with the Dark Urge, offering a nuanced evil companion experience. However, her ending in patch 1 felt soured, similar to Karlach's early experience, and her potential is hindered by unresolved bugs and a need for expanded ending content.