A companion that you can pick up later in your Baldur’s Gate 3 journey is Jaheira — an incredibly powerful Druid. With high damage output, healing capabilities, and an array of spells, Jaheira is an all-rounder who can fit into any combat situation.
This guide will explain the best Jaheira Companion you can create to maximize her effectiveness.
How to find and recruit Jaheira in BG3
Contrary to many other possible companions in BG3, Jaheira is not available from the get-go. In fact, you meet her at the beginning of the second act, but may only recruit her by the end of it.
To locate Jaheira, you need to go to the Last Light Inn in the Shadow Cursed Lands. Once you enter, the settlement will be quickly invaded by Marcus, where you will have to side with Isobel and Jaheira to have the latter like you and eventually join your party. Afterward, make sure not to kill Nightsong, which is also pivotal in recruiting Jaheira. Last but not least, make sure she temporarily joins you at the climax of the second act, after which she’ll decide to stand by your side for the remainder of the game.
Best Jaheira subclass and spell choices in BG3
Circle of the Moon is the best subclass for Jaheira, allowing you to focus on transforming into a Beast using the Wild Shape ability to benefit from high damage output, though you can still cast spells. With the Circle of the Moon, Jaheira has high damage output and survivability, as well as providing a boost to your other companions.
As a Circle of the Moon Druid, you’ll have special access to two abilities: first, the ability to transform into a polar bear. This is the Wild Shape form with the most HP in the game. Secondly, you’ll have an ability called Lunar Mend. While you’re in a Wild Shape form, Lunar Mend lets you spend your spell slots to regenerate HP.
At level four, opt for Ability Improvement and increase Wisdom to 18. At level eight, take the War Caster Feat, then use Ability Improvement at level 12 to maximize Wisdom for Jaheira in BG3.
Circle of the Land is the build that Jaheira will start off with, presenting a pure Druid makeup. It focuses on the strong connection of a druid and nature, the very backbone of the Druid class. The Circle of the Land subclass is a straightforward build focusing more on Druid spells rather than shapeshifting.
Best Jaheira level progression in BG3
In the table below, you can see the spells we recommend you pick with Jaheira when you level up.
Level one | Healing Word, Ice Knife, Thunderwave, Cure Wounds |
Level two | Entangle |
Level three | Flaming Sphere |
Level four | Heat Metal |
Level five | Call of Lightning, Sleet Storm |
Level six | Gust of Wind |
Level seven | Ice Storm, Conjure Woodland Being (Drop Gust of Wind) |
Level eight | Confusion |
Level nine | Mass Cure Wounds, Conjure Elemental (Drop Conjure Woodland Being) |
Level 10 | Insect Plague |
Level 11 | Heroes’ Feast, Heal |
Level 12 | Stoneskin |
Best weapons, gear, and armor for Jaheira in BG3
Securing the best gear for Jaheira should be easier than for most companions, since she practically joins you by the end of the second act. Therefore, since there’ll be only the third act left for you, we divided the best Jaheira build into two sections: one for early when you meet her, and one for then you’re approaching the final questline in BG3.
When looking for the best possible gear for Jaheira, it’s best to recognize her gameplay first and then look for items which enhance her specific skills. For an aggressive Druid builds like Circle of the Moon Jaheira, it’s best to have gear that gives her an advantage in the fights, allowing her to close the gaps and unleash damage upon enemies.
Best early gear for Jaheira
- Melf’s First Staff, Staff of Crones, Staff of Arcane Blessing:
- Let’s break the best weapon for Jaheira first. Melf’s First Staff can be purchased from Blurg at the Myconid Colony in the Underdark, and it gives the wearer an Arcane Enchantment and Melf’s Acid Arrow. The latter is a level two Evocation Spell, which Jaheira will be able to use once per long rest.
- Staff of Crones is another terrific option for Jaheira. It gives Ray of Sickness, a level one Necromancy spell, usable once per short rest. It deals poison damage and poisons the target simultaneously. The Staff of Crones can be looted from Auntie Ethel, a major storyline in the first act. Both this one and Melf’s First Staff are also useful on other casters like Gale.
- Staff of Arcane Blessing is also a fantastic item for Jaheira, giving her a level one Enchantment spell in the form of Bless. It’s a buff that substantially enhances damage output and combat accuracy, so using it early on herself or another damage dealer gives Jaheira an upper hand. It also boosts Saving Throws and Weapon Attack Rolls. The Staff of Arcane Blessing can be looted from the Arcane Tower Basement in the Underdark.
- Adamantine Scale Mail: Out of all gear crafted in the Adamantine Forge, the Scale Mail is arguably the strongest one. It also fits Jaheira perfectly, becoming a thrilling choice for the Druid. It reduces incoming damage by one, forces an enemy to be Reeling for two turns after hitting the wearer with a melee attack. Additionally attackers can’t land critical hits on the wearer, so if you’re choosing Jaheira to be your tank, it’s a massive boost. Like the name of the item says, you can craft the Adamantine Scale Mail in the Adamantine Forge.
- Disintegrating Night Walkers: Having a Misty Step or Fly is useful in every minute of BG3 gameplay. For someone mobile like Jaheira, it’s key. Disintegrating Night Walkers provide the wearer with the former. They are dropped by True Soul Nere in the Grymforge.
- Amulet of Misty Step: If you have Disintegrating Night Walkers equipped by another companion or just don’t own them, Amulet of Misty Step will do just fine. It can be located in the chest in the Shattered Sanctum. If you own Disintegrating Night Walkers, you can get other tank and fighter-friendly amulet.
- Ring of Absolute Force and Crusher Ring: Both rings are of great use to Jaheira because they grant her Thunderwave, a level one Evocation spell, and additional movement speed. The former can be claimed by defeating Sergeant Thrin in Grymforge, while the Crusher Ring is obtainable by looting Crusher, a goblin found around the Goblin Camp.
- Glowing Shield: If you ever want as many hit points as you can, like Jaheira does, then Glowing Shield is a perfect item to use early. Its unique passive makes the wearer gain eight hit points in a fight if they fall below 50 percent. The ability replenishes once every Short Rest. The Glowing Shield can be looted from a chest behind the Goblin Camp.
- Gloves of Missile Snaring: There are no perfect Gloves for Jaheira early on, but Gloves of Missile Snaring fit just fine. They allow the wearer tor educe incoming ranged damage. They can be bought from Arron in the Druid Grove.
- Haste Helm: This item gives the wearer Momentum for three turns, which gives Jaheira an upper hand in every fight. Haste Helm can be found in one of the locked Chests in the Blighted Village.
Those are our favorite picks if you want to shuffle Jaheira’s equipment early after having her join your party. A lot of endgame gear becomes available in the third act, though. Here’s our selection of the strongest ones for the Druid.
Best endgame gear for Jaheira
- Markoheshkir, Selune’s Spear of Night, or The Blood of Lathander:
- Markoheshkir: Unless you’re playing with Gale in your party or are a Wizard yourself, Markoheshkir should be at your disposal. Each of the three main hand weapons we presented here are vital in different playstyles. Markoheshkir provides you with Arcane Enchantment, Arcane Battery, and Kereska’s Favour, a level four Evocation Spell. It allows the caster to imbue themselves with elemental energy of their choice. A stellar pick for varied playstyle. The staff is located in the Ramazith’s Tower.
- Selune’s Spear of Night: This Legendary spear grants the wearer a number of bonuses, including a level three Evocation spell, Moonbeam, and Selune’s Blessing. The former deals Radiant damage, while the latter is a pssive that gives you Advantage on Wisdom Saving Throws and Perception Checks. A more fitted choice for a tanky Jaheira build. Selune’s Spear of Night is given to you by Nightsong, granted you didn’t kill her in the questline.
- The Blood of Lathander: Another fitting item for Jaheira is she follows our suggested build. The Blood of Lathander grants Lathander’s Blessing, that restores your and your allies’ hit points after they are reduced to zero. It works once per long rest. Additionally, Lathander’s Light sheds holy light around you, blinding Fiends and Undead in a six metres radius. Also, the weapon grants a level six Evocation Spell, Sunbeam. The mace is gifted to the player after completing Find the Blood of Lathander quest.
- Viconia’s Walking Fortress: Arguably our favorite item on this list, Viconia’s Walking Fortress is a sensational shield. With a Rebuke of the Mighty, the wearer may react to any melee attack by dealing back two to eight Force damage and knock the opponent Prone. It also adds Advantage on Saving Throws against spells, and makes Spell Attack Rolls against the wearer disadvantegous. Plus it also comes along Warding Bond and Reflective Shell, powerful Abjuration Spell and Class Action, respectively. It’s dropped by Viconia DeVir in House of Grief questline.
- Darkfire Shortbow: Jaheira won’t be using a bow that often, however Darkfire Shortbow has too good of passive and active abilities to ignore it. The bow grants Fire and Cold Resistance, while also providing the wearer with a free Haste spell, perfect for Jaheira. It can be bought from Dammon in the Last Light Inn after previous storylines pan out properly.
- Armour of Moonbasking: One of the beefiest gear pieces in the game. Armour of Moonbasking significatnyl boosts the wearer’s defensive qualities, making them truly unbreakable. It makes Jaheira gain 22 temporary hit points after she uses Wild Shape, elevating her fightning dominance. While she’s in druidic Wild Shape, she also has increased Armour Class and Advantage on Saving Throws against spells. You can buy it from Voiceless Penitent Bareki in Baldur’s Gate City Sewers.
- Jhannyl’s Gloves: Jhannyl’s Gloves are a strong pair of gloves for any Fighter and Druid in BG3. That’s thanks to it’s ability to Defy Villainy; allowing the wearer to cast Lesser Restoration on themselves after they become Blinded, Paralysed, or Poisoned. It’s looted from Isobel. If she’s not dead, you may look for Gloves of Dexterity.
- Amulet of Greater Health: An Amulet that increases the wearer’s Constituion score to 23. Found in the House of Hope.
- Mantle of the Holy Warrior: A cape that gives the wearer Crusader’s Mantle, a level three Evocation spell. Once casted, it imbues the allies weapons with Holy Power, making them deal additional damage. Found in Stormshore Tabernacle, where Vicar Humbletoes sells it.
- Helm of Balduran: A terrific pick for any Fighter and Druid in BG3. Helm of Balduran heals the wearer every two hit points at the beginning of each turn and gives them + one bonus to Armor Class and Saving Throws. On top of that, it forbids the wearer to be stunned and makes the enemies unable to land Critical Hits on the wearer. Perfect helmet for Jaheira. It’s obtainable after finishing the Wrymway Trials and defeating Ansur the Dragon.
- Killer’s Sweetheart and Ring of Regeneration:
Best consumables and potions for Jaheira
BG3 offers its players a plethora of drinkable potions and usable consumables. These come in handy especially in the later stages of the game, where enemies are a true challenge, and you have to plan each of your moves carefully. To enhance Jaheira’s prowess in those fights it’s best to look for consumables mentioned below.
- Potion of Speed: Increases action for three turns
- Potion of Flying: Gives the user Flying ability for 10 turns
- Elixir of Universal Resistance: Gives the user the resistance to all damage
- Elixir of Vigilance: Gives the user five bonus Initiative points, which for melee, direct companions like Jaheira is perfect
- Elixir of Bloodlust: Gives the user ability to claim five temporary hit points and an additional action each time they kill an enemy.
Recommended skills for Jaheira in BG3
Jaheira has a number of skills and spells that perfectly complement her build and gameplay, including those below:
- Animal Handling
- Perception
- Call Lightning
- Plague of Locusts
- Heroes’ Feast
- Conjure Elemental
Recommend ability score for Jaheira in BG3
Jaheira needs high Wisdom for spell casting and a high Constitution to maximize her HP total, so we recommend the following ability scores.
- Strength: 10
- Dexterity: 14
- Constitution: 16 (+1 Bonus)
- Intelligence: 10
- Wisdom: 16 (+2 Bonus)
- Charisma: 8
Best multiclass for Jaheira in BG3
Once you get access to Jaheira as a possible companion in BG3, it’ll probably be late. However, thanks to our great friend Withers, you may tweak the Druid’s class as you’d like and make her follow the multiclass path.
The choices on which other class you’ll pick for Jaheira are up to you, but in our experience, two combinations work best. These are Druid Ranger and Druid Fighter. Both of them offer an entirely different experience. In the Ranger builds, you’ll likely be focusing more on staying behind and dealing damage. Druid Fighter, on the other hand, likes to get in close. That’s why, in our preffered Wild Shape Jaheira build, we much rather have her as a Druid Fighter if we were to multiclass her.
Combat tips for Jaheira in BG3
Making use of Bonus Actions as Jaheira is crucial, particularly to attack or cast a spell first turn, then transform into a Beast. Don’t be afraid to come out of Beast manually, particularly if someone requires healing or to cast spells.
Jaheira has an array of great AOE attacks that can turn the tide in a battle, particularly Ice Storm and Plague of Locusts to deal damage and restrict enemy movement. If you have allies who are not affected by difficult terrain, you can reap the benefits.
Finally, don’t shy away from Jaheira’s summons. The Conjure Elemental spell is great for providing an additional ally to provide more damage but can similarly be used to attract enemy attacks, protecting you from taking hits.
Circle of the Moon is by far the best Jaheira subclass. It tackles Beast transformation with Wild Shape and has high damage output while buffing your party. Circle of the Land is also a nice option for players looking for a pure Druid alternative.
Others Asked
What is the recommended subclass for Bards in Baldur’s Gate 3 and what benefits does it provide?
The recommended subclass for Bards in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the College of Valor. It provides benefits such as Medium Armor Proficiency, Shield Proficiency, Martial Weapon Proficiency, and Combat Inspiration, which adds bonuses to allies’ Attack Rolls, Ability checks, Armor Class, weapon damage, or Saving Throws. It also grants an Extra Attack at level six.
What are some class changes suggested by players for different characters in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Players suggested changing Astarion into a Bard, Karlach into a Monk or an Eldritch Knight, and Shadowheart into a Light Cleric.
Why do some players believe Jaheira is the best companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 despite the presence of another Druid character?
Some players believe Jaheira is the best companion due to her fully fleshed-out story, versatile abilities such as summoning Elementals and transforming, and her impact on gameplay despite not being a romanceable character.