Baldur’s Gate 3 Shadowheart Approval Guide – Dos and Don’ts

Shadowheart’s approval Baldur’s Gate 3 leads to her joining your party and a possible romance will ensue. As you journey through the vast world, the choices you make can influence how your companions perceive you. Shadowheart, with her complex personality and intriguing backstory, is no exception. This guide will help you with actions and decisions that can either win Shadowheart’s approval or displease her.

Who Is Shadowheart?

Shadowheart is a complex character in Baldur’s Gate 3, with a multifaceted personality that players need to navigate carefully. At her core, she values privacy and boundaries, often rewarding those who approach her with genuine curiosity while respecting her need for space. It’s essential not to pry too much into her personal matters, especially initially. Beneath her tough exterior, Shadowheart possesses a heart of gold. She has a strong inclination towards peaceful resolutions and tends to appreciate strategies that employ deception, wit, and persuasion over brute force.

However, she doesn’t shy away from acts of self-interest, such as extortion, thievery, and scamming, provided they have a justifiable reason. This sometimes makes her reactions seem inconsistent, but understanding her core values can help players predict her responses. Shadowheart has a particular affinity for successful Persuasion, Deception, Religion, and Insight Checks, with some of her most pivotal scenes hinging on these checks. It’s also worth noting her rivalry with Lae’zal; siding with Shadowheart against Lae’zal can earn her approval, but at the cost of Lae’zal’s favor. As a devout worshipper of Shar and by her nature as a Cleric of the Trickery Domain, Shadowheart appreciates actions that align with the principles of secrecy, indirect approaches, and deceit.

Note: Some actions to get Shadowheart’s approval may hurt your approval with Gale and Astarion.

Actions That Increase Shadowheart’s Approval In Act 1

Intro Area/Ravage Beach/Dank Crypt

1. Rescue Shadowheart: Rescue her from the Mind Flayer pod.
2. Astarion’s Introduction: Accept Astarion’s apology upon meeting.
3. Shadowheart’s Priority: In camp, agree with Shadowheart about finding the healer.
4. Boar Encounter: Use Animal Handling or Speak with Animals to calm the frightened boar.
5. Gimblebock’s Group: Convince them to leave the Overgrown Ruins/Ruined Chapel.
6. Dank Crypt: Agree with Shadowheart after fighting undead scribes and successfully make a Religion check on the Book of Dead Gods.
7. Deceiving Lae’zel’s Captors: Successfully deceive her captors and ask Lae’zel to say “please” before freeing her.
8. Lae’zel and Tieflings: Persuade the Tieflings to let Lae’zel down, then choose to betray her.

Druid Grove

1. Sword Fighting Technique: Show Guex your technique.
2. Zevlor and Aradin: Persuade/intimidate them to stop fighting.
3. Zevlor’s Request: Refuse to help with the Druid/Kagha situation.
4. Nadira’s Soul Coin: Use Deceive/Intimidate to obtain it.
5. Rolan, Lia, and Cal: Convince them to leave the Refugees.
6. Goblin Sazza: Stop the Tieflings from killing her.
7. Zorru Encounter: With Lae’zel, stop her from being overly aggressive.
8. Arka’s Question: Choose the response about vengeance.
9. Convince Arka: Persuade her not to kill Sazza.
10. Silver the Wolf: Let him take your scent.
11. Kagha’s Decisions: Successfully persuade her to let Arabella go, tell her cruelty is sometimes necessary, and swear to use Nettie’s poison.
12. Shadowheart’s Agreement: Agree with her after swearing to use the poison.
13. Topaz the Bird: Use Bard interactions or Deceit.
14. Arabella’s Fate: Lie to Komira and Locke about Arabella’s death.
15. Pandirna in Storeroom: As a Paladin, offer to heal her.
16. Mirkon’s Sleight of Hand: Use this dialogue option.

Forest/Owlbear Cave

1. Edowin’s Siblings: Tell them to leave.
2. Selûnite Treasure: Leave it untouched.
3. Owlbear Encounter: Convince the Owlbear not to attack using any method.
4. Owlbear Cub: Let it live after defeating the mother.
5. Scratch the Dog: Invite him to your camp.

Blighted Village

1. Goblin Negotiation: Persuade goblins to let you pass.
2. Ogres Hiring: Pass a tough persuasion check to hire them for free.
3. Fezzerk’s Confrontation: Convince him not to fight or execute him after surrender.
4. Gnome Barcus Wroot: After helping, ask for compensation.
5. Ogres Alliance: Convince the ogres to side with you.

Risen Road

1. Wyll and Karlach: Side with Karlach and persuade Wyll not to kill her.
2. Rugan’s Cargo: Use the Bard persuasion option with Rugan to obtain their cargo.
3. Githyanki Patrol: Instruct Lae’zel to play along and ensure she succeeds in a Deception Check.
4. Zhentarim Hideout: Persuade the Zhentarim to let you into the hideout in Waukeen’s Rest.
5. Chest and Rugan: If you have the chest and haven’t opened it, kill Rugan to placate Zherys and the Zhentarim.
6. Bren and Oskar’s Freedom: Intimidate Bren for a discount on Oskar’s freedom.
7. Gith Patrol with Lae’zel: Win the Persuasion Check and have Lae’zel succeed in her Deceit Check with Kith’rak Voss.
8. Oskar’s Journey: Give Oskar some money for his journey home.

Sunlit Wetlands

1. Johl and Demir: Tell them they are on their own and declare their problem with Auntie Ethel is theirs to handle.
2. Swamp Entrance: Succeed in the perception roll and then baa at the redcap.
3. Imitating Mind Flayer: Imitate the roar of a mind flayer when talking to Lorin.
4. Astarion and Gandrel: With Astarion in the party, avoid killing Gandrel and question Astarion’s attack on him.
5. Mayrina’s Brothers: Inform Mayrina of her brothers’ deaths and return Ethel’s locket to her after defeating Auntie Ethel.
6. Auntie Ethel Encounter: Choose to stay out of Auntie Ethel’s conflict when first entering the Sunlit Wetlands.
7. Surrendered Hag Ethel: Either convince her to let Mayrina go and give you power, execute her, or choose the gift of power and let her take Mayrina.

Goblin Camp

1. Smearing Poo: Comply with the poo-smearing request.
2. Novice Crusher: Win the first intimidation check, make him kiss your foot, or tell him “I’d sooner spit in your face” and enforce the action after winning the fight.
3. Tracker Klagga: Persuade her to give you the poem from the dead dwarf.
4. Chicken Chase: With Speak to Animals, convince the Owlbear to help you win. Win Chicken Chase and convince Krolla to give your winnings without using illithid powers.
5. Owlbear Cub: Invite the Owlbear cub to the camp.
6. Krolla’s Refusal: Use Illithid powers if Krolla refuses to give your winnings for Chicken Chase.
7. Goblin Child Eight: Express sympathy for his loss.
8. Booyahg Piddle: Persuade him to spend his time in prayer.

Shattered Sanctum

1. Abdirak’s Penance: Agree to receive penance from the Loviatar worshipper, Abdirak.
2. Torturing Liam: Choose to torture Liam for information and succeed in persuasion checks as needed. Express interest in joining the game with the trio of goblins talking about the blade.
3. True Soul Gut: Tell her “Change of plans, I’m going to kill you” after luring her to a private area.
4. Minthara’s Interrogation: Inform Minthara you know the location of the grove but win the intelligence roll to hide the location. Persuade her that you can be very persuasive regarding Liam.
5. Sazza’s Defense: If you saved Sazza, convince Minthara “She is too stupid to understand.”
6. After Torturing Liam: Tell Minthara that the prisoner revealed the location and win the Deceit Check.
7. Evading Dror Ragzlin: Avoid suspicion after he questions the dead Illithid.
8. Spider Manipulation: Convince the spider to eat the goblins.
9. Booyahg Piddle: Get Volo’s manuscript from him.
10. Halsin’s Rescue: Use the Rogue option to discreetly settle the situation and tell Halsin you will help him with the goblins.

Underdark

1. Boooal Encounter: Fight the fake god Boooal in the Festering Cove and declare your intention to kill him.
2. Thulla’s Boots of Speed: Take the boots from her.
3. Myconid King: Succeed in the persuasion attempt.
4. Restless Myconid: Tell the truth about the parasite and seek safe passage.
5. Rothé Calming: Calm and convince the Rothé to clear the way.
6. Owlbear Cub: Give the cub food from your bag while in the camp.
7. Omeluum’s Ring: Convince Omeluum to give you the ring.
8. Nautiloid Ship Details: Offer details to Omeluum and succeed in either the Performance or Intelligence check.

Grymforge

1. Astarion’s Lantern Decision: Agree with Astarion that you don’t need the lantern or to save Nere, saying ‘we can’t turn back now’ when trying to open the gate to Moonrise Towers.
2. Nere’s Defeat: After defeating Nere, persuade Elder Brithvar to have him leave the Gnomes behind.
3. Deep Rothe Manipulation: Persuade the Deep Rothe to attack its master.

Mountain Pass (Rosymorn Monastery and Crèche Y’llek)

1. Vlaakith’s Painting: Deface Vlaakith’s painting with graffiti.
2. Sa’Varsh Kethk: Persuade him to leave the boy alone.
3. Lae’zel and the Zaith’isk: Persuade Lae’zel to exit the zaith’isk.
4. Varsh Ko’kuu’s Egg: Convince him to give you the egg, promising to find a more forgiving Crèche.
5. Kith’rak Therezzyn: Tell him you have the artifact but refuse to hand it over, triggering a fight.
6. Inquisitor Ch’r’ai W’wargaz: Refuse to give the Artifact and succeed in a persuasion check with Lae’zel.

General Camp Interactions

1. First Night in Camp: Agree with Shadowheart that finding a cure is a priority.
2. First Tadpole Dream Event: Convince Lae’zel to stand down. Afterward, tell Lae’zel and Shadowheart you resisted in your dream.
3. Petting Scratch: Shadowheart appreciates seeing Scratch petted.
4. Raphael’s Deal: Refuse Raphael’s/The Devil’s deal or say “I’ll think about it.” Afterward, tell Shadowheart you would never trust the devil and express distrust towards Raphael in your conversation with her.
5. Shadowheart’s Beliefs: When discussing Shar, say “I won’t cast judgments on your beliefs” or express interest in her worship. When she talks about night orchids, show interest.

Shadowheart’s Specific Interactions

1. Shar Worship Discussion: Ask her to tell you more about her Shar worship and succeed in the Persuasion Check. Choose responses that show fascination and comfort towards her beliefs.
2. Magic Event: When Shadowheart experiences a weird magic event, change the subject.
3. Shadowheart’s Wound: Ask if there’s anything you can do to help her with her wound.
4. Githyanki Heirloom: Take Shadowheart’s side when Lae’zel discovers she has a githyanki heirloom.
5. Childhood Memory: Thank her for sharing her memory as a child in the woods.
6. Karlach and Wyll Confrontation: Side with Karlach, arguing she isn’t evil. Warn Mizora not to harm Karlach and confront her with, “I’ve heard enough, you are not leaving this place alive.”
7. Shadowheart’s Ambitions: Show appreciation when she opens up about her ambitions as a Dark Justiciar and her childhood memories.

Animal Interactions in Camp

1. Owlbear Cub: Feed and pet the Owlbear cub during its first appearance in the camp.
2. Scratch the Dog: Pet Scratch.
3. Convince Shadowheart: Persuade Shadowheart to use the Tadpole’s powers.

Actions That Increase Shadowheart’s Approval In Act 2

Ruined Battlefield

1. Oliver’s Hide and Seek: Play hide and seek with Oliver, including another round.
2. Madeline’s Ledger: After retrieving the ledger, choose dialogue options encouraging self-harm, such as “Start stabbing and don’t stop until I say so.”
3. Gerringothe Thorm: Deceive the toll collector.
4. Kar’niss and Lantern: Successfully deceive Kar’niss to give you his lantern and convince him to leave the area without it.
5. Moon Lantern and Dolly Dolly Dolly: Refuse to release the pixie from the lantern.
6. Interactions with Thisobald Thorm: Successfully mime drinking and recall stories.

Last Light Inn

1. Isobel and Marcus: Warn Isobel about Marcus’s intentions.
2. Jaheira’s Wine: Refuse to drink the spiked wine.
3. Strange Ox: Keep its secret (requires Speak with Animals).

Reithwin Masons’ Guild

1. Arabella’s Parents: Promise to find them and offer Arabella a stay at your camp.
2. Dealing with Gerringothe Thorm: Use persuasion or deceit to manage the gold situation and trick him into believing the party is there for a promotion.
3. Malus Thorm’s Choices: Make Malus Thorm have the sisters kill each other or operate on himself.

Gauntlet of Shar

1. Confronting Yurgir: Attack him directly.
2. Balthazar’s Aid: Convince Balthazar to lend you aid for your quest.
3. Sharran Trials: Allow Shadowheart to interact with the Sacrificial Bowl and agree with her about the necessary sacrifice.
4. Merregon and Displacer Beast: Use Detect Thoughts on Merregon and convince Yurgir it’s wrong to manipulate the beast.
5. Bard Persuasion with Balthazar: Use the Bard persuasion option for extra resources.
6. Shadowheart’s Trials: Let Shadowheart do the trials after interacting with the Sacrificial Bowls with another character.

House of Healing

1. Sisters’ Practice: Convince the sisters to practice on themselves.
2. Malus Thorm: Persuade him to end his life.

Camp / 1-on-1 Dialogue

1. Arabella in Camp: Tell her that you found her parents dead.
2. Voss’s Visit: If Voss visits your camp, discuss zaith’isk with Lae’zel, acknowledging the truth in his words.
3. Lump the Enlightened: Pay him the owed amount and let him lick you.

Actions That Increase Shadowheart’s Approval In Act 3

Rivington

1. Help the Cursed Monk Quest: During the final part of this quest, choose to accept the curse. Additionally, aim to win the second wisdom check that follows your decision to take on the curse.
2. Interaction with Mar’hyah: Continuously respond with “Woof!” to Mar’hyah when she is angry.

The Blushing Mermaid

1. Conversation with Mayrina: After the battle with the Hag and receiving the locket from Mayrina, respond with “it’s better than nothing.”
2. Rescuing Vanra: Opt for “Cutting Her Out” of Ethel’s stomach to rescue Vanra.

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Actions That Decrease Shadowheart’s Approval In Act 1

Blighted Village

1. Fezzerk: Attack Fezzerk at the first opportunity or choose to let him go.
2. Trolls Encounter: Decide whether to walk in on two trolls having sex.
3. Goblin Attack: Attack the Goblins in the Windmill area immediately.

Sunlit Wetlands

1. Auntie Ethel Confrontation: Help Auntie Ethel when confronted by Johl and Demir.
2. Mayrina and Auntie Ethel: Insist on helping Mayrina and agree to Auntie Ethel’s deal.
3. Surrendered Hag Ethel: Choose Mayrina’s freedom when dealing with a surrendered Hag Ethel.
4. Gith Patrol: With Lae’zel leading, reveal possession of the Artifact to Kith’rak Voss.

Risen Road

1. Artist Donation: Give the artist 200 coins.

Goblin Camp

1. Novice Crusher: Lick his foot.
2. Goblin Guard: Attempt to persuade the guard outside the Goblin Camp.
3. Chicken Chase Area: Take Shadowheart, Lae’zel, and Astarion there and advise Shadowheart not to be hasty.

Shattered Sanctum

1. Halsin’s Decision: Choose to let Halsin stay and handle things yourself (leads to disapproval).
2. True Soul Gut: Let her brand you.

Mountain Pass (Rosymorn Monastery and Crèche Y’llek)

1. Githyanki Créche: Let Lae’zel answer when trying to enter.
2. Sa’Varsh Keth: Agree to fight and kill the boy.
3. Varsh Ko’kuu’s Egg: Convince him to give you the egg, then announce your intention to make an omelette (initiates a fight).
4. Kith’rak Therezzyn: Show him the artifact.
5. Vlaakith’s Order: Enter the artifact as ordered.

Event/Companion/Camp Event

1. Shadowheart and Lae’zel: Taking Lae’zel’s side may upset Shadowheart.
2. Raphael’s Proposal: Say you would do anything to remove the tadpole.
3. Astarion’s Trust: Express trust in Astarion after allowing him to drink your blood.
4. Shadowheart’s Religion: After discussing Shar with Shadowheart and calling her faith evil.
5. Mizora’s Visit: Respond to Mizora with “If we kill Karlach now, will we get rid of you?”
6. Shadowheart’s Ambitions and Memories: Insult her when she discusses her ambitions and question her childhood memories.
7. Raphael’s Help: Suggest Raphael might be helpful and defend him.

Actions That Decrease Shadowheart’s Approval In Act 2

Last Light Inn

1. Jaheira’s Wine: Choose to drink the wine that Jaheira has laced with truth serum.

Gauntlet of Shar

1. Dead Spider Meat: Lick the dead spider meat.
2. Shadowheart’s Prayer: Peer into Shadowheart’s mind while she is praying to Lady Shar.

Reithwin Masons’ Guild

1. Gerringothe Thorm: Give all your gold to Gerringothe Thorm.

Camp/Event/Companion Encounters

1. Conversation with Shadowheart: During the conversation about what to do after removing the tadpoles, telling her she’s keeping something back will result in her displeasure. This interaction can be repeated for the same result.

Actions That Decrease Shadowheart’s Approval In Act 3

Rivington: Circus of the Last Days

Your actions and choices in this location can significantly influence character dynamics and the unfolding of events. Be mindful of the consequences of your decisions.

Camp Interactions

During the first night in camp, when conversing with Shadowheart and discussing Gale:

1. Shadowheart’s Concern: If Shadowheart expresses concern about Gale and you choose the response “If anyone has me concerned, it’s you. You haven’t exactly been open about yourself,” it will result in disapproval from her. This choice reflects the tension and mistrust that can develop based on how you interact with companions.

That’s all you need to know on how to get Shadowheart’s Approval in Baldur’s Gate 3.