BG3 Companion Guide for Beginners: Best Party Composition & Recruitment Order
Complete BG3 companion guide for new players. Every companion's location, class, best build, romance options, and the best party composition for beginners.
All 6 Early Companions: Locations & Classes
| Companion | Class | Location | Recruitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadowheart | Cleric (Trickery) | Nautiloid (pod) / Ravaged Beach | Free her pod or wake her on the beach |
| Astarion | Rogue (Arcane Trickster) | West of crash site | Talk to him, pass a check or fight |
| Gale | Wizard (Evocation) | Roadside Cliffs waypoint | Pull him out of the malfunctioning portal |
| Lae’zel | Fighter (Battle Master) | Cage near grove entrance | Intimidate/kill tieflings, free her |
| Wyll | Warlock (The Fiend) | Emerald Grove (goblin fight) | Joins after helping defend the grove gate |
| Karlach | Barbarian (Wildheart) | Risen Road (north of Blighted Village) | Speak to her, optionally kill Anders |
Best Beginner Party Composition
The Balanced Party (Recommended)
| Role | Companion | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Healer/Support | Shadowheart | Healing spells, Guidance cantrip, Bless. Respec her to Life Domain at Withers for stronger healing. |
| Frontline Damage | Lae’zel or Karlach | Lae’zel: Fighter, Action Surge, Great Weapon Master. Karlach: Barbarian, Rage, huge HP pool. |
| Skill Monkey / Damage | Astarion | Lockpicking, trap disarming, stealth scouting. Give him dual hand crossbows for ranged damage. |
| You (Main Character) | Fighter or Paladin | Fill whatever your party needs. Fighter: second frontline. Paladin: frontline + backup healing. |
Alternative: The Caster Party
If you’re playing a martial class, swap in:
- Gale (Wizard) — AoE damage (Fireball!), crowd control, utility spells
For beginners, always have Shadowheart in the party. Healing is essential when you’re learning.
How to Manage Companion Approvals
Companions have approval ratings that affect romance and story:
- Hover over their portrait to see approval level
- Each companion approves/disapproves of different actions based on personality
Quick guide to companion personalities:
- Shadowheart — Respects privacy, approves of pragmatic choices, likes animals
- Astarion — Approves of chaos, deception, and selfishness. Disapproves of heroism.
- Gale — Approves of intelligence, magic, and kindness. Disapproves of pointless violence.
- Lae’zel — Approves of directness, strength, and githyanki loyalty. Disapproves of weakness.
- Wyll — Approves of heroism and protecting the innocent. Strong moral compass.
- Karlach — Approves of kindness, enthusiasm, and fighting oppressors. Wholesome and direct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companions should a beginner use?
The optimal beginner party is: Shadowheart (healing/support), Lae'zel or Karlach (frontline damage), and Astarion (lockpicking/stealth). This gives you healing, two damage dealers, and a skill monkey for traps and locks.
Can I swap companions freely?
Yes. Talk to companions at camp to add/remove them from your party. All companions gain XP even when not in the party, so they stay at your level. Equipment stays on them when dismissed.