Romancing companions is a cornerstone of the Baldur’s Gate 3 experience, and Shadowheart stands out as one of the most intriguing and popular characters to pursue. This comprehensive Shadowheart Romance Guide will walk you through every step to win her heart, from initial approval in Act 1 to deepening your bond through Acts 2 and 3.
Embarking on a romantic relationship with Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 requires understanding her personality and values. To increase Shadowheart’s approval, you need to align your actions with her preferences. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of those actions, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial steps on your path to romancing Shadowheart in BG3.
Be aware that this guide contains spoilers, particularly for Acts 2 and 3, as understanding Shadowheart’s companion quest is crucial for a successful romance. If you prefer a spoiler-free experience, focus on the Act 1 section and try to nurture your relationship organically.
Shadowheart Wielding a Mace in Baldur's Gate 3
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Baldur’s Gate 3: A Deep Dive into the Shadowheart Romance
To successfully romance Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3, you must consistently earn her approval. Here are key actions and behaviors that resonate with her:
- Embrace Diplomacy: Shadowheart favors peaceful solutions. Opt for Deception and Persuasion in dialogues to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence whenever possible.
- Show Compassion: Kindness towards animals, children, and the downtrodden will earn you points in Shadowheart’s book.
- Respect Boundaries: Shadowheart values her privacy. Allow her to share information at her own pace instead of pressuring her.
- Demonstrate Insight and Faith: Succeeding in Insight and Religion checks often impresses Shadowheart, showcasing your understanding of the world and her beliefs (or lack thereof initially).
- Side with Shadowheart: Aligning with Shadowheart and disagreeing with companions like Lae’zel will significantly boost her approval of you.
By consistently following these guidelines, you’ll quickly see Shadowheart’s approval rating climb to High. You can monitor her approval level on her character sheet. Reaching High approval unlocks the path to initiating a romantic relationship.
Act 1: Laying the Foundation for Romance with Shadowheart
To romance Shadowheart in Act 1, focus on reaching High approval and then initiating a crucial dialogue in your camp. When speaking to her in camp, look for the dialogue option: “I can’t help but feel like you and I might have missed a chance to connect. Truly connect.”
This option should appear once you’ve reached High approval, even before rescuing Halsin. Choosing this dialogue initiates the romantic arc. The next time you take a Long Rest and interact with your bedroll in camp, you should have the opportunity to further connect with Shadowheart romantically.
Act 2: Navigating the Crossroads of Faith and Romance
Act 2 presents pivotal moments for Shadowheart’s personal quest, significantly impacting your romantic relationship. Your choices within the Gauntlet of Shar will determine whether she embraces her Shar worship or turns towards Selune. This decision branches her romance path:
- The Selune Path: To guide Shadowheart towards Selune and a potentially softer romance arc, do not pray at the Statue of Shar and do not kill the Nightsong.
- The Shar Path: To align Shadowheart with Shar, pray at the Statue of Shar and choose to kill the Nightsong. This path leads to a darker, more intense romantic development.
Selune Romance Path in Act 2: After completing the Gauntlet of Shar and choosing the Selune path, speak with Shadowheart outside the Mausoleum. Select the dialogue option indicating she is “not alone.” As her story progresses, she will “change her look.” During a subsequent camp conversation, tell her you “love it.” Then, steer the conversation towards your relationship and finally, ask for a kiss to solidify your romantic bond on the Selune path.
Shar Romance Path in Act 2: If you chose the Shar path, a significant romantic scene will trigger during a Long Rest after agreeing to “make sandcastles” with Shadowheart. In a cutscene centered around a Statue of Selune, choose the option to “feast.” This Shar path romance scene may require multiple Long Rests to trigger.
Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Player Discovers Rare Shadowheart Romance Dialogue
Discover the nuances of Shadowheart’s romance through unique dialogue options that can be easily missed depending on your playthrough choices.
Act 3: Finalizing Your Romance with Shadowheart
For players who guided Shadowheart down the Selune path, Act 3 offers a final romantic encounter. Maintain High approval with Shadowheart as you begin Act 3, and you will receive an invitation for a late-night swim. Accepting this invitation solidifies your Selune-aligned romance with Shadowheart.
Maintaining Your Shadowheart Romance: What to Avoid in Baldur’s Gate 3
Once you’ve established a romantic relationship with Shadowheart, it is possible to nurture it throughout Acts 1, 2, and 3. However, her personality can be complex, and certain actions can jeopardize your relationship. To ensure your Shadowheart romance endures, avoid these pitfalls:
- Monogamy Matters: While Shadowheart might initially seem open-minded, engaging in multiple romantic relationships will quickly lead to her disapproval and potentially end your romance. She values commitment and will confront you if she senses you are becoming too close to other companions.
- Prioritize Her Questline: Starting a Shadowheart romance in Act 1 but neglecting her companion quest can have severe consequences. Shadowheart might permanently leave your party if you ignore her personal storyline. To maintain her High approval and keep the romance alive through Act 3, prioritize completing her quest as early as possible in each act.
Interestingly, Shadowheart is surprisingly accepting of you romancing the Drow Twins in Act 3, but only if you invite her to join the encounter. This highlights her nuanced perspective on intimacy within your established relationship.
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9/10
RPG
Systems
OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Rating: 96/100 Critics Recommend: 98%
Franchise Baldur’s Gate
Platform(s) PC, macOS, PS5, Xbox Series X
Released August 3, 2023
Developer(s) Larian Studios
Publisher(s) Larian Studios
Multiplayer Local Multiplayer
Engine Divinity 4.0
ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
How Long To Beat 100+ Hours
Steam Deck Compatibility yes
X|S Optimized yes
PS Plus Availability N/A
Split Screen Orientation Vertical Only
Number of Players 1-4
Local Co-Op Support 1-2 Players
OpenCritic Rating Mighty
Cross Save yes
Cross-Platform Play Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t support crossplay
