Discover the enigmatic Shadowheart, a pivotal character in Baldur’s Gate 3, whose dark secrets and compelling story arc beckon adventurers to recruit her. This guide unveils the crucial steps to secure her allegiance, whether you encounter her trapped in a pod aboard the Nautiloid ship or later on the shores of Ravaged Beach. With multiple opportunities to gain her trust and unique interactions that shape your journey, learn how to navigate the complexities of Shadowheart’s character and ensure she becomes an invaluable companion on your quest through the Forgotten Realms.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the roster of possible companions is quite extensive, and one of ouroptions is a female half-elf cleric Shadowheart. On this page of our guide, we show all possible ways and instances of recruiting Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 – you can do it during the Prologue or Act 1 of the campaign. Further down the page, we explain how to gain approval and build positive relations with this character and supply basic information regarding this hero.
Where is Shadowheart in the Prologue?
In the prologue of Baldur’s Gate 3, Shadowheart can be found aboard the Nautiloid ship, trapped inside a Mind Flayer pod. Players encounter her early in the game while navigating through the ship during the tutorial section. To recruit her, you need to successfully free her from the pod by inserting an Eldritch Rune into the control panel nearby. If you choose to release her, she will join your party and accompany you until the ship crashes on Ravaged Beach. Should you decide not to free her, Shadowheart will still survive the crash and can be found later on the beach, where she will again offer to join your party, albeit with a slightly more hostile demeanor if you neglected to save her initially.
- You can meet Shadowheart for the first time during the Prologue on Nautiloid i.e. during Escape the Nautiloid story quest.
- On the upper level of the ship, people are being held captive and Shadowheart is being kept in one of the pods. You can free her then and this involves a puzzle that we have described on Prisoners in pods – Nautiloid page of the guide.
- Once freed, Shadowheart will join the team for the duration of the Prologue, ending after reaching the bridge and sabotaging the flying vessel.
Where to look for Shadowheart in Act 1?
In Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can find Shadowheart in several key locations, making her one of the most accessible companions. Initially, she is located on the Nautiloid ship, trapped inside a pod. Players can choose to free her during the prologue, and if successful, she will join your party as you crash land on the beach. If you miss this opportunity, Shadowheart can also be found near the Overgrown Ruins, just north of the beach, where she will be slightly more hostile but still willing to join you. Additionally, players can encounter her in the Druid Grove, sitting by a rock near the training area, ready to offer her services once again.
- If you help the cleric in the prologue, you will find her unconscious on the beach just after the start of Act 1. She is close to the place where the main character will wake up.
- You can wake her up and then Solemn Heart can rejoin as a companion. Either ask her to join the team right away or send her to the Camp.
- If you didn’t manage to free Shadowheart onboard the Nautiloid, fortunately you still have a chance of recruiting her. Straight from the beach, head north-east to Overgrown Ruins.
- The cleric is found at the entrance to a dungeon and now you can ask her to join the team or send her to Camp. She will comment on your failed attempt to save her on the Nautiloid, but it will not affect the recruitment process.
- In case of missing the above interaction, Shadowheart may appear in the Druid Grove in the later part of Act 1. Look for her in the training area. In this location recruiting also goes without problems.
How to gain approval with Shadowheart?
To gain approval with Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3, players should focus on making choices that align with her values and personality. Initially, freeing her from the pod on the Nautiloid ship is crucial; doing so will earn immediate approval and set a positive tone for your relationship. Throughout the game, engaging in dialogues that respect her beliefs and showing empathy towards her situation will further enhance her approval. Additionally, be mindful of your actions in quests—Shadowheart disapproves of reckless behavior, especially if it endangers innocents or aligns with her enemies. Building a rapport with her through thoughtful choices will encourage her to trust you and strengthen your bond as companions.
To gain approval with Shadowheart, you can:
- make decisions consistent with her worldview e.g. showing goodness towards other characters;
- avoid pairing her with Lae’zel – both women have conflicting views and serious conflicts may arise from this.
There is a possibility to romance Shadowheart, and this is available to both genders. We described the romance in a separate chapter of the guide.
Shadowheart – best stats
Shadowheart is a unique companion in Baldur’s Gate 3, and her stats reflect her role as a half-elf cleric. Her best attributes include Wisdom (16), which enhances her spellcasting abilities and healing potential, making her invaluable in supporting the party. Additionally, her Dexterity (14) provides decent agility, while her Constitution (14) ensures she can withstand damage effectively. With Strength (12) and Charisma (10), she is not primarily focused on physical combat or social interactions, but these stats allow for some versatility in gameplay. Shadowheart’s starting skills include Stealth and Religion, further emphasizing her role as a stealthy healer with a mysterious background tied to the dark goddess Shar.
Shadowheart is a representative of half-elves. Her character class is Cleric, which makes her perfect for supporting role in the party. Her default equipment includes a mace and shield.
Her base statistics are as follows:
- Strength – 12
- Agility – 14
- Constitution- 14
- Intelligence – 10
- Wisdom – 16
- Charisma – 10
What are the best builds for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3
Best Builds for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3
Shadowheart, a high half-elf cleric, offers players a unique blend of support and offense in Baldur’s Gate 3. To maximize her potential, consider the following builds based on her subclass and ability scores.
1. Life Domain Cleric Build
This build focuses on healing and support, making Shadowheart an invaluable asset in battles.
- Subclass: Life Domain (recommended over Trickery Domain for healing capabilities).
- Ability Scores:
- Strength: 10
- Dexterity: 14
- Constitution: 16
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 16 (primary spellcasting stat)
- Charisma: 10
- Key Spells:
- Mass Healing Word (Level 3)
- Revivify (Level 3)
- Greater Restoration (Level 5)
- Feats: War Caster is highly recommended to maintain concentration on spells during combat.
2. Trickery Domain Cleric Build
For players who prefer a more thematic approach that aligns with Shadowheart’s backstory.
- Subclass: Trickery Domain.
- Ability Scores:
- Similar to the Life Domain build but can focus more on Dexterity for stealthy play.
- Key Features:
- Invoke Duplicity for creating distractions.
- Spells:
- Bestow Curse and Fear for crowd control.
3. Tempest Domain Cleric Build
A more aggressive build that allows Shadowheart to deal significant damage while still providing support.
- Subclass: Tempest Domain.
- Ability Scores:
- Focus on increasing Strength to enhance melee capabilities.
- Key Spells:
- Thunderwave, Call Lightning, and Shatter for area damage.
- Equipment: Heavy armor to increase survivability.
4. War Domain Cleric Build
This build emphasizes Shadowheart’s potential as a frontline warrior.
- Subclass: War Domain.
- Ability Scores:
- Strength should be prioritized alongside Constitution and Wisdom.
- Key Features:
- Guided Strike for improved attack rolls.
- Spells:
- Crusader’s Mantle to enhance melee attacks.
Best Equipment for Shadowheart
Regardless of the build, equipping Shadowheart with the right gear can significantly enhance her effectiveness:
- Boots of Aid and Comfort: Provides extra healing when she heals allies.
- Adamantine Splint Armor: Reduces incoming damage and prevents critical hits.
- Legendary Items like The Blood of Lathander for additional healing capabilities.
By choosing the right subclass and optimizing her ability scores, players can tailor Shadowheart to fit their party dynamics effectively, ensuring she remains a crucial ally throughout their journey in Baldur’s Gate 3 .
What are the benefits of choosing the Life Domain for Shadowheart
Choosing the Life Domain for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 offers several compelling benefits that enhance her role as a healer and support character. Here are the key advantages:
1. Enhanced Healing Abilities
The Life Domain significantly boosts the effectiveness of healing spells. Shadowheart gains access to features like Preserve Life, allowing her to restore hit points to multiple allies at once, which is invaluable during tough battles. Additionally, she receives the Blessed Healer feature at level 6, enabling her to regain hit points whenever she heals others, further enhancing her sustainability in combat.
2. Access to Powerful Spells
As a Life Domain cleric, Shadowheart can access a variety of potent spells that focus on healing and support, such as Mass Cure Wounds and Greater Restoration at higher levels. These spells not only heal but also provide crucial support in managing conditions like paralysis or other debuffs that can hinder party performance.
3. Heavy Armor Proficiency
Life Domain clerics gain proficiency in heavy armor, allowing Shadowheart to maintain a strong defensive position on the battlefield. This proficiency enables her to survive longer in fights, making her a reliable front-line support character who can withstand damage while healing allies.
4. Versatile Combat Role
While primarily a healer, Shadowheart can still contribute offensively with spells like Spirit Guardians, which allows her to deal damage while providing area control. This versatility means she can adapt to various combat situations, whether focusing on healing or dealing damage when needed5.
5. Narrative and Character Development
The transition from Trickery to Life Domain aligns well with Shadowheart’s complex narrative arc, emphasizing themes of redemption and support. This character development enhances the player’s experience as they navigate her journey alongside their own.
In summary, selecting the Life Domain for Shadowheart not only maximizes her healing capabilities but also strengthens her overall role within the party, making her an indispensable asset throughout your adventures in Baldur’s Gate 3.
