Baldur's Gate 3: Ultimate Romance Guide %v

Baldur's Gate 3 offers a rich tapestry of romance options that enhance the game's immersive experience. Whether you're looking for a deep, long-term relationship or a fleeting romantic encounter, the game caters to a variety of player preferences. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to navigate each romance path, ensuring you don't miss out on any of the game's most memorable moments.

All Romance Options in Baldur's Gate 3

Romance in BG3 Explained:

In Baldur's Gate 3, romance is accessible to all players regardless of their character's gender, making every romance option inclusive. The game distinguishes between short-term and long-term relationships, each requiring different approaches and interactions based on the character you're interested in. Some characters offer 'One-Night Stand' opportunities, while others demand a more prolonged courtship.

Be mindful that certain actions can lock you out of multiple romance paths. Some require timely completion of tasks, and being romantically involved with multiple characters can lead to disapproval from certain companions. Not all companions can be romanced in a single playthrough, as each relationship alters your experience with them uniquely.

All Romance Options:

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

Shadowheart
Gale
Astarion
Karlach
Wyll
Lae'zel
Halsin
Minthara

For short-term romance, the following non-companion characters are available:

Mizora
Guardian/Emperor
Drow Twins
Haarlep
Naoise Nallinto

How to Romance Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3

Shadowheart is often the first companion players encounter, and her romance path is one of the most straightforward. Her journey intertwines deeply with the game's narrative, making her an intriguing choice for a romantic partner.

How to Romance Shadowheart:

Keep Shadowheart in your party to build a stronger bond and increase her approval.
Gain her approval by showing kindness, avoiding violence, and respecting her privacy. Support her against Lae'zel for a significant early boost.
In Act I, look for the dialogue option indicating a missed chance to connect. Alternatively, at the party after rescuing Halsin, accept her invitation to share a bottle and choose to spend the evening with her. During the subsequent walk, opt for dialogue that shows interest, culminating in a kiss.
In Act II, you can continue the romance regardless of whether you side with Selune or Shar. Support her choices and be patient for the nighttime events.
In Act III, complete her quest and engage in the final nighttime event, choosing dialogue that affirms your commitment, leading to a special scene.

Shadowheart Romance Special Notes:

Shadowheart may end the relationship if you pursue other romantic interests, though the rules can be unclear. In Honor Mode, it's best to remain exclusive to her.

How to Romance Gale in Baldur's Gate 3

Gale, the wizard from Waterdeep, offers a romance path that is both emotionally and narratively rewarding, given his significance to the game's plot.

How to Romance Gale:

Rescue Gale from the portal northeast of the crash site.
Comply with his requests to consume magical items, which will occur up to three times in Act I.
Attend his magic lesson in Act I, choosing dialogue that leads to a romantic outcome. Avoid being harsh, as it can close off future options.
Before transitioning to Act II, support Gale during the Elminster cutscene, showing concern for his well-being.
In Act III, ensure Gale survives, read "The Annals of Karsus," and speak with him before taking a long rest. Choose the romantic dialogue options to unlock the final romance scene.

Gale Romance Special Notes:

Gale does not tolerate an open relationship and will be unhappy if you romance other characters.

How to Romance Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3

Astarion's charm and wit make him a popular choice for romance. His open-mindedness allows for a more flexible romantic experience.

How to Romance Astarion:

Increase his approval by choosing self-serving options and embracing sarcasm. Astarion disapproves of unnecessary altruism.
Allow him to drink your blood to boost your relationship.
At the party, ensure you speak with him and choose dialogue that leads to the first major romance scene. Let him bite you to further increase approval.
Show interest in his scars and inquire about their Infernal origins.
In Act II, take Raphael's deal to learn more about Astarion's scars. Choose supportive dialogue when he visits you at night.
In Act III, complete his quest and support him regardless of whether he completes the ritual. This leads to the final romantic scenes.

Astarion Romance Special Notes:

Astarion is more lenient about open relationships, showing less anger if you engage with others romantically.

How to Romance Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3

Karlach's romance path is challenging but rewarding, offering a deep connection and a compelling storyline.

How to Romance Karlach:

Support Karlach against the fake Paladins of Tyr and add her to your party early to build approval. She appreciates kindness and violence in the service of helping others.
Collect Infernal Iron quickly and take it to Dammon at the Emerald Grove. Express disappointment about not being able to touch her, and affirm your interest.
At the party, express your feelings to Karlach, and later, suggest throwing water on her to cool her off for a kiss.
In Act II, continue to provide Dammon with Infernal Iron to further cool her engine.
In Act III, take Karlach on a date to deepen your relationship.

Karlach Romance Special Notes:

Karlach is highly sensitive about infidelity. If she catches you with another character, apologize sincerely to possibly reconcile. Once her heart is fixed, you can enter a long-term relationship.

How to Romance Wyll in Baldur's Gate 3

Wyll's romance path adds depth to his narrative, highlighting his heroic nature and internal conflicts.

How to Romance Wyll:

Build his approval by acting heroically, helping others, and supporting him in his quests, especially against Mizora and with his father.
Rescue Halsin and the Tieflings at the Emerald Grove. If your approval is high, Wyll will be available for a romantic night during the party.
In Act II, after a long rest, find Wyll dancing and choose romantic dialogue options.
In Act III, help Wyll save his father and complete his task with Ansur to unlock the final romantic encounter.

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

Lae'zel's romance can be either a brief encounter or a longer-term relationship, depending on your actions.

How to Romance Lae'zel:

Increase her approval by taking decisive action and showing strength. She favors combat over diplomacy but approves of intimidation.
Once her approval is high, mention her changed behavior in camp to initiate a one-night stand.
In Act II, accept her challenge to a duel. Regardless of the outcome, it will advance your relationship.
In Act III, your ending depends on whether Lae'zel sides with Vlaakith or Orpheus. Siding with Orpheus can lead to a shared ending as a couple.

Lae'zel Romance Special Notes:

Lae'zel does not tolerate infidelity and will end the relationship permanently if you cheat after the duel.

How to Romance Halsin in Baldur's Gate 3

Halsin's romance appeals to many due to his unique character and backstory, requiring specific actions to unlock.

How to Romance Halsin:

Ensure you rescue Halsin from the Goblin Camp to make him available as a companion.
Complete all of Halsin's quests before the end of Act II, especially lifting the Shadow Curse.
Once he joins your party, keep him in your group and choose dialogue that reflects kindness, respect for nature, and fairness.
Regularly exhaust his dialogue options, focusing on topics about his past relationships.
When his approval is high, he will visit you at night. Ensure you're not in an exclusive relationship with characters like Karlach or Gale, as they will not approve.

How to Romance Minthara in Baldur's Gate 3

Minthara's romance is unique, typically aligned with an evil playthrough, offering a different perspective on the game's narrative.

How to Romance Minthara:

Avoid attacking the Goblin Camp and instead, side with Minthara, betraying your party and the Emerald Grove.
After defeating the grove, express honor in fighting beside her, embrace the change, and open your mind to her influence.
At the subsequent goblin party, affirm your loyalty to Minthara and go to bed, where she will join you. Passing a persuasion check is crucial to avoid her attacking you.

Minthara Romance Special Notes:

Choosing the evil path significantly alters the game's narrative and will alienate other party members.

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

How to Romance Mizora:

Ensure Wyll is in your party and do not side with Minthara.
Rescue Mizora from the Mind Flayer Colony in Act II.
In Act III, find Mizora at Wyrm's Rock Fortress before Gortash's coronation and discuss Duke Ravengard.
Rest until she visits your camp, then engage in the flirtatious dialogue leading to a one-off romance scene.

How to Romance the Guardian:

Choose to protect the Guardian/Emperor between Acts II and III.
Evolve into Half-Ilithid to increase approval.
Discover the Emperor's past lover in their old hideout.
During subsequent visits, choose to hold their hand and respond positively to their advances, leading to the romance scene.

How to Romance the Drow Twins:

Visit Sharess' Caress in Wyrm's Crossing in Act III.
Speak to Mamzell Amira and either complete her quest or pay directly for the twins' services.
Proceed to the designated chambers for the romantic encounter. Avoid inviting Gale or Karlach if you're in a relationship with them.

How to Romance Haarlep in the House of Hope:

Reach the House of Hope and cross the Mystic Force Curtain to enter the Boudoir.
Engage with Haarlep, the Incubus, who will offer a romantic encounter. Be aware of potential consequences if you're in a relationship, especially with Karlach.

How to Romance Naoise Nallinto:

Visit Sharess' Caress and find the locked door marked by a green lantern on the second floor.
Unlock the door or obtain the key from Mamzell Amira.
Interrupt Naoise and Jara's intimate moment, leading to a confrontation with a Mindflayer.
After defeating the Mindflayer, engage in a romantic encounter with Naoise, which grants the Rapture buff until your next long rest.