Summary
There are many brilliant animal characters inBaldur’s Gate 3and some of these form part of a double act. For these pairs of characters, the relationship between the human andtheir animal companioncan be integral to a player’s interactions with them, sometimes to the extent that the pair seem inseparable from each other.
While some may be enemies, some allies, and some even companions to the player, the one thing they all share is a strong connection with an animal buddy. As a celebration of the powerful bonds that people can form with an animal near and dear to them, these duos are well worth meeting.
10Yurgir & Displacer Beast
A Magical But Disturbing Romance
This unusual pairing takes the love between a humanoid and their animal companion to a whole new level. Players who meet the displacer beast and talk to her using “Speak with Animals” will soon discover that she has a strange crush on Yurgir, her orthon devil master.
Already a bizarre situation, players can discover that Yurgir is feeding her meat laced with succubic magic. Should players reveal this to the displacer beast, it will take some persuading, but she can fight her master alongside the players. Despite their lover’s quarrel, they are an inseparable if disturbing pair before the player’s interference.
9Jaheira & Postmaster Badger
Sweet Relationship But Little Interaction
The Postmaster Badger resides in Jaheira’s hidden base, where he trains rats to act asspies for the Harpers. Talking to him, players will find that he is as pragmatic as his druid ally, trusting players to go about their business if they are meant to be there, or that the traps will handle them if they aren’t.
If players speak to the badger as Jaheira, he seems genuinely pleased to have her home and is quick to catch her up on the progress of his trainee spies. While it is a shame players don’t get to see more interaction between them, the bond between the pair is established nicely.
8Ketheric Thorm & Squire
Villainous Pair With A Touching History
Squire is the undead guard dog of Ketheric Thorm, the big bad guy of Act Two. Their villain status doesn’t stop them from being a dynamic animal and human duo, or from having some touching history.
Conversation with Squire reveals that she was killed trying to protect Ketheric’s daughter, Isobel, on the night that she died. Ketheric reanimated the dog’s body, and she is loath to fail him again. Despite being happy to receive pats from the player, she will viciously defend Ketheric, even to the death. Again.
7Volo & Bosk
Comedic Character Introduction
As a well-established individual inDungeons and Dragonslore, Volo is more than capable of standing alone as an iconic character. However, his initial introduction pairs him with a bear called Bosk in the Druid’s Grove.
As iconic as Volo is, his introduction is all the more memorable to animal lovers thanks to his pairing with Bosk. The poor bear is so disgruntled that Volo is incapable of understanding him. While Bosk is trying to narrate his life story, Volo draws the bear into increasingly more violentscenarios with tieflings.
6Gomwick & Scratch
Loyal Bond Even In Death
This pairing is admittedly a tragic one, as Gomwick is already dead by the time players encounter this pair. But the loyalty displayed by his little white dog, Scratch, makes them deserve their place. Despite being recently slaughtered by a pack of gnolls, Scratch loves his master too much to leave his side.
Thankfully, players can give Scratch their scent, and he soon makes himself at home in their camp. It becomes clear just how strong the bond between Gomwick and Scratch was, as Scratch recounts times as a pup when Gomwick would let Scratch sleep in his cloak.
5Kagha & Teela
Sinister But Reverent Pair
They may be a sinister pairing, but don’t let that detract from the strength of the bond between Kagha and her snake companion, Teela. The stand-in Archdruid, Kagha, seems fond of, or perhaps even reverent to, snakes.
She frequently uses the metaphor of a snake defending its brood to justify hersevere actions in the Druid’s Grove. Her serpent companion, Teela, is just as severe, willing to take whatever drastic action Kagha requires from her, bowing to no other master.
4He Who Was & Raven
Stand Out Duo Thanks To Their Unusual Natures
He Who Was and his raven companion are an unusual pair with an unusual side quest. They are sure to leave an impression on any players who encounter them. In part, this may be down to the surprisingly rude nature of the raven, who will belittle anyone who tries to talk to him.
Despite this, he seems committed to the shadar-kai elf, He Who Was, defending him to the death should players confront him. Similarly, He Who Was seems obsessed with his pure white raven, and the symbolic birds in general, as most of his items seem to be associated with the corvids.
3Gale & Tara
Rich History Revealed By Companion Character
Thewizard companion character, Gale, is insistent that his relationship with Tara the tressym is more like academic friends than any mortal and their pet. But Tara is a cute little cat with wings, so the pair of staunch friends make the list!
Players who develop any sort of relationship with Gale, platonic or romantic, are sure to hear plenty about the intellectual feline, Tara, and how she saved Gale, being one of the few friends he could confide in. After hearing so much about her and their bond, it makes it very special when players can meet her in Act Three. She certainly lives up to Gale’s praise.
2Yenna & Grub
Sweet Pair Devoted To Each Other
Despite only being encountered atthe start of Act Three, Yenna and Grub make an impression as a very sweet animal and human duo. Yenna is a little girl, orphaned since the disappearance of her mother. Her timid ginger cat, Grub, is her only companion.
Despite being shy, Grub is quick to sing the praises of his beloved friend. Yenna deserves his praise for being a sweet girl who shows great care towards her pet and those around her. Given the kindhearted nature of the pair, it makes their fates all the more disturbing should the shapeshifting villain, Orin the Red, get her hands on them.
1Minsc & Boo
Comedic Duo With Combat Function And Plenty Of History
As an established pair inBaldur’s Gatelore, there was only one pair who could claim the number one spot.Minsc is a lovable rangerwith an unusual animal companion. Boo is his friend and companion, a miniature giant space hamster.
Alongside being a ton of fun and having a lot of history in the franchise, Boo is also the only animal mentioned here who can be functionally summoned in combat by his buddy. (Scratch can also be summoned, but unfortunately not by Gomwick, since he is dead). Despite only appearing in Act Three, reuniting Minsc with Boois both a touching and comical moment, and kickstarts the best animal and human companionship in the game.
