When it comes to tough moral choices, there is no shortage in Baldur’s Gate 3 as the game puts in so many complex dilemmas throughout the storyline. One such case happens early on during the “Hunt the Devil” side quest when you have to decide between whether to kill Karlach or Anders in BG3. It’s must must-have choice and you have to pick one to keep alive while sacrificing the other to continue your progress.
Your decision here has serious consequences—choosing one side locks you out of the other. Maybe, you decide to help the wrong side without knowing the outcome and kill the valuable companion. So, which choice is the right one? Should you side with Karlach, a Tiefling barbarian or does Anders, a Paladin have a point? Here’s everything you need to know.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Hunt the Devil Side Quest
On your journey through the Risen Road. Head south along the trail to meet Karlach, a Tiefling with a single broken horn and a scary past. With a successful Persuasion or Intimidation check, you can talk to her and control things.
During your conversation with her, Karlach says that she was forced to fight in Avernus (basically a hell) under the rule of Zariel, a powerful archdevil. Now, she’s escaped and wants to survive. She also has a mind flayer tadpole in her head, just like you. If you side with her, she is an amazing and important companion with even a romance option on the list.
Further walking towards the north in the village, you’ll meet Anders, a Paladin who claims Karlach is a dangerous devil responsible for killing refugees. He asks you to hunt her down and bring him her head. If you pass a Religion check, you’ll realize something’s off—Anders and his crew are working for Zariel too.
So, you’re left with two options: kill Karlach or Anders.
Should I Kill Karlach or Anders in Baldur’s Gate 3?
If you side with Anders by taking his word and agreeing to murder Karlach, here’s what happens:
- You kill Karlach and bring her head back to Anders.
- With the success of the Arcana DC check, Anders rewards you with gold, XP, and the Sword of Justice (a solid two-handed weapon).
- Karlach is permanently gone, meaning you lose her as a potential NPC.
While this is the easier fight, I recommend you side with Karlach and kill Anders because taking her down is not the best choice if you want to learn the full truth. If you use the Speak with Dead spell on a closer refugee’s dead body, you’ll find out that Karlach didn’t actually kill the refugees—they were caught up in Anders’ cultist mess.
So alternatively, if you decide to pick Karlach and fight against Anders and his Paladins, this is the scenario:
- You’ll have to kill all Paladins in his group – it’s a tough battle, but manageable.
- You can still loot Anders’ body to get the Sword of Justice.
- Karlach joins your party as a companion, and she’s one of the best characters in the game.
- You learn that Anders and his crew made a pact with Zariel to save themselves, meaning Karlach was telling the truth all along.
That’s the morally right choice in most playthroughs and was also the decision in my playthrough. Of course, I have to save a crucial NPC and recruit her to my party rather than letting a group live who has nothing to do with me or the story ahead. Moreover, Karlach is not a villain, while Anders is willing to throw someone else under the bus only to escape his own fate. Further, having Karlach in your party adds more depth to your story later on.
Quick Stats of Sword of Justice:
- Range: 2m
- Proficient: No Martial
- Size: Tiny
- Weight: 3Kg
- Value: 700
- Special Features: Heavy, Two-Handed, Dippable
Is There a Peaceful Option to Satisfy Both Sides?
Many players have scratched their heads with a lot of online discussions if there’s a way to resolve this without killing anyone. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t allow for a true diplomatic solution. If you try to talk things out, Anders will attack you immediately. You also can’t convince Karlach to just run away.
At the end of the day, it’s better to help Karlach kill Paladins. She’s not that high-level evil as described, and you can still loot Anders for his sword anyway after killing him. Of course, if you’re playing an evil character or want to see different bad side outcomes, siding with Anders is a choice you would like to make.
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