Summary
Larian’sBaldur’s Gate 3hasmultiple romance optionsto be found in the world and recruited back to the camp. Karlach, the Tiefling Barbarian, is one of them. An endearing character, she has captured the hearts of many players with her goofy charm and heartfelt story.
With so many options, though, it can be hard forBaldur’s Gate 3players to choose which character to romance, especially since most characters are monogamous and will not want to share the player’s affections. For those still weighing their options, or for those who just want to show some love to Karlach, here are the top reasons to romance the cheery barbarian.
Updated June 07, 2025 by Nyah Payne:Baldur’s Gate 3 became perhaps the most influential game of 2023, cementing its status by winning the prestigious Game of the Year award. This wasn’t the only accolade they won at the 2023 Game Awards, sweeping the board, and they have shown their commitment to continually working on the game.
They released the critically acclaimed RPG for Xbox Series X/S and added new features, like the challenging Honour Mode. But part of the huge amount of love for the game comes from its beloved characters and the many romance arcs that players can pursue. Karlach remains one of these fan favorites for many reasons.
1Challenging Romance Option
Requires Time And Dedication To Romance
SomeBaldur’s Gate 3characters are harder to avoid romancing than they are to romance (looking at you, Gale)! Despite being one of the fan favorites and a remarkably loveable character, this doesn’t seem to apply to Karlach.
Karlach can be quite flirty from the offset, but time and dedication are required totruly earn her affection. On top of this, there are some very real in-game challenges to overcome in a romance with Karlach. Namely, she is so physically hot that no one can touch her, at least without finding a way to cool her down first.
2Wears Her Infernal Engine On Her Sleeve
An Honest And Communicative Companion
One of the many endearing qualities about Karlach is how open she is. While many of the party members and potential love interests inBaldur’s Gate 3have some kind of dark secret that they harbor for any length of time, Karlach truly wears her heart on her sleeve.
Karlach is happy to share both her past and her future with her companions and partners and is always very open about her emotions and how she’s feeling. For one of the most communicative, honest, and emotive love interests, Karlach is definitely up there as a top pick!
3Combat Proficiency
Valuable Asset In The Party
This is more than just a reason for romance but is a reason to have Karlach around in general. She fills a niche in a party that most characters don’t cover. As a barbarian, she fulfills the role of the “be strong and hit things” character. Each companion character can fulfill a certain role, but Karlach is a great choice to have around.
Karlach’s damage output is incredible, especially with her soul coin rages. She is also handy for throwing things around, such as explosive barrels or other enemies. She’s a wonderful tank who, as Shadowheart puts it, could throw players over her shoulder and protect them. What more could anyone want in a love interest?
4Character Design
Distinctive And Striking Visual Design
Anyone could be forgiven for finding Karlach the tiefling hot, in both the literal sense and the “attractive” sense.Tieflings may have some of the coolest character design optionsin the game, and Karlach is no exception to this.
Everything about her appearance looks fiery, from her bright red skin to her short spiky red-and-black hair, to her charred scars and tattoo. This is topped off by the warm glow in the center of her chest, emanating from her Infernal Machine heart. Her design makes Karlach distinctive and visually striking.
5Dark Urge Ties
Unique And Impactful Relationship With The Dark Urge
Players are bound to want a strong connection with theirBaldur’s Gate 3love interest. Luckily, Karlach can have a particularly impactful relationship with anyone who chooses to play Dark Urge. Not only can she, as a partner, have some particularly endearing and protective moments with the Dark Urge, but there is also a conflict of interest between the pair that can add depth to their relationship.
Without giving too much of the late-game story away, someone from the Dark Urge’s past has wronged Karlach. There is a lot to explore there, which can be enhanced by romancing Karlach as the Dark Urge.
6Good Person
Supports Well-Meaning Choices
For anyone who isaiming to be a hero to Faerun, Karlach is a natural romance option. She is a morally Good character, who will approve of the player bettering the world around them, only disapproving of a player’s actions if they are actively being cruel.
That being said, her moral standing means she will be harder to romance, or even impossible to recruit if players are planning a morally gray or downright evil run. Being a good character, it can also be easy to end up accidentally romancing fellow goody-two-shoes, like Gale or Wyll. But Karlach’s drive to save the world is infectious and is bound to draw heroic players towards romancing her.
7Goofy Nature
One Of The More Lighthearted And Endearing Companions
Gale’s character is accompanied by a touch of arrogance, and Wyll can sometimes seem too much the conventional hero. On the other hand, Karlach’s morally Good character is accompanied by a goofy sense of humor, making her one of the most lighthearted companions in the game.
From her conversations with players to her quippy bark lines, even to the little jig she does as an idle animation, Karlach doesn’t take things too seriously. In such a serious game, this makes her a breath of fresh air. Players can count on Karlach, as a friend or lover, to lighten the mood.
8Flaming Hot Intimacy
Doesn’t Shy Away From Intimate Feelings
Baldur’s Gate 3has gained a level of renown for the fact thatthey don’t shy away from scenes of explicit intimacy. For those who are looking for that in a romance option, Karlach provides. While some characters are a little more subtle about their desires (however thinly veiled it is), Karlach doesn’t shy away from the intimate side of love. On the first night together in camp, she can even blurt out her intentions towards the player in a way that might make them blush.
The downside is that players who feel the same will have to hold off on this intimacy. Karlach’s Infernal Engine heart means that she can’t touch anyone without burning them. Players will have to find a way to cool her down if they want to get the flaming intimacy scene with Karlach. It’s guaranteed to be hot.
9Doesn’t Mind Sharing (For A Time)
Initially Content For Players To Pursue Other Relationships
For players who want to embrace a polyamorous approach in theirBaldur’s Gate 3relationships, Karlach is an option alongside other relationships…sort of. While most romance options inBaldur’s Gate 3will insist on being a player’s only partner, some are open to polyamory. While Karlach is incapable of being in a physically intimate relationship with players, she is open to players having intimate relationships with others.
This is most likely to be Astarion, as the other polyamorous romance option, Halsin, is not available until later. By this time, players have likely enabled Karlach to touch people again. At this point, she will want to be the player’s only romantic relationship. But, for a time at least, players can explore a few options.
10Bittersweet Arc
Personal Arc Is One Of The Most Bittersweet
For those looking for more depth from theirBaldur’s Gate 3partner, Karlach’s personal story and character arc are some of the most profound and bittersweet in the game. It begins, as discussed above, with the fact that she hasnot been able to touch another beingfor years.
Karlach’s arc progresses with some very high moments, followed by some devastating lows. At its peak, Karlach has an emotional outburst of rage, fear, and devastation. The following conversation with her is heartwarming and bittersweet, meaning a relationship with Karlach is sure to be an emotional experience.
