Explain to me why people like Karlach?

[noisyturtle]

An annoying upbeat Zoomer who looks like a demon. She is the worst, her background and story makes zero sense, she does not vibe with the game's tone, and she talks like an Instagram Influencer.

Why do people like her?

[Woldy]

Originally posted by Lord_Reavous:

I mean, her backstory had potential. The introduction was okay. But the whole Infernal Engine and other features felt like bloat to me. Actually address the others more than the later. I'm not sure what makes zero sense that she was a Human drawn into the service of a Devil and became a killer. Unless you're just referring to the Infernal Engine.

The constant "Yoink"(s) and other comments are immersion breaking for sure. But there are some things the actress conveys that are well done and endearing. Not talking in detail because spoilers.

I like the character mostly because barbarians are silly fun when they have 20 STR. Between throwing small creatures/people around the battlefield and bum rushing low hp enemies--they earn their keep. Problem is, you can make your own barbarian instead.

She was not a human. she's a tiefling, always was.

[Lord_Reavous]

Originally posted by Woldy:

She was not a human. she's a tiefling, always was.

I was under the impression she became a tiefling because she went to Avernus and under the contract.

But I also come from older D&D where they are considered "sub-race" of human. Or in real language a race of humans--just that they were "touched" by a hellish creature.

[Ghost]

Originally posted by Lord_Reavous:

I was under the impression she became a tiefling because she went to Avernus and under the contract.

But I also come from older D&D where they are considered "sub-race" of human. Or in real language a race of humans--just that they were "touched" by a hellish creature.

While I don't recall anything explicity stating that she was always a Tiefling, she never mentions being turned into one, and people who knew her before she was sold to Zariel still recognise her and don't mention it either.

While people could be turned into a Tiefling as part of a pact, or gain devilish features as a punishment for breaking one, most are just people descended from a fiend.

[Woldy]

Originally posted by Lord_Reavous:

Originally posted by Woldy:

She was not a human. she's a tiefling, always was.

I was under the impression she became a tiefling because she went to Avernus and under the contract.

But I also come from older D&D where they are considered "sub-race" of human. Or in real language a race of humans--just that they were "touched" by a hellish creature.

Well, if you'll allow me to explain what they are now. It's the biproduct of humanoid and demonic mingling. So a long time ago some humans, elves etc either got a demonic being pregnant or got pregnant from a demonic being. The result, Tieflings. They retain a lot of demonic features but with almost none of the powers. On the other hand they are not inherently evil or particularly 'demonic' in behavior. Their Human side's tend to be far more prevelent in their personality.
So to sum up, they are humans with Horns and tails. There are good, evil and somewhere in between, you cant really expect anything from them.
They are very numerous and are considered a very normal race to encounter in the DnD universe. But of course there are still prejudice towards them due to their ancestry.

[Lord_Reavous]

Originally posted by Ghost:

While I don't recall anything explicity stating that she was always a Tiefling, she never mentions being turned into one, and people who knew her before she was sold to Zariel still recognise her and don't mention it either.

While people could be turned into a Tiefling as part of a pact, or gain devilish features as a punishment for breaking one, most are just people descended from a fiend.

I guess I only thought they met after she became one, but this also makes sense.

@Woldy & Ghost: I see--that would explain why there are so many now as opposed to a rare sight earlier.

[Estevan Valladares]

"Karlach isnt for everybody" ... "Minthara isnt for everybody" ... "Shadowheart isnt for everybody" *although I must agree she is the vanilla flavor of RPG

That doesnt say anything, and what else comes after too.

I am sure even Jahera with some weird "youknowwhatword" romance style would have her fans. That does not merit the question "Why do people like Karlach ?" as an answer.

The question probably comes from the fact that Karlach is not a "character", she is a construct. She is "beefy" but she doesnt really act the part, she seems themed on being "edgy" (I mean, mushroom enthusiast as an inspiration ?), but she doesnt act the part either. She seems to be "raving" as a standby animation, but she does not act the part. She uses "Skrilex hairstyle", but she doesnt act the part either. Her first intimate interaction is "needy", understandable, but not really how someone like her would act in that situation. Minthara "needy" is more like what someone with the profile of Karlach would be. Her second scene is something nothing to do with her style, and besides the "fist of fury", the whole thing doesnt really ring Karlach.

Outside the romance arc, she is dull. She will be "your average good fella" who will always "take one for the team". My people call her style "Maria vai com as outras" (Mary who goes with the others), a person who does whatever is "accepted by the crowd".

My first run with Karlach was disappointing squarely for that. I know you cant really make a romance arc in a game like this without the Mass Effect companion REAL arc. Something that goes "from A to B". Specially if you are restricted by 3 "chapters" in one game. But Karlach takes the cake. Minthara is a journey. Shadowheart is a journey. Karlach is mostly "do your thing, and spare some moments to the few things you actually have to do for her, and the few things you get to do with her".

I mean, Minthara you do a lot to get her, and a lot after. Shadowheart has a whole "level" for her. Karlach has 4 kills for her, and literally "2 pieces of junk you find in a junkyard".

The question might not have been made for that reason, but it rings this: Why do people like Karlach if there is so little to her ?

[Ember]

People have personal tastes and preferences that are different than yours.

It's surprising you haven't noticed this before now.

[Caerbannog]

this topic appeared again. uhhh... can't remember if i posted in it.

karlach best bb. must protect. +1 for karlach. people who hate karlach also kick dogs. true story

[DrKold]

Originally posted by Dank Sidious:

Originally posted by DrKold:

Yeah i´m not into that , i rather shove a porcupine up my bum.

Please tell me the porcupine is a druid so it can at least consent.

I have bad news for you.

[Shift]

I'm also not much of fan myself. TBF, never was a fan of the centuries old trope: a character written as someone who's always happy and positive, but deep down is suffering and carries an illness/condition that will take their lives and there's nothing they can do about it.

Works the first few times, but when you get used to it, this tactic become quite obvious from the get go. I for one could tell her entire story from the time I talked to her after defeating those paladins with pinpoint accuracy.

But then I can excuse them, considering she wasn't meant to be a playable character, just a random NPC, so her story is a bit rushed and weak IMO.

[Woldy]

Originally posted by Shift:

I'm also not much of fan myself. TBF, never was a fan of the centuries old trope: a character written as someone who's always happy and positive, but deep down is suffering and carries an illness/condition that will take their lives and there's nothing they can do about it.

Cant really name a character like that off the top of my head. care to share?

[Wojtek the Bear]

Originally posted by noisyturtle:

An annoying upbeat Zoomer who looks like a demon. She is the worst, her background and story makes zero sense, she does not vibe with the game's tone, and she talks like an Instagram Influencer.

Why do people like her?

People don't have to explain to anyone why they like someone. If you can't handle that then you need some emotional maturity.

Who cares if people like a video game character and you don't? What kind of life do you lead if this is really important to you? Sad.

[Ghost]

Originally posted by Woldy:

Originally posted by Shift:

I'm also not much of fan myself. TBF, never was a fan of the centuries old trope: a character written as someone who's always happy and positive, but deep down is suffering and carries an illness/condition that will take their lives and there's nothing they can do about it.

Cant really name a character like that off the top of my head. care to share?

Rather than a specific character, here's a Karlach related trope list in somewhat pertinent order:

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/YourDaysAreNumbered
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WeAllDieSomeday
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TooYoungToDieLamentation
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StayWithMeUntilIDie

Additionally:
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FateWorseThanDeath
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IDieFree

[jdpvagabond]

I think the overall idea of Karlach had a lot of potential, but they just devolved into a standard array of contradictory tropes. Her 'imminent peril but hiding it behind a quirky mask!' thing is essentially the exact same shade of blah that we get from other companions. I don't hate her, as her story does have some really cool elements and she herself isn't terrible, I just wish they had given it more depth than just a copy / paste of the others with a different coloring.

[Orion Invictus]

Originally posted by Ghost:

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IDieFree

Shal'kek nem'ron!