If you have played Deep Rock Galactic for even a few hours, you’ve likely heard remarks and references to a dwarf named Karl throughout the game. While Karl has never been seen, nor has anyone ever listened to their voice, Karl’s name and supposed actions are the stuff of legend amongst the dwarves of Deep Rock Galactic. The question remains, who is Karl in Deep Rock Galactic?
The Man, The Myth, The Legend, The Karl
Karl is quoted and referenced through in-game dialogue and item descriptions. There’s even one song from the official soundtrack named after him. There is much to go through to piece together Karl’s story in Deep Rock Galactic. Yet, despite all that we’ve pieced together, we may never find out where he has gone in the end.
Song Mentions of Karl in Deep Rock Galactic
Let’s start with the official song from the soundtrack, “Karl’s End .” Karl’s legend is theorized that he was one of the first dwarfs to dive into the caves of Hoxxes IV, and his legendary efforts have resulted in his demise. There is also a description for the Hollow Bough biome that says, “This is the kind of place they say we lost Karl.”.
Even if the song is called “Karl’s End” there’s another working theory that Karl might still be alive! When a dwarf drinks a Smart Stout beer, there is a chance of receiving two different voice lines about Karl. Both voice lines are:
· “Wait a minute…If all truths are knowable, then all truths must in fact be known…..but by whom? …Karl would know!”
· “I……I…….I know where Karl is! It’s so bloody obvious! What…uhhh….hmmm….anyone up for playing the hoop game?”
Karl May Still Be Alive in DRG
This leads to the possibility of Karl being alive down somewhere on the planet in one of the thousands of caves that Deep Rock Galactic has gone through. It’s also not the first time dwarfs have met their fate down in the caves; Salvage Operation missions are to recover Mini-M.U.L.E’s and fix a broken drop pod left behind by other dwarfs.
Lost packs are also pickaxe parts and other equipment left behind by other dwarfs that players can find and recover for themselves in any mission type. The theming of losing comrades and the loss of Karl makes the dwarfs adopt the phrase and the ideals of “Leave no Dwarf behind!” It’s also a plausible theory that Karl was left behind rather than simply dying.
Related Article: How to Defeat the Nemesis in Deep Rock Galactic
Ad-Hoc Lines Mentioning Karl in Deep Rock Galactic
During the mission, dwarfs often have lines referring to Karl while killing bugs as ways of taking revenge. Every bug squashed is a small part of taking up revenge for the loss of Karl. Some of the lines are:
- “This one’s for Karl!” (Killing an enemy)
- “For Karl!” (Using a Power Attack)
- “We got it! Karl would be proud!” (Killing a Glyphid Dreadnought)
Karl also has one daily special beer named after him: Skull Crusher Ale. The beer description is: “People ask why we remember Karl. People ask what made him a legend. Rumor has it Skull Crusher Ale is at least partly to blame. Make of that what you will. Beware”.
There are also dozens of extra lines that the dwarfs will reference Karl, on and off the Space Rig. From toasting beers, choosing what to wear, or forging, these dwarfs pay homage to Karl often. Karl adds depth to Deep Rock Galactic and gives something for players to unite with each other about. Deep Rock Galactic players can survive for themselves and for Karl.
Popular Theories about Deep Rock Galactic’s Karl
One of the many theories about Karl is that he was once a member of the team of dwarves that we play, or he was also a Scout. The Scout class is shown saluting next to the Promotion terminal, and he is on a recruitment poster that mimics Uncle Sam. The scout also has several statues in the Memorial Hall, pointing out that those scouts are Karl.
Also, whenever you enter the Memorial Hall, there’s a sign that reads “Leave no Dwarf behind,” which is the same line the dwarfs cheer about during missions or drinking at the Abyss Bar. This remark further reinforces the state that Karl was left behind.
Another popular theory Is that Karl is the dwarf that all the four playable dwarf classes descend from. They all could have taken up working at Deep Rock Galactic to follow in Karl’s footsteps and kill bugs in his name for revenge.
Another quote from the dwarfs occasionally occurs whenever someone drinks the Blackout Stout. In the brief moments before passing out, one of the dwarfs can claim to see Karl next to them in their drunken state. This possibly leads to the fact that they had more of a personal connection with Karl.
Our Final Word on Who Karl is in Deep Rock Galactic
While it’s possible that we may or may never see Karl again, we think Karl’s character shouldn’t be revealed so that the legend would die. Hopefully, we will find more relics or other sites of different heroic things that Karl has done. For more insights, check out our guide to promoting in Deep Rock Galactic. As always, Rock and Stone, fellow dwarfs!
