How To Romance Shadowheart In Baldur’s Gate 3 (2024)

Shadowheart, the Half-Elf Cleric, is one of many romance options in Baldur's Gate 3. A pragmatic and loyal adherent of Shar, goddess of the night and forgetfulness, Shadowheart still possesses a fun, dry wit that makes her an excellent companion and support healer. However, she can also be a romantic partner if the player builds Approval with her and plays their cards right.

The key to romancing Shadowheart is building Approval; the more she approves of the player, the easier it is to start a romance. There are numerous opportunities to gain Shadowheart's approval, but she generally approves of a practical, efficient approach. She also endorses when the player is kind to children and animals, allows her to worship Shar, respects her boundaries and privacy, and shows distrust against the Gith.

How To Gain Shadowheart's Approval

General Tips And Tricks For Growing Close To Shadowheart

Romancing Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3 has many pros and cons. She requires the player to follow a strict set of decisions and morality to maintain her approval. However, if players maintain a consistent personality with Shadowheart, her approval will grow.

If players love Shadowheart, they should avoid too many interactions with another companion: the Githyanki warrior Lae'zel. Shadowheart harbors a profound prejudice against Githyanki, so agreeing with or showing kindness to Lae'zel or any other Githyanki will lower Shadowheart's approval. In contrast, distrusting and disliking the Githyanki will make Shadowheart more at ease.

Shadowheart also hates oppression, so actively fighting oppressors can improve the player's relationship with Shadowheart. She also dislikes those with wealth and disapproves of humiliating others. Avoid siding with wealthy characters or humiliating NPCs to stay in Shadowheart's favor.

It's worth noting that Shadowheart also has a softer side. While she dislikes the Githyanki and wealthy characters, she is also an animal lover and kind to children. As a result, being kind to animals and children will boost the player's approval rating.

Shadowheart's devotion to Shar is central to her arc in BG3. Although she may lose this devotion part-way through the game, Shadowheart's faith must be respected, and many of her preferences come from her faith in Shar. Shadowheart would rather have players deal with threats through trickery, persuasion, and manipulation rather than direct and unnecessary violence. Poisoning the Goblin Party in Baldur's Gate 3 is just one good example.

Another key trait Shadowheart picks up from her chosen deity is a strong sense of privacy regarding herself and those around her. If the player wants to romance Shadowheart, they need to respect her boundaries and keep out of business, which doesn't concern them. If Shadowheart wants to avoid talking about something, it is best to avoid pushing the subject.

How To Romance Shadowheart In Act One

How To Find Shadowheart And Build Approval Early

There are two ways players can recruit Shadowheart in BG3. The first involves finding her sealed inside a pod on the Nautiloid at the beginning of the game. The console to open her pod is missing a part, which can be found at the end of a nearby room. After the rune is inserted into the console, the player can free Shadowheart, who will accompany the party through the ship until it crashes. After the crash, she can be found unconscious on the beach, where she will join the party.

The second involves finding her after the crash landing by following the beach north towards the crypt. If not freed from the pod, Shadowheart can be found banging on the door, trying to get in.

After she is recruited, the player should focus on building Approval. There are lots of opportunities to do this, but Shadowheart generally responds positively when situations are resolved without violence or when the player uses their skills in a clever or insightful way.

With enough Approval, Shadowheart will ask the player to join her for a private drink: the first major moment of Shadowheart's romance in BG3. This moment tends to appear when the player celebrates at the Tiefling party at the end of the quest "Save the Refugees." During the party, speak to Shadowheart and pick the following lines of dialogue:

• "Tieflings?"
• "Are you worried Shar won’t approve?"
• "I'd be glad to." (Choose this line if she offers a drink)
• "I'll find you after everyone’s turned in for the night."

Once the conversation with Shadowheart is finished, head for the Bedroll . An option to sleep alone or join Shadowheart will appear. If the player joins Shadowheart, they will have successfully completed the main romantic scene with Shadowheart in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3.

How To Romance Shadowheart In Act Two

A Significant Turning Point For Shadowheart, The Party And The Story

Players should speak with Shadowheart whenever they get the chance. The events of Act 2 mark a significant turning point for Shadowheart's romance. First, the player will have new dialogue options with Shadowheart, where she will mention her favorite flower, the Night Orchid. Make sure to collect a Night Orchid in the Shadow-Cursed Lands and gift it to her for extra Approval.

The bigger Act 2 moment comes during the Gauntlet of Shar in Baldur's Gate 3. This is a point of no return for Act 2, so it's worth completing everything on the Baldur's Gate 3 Act 2 checklist beforehand.

While in this dungeon, Shadowheart must decide whether to kill or spare the Nightsong. This is a major story decision with far-reaching consequences. Depending on the outcome, Shadowheart will be blessed or forsaken by Shar, which will change how her romance progresses.

Depending on the decision made, the player will need to adjust their approach:

• If the player chooses to spare the Nightsong in BG3, they must tell Shadowheart that she isn't alone. They must then support Shadowheart when she changes her hair in Act 3 by saying they love it. Then, they should talk about the relationship and kiss Shadowheart.
• If the player chooses to kill the Nightsong, they will still have a chance at a relationship with Shadowheart. However, if they kill the Nightsong rather than have Shadowheart do it, she will abandon the relationship.

How To Romance Shadowheart In Act Three

The Completion Of Shadowheart's Character Arc And Romance

Regardless of which choice Shadowheart makes, the player will need to support her with her companion quest in Act 3. This involves entering the House of Grief and confronting the Sharrans of Baldur's Gate.

• If the Nightsong is spared, Shadowheart and the party must defeat the Sharrans and decide the fate of Shadowheart's parents.
• If Nightsong were killed, Shadowheart would have the opportunity to become the Sharrans' new leader.

If the Nightsong was spared, they will get a cutscene with Shadowheart in Act 3. This cutscene includes skinny-dipping and an intimate moment on the beach, where Shadowheart expresses that she no longer needs Shar as the player gives her courage. This scene does not occur if Shadowheart killed the Nightsong.

The player will also encounter a cutscene in which they visit a Selunite statue with Shadowheart. The dialogue will change based on her parents' fate. If Nightsong is killed, she will defile the shrine with blood instead.

Key Moments And Decisions For Romancing Shadowheart

A Quick Recap Of Key Decisions

In summary, there are a few key points to follow for romancing Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3:

• Free her from the pod on the Nautiloid to build Approval early.
• Be clever, practical, and pragmatic, avoiding violence in encounters where possible.
• Respect Shadowheart's boundaries and privacy.
• Take up her offer for a private drink in Act 1. This triggers the start of the romance.
• Gift her a Night Orchid in Act 2.
• Support her with her decision regarding the fate of the Nightsong.
• Complete her companion quest by entering the House of Grief in Act 3.

While there are many opportunities to gain and lose Shadowheart's Approval, following the points above should keep the player on the right path. It's worth noting that a non-violent approach with care given to children and animals will also earn Approval from other good-aligned companions such as Gale, Wyll, Karlach, Halsin, and others.

However, it's also worth noting that each companion has a distinct personality and preferences, and their romances are also very different. Anyone who chooses to romance Shadowheart will find she has one of the most fulfilling companion story arcs in Baldur's Gate 3.

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Baldur's Gate 3

Released

August 3, 2023

Developer(s)

Larian Studios

Publisher(s)

Larian Studios

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Platform(s)

PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X

Franchise

Baldur's Gate

How Long To Beat

100+ Hours