Baldur's Gate 3 recently won Game Of The Year 2023. Not only that, but the game just recently came out on Xbox Series X|S. As such, there will likely be an influx of people wondering how to romance one or all of the NPCs. If you are one of those people or just want a refresher, then you're in luck. Here's our Baldur's Gate 3 guide on how the player can increase the Approval of Shadowheart, as well as how to romance her afterward. Beware of spoilers in the following guide.

Baldur's Gate 3 – Shadowheart Romance and Approval Guide

To romance a character, the player must first increase that character's Approval of them. This is affected by the player's words during conversations, as well as their actions during the game. Needless to say, each Companion in Baldur's Gate 3 has different likes or dislikes. What works for one Companion will not necessarily work for the other. As such, the player must adjust their actions depending on whose approval they are trying to raise,

Shadowheart Approval Guide

To increase Shadowheart's approval of the player, they must first understand what Shadowheart likes and dislikes. Here is a general list of the things that Shadowheart likes and dislikes when it comes to conversation and actions:

  • Approval up:
    • Privacy and boundaries. As a Cleric of the Trickery Domain, Shadowheart prefers secrets and privacy. However, she also rewards curiosity, so the player can still get be rewarded for picking options that show curiosity
    • Actions that help others are something that Shadowheart likes, although she doesn't show it as much.
    • Shadopwheart approves of actions done out of self-interest.
    • Thievery. As a member of the Trickery Domain, actions that involve stealing from others are something that Shadowheart likes seeing.
    • Secrecy, Stealth, and Deceit. Being a member of the Trickery Domain makes Shadowheart proficient in these things. The player doing the same will increase her approval of them.
    • Persuasion, Deceit, Religion, and Insight. Players who manage to pass checks in these skills impress Shadowheart, which in turn increases her approval of them.
  • Approval down:
    • Unnecessary cruelty. Shadowheart hates actions the player takes that she considers unnecessarily cruel. This is a quick way to lower her approval of the player. However, she is sometimes willing to do bad things if the player can justify it in one way or another.
    • Lae'zel. Doing the things Lae'zel wants to do, or listening to her advice instead of Shadowheart's will lead to Shadowheart's approval going down.

Should the player want to pursue dialogue options, actions, or quests that will cause Shadowheart's Approval to go down, it is possible to do so in a way that will prevent the Approval from lowering. The player can do this by leaving Shadowheart in the camp, or by making sure that she is not nearby when the player does the quest or dialogue.

Shadowheart Romance Guide

Act 1

To romance Shadowheart in Act 1, the player must first reach a certain point of approval with her. Afterward, they must make some progress in the main storyline. For Shadowheart, the player must first complete the Druid's Grove questline, choosing to rescue Halsin and the refugees. Afterward, they must then take a long rest at their campsite. Upon finishing the long rest, the refugees will hold a celebration for the player and their companions. The player can then go to Shadowheart to initiate a conversation. They will then need to make the following dialogue options:

  • Tieflings?
  • Are you worried Shar won’t approve?
  • I'd be glad to. (If she asks to share a bottle)
  • I'll find you after everyone’s turned in for the night.

Afterward, the player must return to their bedroll and interact with it for the chance to go to bed with Shadowheart. This will lead to another conversation with her on the cliffside. The player will have a conversation with her there. This will then lead to a cutscene of the player spending a romantic evening with Shadowheart.

Act 2

In Act 2, players will find themselves in the Silent Library in the Gauntlet of Shar. As Shadowheart is a follower of Shar, this location will have a big effect on the player's relationship with Shadowheart.

The player will have to make a big decision that comes after the fight Balthazar. After the player defeats him, Shadowheart will find herself holding the Spear of Night. She will then try to kill the Nightsong. If the player decides to let her kill Nightsong, Shadowheart will embrace being a Chosen of Shar. The alternative is that the player must convince her not to kill Nightsong, and eventually turn her back on Shar. This will be a difficult thing to do, as it will require a Charisma check with DC 20.

Should the player allow Shadowheart to kill Nightsong, the player will receive a prompt to talk to Shadowheart in the camp. The player can pick any of the options, and it will lead to Shadowheart saying she needs to do something. After the next long rest, Shadowheart will change her hairstyle. Telling her that it looks nice will have Shadowheart explaining that it is closer to Lady Shar's hairstyle.

Should the player choose to spare Nightsong instead, they must make sure to invite Isobel and Nightsong/Dame Aylin to the camp after defeating Ketheric. The player must then talk to her, which will reveal Shadowheart's past. Talk to Shadowheart about this, and pick any of the options available. She will then say she needs to do something. After the next long rest, Shadowheart will change her hair color to try something new in Selune's honor.

These options will decide what romance scene the player will get in Act 3.

Act 3

The romance scene that the player will get in Act 3 will depend on whether or not they spare Nightsong in Act 2. The scenes are very different as well, so players should take the time to think about which scene they want to get before Act 3 starts. To achieve either of the romance endings, however, the player must first complete her Companion quest. Afterward, this is where the choice from Act 2 comes into effect.

If the player decided to kill Nightsong, the player will receive a prompt to talk to Shadowheart in the camp. She will mention the upcoming battle, and how there might not be another night with her like this. The player can choose anything for the first prompt, but must pick the following options in the following prompts:

  • Why me?
  • As you wish.

Afterward, the player should head over to the bedroll to trigger the next scene. After approaching the Idol of Selune, the player must pick the following options:

  • What's that? More wine?
    Not at all. So now we feast?
  • Kiss her

This leads to the romance scene with Shadowheart.

If the player, however, decided to spare Nightsong, then things would go a little differently. Much like the above options, there will be a prompt to talk to Shadowheart. She will mention that she still feels Shar's presence during this talk. The player can choose any option for the first prompt, and then agree to follow her in the second one. The player must then head over to their bedroll to trigger the next scene.

Shadowheart will bring the player to the beach and tell them to strip. The player must pick the following options:

  • There's easier ways to get me naked, you know
  • You first

The player can also choose to peek at Shadowheart as she changes. This will make her throw her clothes at the player. The player must then tell her “Hard not to. You're beautiful.” Afterward, the player can pick any of the available options. This will lead to a scene of Shadowheart and the player skinny dipping before spending a romantic evening together on the beach.

That's all the information we have about how to romance Shadowheart. We also have guides for Gale, Astarion, Wyll, and Lae'zel should you be interested in romancing other characters. The game is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and GOG.

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