Baldur’s Gate 3: Shadowheart approval guide

No matter if you’re trying to romance or befriend God’s favorite princess and the most interesting girl in the world, you’ll need this Shadowheart approval guide for Baldur’s Gate 3.

Shadowheart is a Half-Elf Cleric who is one of the first characters you meet. Every decision you make will affect her, so choose wisely.

Shadowheart approval and romance guide for Baldur’s Gate 3

This Cleric of Shar is on a secret mission, and she’s not entirely forthright at the start of the game. She has many boundaries, likes and dislikes, and won’t be incredibly easy to side with at times. Nevertheless, once you get to understand her, she’s charismatic and loyal to her core.

Before we get into some general things you should do for Shadowheart for approval, here are some basic choices to make at the beginning of the game to ensure a better relationship:

• Rescue her from the Nautiloid pod.
• Keep the Goblin Sazza alive for information.
• Convince Kagha to release Arabella.
• Promise to take Nettie’ poison.
• Don’t open the Selûnite chest.
• Convince Scratch to come to camp.
• Persuade Wyll not to kill Karlach.
• Allow Abdirak to hit you.
• Refuse Raphael’s deal.

There are plenty of other important choices you make in this game that’ll make Shadowheart either happy or upset. Because of this, you should know about some general tips on how to approach situations for her approval.

Side with Shadowheart instead of Lae’zel

One of the ongoing conflicts in Baldur’s Gate 3 is between Shadowheart and Lae’zel. During these confrontations you’ll inevitably have to get in the midst of, you should always try to side with Shadowheart.

These situations will mainly happen during Act 1 until they begin to see eye-to-eye. But before that, listen to what Shadowheart has to say and start agreeing with her. Do the opposite, and she’ll begin to disapprove of you siding with Lae’zel.

Respect her privacy

Shadowheart is a closed book, but you need to respect that. Eventually, she’ll start to open up and reveal what her true goal is. But otherwise, choosing options that tell her that you don’t mind her keeping secrets will make her happy.

Shadowheart will be pleased to know that you respect her boundaries and privacy. Don’t try to steal her mysterious artifact, and don’t try to push her for information on it. She’ll open up when she’s ready, but she’s fine with the player asking less invasive and more curious questions.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3: Karlach approval guide

Help the right people

Although Shadowheart is a Cleric of Shar, she’s not a fan of unnecessary evils. She’ll typically give you approval for actions such as saving children, or helping those truly in need like rescuing Halsin.

If you decide to be cruel to people for no reason, Shadowheart won’t approve of your actions. Just because she wants to become a Dark Justiciar, doesn’t mean she’s unkind.

Help her on her personal quest

Each companion has their own quest, and the best thing for her approval is to help her along the way. Choosing dialogue options that’ll ensure that you’re an ally who can help her become a Dark Justiciar will please her.

Once you get to Act 2 and reach the Gauntlet of Shar, that’s also when you can guide her in the right direction. There’s a huge choice she must make, and if you want to romance her, make sure she doesn’t kill Nightsong. Becoming a Shar follower ensures that your romance with Shadowheart will never happen.

Impress her with skill checks

As a Trickery Domain Cleric, Shadowheart will approve of your actions with certain skill checks. Dialogue checks that make you choose Deception, Persuasion, Insight, or Religion will usually please Shadowheart, and can give you a stamp of approval.

Sometimes even thievery is up her alley. Steal from individuals (only if it’s justified), and Shadowheart will approve of it. It’s tough to say which acts of thievery she approves of, but try not to steal from people who wouldn’t deserve it.

Now that you’ve had time to learn how to gain Shadowheart’s approval, here’s an Astarion approval guide to help you befriend or romance him.