Companions

Learn about the 21 recruitable companions in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, their roles, alignments, and compatibility to build the best party.

In Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, you assemble your party from a diverse cast of 21 recruitable individuals, though only five can accompany you at any given time. These companions join you for various reasons, and their unique skills and personalities can significantly impact your journey.

When selecting companions, consider their roles within the party:

• Front-line fighter: Specializes in close-quarters combat, requiring high Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.
• Ranged fighter: Focuses on attacking from a distance, prioritizing Dexterity and potentially Strength.
• Tank: Absorbs enemy attacks and manages aggro, needing the ability to wear heavy armor and high Constitution/Dexterity.
• Scout: Detects enemies and sets up ambushes, requiring a high stealth skill.
• Medic: Provides healing and buffs, with Clerics generally preferred over Druids due to armor proficiency and survivability. High Dexterity and Constitution are beneficial.
• Magic user: Casts offensive and disabling spells, with Mages typically favored over Bards, though Bards offer utility. High Dexterity and Constitution are preferred for survival.
• Utility: Disables traps, picks locks, steals, and identifies items, primarily a role for Thieves. High Dexterity, followed by Constitution and Strength, is preferred.
• Leader: Acts as the party's 'face,' requiring high Charisma for positive reaction modifiers and a class that draws enemy attention.

Some companions excel in specific roles, with notable mentions including:

• Front-line fighter: Korgan, Mazzy, Dorn, Minsc, Anomen, Valygar, Haer'Dalis, Rasaad, Wilson, Cernd
• Ranged fighter: Mazzy, Valygar, Minsc
• Tank: Mazzy, Jaheira, Korgan, Viconia
• Scout: Valygar, Hexxat, Yoshimo, Minsc, Rasaad
• Medic: Viconia, Anomen, Cernd, Aerie, Jaheira
• Magic user: Edwin, Imoen, Neera, Nalia, Jan, Aerie, Haer'Dalis
• Utility: Jan, Imoen, Hexxat, Yoshimo, Haer'Dalis, Nalia
• Leader: Keldorn, Dorn, Jaheira

When forming your party, consider returning characters from previous games (Edwin, Imoen, Jaheira, Minsc, Viconia, Dorn, Neera, Rasaad) and their alignments. Good-aligned characters (Aerie, Imoen, Keldorn, Mazzy, Minsc, Nalia, Rasaad, Valygar) generally do not affect Reputation. Neutral-aligned characters (Anomen, Cernd, Haer'Dalis, Jaheira, Jan, Neera, Yoshimo) may complain about heroic actions. Evil-aligned characters (Dorn, Edwin, Hexxat, Korgan, Viconia) require careful Reputation management. Wilson, the bear, is neutral.

Be mindful of character compatibility, as some pairs may refuse to travel together or even come to blows:

• Minsc and Edwin
• Korgan and Aerie
• Anomen and Aerie/Keldorn
• Keldorn and Viconia
• Valygar and Edwin/Viconia
• Neera and Edwin
• Most good-aligned NPCs and Hexxat
• Keldorn/Anomen and Dorn

Finally, consider resource competition. Items like the Gauntlets of Dexterity, Gauntlets of Ogre Power, Girdle of Hill Giant Strength, and Girdle of Fortitude can enhance specific stats, but there's only one of each. Characters who benefit most from Strength boosts include Jaheira, Valygar, Viconia, and Aerie. Dexterity boosts are most beneficial for Anomen, Keldorn, and Korgan. Constitution increases are most impactful for Haer'Dalis, Viconia, and Aerie.