Every companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 has an underlying issue that only your character can solve, and if you want to romance Karlach, then you need to get past her boiling-hot exterior – both literally and figuratively. If you can prove your worth though, and manage the engine she has for a heart, Karlach can be won over. Here’s how to romance Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3.
How to Gain Karlach’s Favor in Baldur’s Gate 3
In order to Romance Karlach in BG3, you need to earn her favor in Act I and eventually move on to the engine of a heart. I would recommend focusing on earning her favor before the heart though, especially because you need Infernal Iron for the full romance. There are two major events in Act I that you can use to earn Karlach’s favor as you look for the iron.
The first event is siding with the Tieflings at Druid Grove and helping them at any chance you get. Once you decide to help them, you will need to complete the second major event, which is wiping out the Goblin Camp. This camp needs to be destroyed before you can truly save the refugee Tieflings. After you successfully give them a new home, you will be in Karlach’s favor going forward.
Related: How to Free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3
To make the general approval process move even faster, I would also recommend choosing dialogue options where you play the part of the hero. Saving others and completing heroic actions are what Karlach will prefer in Baldur’s Gate 3.
That’s just the start though, and you eventually need some spare Infernal Iron to make sure approval leads to a full relationship.
How to Romance Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3
To truly romance Karlach in BG3, you need to mend the engine for a heart she has with Infernal Iron. Until an Infernal Mechanic makes adjustments to the heart, her skin is far too hot to touch, which means no romance to fill the Lilith-sized hole in your heart.
Two things are necessary in fixing the heart: Finding the Infernal Mechanic named Dammon, and collecting Infernal Iron. Dammon can be found at Druid Grove before you help them all leave. Later on, you can find him at the Last Light Inn next to the stables.
As for the Infernal Iron, you can find pieces of it within the Goblin Camp. That means you can technically mend the heart in Act 1. But if you miss the chance, you can get more Infernal Iron at the Mason’s Guild in the Shadowlands or at the Temple of Shar in the same region.
When you bring the pieces to Dammon, you will have a small window to kiss Karlach as her skin cools down. Going forward, you may need some water, ice, and more Infernal Iron to keep the romance going. But that about sums it up for your relationship in Baldur’s Gate 3.
If you don’t like your companions, then check out our guide on romance with your Guardian in BG3 instead.
