The most direct current option is Recruit any NPC, a mod whose author says it lets you recruit or dismiss a character by casting a spell on them. It requires Norbyte’s Script Extender, recommends BG3 Mod Manager, and is marked compatible with Patch 8. “Any” describes the mod’s aim, not a guarantee: its author says the restored functionality is partial, and the available listing does not confirm compatibility with game builds newer than Patch 8.
Choose the kind of companion you want
There are two different approaches: recruit the existing character, or create a copy and add that duplicate to your party. Pick based on whether you want the NPC already in the world to join, or whether a duplicate is acceptable.
| Mod | What it does | Requirements and status | Important trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruit any NPC | Describes recruiting or dismissing a character by casting a spell on them. | BG3 Mod Manager is recommended; Norbyte’s Script Extender is required. The listing reports version 0.1.0, last updated September 17, 2025, and a Patch 8 Compatible tag. | The author describes the restored functionality as partial and says some features intended in the original mod remain non-functional. The listing does not establish that every NPC works reliably. |
| Full Custom Companions (Hirelings) | Duplicates NPCs and adds the copies to the party. | The Nexus version requires Script Extender. The listing also describes a reduced-functionality version available through the in-game mod manager that does not require Script Extender. | The original NPC is not automatically removed; voices are not copied; and the duplicates do not participate in story content. |
These listings describe distinct behaviors, not interchangeable ways to guarantee a particular character will work as a companion. Before downloading, check each mod’s live listing and requirements against your installed game version.
Install the direct-recruit mod
The following route follows the mod listing’s stated requirements. The exact in-game spell or interface details can change, so use the mod page’s current instructions rather than assuming a particular hotkey or spell name.
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- Check compatibility first. Open the Recruit any NPC listing and confirm its requirements and compatibility notes match your game build. The listing reports Patch 8 compatibility; it does not confirm support for later builds.
- Install the required Script Extender. Follow the installation instructions from Norbyte’s BG3 Script Extender releases. Its maintainer says the extender supports Patch 8, auto-updates through the game launcher, and that new versions target the latest game version. Because support is build-sensitive, check the release information for your installed build.
- Install BG3 Mod Manager and the mod. The mod author recommends BG3 Mod Manager. Follow the current instructions on the mod listing and manager rather than relying on an old load-order guide.
- Launch and use the mod’s recruitment spell. The author describes the core behavior as recruiting or dismissing a character by casting a spell on them. Consult the listing for the current way to access that spell and any usage limitations.
Neither listing establishes universal compatibility with all NPCs, and the available information does not establish safe migration of an existing save after adding or removing either mod. Keep a separate backup of any save you care about before changing its mod setup.
What “any NPC” does—and does not—mean
The current Recruit any NPC listing presents its functionality as a partial restoration: the author says some features planned in the original mod remain non-functional. Treat it as an option to try, not a promise that every character can join, behave like a full origin companion, or work on every game build. Its reported version is 0.1.0, with a listing update date of September 17, 2025; check the live page because both the mod and game may change.
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If you only need a party member based on an NPC’s appearance, Full Custom Companions (Hirelings) may fit better. It creates a duplicate rather than recruiting the existing character. The author’s listed caveats matter: the copy does not inherit the NPC’s voice, does not take part in story content, and does not automatically remove the original from the world.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Playing with other people or building your own mod
Modded multiplayer
Larian’s Official Mod Support FAQ says players in a modded multiplayer party need the exact same mods installed at the same versions. Coordinate the mod list and versions with everyone before joining.
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Making a mod yourself
Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3 modding documentation covers getting started, project creation, scripting, resource editing, best practices, and publishing. The official Toolkit is PC-only and Larian’s support FAQ lists 160 GB of required available disk space. These resources explain general mod creation; they do not provide a universal one-click recipe for making every NPC recruitable.
For Patch 8, Larian’s guide to importing a mod describes limited support for importing packed .pak files and notes that some file types, including stats and UUID files, are excluded. That limitation is relevant if you are trying to bring an existing mod into a Toolkit project; it is not evidence that any particular NPC-recruitment mod can be edited or recreated in the Toolkit.
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