Summary
- Baldur's Gate 3 companions have similarities to characters from Dragon Age, such as Astarion seeming like a combination of Zevran, Fenris, and Dorian.
- Astarion is a flirty and murderous rogue with sass and dramatic flare, making him a deadly yet alluring companion.
- Gale in Baldur's Gate 3 combines the charm of Alistair with the traumatic tendencies of Anders, making him a dorky and attractive wizard who is devoted to the player character.
The companions of Baldur's Gate 3 may feel familiar to fans of the Dragon Age franchise. Whether Larian's Baldur's Gate 3 took direct inspiration or if it's just a coincidence, the similarities are very noticeable.
Upon close reflection, it's clear that comparisons can be drawn between various companions from BioWare's Dragon Age games and Larian's six core Baldur's Gate 3 companions.
Zevran + Fenris + Dorian = Astarion
Astarion is Zevran, Fenris, and Dorian all rolled into one being. He has Zevran's flirty and murderous personality, Fenris's traumatic backstory, and Dorian's sass and dramatic flare. This combination makes him deadly and alluring, for the more Tav/Durge gets to know him, the more he'll open up to them and offer a softer side. It's especially true if the player chooses to romance him, and the same can be said for all three Dragon Age boys as well. Overall, Astarion is a worthwhile companion who makes for an amazing lover or great friend, as long as the player is willing to give him a chance.
|
Similarities |
Astarion |
Zevran |
Fenris |
Dorian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
|
Flirty/Likes to be flirted with |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Sassy/Witty remarks |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Relishes in murderous actions/bloodshed |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Used by others |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Former Slave |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Tortured by their Master |
Yes |
N/A |
Yes |
No |
|
Has magic scars from being tortured |
Yes |
N/A |
Yes |
N/A |
|
Genuinely confused at the idea of a proper romantic relationship (aka never been in a romantic relationship before) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Alistair + Anders = Gale
Gale is a combination of Alistair and Anders. He has Alistair's charm, ego, and sense of humor, along with Anders' trauma, literal explosive tendencies, and affinity for cats. This mixture makes him dorky and yet attractive, essentially making him a version of Anders with an upbringing like Alistair. When romanced, he'll devote himself to Tav/Durge, show them all kinds of magical tricks, and even compare them to his tressym, Tara. Overall, Baldur's Gate 3's Gale works well as the residential wizard for the party and is just as fun as a friend as he is as a lover.
|
Similarities |
Gale |
Alistair |
Anders |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
|
Charming personality |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Arrogant ego |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Humorous/witty remarks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Romantic |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Gifted at a young age |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Interest in magic/the arcane |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Traumatically groomed by a magical authority |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Playing host to a magical entity that is capable of exploding |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Doesn't like to share when romanced (them or me mentality) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Has a cat/love of cats |
Yes |
N/A |
Yes |
Isabela + Iron Bull = Karlach
Karlach is a mix of Isabela and Iron Bull. She has Isabela's cool demeanor and penchant for fun and freedom, plus Iron Bull's equally cool demeanor and martial prowess. This combination makes her a strong warrior who knows how to have a good time, along with being an all-around friend Tav/Durge can rely on. Overall, Baldur's Gate 3's Karlach is a great companion whether Tav/Durge chooses to romance her or not, and it's worth sparing her in her first encounter, rather than giving in to Wyll's desire to fulfill his patron's request.
|
Similarities |
Karlach |
Isabela |
Iron Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Barbarian/Warrior Class |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Knows how to hold their own in a fight |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Warrior upbringing |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Cool demeanor |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Expert at fighting |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Likes to have fun |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Values Freedom |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Had a mercenary/assassin force sent after them for leaving/betraying their former master/organization |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Polyamorous to a degree (only until the relationship gets serious) |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Alistair + Merrill + Cullen = Wyll
Wyll is Alistair, Merrill, and Cullen all rolled into one being. He has Alistair's charm, wit, and noble upbringing, along with Merrill's willingness to make a deal with a demon and Cullen's knight-in-shining-armor attitude. This combination makes him a goody-two-shoes ex-noble with a pact with a demon, whose romantic side is easily overlooked. Overall, Wyll functions well as the party's resident warlock and his romance can feel like a fairy tale.
|
Similarities |
Wyll |
Alistair |
Merrill |
Cullen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Warlock Class/Magical powers |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Charming personality |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Noble upbringing |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Romantic |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Sweetheart |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Knight in shining armor tendencies |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Made a pact with a demon to further their magic |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Morrigan + Leliana + Cassandra = Shadowheart
Shadowheart is a fusion of Morrigan, Leliana, and Cassandra. She has Morrigan's wit and sarcasm, Leliana's secrecy and faith questioning, and Cassandra's religious devotion and fighting prowess. This mix makes her a religious devotee with secrets, whose wit and sarcasm often make her come off as disinterested and unkind.
Get to know her better, and she'll display a softer side, trusting Tav/Durge with what she remembers of her interests, likes, and fears. The faith questioning doesn't appear till the player makes her question her faith in Shar, and she can either reaffirm her faith or shift to worship Selune. Overall, Shadowheart is an intriguing companion who is worth getting to know better, even if the player doesn't choose to romance her.
|
Similarities |
Shadowheart |
Morrigan |
Leliana |
Cassandra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cleric/Warrior Class |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Witty/Sarcastic remarks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Sheltered upbringing |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
Tough-girl facade breaks over time to reveal a soft heart |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Fighting prowess (not afraid to get their hands dirty) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Secrecy/Sworn to secrecy |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Religiously devoted to the one they worship |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Questions their faith |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Sten + Cassandra = Lae'zel
Lae'zel is a mix of Sten and Cassandra. She has Sten's bluntness and warrior prowess, along with Cassandra's aggressiveness and take-action mentality. This combination makes her a force to be reckoned with, and she puts honor and respect above all else.
Warm up to her and choose to romance her, and in Act 3 she'll tell Tav/Durge that she used to despise everything about Faerun, but they've shown her the beauty the world has to offer. Overall, Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'zel is a strange member of the party who can be very off-putting at first, but with enough attention, she makes for a great friend and an even better lover.
|
Similarities |
Lae'zel |
Sten |
Cassandra |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Warrior Class |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Blunt/Serious remarks |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Warrior Prowess |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Martial Prowess |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
Takes a lot to earn their respect |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Aggressive |
Yes |
Sometimes |
Yes |
|
Take-action mentality |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Fish out of water/away from their homeland |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Baldur's Gate 3
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- Metascore
- 96
