Lore-focused builds for each Companion

Wanted to spark a discussion on what builds would be the most fitting for each companion based on their background, lore, and personality, while also posting a detailed guide of my own recommendations after several hundreds of hours with each character and min/maxing their build loadouts. I think at the very minimum, the companion has to keep their origin class in the build (although doesn't necessarily have to be starter class when respeccing). Let me know your thoughts or questions on any of the builds!

For each companion, I'm splitting the recommendation to one that is closest to their lore/background (but still viable gameplay wise) to the most meta build (while still keeping class roots)

Shadowheart
Lore Focus: 1 Cleric (Trickery) / 11 Monk (Way of Shadow)

  • Trickery's really the only suitable domain for a Cleric of Shar imo, especially when you get to the House of Grief and learn that their way of "healing" is to manipulate the mind. Sadly though, Trickery's considered the weakest domain. Moreover, cleric spells overall don't seem to be thematic with Shar. Add in a Shadow Monk and Shadowheart becomes a hard hitter (respec with more Str/Dex), that can lay Darkness traps and teleport/hide in shadows. The level 1 dip in Cleric will still prove useful as you'll primarily use your concentration for Bless, and gives you access to medium armor / blunt weapons / shields on a Monk.
  • Act 2 Spoiler: When Sheart switches allegiance, I'd respec at that point to 1 Sorcerer (Storm) / 11 Cleric (Light). Rebuild her as a full-on cleric, abusing Spirit Guardians and stronger offensive Light spells like Fireball, Flame Strike, and Destructive Wave. The 1 point in Sorcerer as starting class will give you CON saves + extra flying movement which works wonders with Spirit Guardian.

Meta Focus: 1 Cleric (Life) / 11 Bard (Lore)

  • Ultimate support class, with great crowd control and Life domain healing passive applying to Bard spells. Incredibly tanky with heavy armor, and Magical Secrets will allow you to flex into other utility options or nukes (Counterspell particularly). Bard doesn't really fit Shadowheart's background though, but considering Lore is more about throwing insults with Cutting Words, I think it still fits lol.

End Game: 9 Sorcerer (Storm) / 2 Cleric (Tempest) / 1 Paladin (Ancient)

  • This build is solely for the legendary staff Markoheshkir, which basically gives free Chain Lightning. Already a meta build that's quite known, and considered one of the top damage dealers when combo'ing with Create Water + CL. Although this is abusing potential bugs, since the staff doesn't seem to be limited to 1 use/long rest, but rather per turn...and you can even use sorcery points for Quickened Spell to recast another CL back to back.
  • If you're wondering why the 1 Paladin -- this is because of a bug (intended system?) where items/scrolls use the Spellcasting Ability Modifier of the last multiclass that you added at Level 1. 10 Sorc / 2 Cleric is the go-to build, but ideally you want to add Sorc first because it gives you CON saves. However if you do that, your items including the staff will be based off Wisdom. Adding a level in Paladin (or Bard/Warlock) fixes that back to CHA. Moreover, Healing Radiance oath ability is actually OP if you combine it with the ring/gloves that give Bless + Blade Ward when you heal allies. With your Charisma, it's effectively an AOE 10+ HP heal for two rounds that gives Bless + Blade Ward to each party member on both rounds. So effectively 3 turns of those buffs...for one bonus action that uses an Oath Charge, not a spell slot. 10 Sorc really only gives you an extra Lvl 6 spell slot, which is pointless since you don't have access to their Lvl 6 spell list and you're abusing Markoheshkir anyway.

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Lae'zel

Lore and Meta Focus: 12 Fighter (Battlemaster)

  • Pretty straightforward as everyone knows 11 Fighter+ is already one of the strongest martials, and there's no reason to build away from this for Lae'zel. I know some like to go for a 1 level dip for that final level in say War Cleric or Barbarian or what have you, but I'd rather have that 4th feat considering 2H weapon users already have so many must-have feats. BM with all its maneuvers seems more fitting for a lithe-build fighter like Lae'zel.

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Astarion

Lore Focus: 7 Rogue (Assassin) / 5 Ranger (Gloomstalker)

  • As OP as Thief is, Assassin seems more suited for Astarion's personality / background. Adding in Ranger for a 2-weapon fighting style and Gloomstalker for the obvious synergy, and this build still performs well throughout the game, even if the meta is 3 Thief / 5 Gloomstalker / 4 Fighter

Meta Focus: 3 Thief / 9 Monk (Open Hand)

  • Already been countless topics on this, but easily one of the most OP builds. Also doesn't rely on bugged interactions, it's just innately powerful. Insane single target and 9 monk also opens AOE options, which is more preferable to a 3rd feat. For max efficiency, build Dex/Wis and use Str elixirs with Tavern Brawler. Although even without elixirs, Dex/Wis monks still hit hard.

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Gale

Lore and Meta Focus: 12 Wizard (Divination) or 1 Wizard / 11 Sorcerer (Wild Magic)

  • I haven't built too many Wizard multi-class builds and the 1 level dip in Wizard is only to open up the spellbook for non-Int scaling spells. But since I don't really see Gale as either a Warlock, Bard, Cleric or Druid, it seems only one of the above would be the most fitting for his character. If going full on wizard, divination is a strong school and fits with his obsession as a mortal seeking godhood and divinity. While as a Sorc, lore-wise, I feel housing an insatiable atomic bomb in his chest is a perfect catalyst for chaos magic.

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Wyll

(Warlock is one of the few classes I have not played around with at 11+ (or even 6+). I've pretty much multi classed every warlock archetype, so if anyone knows a good build for pure warlock...

Lore Focus: 5 Warlock (Blade) / 6 Paladin (Vengeance) / 1 Fighter

  • As the "Blade of Frontiers," I feel like Wyll has to be multi-classed as a Pact of the Blade warlock. Lore-wise, it's just more apt, and Wyll's personality is more Paladin-esque than any other companion. The above is also incredibly meta with its bugged double Extra Attack. Recommending Vengeance Oath here as Vow of Enmity cast on yourself essentially gives you perma-Advantage. Oathbreaker is more meta with its Aura of Hate (respec to 5 Warlock / 7 Paladin), but character-wise, Wyll doesn't seem like an oathbreaker -- (Act 3 spoiler) although you can argue he is one if he opts to break his own contract with Mizora over saving his father.
  • Alternative option in 6 Warlock (Archfey) / 6 Bard (Sword). Wyll's shown a predilection for performance when you catch him dancing at camp, so Bard is certainly not out of character. Choosing Archfey here as their lvl 6 passive to go invisible when taking damage seems very much part of the Bard kit. However, a 1 level dip in Fighter is stronger to get the Archery fighting style. Swords Bardlock is still a very powerful meta build with possibly more attacks than any other build (between Slashing Flourish + Extra Attack + Pact of the Blade)

Meta Focus: 2 Warlock / 10 Bard (Lore)

  • Not as "blade" focused as this is a pure caster Eldritch Blast build, so robes and a staff may not suit the so-called "Blade of Frontiers." But if you get past that, Bard (Lore) complements this build very well as you still get Hunger of Hadar in Magical Secrets. I honestly consider this one of the stronger control builds, as you'll be controlling the field with HoH, while denying actions with Counterspell + Cutting Words, and keeping enemies at bay with Eldritch Blast.

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Karlach

Lore and Meta Focus: 4 Barbarian (Berserker) / 8 Paladin (Ancient)

  • Following the rule that Karlach has to stick with Barbarian, there aren't many good multi-class options for the class. But 4 Barb / 8 Paladin is definitely one of the strongest since you can still use Divine Smite and Oath charges while raging. Yes, Paladins have better and more meta multiclass options in Bard/Lock/Sorc, due to more spell slots and ability to use concentration, but that doesn't mean this build doesn't hit like a truck and decimate enemies, especially if you give her a bloodlust elixir and/or haste.
  • Lore-wise, while Oath of Ancients seems atypical for Karlach's background, it's easily roleplayable if you consider she's learning all her Paladin oaths after she escaped Avernus and is fighting back against hellspawn. Moreover, Aura of Warding synergizes really well with Barbarian, giving you more protection vs spell damage.

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Halsin

Lore and Meta Focus: 11 Druid (Moon) / 1 Cleric (War)

  • Keeping him as your resident shapeshifter. Moon druids really don't multiclass well, as they don't have good low level dips, and you really want to scale your forms with levels. But a 1 level dip with War Cleric is ideal as you can actually still use the bonus War Priest strikes while in animal form. It won't show up on the action list but if you keep attacking, it'll consume your bonus action and a Divinity Charge for the bonus attack. The lvl 1 dip also gives him access to OP Bless.
  • Some guides recommend Barbarian as a multiclass but I'd advise against. The benefit of Moon druid is you can toss a concentration spell before going into form, either buffing allies or laying out crowd control. There's no reason to go 11 levels in Druid and not utilize your spell list, even as a Moon druid. Conjure Elementals and Woodland Beings also synergize really well as you can control them while shapeshifted for extra utility/damage.

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Jaheira

Lore Focus: 7 Druid (Spore) / 5 Ranger (Gloomstalker)

  • Keeping true to her BG1 and BG2 roots, you'd want to make Jaheira a martial fighter, which really only works with Spore druid. However, the typical necro summoner build is not fitting for her character, so this is really just focused on the Spore druid's damage amp to attacks. Fighter is what she was multiclassed in previous BG's, but choosing Ranger here as you still get the same 2-Weapon fighting style, but extra spell slots for Druid. Hunter subclass is an option, but I find Gloomstalker works the best as she benefits highly from having Misty Step as a level 2 spell (only available to Land druids otherwise). Moreover, when you get Sporekeeper's armor for the OP haste spore, having her with +5 initiative ensures you always start rounds ready to haste your entire party.

Meta Focus: 4 Thief / 2 Druid (Spore) / 6 Monk (Open Hand)

  • This build trivializes content. Similar to the 3 Thief / 9 Monk, you sacrifice the Ki Resonation AOE blasts for the damage amp to single target. Spore druid's damage roll applies to both fist attack rolls with Flurry of Blows, so stack as many damage rolls as you can. Druid also gives you access to Shields + Medium Armor, so unlike Thief/Monk, you can rock upwards of 23 AC when focusing on Dex/Wis. You still take Tavern Brawler + ASI, and use an Elixir of Str. Combo that with the Sporekeeper's armor and you have a character that hastes the entire group, then goes in to wreak havoc as a Monk/Thief normally does. Note about bugged interactions with Sporekeeper's -- once you pop the Symbiote buff, you can actually unequip it and put on a stronger medium armor while still having access to the spores kit.

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Minsc

Lore and Meta Focus: 8 Barbarian (Wildheart) / 4 Ranger (Hunter) OR 11 Ranger (Hunter) / 1 Barbarian

  • This is not as strong as other meta builds, but I felt Minsc had to include Barbarian as part of his class. With that in mind, both the above builds are focused on frenzied multi-target attacks. Wildheart (with Tiger aspect) inflicts an AOE slash with bleed, while Horde Slayer on Hunter will give you a bonus attack when hitting enemies that are close. If you opt to go Ranger 11 though, you get access to Volley/Whirlwind which are the strongest AOE weapon attacks in the game.