Can I Sleep with Shadowheart? A Comprehensive Guide to Romancing the Mysterious Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3
Yes, absolutely! You can definitely sleep with Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3). The enigmatic Cleric of Shar is one of the most popular romance options in the game, offering a compelling and complex relationship arc. However, successfully romancing Shadowheart requires understanding her values, navigating her personal quest, and making choices that resonate with her character. Let’s delve into the intricacies of building a relationship with Shadowheart and unlocking those intimate moments.
Understanding Shadowheart and Her Approval
The foundation of any successful romance in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a strong approval rating. Shadowheart is no exception. Earning her approval means understanding her core beliefs and acting accordingly.
- Values: Shadowheart initially presents as secretive and devoted to Shar. She appreciates trickery and manipulation over violence, values exposing lies, and has a strong anti-Gith sentiment. She also demonstrates kindness to animals and believes in aiding the less fortunate, especially children.
- Dislikes: Direct confrontation with Lae’zel, especially expressing any fondness for the Gith, will significantly lower her approval. Acts of cruelty or needless violence are also major turn-offs.
- Building Approval: Consistent acts of compassion, strategic dialogue choices aligned with her worldview, and support for her personal quest are key to raising her approval rating. Keep in mind her affinity for animals; a simple act like petting the camp dog can go a long way.
The Bedroll Scene: The First Step
Once you’ve achieved a high approval rating with Shadowheart, you’ll unlock the opportunity for a romantic encounter at your bedroll. This option becomes available even before rescuing Halsin, demonstrating that relationship progression isn’t solely tied to main quest milestones. When interacting with your bedroll, you should see a dialogue option to connect with Shadowheart. Choosing this option triggers a romance scene, though it’s considered relatively mild compared to some others.
Navigating Her Personal Quest: The Key to Intimacy
Shadowheart’s personal quest is deeply intertwined with her devotion to Shar and her lost memories. Your choices during this quest will have a profound impact on your relationship.
- The Gauntlet of Shar: This location is critical to Shadowheart’s character arc. When she asks, let her do the trials in your stead to earn favor with her. This demonstrates trust and respect for her faith. This will open the gates and you’ll be able to enter the main trial area, a combat trial that favors Shadowheart’s Radiant spells.
- Nightsong’s Fate: This is the pivotal moment. The decision of whether to kill or spare the Nightsong will dramatically alter Shadowheart’s path.
- Embracing Shar (Killing Nightsong): If you allow Shadowheart to kill the Nightsong, she becomes a Dark Justiciar of Shar. This path leads to a darker, more brooding version of Shadowheart. While you can still romance her on this path, it comes with “gruesome consequences.” She also gains powerful gear, including the legendary weapon Shar’s Spear of Evening.
- Rejecting Shar (Sparing Nightsong): This path requires convincing Shadowheart to defy Shar’s will. By speaking to the Nightsong, and then allowing her to trigger Shadowheart’s memories, you have a chance to persuade her. Sparing Nightsong will change Shadowheart for the better. This will lead to her eventually embracing Selûne and transforming, both internally and externally (her hair turns silver). This path often leads to a more fulfilling and ultimately “good” romantic ending.
- Saving Her Parents: Regardless of the path she chooses (Shar or Selune), you’ll have the option to save Shadowheart’s parents. This choice leads to the same outcome: her parents being freed and joining you at camp. This act of compassion significantly strengthens your bond with her.
The Consequences of Your Actions
Your romantic choices in Baldur’s Gate 3 have repercussions. Be mindful of how your actions might affect your relationship with Shadowheart.
- Jealousy: Shadowheart can get jealous if you pursue romantic relationships with other characters, especially Lae’zel. Be considerate of her feelings if you wish to maintain a strong bond with her.
- Other Romances: Shadowheart has strict preferences and will not let the player engage in romantic connections with other characters. She’s more possessive. However, she also does not seem to mind if you romance the emperor.
- Long-Term Impact: The choices you make throughout the game will shape Shadowheart’s character and influence the outcome of your romance. A romance with Shadowheart saves important characters and unlocks a positive ending with an extended scene, making it a worthwhile choice for players.
FAQs: Your Burning Shadowheart Romance Questions Answered
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions concerning romancing Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3:
1. Can you still romance Shadowheart if she kills Nightsong?
Yes, it’s still possible, but be warned! Your options are under different and more gruesome circumstances. Be prepared for a darker, more complex relationship with potential for a more tragic ending.
2. Why can’t I romance Shadowheart?
Make sure you are working with the correct facts! You may not be romancing Shadowheart because you need to raise her approval rating. Focus on choices that align with her values, like aiding the less fortunate, showing kindness to animals, and expressing anti-Gith sentiment.
3. What happens if Shadowheart catches you sleeping with Mizora (Romance)?
While she may have her own needs, your choices in love may still matter! In our playthrough, Shadowheart didn’t get jealous at all, and she just stated that you have your own needs, as does she.
4. When can I hook up with Shadowheart?
This option should appear upon reaching High approval with the Cleric. This might happen prior to rescuing Halsin in Baldur’s Gate 3, and players should see an option to connect with Shadowheart the next time that they interact with their bedroll in camp.
5. Will Shadowheart get jealous?
Yes! Your companion Lae’zel is Githyanki, so Shadowheart’s inherent dislike can lead to tension in the party. Be careful if you’re flirting with the idea of a romance with both of them, as they may become jealous of one another.
6. What happens if Shadowheart kills the Nightsong?
Once the battle with Thorm is over, Aylin and Isobel, if she is alive, stay at camp. If Shadowheart kills the Nightsong, she becomes the Dark Justiciar and gains the Shar’s Spear of Evening. However, the party loses a valuable ally in the Nightsong.
7. What happens if Shadowheart dies?
Unfortunately, the loss of Shadowheart’s life can be an easy trigger for a TPK, sacrificing the party’s main source of healing in most campaigns, but it can be worthwhile in very specific schemes.
8. How do I convince Shadowheart to spare Nightsong?
You ask her not to do it, she’ll say she’ll do it over your dead body if she has to, then you back down, and then Nightsong mentions the wolf which gives Shadowheart enough of a pause so Nightsong can give a speech and THEN you have your chance to persuade Shadowheart.
9. Should Shadowheart eat the mushroom?
If you collect the noblestalk from the bibberbang field while rescuing the mushroom picker, you can convince Shadowheart to eat it. This will partially restore her memories, and she’ll remember a childhood friend, Rennald, and suggest searching for him in Baldur’s Gate.
10. Why does Shadow Hearts hair turn white?
Once Shadowheart comes to terms with her big decision at the end of Act 2, she will learn more about her past and eventually embrace Selûne as the goddess worthy of her devotion. To reflect her newly recovered faith, Shadowheart will then change her hair color from black to silver and get rid of her bangs.
11. Can you save the Nightsong and keep Shadowheart?
If Baldur’s Gate 3 players choose to persuade Shadowheart to stay her hand and not kill the Nightsong, she will be changed. She will become kinder, and instead of willingly choosing to murder her family members, she will earn the option to save them.
12. Can you save Shadowhearts parents?
You can choose to save Shadowheart’s parents in either path (Shar or Selune). Both paths will lead to the same outcome with this choice: Shadowheart’s parents will be freed and brought to camp to join you for the remainder of the game.
13. How do I stop Shadowheart from leaving?
The only way I see around that is using a mod to increase party size, so you can bring a fifth party member and Shadowheart can be present. Make sure whoever does the dialogue is the one that has Shadowheart with them, to make sure it registers her as being in the scene.
14. Is Shadowheart evil?
Shadowheart’s story makes her seem evil at first glance, but hers is a story you shape with your actions. As soon as Act One, you’ll see the impact since saving the Tieflings has her smiling for the good deed, while siding with the goblins will make her drunkenly accept that this is what her goddess would’ve wanted. This shows that, depending on how the player acts, her narrative can unfold in several different ways.
15. Will Shadowheart get mad if you sleep with Halsin?
Long story short: it seems that you can still get it on with Halsin, while continuing to pursue a romance with Shadowheart. In our case, we asked for her permission so we could fool around with Halsin, and she was fine with it.
Conclusion: A Rewarding Romance Awaits
Romancing Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. By understanding her values, navigating her personal quest with care, and making choices that resonate with her character, you can forge a deep and meaningful connection. Whether you guide her towards the darkness of Shar or the light of Selûne, the journey with Shadowheart is sure to be unforgettable. For more insights into the complex world of gaming and learning, explore the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.