Karlach is one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most beloved characters. This Tiefling Barbarian may not have the easiest life, but she certainly works hard to make the most of what she has been given. Her bubbly personality and witty jokes make her an amazing companion.
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Just like with every other companion in the game, Karlach’s fate is up to the player. Unfortunately, this character doesn’t get the ending she deserves, no matter which way you spin it. If you’re wondering what all can happen to her after the game is over, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a breakdown of all her endings.
Karlach Never Joins The Party
The first ending for Karlach is one that you never get to know the truth behind. If you never seek her out on Risen Road between the Druid’s Grove and the Goblin Camp, you will never meet her. In this version of reality, it really is up for debate as to what happened to her. Maybe she is able to upgrade her Infernal Engine alone, and maybe she isn’t.
Of course, the other alternative to this ending is that she never joined the party because Wyll killed her. If this is the case for your playthrough, it is safe to say you know exactly what happened to her.
Karlach Burns Out
One of the saddest endings for Karlach (though they are all sad) is her burning out. After the fight with the Netherbrain, you can allow her to die because her Infernal Engine becomes too unstable. This does allow her to maintain her decision that she doesn’t want to return to Avernus.
If you helped her with her Infernal Engine throughout the game, you will see a sad cutscene before she turns to ash. If you didn’t help her out, she will die without anyone even commenting on her death.
Karlach As A Mindflayer
This is the only true way to allow Karlach to live and not return to Avernus. However, as we have seen with the Emperor, Mindflayers will slowly transform, losing the person that they were before their birth as the Mindflayer.
In this ending, Karlach will become a Mindflayer to take over and destroy the Netherbrain. Afterward,she will continue living as herself, but the truth of the matter is, that it is only a matter of time before she changes who she is.
Karlach Betrayed By Tav
This is the worst ending for Karlach. In this ending, you will have her transform into a Mindflayer, and then you will betray her. If she is a Mindflayer and you decide to take over the Netherbrain, you will get a cutscene where Tav repeatedly stabs Karlach over and over again.
What makes this so horrible is that you know Karlach doesn’t truly want to be a Mindflayer, but she trusts you enough to do it. Then, she is killed for her decision. This is one of the cruelest things you can do to her in the game.
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Karlach Enthralled By The Netherbrain
In this ending of the game, Karlach is controlled by the Netherbrain. In order to obtain this ending, you will need to agree to take control of the Netherbrain and become the Absolute. As long as you haven’t turned anyone into Mindflayers, your party will be standing around you cheering, showing that they have all become mind-controlled.
Karlach Goes To Avernus
This is a very fitting end for Karlach (at least out of the endings she has). In this ending, Karlach agrees to go back to Avernus and live. If you have completed her companion quest and helped upgrade her Infernal Engine, she will listen to you and head back to Avernus.
Karlach Goes To Avernus With Wyll
This ending is the same as the one above except, this time, Wyll will go to Avernus with Karlach. If Karlach’s questline is completed and Wyll becomes the Blade of Avernus, he will volunteer to go back with Karlach. Considering where the two started out, this is a full-circle moment.
Karlach Goes To Avernus With Tav
This ending is the best for Karlach since she gets to be somewhat happy. In this ending, Karlach will head back to Avernus, but you will go with her. This can only happen if you romanced her and ask her if you can go along with her. While this is still a far cry from the ending Karlach deserves, it is the best one you can give her.
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