Baldur's Gate 3 Guide - How to Romance Shadowheart

Wondering how to romance that dark and mysterious half-elf cleric and worshipper of Shar, Shadowheart?

Image: Baldur's Gate 3 / Larian Studios

Shadowheart is one of your earliest companions in Baldur's Gate 3 and can be found trapped on the Nautiloid where you start the game. If you can free her, she will show up on the beach where you crash; make sure to accept her into your party.

If, for some reason, you cannot rescue her, she will show up near the location “Dank Crypt” at the end of the starting area, the Ravaged Beach. She will offer to join your party there as well. Shadowheart responds well to similar actions in her class. She likes any time players can pass skill checks that involve things like religion, persuasion, or deceit since she is a trickery cleric herself.

Image: Baldur's Gate 3 / Larian Studios

She also prefers kindness; while she will occasionally accept your darker decisions, treating people well will go a long way with her. Lastly, the more you associate with Lae’zel and her decisions, the further you push Shadowheart away. In act one, if you stick to the above suggestions, you will have success with Shadowheart overall but make sure to rescue the emerald grove’s refugees to show how selfless you can be and to show Shadowheart that doing good is the right thing after all.

If you are going in the right direction romance-wise, the dialogue option should pop up that says, "I can't help but feel like you and I might have missed a chance to connect. Truly connect." Make sure to select it and choose the right responses so that she will offer a night alone with her at a point of her choosing.

Once you have rescued the Emerald Grove, a large party will occur the night after. This is an opportunity where Shadowheart will approach you if you made the correct choices earlier. When you approach her, select “refugees” in response to her question.

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Continuing, respond with “Not so odd. We did the right thing.” She will offer to share a bottle with you, and you can gladly accept. Once you hit your bedroll, the narrator will ask who you want to share the night with (if you have multiple options). Select Shadowheart.

Image: Baldur's Gate 3 / Larian Studios

Once selected, you will proceed to a scene with Shadowheart near a waterfall. You two will share an intimate moment and respond positively to her first question, but any response is fine, including draining the whole cup of wine.

Image: Baldur's Gate 3 / Larian Studios

You can then toast “To us.” Anything else will end up in her disappointment. Follow through by sharing something about yourself and asking her to do the same in kind.

You can choose to persuade her, but she will keep things close to her chest. Tell her you remember what she likes by mentioning what she enjoyed earlier. Select “Wrong. You like night orchids and can’t swim. You told me once.”

Image: Baldur's Gate 3 / Larian Studios

Finally, you can follow through and make an advance to kiss Shadowheart. You can look into her eyes and call her beautiful; afterward, you can lean in for a kiss. This should set you on the path to success with Shadowheart; she will approach you the next day to solidify your relationship!