Karlach is one of the possible companions inand as a barbarian she can both dish out and take a lot of damage. Although it weakens a little at the first levels, it then becomes an absolute powerhouse. We'll show you how you should skill her and what the best equipment is for the barbarian.
Last updated on December 25, 2024: Many will certainly play Baldur's Gate 3 again over the Christmas holidays. Here you can find the current build guide before the new one next yeargives.
This is how you really level up Karlach
Barbarians aren't all that complicated to build, as you don't have to make your own decisions on many levels, just set new skills. Accordingly, we only list the levels where you actually have to make a choice.
The best attributes for Karlach at level 1
If you meet Karlach, she already has attributes determined by the game. However, they are not a perfect starting point. So it's worth optionally re-skilling them with Lazarus in the camp as follows:
- Strength: 16 (14+2 bonus)
- Dexterity: 14
- Constitution: 16 (15+1 Bonus)
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 12
- Charisma: 8
Level 3
- specialization: Berserker
With this specialization, Karlach can perform an additional attack as a bonus action when in a rage, which significantly increases her damage.
Level 4
- Attribute improvement: Strength +2
If you haven't changed Karlach's standard attributes for Lazarus, you can instead put one point in Strength and one in Constitution. With this, Karlach loses one point of armor.
Level 8
- Attribute improvement: Strength +2
Level 12
- Feat: Heavy Weapons Mastery
This feat allows Karlach to make another attack as a bonus action after she previously scored a critical hit or killed a creature. You can also optionally set your attacks to cause 10 points more damage, but take a -5 penalty on the attack roll.
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Best equipment for Karlach
Best weapons:
- The Blood of Lathander:You can get this weapon in Act 2 in the Rosenmorg Monastery for them. It has a +3 enchantment, illuminates the area around you, can cast Sunbeam, and can revive you once per long rest when your hit points reach zero.
- Nyrulna: You can get this weapon from the Djinn in Act 3 at the circus if you cheat while spinning the wheel. You will then be transported to a new area and can take the weapon from a locked box next to the exit portal. It has a +3 enchantment, increases your movement speed by three meters, lights up your perimeter, and returns to your hand when you throw it.
Best Armors:
- Bone Thorn Clothing: This outfit gives you 15 temporary hit points when you go into a rage, reduces damage taken by 2, and deals 3 damage to enemies that attack you in melee. You can buy it in Act 3 in Rivington from merchant Exxvikyap.
- Bone Thorn Helmet: With the helmet, enemies in the area take damage when you go into a rage unless they make a save. You can buy it in Act 3 in the Bareki Sewers.
- Boots of Speed:The boots double your movement range, allowing you to get into melee range more quickly. You can get them in the Underdark if you give an antidote to Thulla in the mushroom colony.
- Bracers of Fending: You gain +2 to Armor Class when not wearing armor or shield. You can find the bracers in the destroyed village in the same room where you got them.
If you're going to equip and level Astarion properly, here are some tips for you:
As a barbarian, Karlach can apply her Dexterity and Constitution bonuses to her Armor Class as long as she is not wearing armor. Medium armor can still be worthwhile at the first levels, as you can reach a similarly high value and, depending on the armor, can receive additional advantages.
If you want to play defensively, you can also give Karlach a shield, which does not count as armor. If you're looking for more damage, use a two-handed weapon instead.
