Baldur's Gate 3 Player Discovers The Real Reason Karlach Won't Go To Avernus Alone

The barbarian tiefling Karlach is one of the more fiery (pun intended) origin characters in . Despite the illithid tadpole in her head, Karlach has another immediate threat to her life: the mechanical heart placed in her chest. Though players can find some temporary relief for her rapidly-heating heart, the only way to stop Karlach from overheating is if she returns to Avernus. Karlach will immediately dismiss this idea, accepting that she’s living on borrowed time.

Reddit user Fraestro6 had to reckon with Karlach’s fate after four playthroughs and 500 hours in the game. In the post, the user laments that they couldn’t suggest Karlach go to Avernus by herself, ultimately resulting in her death (and a heart-wrenching conversation with Withers). “’” they wrote. But one user in the comments pointed out a very good reason why she won’t venture to Avernus alone.

“” Reddit user Caaros pointed out in the comments of the post. “”

Karlach is set to get some epilogue changes in Baldur's Gate 3, and this is only one part of what Larian Studios has planned for Act 3.

For those who don’t want to commit to an adventure in the hells following the journey they’ve just completed, there’s the option to turn Karlach into a mind flayer in to save her at the climax of Act 3. She’ll offer to do so and control the Netherbrain, saving the party, though she’ll later unveil during the epilogue that she feels her identity erasing with every brain she consumes. It’s a bittersweet ending, but a viable one that allows her to live without ever returning to the hells.

Romancing another companion character in makes it a little difficult to convince Karlach to go to Avernus and find a solution to her mechanical heart, as players will miss out on important post-game content with their partner if they leave for the Hells. Though agreeing to go to Avernus with her seems like the most obvious avenue to saving her (without turning her into an illithid), it’s not the only route for those who don't