Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Switch Party Members in BG3

Your party members are vital for surviving combat encounters in Baldur's Gate 3, and this guide shows you how to swap them out.
Screenshot by Gamepur

In Baldur’s Gate 3, you will travel with a diverse crowd of characters, each with unique classes, talents, and personalities. Each of these characters brings something valuable to your adventure, but you can only have four party members at a time. This can make selecting a party a challenging task that requires regular shuffling.

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To add to the difficulty, not all BG3 characters are available at the start of the game, meaning players have to pick and choose as they unlock new companions or flip characters around for specific abilities. For example. Astarion is a must for any stealth operations, while Karlach is the key to surviving heavy combat.

Related: Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Companion Cosmetic Mods That Feel Like Plastic Surgery

How Changing Party Members Works in Baldur’s Gate 3

Screenshot by Gamepur

To switch out party members in BG3, players need to start a campsite. The switch does not require taking a long rest – however, you do need to make sure you’re returned to camp. While in the center, speak with one of the party members you’re currently traveling with, and ask them to stay in camp.

More often than not, the character will be discouraged by this choice, saying that they’d rather be out there, doing something with you during your Baldur’s Gate 3 campaign rather than being stuck there. However, despite this frustrated language, the rejected companion will not have a negative relationship with your character.

Screenshot by Gamepur

Similar to removing a party member, adding a party member works much the same way. You need to track down where that character is in your camp, speak with them, and ask if they’d want to join you. They’ll be excited to partake in the adventure with you and look forward to seeing what mischief you can get into.

It’s important to note that anyone not in your party won’t gain any positive or negative relationship points with your character. That’s reserved for anyone you’re traveling with. But everyone still gains XP, even if they’re not involved with your current party.

If you’re worried about a character becoming under-leveled during your BG3 campaign, don’t worry. Everyone roughly stays close to the same level, plus or minus a few points based on the number of Inspiration points you’ve had during the campaign.

Need more advice? Check out Gamepur’s complete Baldur’s Gate 3 guide for battle strategies, story tips, and BG3 gameplay breakdowns.


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Author
Zack Palm
Zack Palm is the Senior Writer of Gamepur and has spent over five years covering video games, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Oregon State University. He spends his free time biking, running tabletop campaigns, and listening to heavy metal. His primary game beats are Pokémon Go, Destiny 2, Final Fantasy XIV, and any newly released title, and he finds it difficult to pull away from any Star Wars game.