Baldur's Gate 3 Karlach Guide: Romance, Heart, and Throwing Barbarian Build

※This article is based on information as of May 29, 2026. Baldur's Gate 3 does not have a season system. The latest major patch is "Patch 8", and multiple hotfixes have been released since then. The latest patch for the Japanese PS5 version is 1.800.801, released on March 27, 2026.

Karlach, the fiery warrior who escaped from Avernus. Despite her cheerful and honest personality, she is a tragic heroine with a "Hellish Engine" on the verge of breakdown in her chest. This article provides a comprehensive guide to Karlach, from a romance guide to win her heart and steer her fate in a positive direction, to the strongest "Throwing Barbarian" build that boasts overwhelming firepower on the battlefield.

Karlach's Approval and Romance Progression

Karlach is strongly righteous and prefers heroic actions that help the weak and stand against the strong. To earn her trust, the player's choices are crucial.

Factors Affecting Approval

To deepen your relationship with her, understanding her values is essential. Below is a summary of actions that affect her approval.

Romance Progression Chart

Romance with Karlach is closely tied to her heart problem. By following these steps, you can build a special relationship with her.

1. [Act 1] Meeting and First Repair
   Recruit Karlach on the Risen Road. Afterwards, take her to Dammon, the Tiefling blacksmith in Emerald Grove. You'll discover that "Infernal Iron" is needed for her heart repair. Acquire one "Infernal Iron" from locations like the Goblin Camp and give it to Dammon to upgrade her heart. This will slightly stabilize her body temperature.
2. [Act 1] Approaching at the Celebration Party
   After resolving the goblin problem, talk to Karlach at the Tiefling celebration party and confess your interest in her. If she feels the same, you can agree to spend the night together. However, her body is still too hot to touch. The next morning, an event occurs where you attempt to cool her down with water-based spells or by throwing water, then try to kiss her.
3. [Act 2] Complete Repair and First Kiss
   In Act 2, you'll reunite with Dammon at the Last Light Inn. By giving him a second "Infernal Iron", her heart repair will be completed. You will finally be able to touch Karlach and share a passionate kiss.
4. [Act 2 & 3] Deepening the Relationship
   After her heart is repaired, taking a Long Rest at camp will trigger a proper romance scene with Karlach. In Act 3, a special date event with her awaits you in the city of Baldur's Gate.

Resolving the Heart Problem and Ending Branches

Karlach's fate greatly changes depending on how you confront the Hellish Engine problem. To achieve the best possible outcome for her, careful choices are necessary.

Repairing the Hellish Engine and Dammon's Survival

The prerequisite for Karlach's romance and survival path is to repair her heart in two stages. To do this, you must meet Dammon in each act and give him a total of two "Infernal Iron" pieces. Especially in Act 2 at the Last Light Inn, there is a risk of Dammon dying in combat. Prioritize ensuring his survival. If he dies, Karlach's personal quest and romance will end there.

Ending Options

At the conclusion of the story, Karlach's fate branches into three possibilities:

• Go to Avernus (Survival Route): Her heart cannot last long in Faerûn's environment. To stop it from malfunctioning, she must return to her homeland, Avernus. This is considered Karlach's most hopeful ending. If the player character, with whom she has a romance, or Wyll, who also has ties to Avernus, offers to "go with her," she is freed from the solitude of returning to Avernus alone.
• Death (Remain in Faerûn Route): If she refuses to return to Avernus and chooses to remain in Faerûn, after defeating the Netherbrain, her heart will burn out, leading to a tragic death.
• Become a Mind Flayer: In the final stages of the story, there is an option for Karlach to offer to become a Mind Flayer (Illithid) instead of the player character or Orpheus. This allows her to physically survive, but her soul will be lost.

The Strongest "Throwing Barbarian" Build Explained

Karlach's class, Barbarian, offers high durability and melee damage. Among them, the "Throwing Barbarian" build, utilizing the characteristics of the "Berserker" subclass, boasts tremendous destructive power from early to late game.

Build Concept and Class Composition

This build focuses on significantly increasing throwing attack damage with the "Tavern Brawler" feat and boosting the number of attacks with the Berserker's bonus action, "Enraged Throw." Its strength lies in its ability to consistently deal high damage, regardless of range.
Recommended class compositions are as follows:

• Barbarian (Berserker) 8 levels / Rogue (Thief) 4 levels: This composition allows for multiple uses of "Enraged Throw" per turn due to the Thief's extra bonus action. It offers many attacks and excellent sustained damage output.
• Barbarian (Berserker) 8 levels / Fighter (Battle Master) 4 levels: This option offers burst damage from the Fighter's "Action Surge" and improved accuracy and damage from the "Fighting Style (Throwing)."

Ability Scores and Feats

• Ability Score Priority: Set Strength > Constitution > Dexterity in that order.
• Target Values: Aim for Strength 20 ultimately. Since the "Tavern Brawler" feat obtained at level 4 grants +1 Strength, setting the initial value to 17 is efficient. Boost the remaining with the "Ability Score Improvement" feat.
• Essential Feat: Absolutely acquire "Tavern Brawler". This feat adds your [Strength] modifier twice to both the attack roll and damage roll of throwing attacks, causing a massive increase in damage.

Key Actions and Recommended Equipment

• Key Actions: Enter combat stance with "Rage" and the Berserker-specific "Frenzy", then use "Enraged Throw" as your main attack, performed as a bonus action. The additional effect of knocking enemies Prone is also powerful.
• Recommended Equipment:
  • Returning Pike: A magical weapon sold in Act 1. It automatically returns to your hand after being thrown, making it ideal for early-game throwing builds.
  • Nyrulna: A legendary spear obtained in Act 3. When thrown, it deals area damage, affecting multiple enemies.
  • Ring of Flinging: A ring that adds 1d4 to throwing damage.
  • Caustic Band: Adds +2 acid damage to weapon attacks, boosting overall damage.

Summary

Karlach is a captivating character with a kind soul, battling through the infernal flames of Avernus while never abandoning hope. By carefully following her personal quest and resolving her heart problem, she will accompany you as an invaluable partner on your journey. Furthermore, building her as a powerful "Throwing Barbarian" will make her a formidable force capable of crushing any enemy. Please use this guide to maximize your enjoyment of your adventure with Karlach.