All my friends are strategically jumping off a cliff for a Baldur’s Gate romance, diving headfirst into the game’s rich tapestry of companions and steamy storylines-and you can too. Whether you’re wooing the mysterious Shadowheart, the charming Astarion, or any of the other complex characters, Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a romance system as deep and unpredictable as the Forgotten Realms themselves. Ready to forge bonds that could change your adventure forever? Here’s how to master the art of love (and chaos) in the ultimate RPG romance guide.
Is this is extremely stupid? Yes. Are we probably being overcautious? Yes. But you don’t know what I’ve been through. The hours I spent replaying the early areas of BG3, trying to get this absolutely charming tiefling Barbarian to like me, without success. You don’t know how I’ve suffered.
You see, unlike some of your other companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, if you don’t get Karlach to like your player character by the middle of Act 1, you will not have another chance to trigger her romance subplot. And, unique among your companions, she is also tucked in an out-of-the way corner of the map that’s gated by some really tough battles. I’m not the only person I know who reached the point of no return much earlier and less successfully than anticipated, and even after devoting weeks to immediately replaying the whole starting arc of the game came away with nothing to show for it.
I wish better for you, reader. And so I’m sharing the extremely stupid trick my friends developed for a Karlach romance playthrough: the Karlach Cliffstrat.
[Ed. note: This piece contains mild spoilers for the first act of Baldur’s Gate 3.]
Is this really necessary?
Is this really necessary? The cliff jump in Baldur’s Gate 3 has become a strategic move among players eager to unlock certain romance paths, especially with characters like Karlach. While it might seem like a drastic or even risky action, it’s actually a clever in-game tactic that allows you to reach specific locations or trigger events crucial for advancing romantic storylines. So, although it may feel extreme to jump off a cliff for love, in the context of the game’s design, it’s a necessary step to experience the full depth of character relationships and narrative.
Before you leap to the comments (perhaps taking fall damage) to tell me this isn’t necessary: You’re probably right! Larian Studios has made many tweaks to the game since this summer, when me and my friends were pining over Karlach’s pixelated indifference and settling for our second-choice romance. Those tweaks have probably improved things in invisible ways.
But when I start my next Karlach-focused playthrough, I won’t be taking any chances. I will not slash, blast, and charisma-check my way through hours and hours of the beginning of Baldur’s Gate 3 only to face the choice of immediately replaying it. I can’t do that again.
“It’s difficult to summarize the hardship that is watching a loved one get locked out of a video game romance,” Becky Chambers, award-winning author and inventor of the Karlach Cliffstrat, told me via direct message. She developed the Cliffstrat after observing her wife’s difficulty in activating Karlach’s romance.
“I’m on my computer smooching Shadowheart every time I walk into camp,” Chambers said, “and she’s on her computer saying, ’it’s okay, she’s just not into me, I understand.’ She played the entirety of BG3 without getting even one kiss. Unacceptable, even in this economy. It became my mission to remedy this situation, and achieving victory in this is perhaps the high point of my winter. I guess Christmas was also nice.”
In short, this strategy is for those who are truly determined.
So, let’s get started
So, let’s get started by diving into the captivating world of Baldur’s Gate 3 romances. Whether you’re drawn to the mysterious Shadowheart, the charming Gale, or the enigmatic Astarion, building a romantic relationship is all about earning your companion’s approval through your choices and actions. Engage with them during your journey, support their personal quests, and take advantage of moments at camp to deepen your bond. Remember, romances are inclusive and not limited by gender or race, allowing you to explore connections that fit your character’s story. Ready to jump in and experience the drama, intimacy, and unique dialogue that come with each romance? Your adventure in love awaits!
Put simply, the Karlach Cliffstrat takes advantage of a quirk of Baldur’s Gate 3’s map, which allows you to jump from a high cliff in the back of the Druid Grove directly to the valley stream where Karlach is stationed. This bypasses a long walk with several encounters and at least one really tough fight. Just getting to the Grove is a cakewalk in comparison – the hard part is surviving the landing.
This makes the Cliffstrat a little easier for player characters who start with a higher hit point total, since, I cannot stress enough, the easiest way to get to Karlach ASAP involves taking a significant amount of fall damage. But if you want to play a tissue-paper-fleshed caster class, the Karlach Cliffstrat will still work – you’ll just have to take some safety precautions.
Step 1a: Start the game and assemble a party
To begin your Baldur’s Gate 3 romance adventure, the first step is to start the game and assemble your party. Choose your character and carefully select companions to join you, as these companions are the potential romantic interests you’ll interact with throughout your journey. Each companion has unique personalities and approval preferences, so assembling a diverse party will give you more options for romance later on. Building relationships starts with having these companions by your side, allowing you to engage in meaningful dialogue and shared quests that pave the way for romantic connections.
You can go ahead and play through the beginning of the game as you like, until you find yourself alone on a beach with a wrecked ship. From this point, you will soon encounter the majority of your companions, and you should go find them swiftly. The priority right now is to get access to the Druid Grove, and having a full party of four will make that easier.
Step 1b: Find Gale
To begin romancing Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3, the first step is to find him and start building a positive relationship. Gale is typically found early in the game, and you’ll want to engage with him by making choices that align with his values-acts of heroism, kindness, and a genuine interest in magic and the arcane arts. Avoid unnecessary violence and cruelty to keep his approval high. Spending time talking to him at the camp and helping with his personal quests will deepen your connection. This foundation is crucial before you can move on to more intimate romantic interactions later in the game.
If you’re playing a character with less than, ohhhh, 30 hit points, make a beeline to roughly 222,323 in the map coordinates and pick up Gale. You will easily get to level 2 before taking your leap of faith, and as a wizard, he can learn Feather Fall at level 2. This spell will keep you from taking any fall damage at all while yeeting yourself employing the Karlach Cliffstrat. Just remember to pick Feather Fall when you level him up, then open his spell book to make sure he memorizes Feather Fall on his next long rest, and then take a long rest.
There are other ways to get around this damage, of course – potions, class abilities, your own spells, potentially – but Gale’s Feather Fall is universal, replicable, and quick. You could potentially pick a higher hit point character in your party, like Lae’zel, to do the jump. But do you really want Lae’zel, not you, to get that pivotal moment of recruiting Karlach? You’re not getting Lae’zel to smooch Karlach, are you? Well, unless you’re playing as Lae’zel. But I digress.
Step 2: Get inside the Druid Grove
To get inside the Druid Grove in Baldur’s Gate 3, you need to make your way past the initial hostile areas and reach the entrance, which is guarded and somewhat restricted. After dealing with or avoiding the Intellect Devourers near the crashed Nautiloid ship, head east towards the ruins and enter through the chapel entrance to trigger a key conversation. Use your character’s abilities, such as Paladin’s Intimidation with Thaumaturgy, to navigate the dialogue and gain access without conflict. Be careful of environmental hazards like the cracked floor, and use the surroundings strategically to progress. Once you clear these obstacles, you can enter the Grove, where many story and romance opportunities await.
Once you have a full party, you can march directly to the Druid Grove, located at roughly 207,423. Following a series of events, you will hopefully be allowed inside.
Ignore all those juicy NPC interactions for now and proceed due north, then take a left at the vendor, and just before you hit a makeshift bar/forge area you’ll see a big door covered in runes.
That’s the door to Karlach.
Step 3: Get to the cliff
To reach the cliff in Baldur’s Gate 3 for a romance moment, you’ll want to first build a strong positive relationship with your chosen companion by making dialogue choices and actions they approve of. Spend time with them at camp and progress their personal quests to deepen your bond. When the right moment arrives-often after key story events like the Tiefling and goblin conflict resolution-you’ll get a special invitation or dialogue option to share a private walk or moment by the cliff. Accepting this will lead to an intimate scene that can further your romance, so be sure to respond with interest and kindness during the conversation to keep the romance alive.
Proceed through the door and you’ll be in the “Secluded Chamber.” Again, you can ignore all the NPCs in here and go straight for the ladder in the back, which will bring you back outside again. Walk northwest to the back of that small area and climb the rock face there to a cliff.
THE CLIFF. THE CLIFF OF THE KARLACH CLIFFSTRAT.
Step 4: Screw your courage to the sticking place
Step 4: Screw your courage to the sticking place
Now that you’ve built a positive rapport with your chosen companion through thoughtful dialogue and supportive actions, it’s time to take the plunge and initiate the romance. This phrase, originally from Shakespeare, means to summon your bravery and commit fully-just like locking a crossbow’s string in place before firing. In Baldur’s Gate 3, this moment often happens at camp, where you’ll get the chance to engage your companion in a romantic conversation. Respond with sincerity and confidence to their romantic cues, and you’ll unlock deeper relationship options, including intimacy. Remember, courage here means embracing vulnerability and making your intentions clear, which is key to advancing your romance storyline.
From here, depending on your draw distance settings, you may even be able to see Karlach. Even if not, rest assured, the patch of blood on the other side of that fallen log is where she will be stationed. Your landing zone is just north of the log, and if you select the Jump ability, the game will helpfully display exactly how much damage you’ll take when you hit the ground – a range of about 25 to 35 damage depending on your starting point and jump distance.
At this point you may be feeling pretty silly about this whole thing. Chambers admits she felt so in the moment she noticed that she could see Karlach from this weird little bit of the map on the back of the Grove.
“I first discounted the idea as absurd. I stood there, on the edge of the cliff, and I thought, ’no, this is ridiculous, there must be a better way.’ But that sort of narrow thinking is exactly the sort of kneejerk that impedes any sort of personal or societal progress. We didn’t put a man on the moon with that attitude. And so, in a moment of pure quixotic joy, I challenged myself to do the impossible. Quite literally, I took a leap of faith.”
Reader, take your own leap. Cast Feather Fall or take any other precautionary methods you have prepared, quicksave, and do the impossible.
Step 5: God save my little broken body
By the time you reach Step 5, your character might be battered and bruised from the emotional rollercoaster of Baldur’s Gate romances. This is the moment to pause, catch your breath, and maybe even pray for a little divine intervention. Whether it’s healing potions, a quick rest, or some heartfelt dialogue choices, taking care of your “little broken body” ensures you’re ready to dive back into the tangled web of love, loyalty, and betrayal that makes these romances unforgettable.
You did it! Pop your Second Wind or a couple healing potions if you need to. From here you should be able to walk about 10 steps over the log bridge and trigger Karlach’s introductory conversation. Then you can simply fast travel out of the valley, go to camp, put her into your party, and start wooing her in earnest.
Using the Cliffstrat, Chambers and her wife were able to successfully trigger Karlach’s romance subplot in their joint multiplayer playthrough.
Why are my friends risking everything for a Baldur’s Gate romance
Your friends are risking everything for a Baldur’s Gate romance because the game’s companions offer deeply immersive, emotionally charged relationships that go beyond simple friendship, creating dramatic and sometimes risky personal dynamics within the party. The romance system adds layers of intimacy and tension that can change how characters interact, making these bonds feel meaningful and impactful in the story. Players often find themselves drawn to the complexity of these relationships, even when it means navigating jealousy, conflict, or difficult choices, because the game rewards emotional investment and roleplaying depth. Moreover, some romances, like with Astarion, can be pursued without sacrificing your character’s morals, adding to the appeal and challenge of these connections. This mix of narrative weight and personal stakes explains why players are willing to “jump off a cliff” for these romances in Baldur’s Gate.
Are your friends risking everything for a Baldur’s Gate romance out of loyalty or obsession
Your friends are risking everything for a Baldur’s Gate romance out of a fascinating blend of loyalty and obsession. On one hand, loyalty drives them to protect and support their chosen companions, forging bonds that feel genuine and rewarding in the game’s rich narrative. On the other hand, obsession kicks in as players become captivated by the complex personalities, hidden secrets, and emotional depth of these characters-making the pursuit of romance feel like an irresistible quest in itself. This mix of heartfelt connection and intense fascination creates a compelling experience where players willingly take risks, knowing that the payoff is a story that’s uniquely theirs. So, it’s not just loyalty or obsession-it’s the thrilling combination of both that keeps them hooked.
