Karlach’s storyline in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most emotionally powerful arcs in the game, and convincing her to return to Avernus isn’t a decision that should be made lightly. As a tiefling warrior with a past scarred by war and infernal servitude, Karlach’s fate hangs in the balance as the story approaches its climax. If you’re aiming for the Avernus ending and want her to embrace this path, it takes more than just a conversation. Your actions, dialogue choices, and relationship with Karlach throughout the game will determine whether she agrees to go back to the hells. This guide will walk you through every necessary step to convince Karlach to go to Avernus in BG3.
Understanding Karlach’s Arc and the Avernus Option
Who is Karlach?
Karlach is a companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 who was formerly bound to the archdevil Zariel. After escaping Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells, she seeks freedom and redemption. However, the infernal engine in her chest makes her presence on the Material Plane temporary without a solution, she will eventually die from the strain of staying.
Why Would Karlach Return to Avernus?
Though she hates the hells, Karlach may see returning to Avernus as the only option to survive. If her condition worsens and no other solutions are found, going back could be reframed not as surrender but as sacrifice or even a fight for change. Convincing Karlach to embrace this outcome involves narrative alignment and emotional support.
Build a Strong Relationship with Karlach
Companionship and Trust
Throughout your journey, it’s essential to earn Karlach’s trust. That means siding with her in key decisions, helping her embrace her emotions, and treating her as more than a weapon of war.
- Encourage her empathy and kindness, especially in situations involving innocent NPCs.
- Choose compassionate dialogue when she opens up about her past.
- Avoid siding with characters who represent oppressive or cruel ideologies Karlach despises tyrants and manipulators.
- If you romance Karlach, this further strengthens your influence on her decisions.
Let Her Embrace Agency
One key to convincing Karlach to go to Avernus is framing the journey as her choice, not yours. When you speak to her about the possibility, listen rather than push. This balance of influence and respect is central to a successful outcome.
Reach the Final Act Prepared
Understand Her Condition
By Act 3, Karlach’s infernal engine begins to fail. You’ll encounter moments where she expresses fear and frustration about not having a future. Use these moments to gently introduce the idea that Avernus might offer her more than just survival it could be a chance for liberation or rebellion against Zariel.
Find Dammon and Exhaust Dialogue
Dammon, the infernal mechanic, is central to Karlach’s arc. Talk to him whenever you can especially in Act 3 about upgrades or solutions for Karlach’s engine. If no alternative fix is available, this builds the groundwork for why Avernus might become her only hope.
Trigger the Avernus Ending Path
Final Conversations with Karlach
As the story nears its end, you’ll get a final chance to speak with Karlach about her fate. When this moment comes, your previous relationship and choices will determine the available dialogue options.
- Speak honestly about the dangers and unknowns of Avernus.
- Emphasize that she doesn’t have to go alone you can offer to accompany her.
- Frame the journey as a mission not exile where she can help others or strike back at Zariel.
- Appeal to her warrior’s heart and desire to protect others from what she’s endured.
If you’ve built a deep connection, especially romantic, she may agree more readily when she knows she won’t face the Nine Hells alone.
Choosing to Go with Her
At the end, you may get the option to join Karlach on her journey to Avernus. This is one of the most emotional endings in the game and reinforces the bond between your characters. Be sure you’re ready, as this locks in your ending and removes you from the Material Plane’s final cutscenes.
Dialogue Choices That Matter
Key Lines to Look For
When the final confrontation approaches, keep an eye out for specific dialogue prompts. You may see options like:
- You won’t be alone. I’ll go with you.
- Avernus is hell, but it’s not worse than dying here.
- You can survive there. Maybe even make a difference.
- If there’s a chance to fight back against Zariel, we should take it.
These lines build on previous conversations and only appear if you’ve supported Karlach consistently throughout the game.
What Happens After You Convince Her?
The Avernus Epilogue
If Karlach accepts the decision to return to Avernus, you will witness a unique ending where she leaves the Material Plane either alone or with your character. She may express fear, courage, or resolve, depending on how the conversation was handled.
Going to Avernus can feel like a bittersweet victory. It’s a survival story, not a perfect solution. But with the right approach, it can become a meaningful finale to her arc especially if you convince her that her future still has purpose, even in hell.
Other Ending Variants to Avoid
Letting Karlach Die
If you avoid the Avernus option or fail to build a close connection, Karlach may choose to stay behind and face death when her engine finally fails. This ending can be tragic, especially if she feels abandoned or out of options.
Trying to Force Her to Stay
Overriding Karlach’s agency insisting she stay against her wishes can backfire. She may reject your arguments and follow her own path. It’s better to align your words with her values and offer choices instead of commands.
Tips for a Successful Convincing
- Keep your approval rating high with Karlach through kind and empathetic choices.
- Complete all personal quests and companion moments involving her.
- Explore all dialogue trees with Dammon and other infernal lore sources.
- Choose the romantic path if possible it gives stronger narrative weight.
- Frame Avernus as redemption, not punishment.
Convincing Karlach to go to Avernus in Baldur’s Gate 3 requires far more than picking the right line at the end. It demands commitment, empathy, and an understanding of who Karlach really is a survivor, a fighter, and someone who longs for meaning after years of servitude. If you honor her journey and guide her with respect, the decision to face the hells once more can become a moment of empowerment, not tragedy. Whether she walks into the fire alone or with you by her side, you’ll know it was her choice, forged by your shared story and the trust you earned together.