All Romance Options in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 features a wide range of romance options for players to pursue. And while they may not be required, there is little doubt that they provide many of the game’s most memorable experiences. Whether it’s a long-term relationship maintained throughout the campaign, or a one-night stand with a devil, Baulder’s Gate 3 features something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll provide a basic walkthrough for every romance option in Baldur’s Gate 3, including how to avoid locking yourself out of any desired relationship.

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All Romance Options in Baldur’s Gate 3

Romance in BG3 Explained:

There are two types of romance options in BG3, which essentially boil down to short-term and long-term relationships. However, like just about everything else in Baldur’s Gate 3, everything depends heavily on which character you are trying to romance, and what your desired goals are. There are several characters in the game that allow for a ‘One-Night Stand’ situation, while others require a more drawn-out courtship.

On top of this, you can be locked out of multiple romance options. Some romance options require you to complete certain tasks in a timely manner. Some characters will not want anything to do with you if you “spread yourself around.”

Most (not all) of the companion NPCs can be romanced, and once you enter into a relationship with a companion, your experience with them will be quite different. This means you cannot fully experience every romance option in a single playthrough. We cover the exact nature of each relationship in our individual relationship guides, which we’ll link to below.

All Romance Options:

The following companion characters can be romanced in Baldur’s Gate 3:

The following non-companion characters are available for short-term romance:

How to Romance Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

Shadowheart may be the most obvious romance path in Baldur’s Gate 3, as she’s likely the first companion you’ll come across after the crash, and shows interest fairly early if you build up her approval rating. Whether you should romance Shadowheart is simply a matter of player choice. Shadowheart is also integral to the plot in ways that other companions aren’t, so romancing her adds an interesting layer to her journey.

Shadowheart can be romanced both long-term and short-term. You’ll have a chance in every act. If you start the process in Act I, you can maintain a relationship with her throughout the game.

How to Romance Shadowheart:

• Keep Shadowheart in your party. This is not required, but will help considerably with the next point.
• Focus on boosting her approval early. Shadowheart will approve of kindness, non-violence, and respect her privacy. Take her side vs. Lae’zel for a major boost early-on.
• Once your approval reaches a high level in Act I, look for the “…missed a chance to connect” dialogue. You can also wait until you’ve rescued Halsin and the camp has a party. If you’ve already shown an interest, you’ll likely get the exclamation mark over her head at the party. Speak to Shadowheart, and when she asks to share a bottle, say yes. Choose Shadowheart when you are asked who you’d like to spend the evening with. When you go to bed, you will end up taking a walk with Shadowheart. Here, do not choose any of the dialogue options that show a lack of interest. The night should end with a kiss. After these events, you can speak to Shadowheart and affirm if you want something longer, or not.
• In Act II, you can side with Selune or Shar and still continue your romance. If you go the Selune route, make sure to support Shadowheart’s new look. If you go the Shar route, you will get a nighttime event. It may take several nights to trigger the event.
• In Act III, you’ll need to complete Shadowheart’s quest regardless of whether she went with Selune or Shar. Once that is done, you will get a final nighttime event that takes the form of a swim. Again, the dialogue options here are pretty obvious. Select the nicer options and both routes will lead to a ‘special’ scene.

Shadowheart Romance Special Notes:

• Under some circumstances, Shadowheart will end the relationship if you are ‘romantic’ with other characters. However, this does not always apply. It is unclear what the exact rules are, so if you are trying a Shadowheart romance in Honor Mode, best to stick with her. Otherwise, make sure to save before considering any type of ‘open relationship.’

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How to Romance Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3

Gale is a wizard from Waterdeep, and definitely open to a relationship with TAV. Gale is another character who can be extremely important to the overall plot of BG3, so there are several reasons why you may wish to enter into a relationship with him.

How to Romance Gale:

• Obviously, before you can romance Gale, you’ll have to rescue him from the portal NE of the crash site.
• Make sure to comply with every request Gale makes to consume magical items. In Act I, there will be up to three instances of this occurring.
• In Act I, Gale will ask you to join him for a magic lesson. There are clear dialogue options that lead to a romantic outcome. Even if you are not romantic with Gale here, you want to make sure not to be mean, as it will close off any options later.
• Before the transition between Act I and II, you’ll get the cutscene with Elminster, where Gale is set down the suicide mission path. Be supportive of Gale here, and do not act like you don’t care what happens to him, or that it would be better if he were gone.
• In Act III, to get the final romance scene with Gale, you must keep him alive and read “The Annals of Karsus” in Sorcerous Sundries. After reading the book – but before taking a long rest – make sure to speak with Gale. Choose “Close your eyes,” “Kiss Him,” and then “You’re already everything I need you to be.” You will then get a lovely scene with Gale.

Gale Romance Special Notes:

• Gale is not interested in an ‘open relationship,’ and will not be happy if you ‘romance’ other characters.

How to Romance Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3

Astarion is a fan favorite when it comes to just about everything he does. His razor-sharp wit and devil-may-care attitude is just one reason to romance Astarion, but there are many others. He is also one of the most open-minded romance partners, so make of that what you will.

How to Romance Astarion:

• Build up your approval rating by adding him to your party as soon as possible, and picking the self-serving options whenever possible. Astarion loves sarcasm, and generally doesn’t approve of going out of your way to help others.
• Allowing Astarion to drink your blood will give you a good boost to your relationship.
• The night of the party, visit with Astarion. You can ensure this happens by speaking with him during the party, and choosing “…saving lives is awful?”, “…goblins would have thrown a wilder party”, “…what’s your idea of a little fun?”, and “…let’s do it. I’ll see you later.” This will ensure you unlock the first major romance scene. Let him bite you during the scene to raise approval even more.
• After the first romance scene, you’ll get a brief interaction where you see the scars on Astarion’s back. Show interest in the scars and ask why they are written in Infernal.
• In Act II,tTake Raphael’s deal to get more information about Astarion’s scars. After completing this task, Astarion will visit you at night. Choose “…about your undying love for me?”, “So do I. More than anything.”, “I care about you. Deeply.”, and “You mean a great deal to me. No matter what you are going through.”
• In Act III, you must compete Astarion’s quest to achieve the final romantic scenes. You can either let him complete the ritual or not, depending on the outcome you want. Either way, you’ll get a special scene if you are supportive. If you let him complete the ritual, you can actually become a vampire yourself.

Astarion Romance Special Notes:

• Astarion is the most open-minded long-term partner in Baldur’s Gate 3. It seems he won’t get truly angry if you have ‘romantic’ encounters with others.

How to Romance Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3

Karlach is another fan-favorite romance in BG3, and likely the trickiest to initiate. Once you establish a long-term relationship with her, she is extremely sensitive about you being with anyone else. However, she has one of the best storylines, and going through it as in a relationship is extremely rewarding.

How to Romance Karlach:

• Make sure you take Karlach’s side against the fake Paladins of Tyr when you first encounter her. Adding her to your party from the very start will really help in building up her approval. Karlach approves of kindness, understanding, and open-mindedness, but is also supportive of violence when it is in the service of helping those in need.
• Your first goal is to collect at least one piece of Infernal Iron as quickly as possible. When you reach Dammon, the blacksmith at the Emerald Grove, he’ll be able to help Karlach. The Infernal Engine that has replaced her heart is running too hot. Allowing Dammon to help in Act I won’t cool it off completely, but it will set the stage for your relationship. After Dammon is done, speak with Karlach. Tell her you are disappointed that you still can’t touch her, and she’ll ask if that’s something you want. Say yes.
• The night of the party, speak to Karlach whether she is showing an exclamation mark or not. Tell her how you feel. This will open the option to speak to her later in the evening. When she comes, tell her you want to find a way to kiss her. She will say she is open to the idea. The next morning, tell her you have an idea. Throw a bottle of water on her to temporarily cool her off. Now, try to kiss her. When the scene is over, she’ll tell you that she doesn’t mind if you see other people until her heart is fixed.
• In Act II, you’ll find Dammon at the Last Light Inn. Use every piece of Infernal Iron you can to tune her up.
• In Act III, you’ll have the option to take Karlach on a date.

Karlach Romance Special Notes:

• Karlach will get very angry if you sleep with other characters. It is possible to redeem yourself, depending on the situation. If she does get angry, do not be sarcastic or mean, and she should take you back.
• After her heart is “fixed,” you can enter into a long-term relationship with Karlach. This will last the rest of the game, with unique dialogue options when you approach her.

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How to Romance Wyll in Baldur’s Gate 3

Wyll is an interesting, conflicted character. While he is not the first companion that players may think of when looking for a relationship, doing so can greatly enhance his storyline.

How to Romance Wyll:

• Build up Wyll’s approval rating by acting heroic, helping others, and siding with him in his quests. This does not mean you have to kill Karlach. Actually, Wyll will appreciate your help with showing him what is really happening. Show support in his struggles with Mizora and his father.
• To romance Wyll in BG3, make sure to rescue Halsin and the Tieflings and the Emerald Grove. If you’ve been focusing on building your approval rating with him, he will be available to spend the night with during the party.
• Once you’ve successfully started the romance in Act I, you’ll have a special encounter in Act II. After bedding down for a Long Rest, you’ll walk off and find Wyll dancing. This is a long encounter, but as long as you follow the prompts that are on the romantic side, you’ll meet the requirements.
• Finally, in Act III, you must have helped Wyll save his father and complete his task with the dragon Ansur. This will lead to a final romantic encounter between the player and Wyll.

How to Romance Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3

Early in the game, Lae’zel will show a special interest in the player. It is possible to have a simple ‘One-Night Stand’ with Lae’zel, or pursue something longer-term.

How to Romance Lae’zel:

• Raising Lae’zel’s approval rating comes down to one word: action. She approves of warriors who act quickly and do not take any crap. She would rather you go straight to fighting, as opposed to persuasion or deception. She will, however, approve of intimidation.
• Once you’ve got her approval rating sufficiently raised, speak to her in camp. You can mention that she has been looking at you differently. This can lead to a one-night stand.
• Maintain her approval, and she’ll visit you at night during Act II. She will ask for a duel, though whether you win or lose, you still win when it comes to Lae’zel’s heart.
• In Act III, how things play out will depend on whether Lae’zel sides with Vlaakith or Orpheus. If she sides with Orpheus, you can eventually be seen together as a couple during the ending sequence.

Lae’zel Romance Special Notes:

• Lae’zel is not open to multiple partners. If you cheat on her at any point after the duel, she’ll break things off with you permanently.

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How to Romance Halsin in Baldur’s Gate 3

Halsin has something of a cult following among BG3 fans, especially when it comes to romance. While there are several reasons to romance Halsin, the fact that he is a burly beast tamer seems to be enough for most players.

How to Romance Halsin:

• The first step to romancing Halsin in BG3 is to ensure you rescue him from the Goblin Camp. This will ensure that he becomes available as a companion later.
• Halsin is not available as a companion until Act II, once you have successfully helped him locate Thaniel.
• Once Halsin’s quests are complete, he will be able to join the party. If you are looking to romance Halsin, keep him in your party. He will approve of kindness, a reverence for nature, and promote fairness. Essentially, the opposite of Astarion.
• With every new day, check and exhaust all of Halsin’s dialogue options. In particular, keep an eye out for the subject of former lovers.
• Once his approval rating gets high enough, Halsin will visit you at night. He will ask you to get approval if you are seeing anyone else. Shadowheart and Astarion will be OK with it. Karlach and Gale will not.

How to Romance Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3

Minthara is the odd woman out when it comes to romance, largely because she is seen as an enemy in most cases. There are several reasons to romance Minthara in BG3, especially if you are going for a true Durge or evil playthrough.

How to Romance Minthara:

• Instead of attacking the Goblin Camp, make your way back to Minthara without starting any combat encounters. When you encounter Minthara, you’ll essentially have to take her side, completely betraying your party and the Emerald Grove.
• After defeating the grove, tell Minthara that it was an honor to fight beside her, then ‘Embrace the change,’ and finally open your mind. This will lead to her visiting your camp.
• At the camp, there will be a party with the goblins instead of the normal celebration. Tell Minthara you are hers. Go to bed and she will join you. If you do not pass the persuasion check, she will attack you at the end of the encounter.

Minthara Romance Special Notes:

• Taking the purely evil route will cause a massive shift in the overall experience. Obviously, no one else in the party will be happy if you destroy the Emerald Grove. Be prepared to face this fact if you go down this path.

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All One-Off Romance Options in Baldur’s Gate 3

How to Romance Mizora:

• Ensure Wyll is in your party. You cannot side with MInthara.
• Rescue Mizora from the Mind Flayer Colony below Moonrise Towers in Act II
• In Act III, you’ll now find MIzora in the audience chamber at Wyrm’s Rock Fortress. Speak to her before Gortash’s coronation.
• Speak to her about Duke Ravengard, she’ll mention she will stop by your camp.
• When she comes to your camp, rest until you see an exclamation mark over her head. Speak to her.
• When Mizora tells you that you must want something from “beyond these planes,” ask her “Sounds delicious, what are you suggesting?” Then simply, “Smile”
• Mizora will come to you in the night, triggering the romance scene. This is a one-off, and cannot occur again.

How to Romance the Guardian:

• When given the chance between Act II and Act III, make the choice to protect the Guardian/Emperor.
• Evolve into Half-Ilithid (not 100% required, but hugely helpful in ensuring approval rating)
• Visit the Emperor’s old hideout and learn of his past lover
• The Emperor will visit you after you discover his past. Choose the option to hold their hand during this visit.
• The Emperor will visit once again, this time being much more forward. Ask them if they are flirting, then react positively to any advances.
• This will trigger the actual ‘romance’ scene.

How to Romance the Drow Twins:

• Visit Sharess’ Caress in Wyrm’s Crossing in Act III.
• Speak to Mamzell Amira downstairs near the bar.
• You can either complete a quest for Mamzell, who’ll offer the twins as her reward, or pay directly.
• Go to the chambers as directed and the scene will begin.
• If you are in a relationship with Gale or Karlach, its best not to ask them to join.

How to Romance Haarlep in the House of Hope:

How to Romance Naoise Nallinto:

• Visit Sharess’ Caress in Wyrm’s Crossing.
• At the top of the stairs leading to the second floor, you’ll find a door just after exiting onto the outdoor walkway. It is marked by a green lantern and has a wall covered in ivy. The door will be locked. You can either roll a 10 and pick the lock, or deal with Mamzell downstairs to get the key.
• Once you enter the chamber, you’ll see Naoise and Jara having an intimate moment. Jara will not be happy, and as she is speaking with you, she will be turned into a Mindflayer.
• Defeat the Mindflayer, then speak to Naoise. It is clear she still wants a romantic encounter. If you follow the obvious cues, she will choose you.
• If you accept, you’ll get to experience a brief romantic scene, which results in the Rapture buff until your next long rest.

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Systems

Franchise

Baldur’s Gate

Released

August 3, 2023

Multiplayer

Local Multiplayer

Engine

Divinity 4.0

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence

Split Screen Orientation

Vertical Only

Number of Players

1-4

Local Co-Op Support

1-2 Players

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Cross Save

yes

Cross-Platform Play

Baldur’s Gate 3 doesn’t support crossplay

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