Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 is bursting with new content and attracting an influx of players who want to try their hand at the heaps of new content available. The last major update for Baldur’s Gate 3 offers fresh possibilities through its new subclasses, opening up the floor for more roleplay and deeper combat. Players who have already experienced the game through multiple runs - whether they have romanced, rescued, or battled their way through - and those hearing the haunting first notes of the title screen for the first time face the same dilemma: wondering how to assign subclasses to Tav, Durge, and other origin companions while staying true to each character's backstory.
One character on players’ minds is Karlach: the fan-favorite infernal engine of destruction with pure golden retriever energy. Karlach’s barbarian-leaning storyline beacons the player toward brute force, providing a friendly tank to any unbalanced party. Patch 8 introduces a potential new twist for players looking for the best Karlach build, opening up a realm of bold possibilities for combat. While players can respec Karlach into any class or subclass, choosing one that fits her story, combat style, and emotional core makes the playthrough all the more satisfying. Fortunately, Patch 8's Giant Barbarian suits Karlach perfectly.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 Leaves a Few Boxes Unchecked
Patch 8 brings big changes to Baldur’s Gate 3, but mod instability and unaddressed sought-after wishlist items leave a few too many boxes unchecked.
All Roads Lead to The Giant Barbarian Sublass for Karlach
Karlach has a huge heart, huge energy, and a huge love for her companions. Therefore, a subclass that makes her literally larger than life makes perfect sense for her character. She is already a powerhouse of a warrior, but the Giant Barbarian subclass takes everything to the next level in the best, most chaotic way possible. Players looking to lean into the fun, feral, and full-send energy of the camp’s beloved tiefling should know that a Giant Barbarian build in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a top choice.
A Menace on the Battlefield
Karlach’s strength-focused build pairs beautifully with the Giant Barbarian subclass's extra damage on throws and resistance to physical damage, letting her charge into the frontlines of the map with reckless abandon. Additionally, the flair of the Elemental Cleaver feature even lets her deal bonus elemental damage types in true BG3 fashion (Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder). Seeing a character like Karlach fling a flaming greataxe toward some enemies like it’s nothing embodies all the techniques that she would have learned in Avernus. It also fits her character arc: fueled by rage, deeply protective, and larger than life in every way.
A Warrior as Big as Her Heart
Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 and its Giant Barbarian subclass let a character grow in size during combat, making someone like Karlach even more of a dominating force on the battlefield. And due to her large size, she can use her towering height over others ingeniously. With the Mighty Impel subclass feature, Karlach can throw a creature or object that is Medium-sized or smaller. Throwing enemies across the map becomes a viable (and hilarious) strategy thanks to Giant’s Rage, and once she gets Mighty Impel, she can start using smaller foes as weapons. For a tiefling who values humor and lightheartedness like Karlach, the Mighty Impel feature would likely come second nature to her.
Honorable Mention for Multiclassing Karlach: Rogue Swashbuckler
Players seeking challenging gameplay may be inclined to explore Patch 8 multiclassing options for BG3 companions. And not every version of Karlach has to lean into brute force. For players who imagine her navigating a life of quick escapes, high-stakes risks, and devil-may-care charm, the Swashbuckler subclass offers an exciting spin. This version of Karlach is still fierce, but quicker, more agile, and just as intimidating. Swashbuckler lets her dart in and out of combat with panache, striking with precision and then slipping away before the enemy knows what hit them.
She’s Fast and Fiercely Independent
Swashbuckler builds in BG3 thrive when darting through the battlefield alone, and Karlach’s story lends itself well to that kind of solo grit. She spent years surviving on the run, relying on quick thinking and quicker reflexes. With the Rakish Audacity feature, she doesn’t need advantages to deal Sneak Attack damage, making her feel dangerous and self-sufficient even when surrounded. And with the Fancy Footwork feature, this version of Karlach is a blaze of movement: dodging, weaving, and landing devastating hits before vanishing without consequence like a spark in the wind.
The Charisma and Roleplay Factors Just Make Sense
Karlach has a warm, expressive personality that practically glows despite the pressure of her infernal engine. The Swashbuckler subclass is notable for its charisma roleplaying, and meme potential in BG3—suiting Karlach perfectly. With the Panache feature, Karlach could deploy more defensive tactics to not rely on characters like Shadowheart. She wouldn’t just be a rogue who stabs and runs; she grins in the face of danger, banters with her enemies, and would carry herself in combat like someone who knows she’s a force of nature. In other words, she’s not just surviving, she’s showing off, and she’s definitely earned it.
It also ties beautifully into Karlach’s story: escaping the Bloodwar and living on the edge would demand cunning, charisma, and the ability to stay one step ahead. Swashbuckler Karlach is less the raging berserker and more the blazing comet: hot, fast, and impossible to pin down.
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
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.
- Genre(s)
- RPG
