Karlach is a Zariel Tiefling in Baldur’s Gate 3 whose sole purpose is to save her people and cure her exploding heart. Being targeted by various individuals, including Wyll, this barbarian has a will of steel to survive any danger coming her way.
Karlach plays an important role in your team as a massive tank and damage dealer who can use two-handed greatswords to demolish enemies. As a barbarian, she can rage and turn into a giant to turn the tide of the fight in your favor.
For this reason, having a good build for Karlach is important. In this guide, we will help you create the best build for Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3 that will leverage three different classes to get the best outcome.
Before we start the build, you must first find and recruit Karlach. Recruiting her is a difficult task, as you can easily mess up the prerequisites or do something that will make her leave the party immediately. Follow our detailed guide to avoid any mistakes.
How to Recruit Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3
Karlach can be found near Risen Road, north of Druid Grove. Her exact coordinates are (X: 110, Y: 500).
If you have already recruited Wyll, you will reach her place as a part of Wyll’s companion quest, Blade of the Frontier. You can also learn about Karlach’s whereabouts by talking to a Paladin named Anders.
He will ask you to kill a devil. Upon talking to Karlach, you will understand that Anders is lying. At this point, you can recruit Karlach and kill Anders. You can also reason with Wyll, and he will let Karlach stay.
However, if you attack Druid Grove or Steal the Idol, it will result in Tieflings getting hurt. Karlach will leave your party immediately. If you haven’t recruited her yet, she will refuse to be a part of your party and will become violent.
Level 1 Selections for Karlach Build
After recruiting Karlach, you can visit her character selection screen to gain access to her abilities. As an origin character, you can’t change her race or background. However, you can select her class and ability points distribution.
Race: Tiefling
Subrace: Zariel Tiefling
Class: Barbarian
Background: Outlander
Skill Points: Strength 14+2, Dexterity 14, Constitution 15+1, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 10, Charisma 8.
Level 2 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 2, your HP will increase to 25 from 15. You will also get the following class action.
Reckless Attack: Deals 1d4 +10 piercing damage to the enemies.
Level 3 Selections for Karlach Build
At level 3, your HP will increase to 35 from 25, and you can now select your subclass.
Subclass: Giant
Class Action: Giant’s Rage. Become enraged and increase in size.
Level 4 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 4, your HP increases to 45 from 35. At this point, the first Feat slot also unlocks.
Feat: Tavern Brawler. Invest the ability point into Constitution. This feat adds your Strength modifier twice to your attack rolls upon using an unarmed attack or a throw.
Level 5 Selections for Karlach Build
At level 5, your HP increases to 55 from 45. You also get some class actions, which are mentioned below.
Extra Attack: Allows you to make an Extra Attack after doing an unarmed or melee attack.
Fast Movement: Increases your movement speed by 3m when wearing heavy armor.
You also get an additional bonus action.
Boot of the Giants: Allows you to kick an enemy for 17 damage. Chances improve if you are hidden or invisible.
Level 6 Selections for Karlach Build
At level 6, your HP increases to 65 from 45. You also get another bonus action.
Elemental Cleaver: During Rage, your weapon deals additional ice, fire, cold, or acid damage to the enemies. It can also be thrown, and upon throwing it, the weapon will return to your hands.
Level 7 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 7, your HP increases to 75 from 65. This is also the point where we will know the multiclass Karlach build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Class: Fighter
Spell: Second Wind. Allows you to heal for 1d10 by using your stamina.
Fighting Style: Dueling. Upon not using a weapon with your off-hand, you can do 2 additional damage to the enemies.
Level 8 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 8, your HP will increase to 83 from 74. This minor drawback in HP is due to the selection of another class.
At this point, you will be a level 2 Fighter. This will give you Action Surge, which allows you to immediately use another action in the same turn.
Level 9 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 9, your HP will increase to 92 from 83. You can now select the subclass for your Fighter.
Subclass: Battle Master
Due to the Battle Master subclass, you can now choose three Maneuvers.
Riposte: When a hostile creature misses an attack on you, roll a Superiority Dice to deal 1d8 damage.
Rally: Use a Superiority Dice to give an ally temporary 8 hit points.
Menacing Attack: Use a Superiority Dice to deal an additional 1d8 damage and frighten the enemies.
Level 10 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 10, your HP will increase to 101 from 92. We will also add another class at this point to our best Karlach build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Class: Rogue
We have done this to get a bonus action, which will prove invaluable with this build.
Level 11 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 11, your HP will increase to 108 from 100. You will get the following bonus actions for reaching level 2 of Rogue.
Cunning Action Hide: Allows you to hide from enemies by passing stealth checks.
Cunning Action Dash: Doubles your movement speed for 1 turn.
Cunning Action Disengage: retreat safely from fights. Enemies won’t get a chance for Opportunity Attacks.
Level 12 Selections for Karlach Build
Upon reaching level 12, your HP will increase to 116 from 108. As you reach level 2 of Rogue, you can now select the Subclass for your Rogue.
Subclass: Swashbuckler
Fancy Footwork: Upon hitting an enemy with the melee attack, it can’t make an opportunity attack against you for the rest of your turn.
Rakish Audacity: You gain a +2 bonus to your Initiative Rolls. If you are within 1.5m of the enemy, you will automatically have an advantage on a Sneak attack.
With this, our selections for each level of Karlach’s build are complete. However, we still need to get proper gear, accessories, and weapons to complete this build.
Best Weapon for Karlach Build in BG3
For this build, we will be using Balduran’s Giantslayer. It is a legendary weapon with the following characteristics.
- +3 Weapon Enchantment
- Giant Form bonus spell
- Deals 21-31 slashing damage while ignoring the enemy’s resistance to slashing
- Upon a successful hit, it doubles the bonus from the Strength modifier
- This weapon grants you advantage on Attack Rolls against large or giant creatures
Best Gear and Accessories for Karlach Build
Head: Bonespike Helmet. When you rage, enemies must pass a wisdom saving throw or they receive 2-8 psychic damage. It also grants you +2 intimidation in addition to Menacing attack (weapon action).
Cloak: Cloak of Protection. Grants you a +1 bonus for Armor Class and Saving Throws.
Armor: Bonespike Garb. Grants you 15 temporary hit points when you rage. Also decreases all incoming damage by 2, and if an enemy hits you with a melee attack, they receive 3 piercing damage.
Gloves: Bonespike Gloves. Allows you to ignore the enemy’s resistance to Slashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning.
Boots: Bonespike Boots. Increases jump attack distance by 1.5m.
Rings: Killer’s Sweetheart (upon killing a creature, your next attack roll is always a critical hit. Can be used once per long rest), Ring of Protection (increases Armor Class and Saving Throws by 1).
Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health. Increases the Constitution of its wearer to 23.
