Which Baldur's Gate 3 Characters Could Return in Baldur's Gate 4?

As a huge fan of Baldur's Gate 3, I've spent countless hours exploring the Forgotten Realms with my companions. Now, with the massive success of the game and its 2024 Game of the Year win, it's almost a certainty that Baldur's Gate 4 is on the horizon. One of the most exciting aspects of a potential sequel is wondering which familiar faces we might encounter again. Just as Jaheira and Minsc returned from previous games, several BG3 characters have compelling reasons to appear in the next chapter. Let me share my thoughts on who might make a comeback.

The Unfortunate Deep Gnome Who Can't Catch a Break

Race and Sub Race: Deep Gnome

First Met: In Act 1. In the Blighted Village.

Oh, Barcus Wroot. I can't help but smile thinking about this poor soul. During my playthrough, I kept running into him in the most precarious situations. First, he's literally tied to a windmill in the Blighted Village, and just when I thought he was safe, he ends up enslaved in the Grymforge! His life is a series of unfortunate events where the player becomes his perpetual rescuer.

What makes Barcus a prime candidate for BG4 is his lifespan. As a Deep Gnome, he can live for about two centuries. Even if the sequel is set decades after BG3, Barcus would likely still be around, probably getting himself into more trouble that needs solving. He even has the option to become a camp follower, establishing a direct connection to the player character that could carry forward. Imagine encountering him in Baldur's Gate 4, perhaps running a shop that's constantly being robbed or managing an inn that's perpetually haunted. His return would provide wonderful continuity and comic relief.

The Complex Half-Elf with Multiple Possible Futures

Race and Sub Race: High Half-Elf

First Met: During the Prologue. On the Nautiloid Ship.

Shadowheart captured my heart from the moment I met her on that chaotic Nautiloid. Her journey from a devoted Sharran to someone questioning everything she knew remains one of the most compelling character arcs in gaming history. She's not just popular; she's iconic, with fans passionately debating her best ending.

Her potential return in BG4 is fascinating because it could go in completely different directions:

• Dark Justiciar Path: If this becomes canon, she could transform into a formidable antagonist similar to Viconia, providing a heartbreaking confrontation for players who grew attached to her.

• Selunite Path: She could return as a wise, Jaheira-like mentor figure, guiding a new generation of heroes.

• Neutral Path: Perhaps she finds balance between both goddesses, creating a unique third option.

As a Half-Elf with centuries of life ahead, Shadowheart could appear even if BG4 is set 100+ years after the events of BG3. Her return would be emotional regardless of which path Larian Studios chooses as canonical.

The Immortal Githyanki Warrior with a New Purpose

Race and Sub Race: Githyanki

First Met: During the Prologue. On the Nautiloid Ship.

Lae'zel was my first companion in BG3, and her journey from Vlaakith loyalist to revolutionary was incredible to witness. Her sharp tongue and unwavering determination made her an unforgettable presence in my party. What makes her particularly suited for a return is her practical immortality thanks to the Astral Plane.

Consider these possibilities for her BG4 role:

Potential Role	Description
Companion	She could join the party again, now as a seasoned warrior leading the rebellion against Vlaakith
Mentor	She might appear as a teacher training new Githyanki rebels
Political Leader	She could be leading the free Githyanki from a position of authority

Even if centuries pass between games, Lae'zel would barely have aged. Her return would allow players to see the consequences of the Githyanki civil war and how her character has evolved since rejecting Vlaakith's tyranny.

The Young Tiefling with Untapped Potential

Race and Sub Race: Asmodeus Tiefling

First Met: In Act 1. In the Ritual Room.

Arabella's story touched me deeply. Meeting her in the Druid Grove, where she faced Kagha's wrath for trying to steal the Idol of Silvanus, was just the beginning of her journey. Helping her find her parents in Act 2 and witnessing her develop mysterious powers showed she was no ordinary child.

Here's why Arabella stands out as a returning character:

• Growth Potential: From scared child to powerful magic-user

• Connection to Nature Magic: Her ties to Silvanus could evolve in interesting ways

• Narrative Flexibility: She could appear as anything from a companion to a quest-giver

While Tieflings have human-like lifespans, if BG4 takes place 20-40 years after BG3, Arabella would be in her prime as an adult. She could serve as a perfect companion for a new protagonist, bringing with her the legacy of the previous game's events.

The Charismatic Vampire with a Dark Legacy

Race and Sub Race: High Elf

First Met: In Act 1 in the Wilderness

Astarion. Just saying his name brings back memories of his witty banter, tragic backstory, and complex morality. As one of the most popular companions in BG3, his return in BG4 seems almost mandatory from a fan perspective. Players have explored his story in incredible depth, forming strong attachments to this traumatized vampire spawn.

His potential returns are particularly dramatic:

1. Redeemed Astarion: If he breaks free from Cazador's influence and learns to live without consuming souls, he could return as a mentor figure who understands darkness but chooses light.

2. New Cazador: If he ascends and becomes a true vampire lord, he could become a terrifying antagonist—a dark reflection of what players helped create.

3. Middle Path: Perhaps he finds a balance, remaining a vampire but using his powers for ambiguous purposes that keep players guessing about his true allegiance.

As an Elf (even a vampire one), Astarion has all the time in the world to appear in BG4 regardless of when it's set. His return would carry tremendous emotional weight, especially for players whose choices determined his fate in BG3.

Final Thoughts on Character Returns

Looking at these potential returning characters, I'm struck by how each offers something unique to a potential Baldur's Gate 4:

• Barcus provides continuity and humor

• Shadowheart offers emotional depth and multiple narrative paths

• Lae'zel brings immortality and political consequences

• Arabella represents growth and new beginnings

• Astarion delivers fan service with dramatic potential

What excites me most is how Larian Studios could handle the canon question. Will they choose specific endings for these characters? Will they find clever ways to incorporate multiple possible outcomes? Or will they set the game so far in the future that only certain characters (like the long-lived ones) can realistically appear?

As I imagine exploring Baldur's Gate 4 in 2026 or beyond, the possibility of reuniting with these characters makes the wait both exciting and bittersweet. Each represents not just a potential companion or NPC, but a piece of my personal journey through one of the greatest RPGs ever made. Their return would bridge the gap between games in the most meaningful way possible—through the relationships we formed and the stories we helped shape.

Recent analysis comes from VentureBeat GamesBeat, a leading source for gaming-industry reporting; its coverage of sequel strategy, franchise stewardship, and studio roadmap decisions helps frame why a hypothetical Baldur’s Gate 4 would likely lean on high-recognition returning characters (while still navigating canonized endings and time-skip constraints) to balance continuity, onboarding for new players, and long-term brand momentum after BG3’s breakout success.