One of the many features of Baldur’s Gate 3 is the ability to romance characters. Romance can be complicated, just like the different characters in the game, and you need to balance your relationships if you want to romance more than one character. In this Baldur’s Gate 3 romance guide, we go over all the romance options in the game and how you can romance different characters.
Note that romance in Baldur’s Gate 3 is very graphic. If you do not want to be embarrassed in front of other people, then you can toggle cutscene nudity off in the options screen.
How Does Romance Work In Baldur’s Gate 3?
There are three important things that you need to know about romancing companions in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Approval rating: Every character has an approval rating which you can find in the bottom left of their character overview sheet. You can see this by selecting the character portrait and then opening the character’s inventory.
- Conversation: You need to have at least one conversation with the companion at your campsite. This has very specific requirements, and if you pick the wrong dialogue option, then you will not be able to romance the companion.
- The bed roll: If you have enough approval and navigate conversations correctly, then you will get another conversation at the campsite. Say the right things, and you will get a bed roll allowing you to invite the companion with you.
Note that there are no consequences for being in a relationship with more than one companion at the same time.
All Characters You Can Romance In Baldur’s Gate 3
The following is a list of all the companions that you can romance in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Shadowheart
- Astarion
- Wyll
- Lae’zel
- Gale
- Karlach
- Halsin
- Minthara
- Jaheira
- Minsc
- Mizora
How To Romance All Characters In Baldur’s Gate 3
The following is what you need to know about the romance requirements for different characters in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Shadowheart Romance Requirements
The exploit that allowed players to develop a relationship with Shadowheart still works in the final version of the game. Go to the Blighted Village, west of Emerald Grove. Here you need to defeat goblins. You can do this peacefully without combat.
Behind the mill, you will find a broken statue. Talk to Shadowheart about it, and then when you are at the camp at night, you can start your first romantic conversation with Shadowheart. Select the following dialogue options when talking to her:
- We should get to know each other more.
- Tell me more about yourself, besides [spoiler], besides tadpoles.
- You’ll have to point out Night Orchids to me if we ever pass some.
Once you have selected the bedroll, you have to select the following choices:
- 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.
Earning Shadowheart’s Approval
If you want to maintain Shadowheart’s approval, then you should be nice to children and the downtrodden, show mercy wherever possible, and be kind to animals. You will need to find peaceful ways of dealing with animals, even in the Owlbear cave. Crush the Ilithid tadpole outside Blighted Village and have the Novice Crusher kiss your feet.
Astarion Romance Requirements
Astarion is a very flirty character and does not have a set of specific dialogue options that you need to select until you rescue Halsin and save the refugees. Once you do, select the following dialogue options:
- Really? Saving lives is awful?
- True, the goblins would have thrown a wilder party.
- And what’s your idea of ‘a little fun’?
- All right, let’s do it. I’ll see you later.
Once you invite him to bed with you, select the following dialogue options:
- You don’t have me yet
- And what do you want?
- Nod
Earning Astarion’s Approval
If you want Astarion’s approval, then you should lie, intimidate and deceive people. He is a typical noble, so that should not be surprising. You can be cruel to animals and kick the squirrel in the Emerald Grove. You can also mock other characters and play with their emotions.
Wyll Romance Requirements
To romance Wyll, you will need to progress the main story and maintain a certain approval with him. His approval must be high before you rescue Halsin and the refugees. Take a long rest at the camp, and when the celebrations take place, you can go to Wyll and talk to him. you can then select the option “We should explore this bond in my bunk tonight”.
Earning Wyll’s Approval
To earn Wyll’s approval, you need to do good deeds. Side with him during his personal quest and express your dislike or hatred of monsters. You will lose his approval if you do evil deeds if you are selfish, and if you support goblins or other monsters. Being cruel is also going to decrease his approval.
Lae’zel Romance Requirements
Lae’zel does not like kindness and is a no-nonsense kinda gal. You only need to have one conversation with her before you start romancing her. Once you have rescued the refugees, she will come to you and ask if she can sniff you. You will need to select the following dialogue options:
- Are you… asking for sex?
- Yes. I will share my bed with you tonight.
That is all there is to it. This is how you can romance Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Earning Lae’ze’s Approval
To get Lae’ze’s approval, you should choose violence and tell people that you do not have the time to help them. You can let the Tieflings kill Sazza and not save the thief in Emerald Grove. You should also let her talk to the githyanki.
Gale Romance Requirements
Getting romantic with Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3 is going to take some effort. He likes kindness and sympathy, but he is hesitant to get into a relationship. At this point, we are not sure if you need to give him magic items to consume to make him happy, but it is worth doing to get his approval. On the night of the refugee rescue celebration, he will invite you under a weave. Select the following dialogue options:
- You’re a good teacher.
- Hold on to the moment. It’s a good night for intimacy.
- Picture kissing him.
When you next talk about magic lessons, select the following dialogue options:
- I never thought it was so easy to cast magic.
- So what did you think about what I pictured when we were connected by the Weave?
After taking a long rest, the next time you spend a night at your campsite, you can see him being upset. Talk to and comfort him but do not rebuff him when he says he wants to get closer. You will be able to get a bed roll for Gale when you interact with him the next time.
Karlach Romance Requirements
Karlach’s heart causes intense pain to those who attempt to touch her. So romancing this character is going to be a problem. You can however alleviate this by finding the Infernal Iron that can cure her. This quest is closely tied to her companion quest storylines; Our Fiery Friend and The Hellion’s Heart.
You will need to find a Tiefling named Dammon in the Tiefling refugee camp in Druid Grove. Dammon has the knowledge to cure Karlach, but he needs Infernal Iron. You can find it in various locations in Act 1, including the Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum and Grymforge in the Underdark. Once you have the Infernal Iron, return it to Dammon, who will use it to cure Karlach.
After that, Karlach will be able to touch other people and you can test this by kissing her, which will create a moment. Suggest a way to cool her off to progress the conversation. You can cool her off by throwing water, casting a water or ice spell, or shooting an ice arrow.
During Act 2 of the game, you will need to bring Dammon some more infernal materials. After you bring him the required materials from the Gauntlet of Shar dungeon he will warn you of potential problems but you can romance Karlach by going to your camp and talking to her at night.
Earning Karlach’s Approval
You can earn Karlach’s approval by defending her when Wyll confronts her at the camp. Use the ‘Speak with Dead’ ability to inquire if the Abducted Nobleman in the crashed Nautiloid desires any last rites to be performed. You should Persuade Zevlor against attacking Aradin and then promise him to negotiate with Kagha about extending the tieflings’ stay.
We also recommend confronting Kagha and persuading her to release Arabella. Save Sazza’s life and ensure Mizora remains unharmed. Furthermore, you can express distrust towards Raphael.
Halsin Romance Requirements (Bear Form And With Existing Lover)
Halsin needs to be saved first. After you save him you need to save the refugees and when they have their celebration, you can approach him to start a romantic relationship. You can only romance him during Act 3, so you will need to progress the story a fair bit. You will need to make the right decisions until then.
Firstly, you need to save him in the Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum. and then rescue the refugees. When you talk to him, offer friendly and supportive responses and you should also welcome him to the camp. During Act 2, you want to keep Isobel alive in Last Light Inn.
In Last Light Inn you need to talk to the sleeping person and then report to Halsin. This will start a long storyline in which you will encounter Thaniel, the child Halsin is trying to find. Later on, you need to defend the portal to keep Halsin from dying. Since you cannot romance a character that is dead. After the battle, you can recruit Halsin to your party permanently. At this point, you should finish any of his remaining objectives. When you do talk to Halsin, ask him about this previous lover and what he thinks of you.
Since you only get to romance Halsin once you have progressed through the game a fair bit, chances are that you are already in romantic relations with other characters. If that is the case then Halsin is more than happy to share. After defeating beating Ketheric Thorm and coming into Wyrm’s Crossing you should rest at your camp a few times to trigger some cutscenes. You can then talk to Halsin and choose the following dialogue choices:
- What are you saying exactly?
- I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t interested – but I’m already in a relationship.
- You just want to share? What do you mean?
- I will speak with (other lover).
You now need to talk to the companion you are in a relationship with the select the following dialogue options:
- I wanted to talk to you about us, and exclusivity in our relationship.
- He’s open-minded and willing to share… as long as you are.
Shadowheart seemed to be fine with the arrangement but other companions might not feel the same way. They could wish you well and remain friends with you.
If you want Halsin to turn into a bear then when you get the option to romance him then you need to select the following dialogue options:
- Why, is the big, strong Archdruid Halsin nervous? Adorable.
- Of course, what do you think I’m here for?
- Don’t apologize. I like it.
- Yes, change back again. Let me have the beast… and the beast have me.
- Large is what I’m here for.
Earning Halsin’s Approval
You can earn Halsin’s approval by rescuing him and the refugees. You should also defeat the three goblin leaders and offer Halsin supporting advice when you talk to him. Lastly, you can talk to him about nature and its balance.
Minthara Romance Requirements
Romancing Minthara is a bit complicated since she is a druid that wants to destroy all the druids. She also wants the world to experience pain and suffering. So earning her favor is going to be a bit different compared to other companions in Baldur’s Gate 3. Since she is not a party member, you do not really need to earn the favor but you will need to sell out the Druids.
Go to the Shattered Sanctum in the goblin camp and talk to Minthara. Tell her about the goblin attacks in Emerald Grove. Once the goblins have demolished the settlement come back to Minthara and talk to her again. Select the following dialogue options:
- It’s been a privilege to fight alongside you.
- Embrace the change.
- Open your mind.
During the goblin camp party, you need to talk to her again and tell her that you belong to her. Now get the bed roll and sleep with Minthara. This is how you can romance Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Jaheira Romance Requirements
You can find Jaheira in the Last Light Inn. You can start a conversation with her and listen to her stories. Later on, when you get the choice, you should keep her in your party. You need to protect her from harm since you cannot romance a dead character. You will also need to intervene when Nightsong is about to be harmed by Shadowheart.
We do not have exact information on how you can romance Jaheira. We will update this guide when we learn more.
Earning Jaheira’s Approval
To get Jaheira’s approval you will need to show that you can be decisiveness in critical situations. Showing acts of courage, valor, and justice are encouraged.
Minsc Romance Requirements
At this time we do not know how you can romance Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3. Stay tuned for updates!
Mizora Romance Requirements
Mizora is not a companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 so she does not have an approval meter. The romance scene with Mizora takes place in Act 3, so you will need to progress the game a fair bit. We recommend keeping Mizora and Wyll alive if you want to romance Mizora. Both Shadowheart and Halsin are fine with sharing so you can romance Mizora if you are hitting it off with Shadowheart.
During Act 1, you will need to save the Tiefling refugees. If you choose to kill them then Wyll will leave your party. During Act 2, when you reach Moonrise Towers, agree to help Mizora find Zariel’s Asset. Later on, you will need the use the strength or unleash option to free her (not getting into spoilers). When you reach Wyrm’s Rock Fortress in Act 3, refrain from picking a fight with Gortash and talk to Mizora. This will make her appear in your camp.
Do not make her leave and talk to her after a few long rests. If you see an exclamation mark then that men’s that there is an important conversation. When she makes you an offer you will need to accept it otherwise you will be locked out of the romance. Pick the following dialogue options:
- Sounds delicious. What are you suggesting?
- Bask in the powerful sensations
- I’m ready (or Sigh and brace yourself)
- Gorge on the river (or Take a tentative sip)
- Step into Mizora’s outstretched wings
If you were already in a relationship with Shadowheart then she will express that she is the better person but will understand that you have needs. Your relationship will remain intact. The consequences can be different for other companions.
This is what you need to know about the romance requirements of all the characters in Baldur’s Gate 3 and how you can earn their approval. To learn more about the game, you can check out our guide on how you can talk to animals. You can also check out our guide on the best class combinations.
