Baldur’s Gate 3: Most Likeable NPCs

The ground-breaking Baldur’s Gate 3 earned many of its gaming awards through its stellar writing, which shines the brightest when it comes to its characters. Each one feels like a real person, thanks to intricate character development, accomplished voice acting, and realistic mo-capped movements. Fans have no shortage of favorite Baldur’s Gate 3 characters, and the internet has no shortage of theories, headcanons, and point-for-point analyses of different conversation options.

The fanfare isn’t just reserved for the main cast of companions, either. Even the most minor, one-off NPCs have their dedicated fanbases. Some only appear in one of the three acts, while others pop up throughout the game, showing off a new side of themselves every time.

10 Naaber

A Doofus From A Long Line of Doofuses

Baldur’s Gate 1 brought players Noober. Baldur’s Gate 2 has Neeber. And now, in the modern age of Baldur’s Gate 3, the latest iteration of “most annoying man alive” goes to Naaber. Don’t think too poorly of him, though. This goofball’s just trying to figure out what adventure class he wants to be in (a common issue for many players). He just hasn’t realized yet that he’s probably safest doing…literally anything else.

Each interaction with Naaber has him doing “try-outs” for various classes, often leaving the player character stunned by his theatrics. He’s harmless enough – maybe too much for his own good – and players certainly can’t fault him for lack of enthusiasm.

9 Youth Varrl

A Githyanki Who Prefers Kindness Rather Than Cruelty

Baldur’s Gate 3 firmly establishes the Githyanki as a brutal, militaristic society where violence is almost always the answer. However, it also makes it clear that not everyone who grows up in that culture necessarily agrees with its values. Youth Varrl is an awkward teenager whose preference for kindness and comradery puts him at odds with the rest of Crèche Y’lleck.

His wide-eyed idealism is adorable to witness, gushing over Prince Orpheus as any kid does over their favorite hero. And to see him hold to his beliefs, even under the harsh disapproval of his teacher, proves he’s a lot tougher than he looks. The Society of Brilliance doesn’t need to rob a hatchery to prove the inherent goodness of the gith. They have a perfect example of it right here.

8 Danis & Bex

The Cutest Couple That Deserves Happiness

Perhaps it’s cheating to put two NPCs in the same spot, but if players have learned anything from the “Rescue The Tieflings” quest, it’s that this couple is inseparable. These two can endure almost any peril so long as they’re together, dreaming of their idyllic future in Baldur’s Gate. And in a game filled with fraught relationships, seeing two people just so in love is a welcome reprieve.

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Rescuing Danis from Moonrise and reuniting him with Bex at the Last Light Inn is so sweet, it gives players cavities. Speaking of which, the reward for doing so? Bex’s fresh homemade cookies, are an adorable cache of loot that shows just how cute and innocent this couple is.

7 Hope Hearthflame

She Can Always Be Found, Even In Hell

It takes willpower of pure adamantine to survive a devil’s torture and still come out the other side as relentlessly optimistic as Hope. Raphael’s most secluded prisoner is a gold dwarf who not only refuses his advances but also refuses to give in to despair. Hope’s eccentric nature means she’s as chaotic good as it gets, helping players navigate the House of Hope in exchange for her long-awaited freedom.

Hope’s existence in Hell is poetry at its finest, a beacon of light in the Planes’ darkest pit. It’s always an honor to find Hope in Hell, and quite the ironic statement at that.

6 Mol

A Mischievous Tiefling Child Who Looks Out For Her Friends

Just wait, this kid will be running the Guildhall before she’s twelve. Mol may be small, but her criminal ambitions are big. Her ruthlessness is for a good cause, though. Her merry band of orphan con artists thrives under her cunning leadership. She’s earned their undying loyalty, even dealing with the nefarious Raphael to ensure their survival.

Even for players who don’t agree with her methods, Mol’s dedication to her found family is undeniable. All the grown-ups in their lives may have failed them, but not her. Not ever. Mol will always be there for the kids, and they look up to her like she’s a hero.

5 Alfira

A Sweet Songbird Bard

A cloud of misery hangs over the Tieflings in the Emerald Grove, save for one cotton candy bard with nothing but a lute and a dream. That bard is Alfira, a lover of music, woodland critters, and her “gal pal” Lakrissa.

A starry-eyed dreamer with a lilting voice and relentless optimism, Alfira is as “Disney princess” as Baldur’s Gate 3 gets. She’s such a perfect bard archetype, it’s downright shocking that Larian Studios hasn’t made her a companion yet, especially since she’s a bard, and no companions have that natural ability.

4 Rolan

An Arrogant Wizard, Hiding A Heart Of Gold

At first glance, Rolan seems to be the textbook example of the arrogant wizard. Constantly boasts about his talents but is rarely able to back them up. And yet, his sneaky charms have won over many fans of the game, especially when paired with his siblings.

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It all starts with his siblings, Cal and Lia. Despite their bickering, it’s obvious those two mean the world to Rolan, the only family he’s ever known. His character arc between Last Light Inn and Sorcerous Sundries is also a fan-favorite. By the end, many fans cheer him on as he finally stands up to his mentor Lorroakan.

3 Dammon

A Blacksmith Who Just Wants To Help Everyone

The best people in the world are the ones who offer help, even when it’s inconvenient for them. So it is with Dammon, doing everything he can for a woman he just met two minutes ago. Granted, that woman is Karlach, and, double-granted, he knows there aren’t many other infernal mechanics she can turn to. But when players ask him to help with her infernal engine, he makes it his personal mission in life to fix her burning heart.

Bonus points for him being one of the most honest tradesmen on the Sword Coast, always offering a fair deal to the adventurers who saved him and his kin. Just be careful of the Strange Ox that always seems to be lurking nearby.

2 Barcus Wroot

A Loyal Friend, Even When Others Are Undeserving Of Such Loyalty

Although he’s no Halfling, Barcus is the closest thing Baldur’s Gate 3 has to a Hobbit. He’s a charming mix of sassy, humble, haughty, and sincere. He feels more at home when he’s at home than when he’s out on dangerous adventures. But most importantly, Barcus has the most Hobbit-like quality of all: the courage to bumble headfirst into peril over and over again in the name of friendship.

It doesn’t matter how many windmills Barcus gets strapped to, nothing stops him from saving his friends. His relentless courage and loyalty as a small Deep Gnome in a big, bad world is inspiring. And it’s equally heartbreaking to realize that he’s essentially a Samwise without a Frodo…

1 Scratch

A Very, Very Good Boy

What else is there to say? Scratch the dog is impossible not to love. He’s as loyal as they come, brings players random loot after long rests, and will even politely thank the player for scratching and petting him behind the ears (if players have a “Speak with Animals” spell going). He’s every adventurer’s best friend.

An honorary mention goes to his best friend and partner in crime, the Owlbear Cub. He’s very lucky to have Scratch as a big brother (after his mum ate his last big brother). Scratch is an adorable and welcome addition to the camp, and players can play fetch with him.