Romances - a gameplay mechanic that allows you to get close to a specific companion and establish romantic relationships with them. There are a total of 8 unique characters in the game with whom romantic interactions are available.

Judgment and Approval

Companions will react differently to all your actions, choices throughout the story, and dialogues. If you've played the first Dragon Age before, you'll understand what this is about. For example, a colder character won't react to your evil or ambiguous actions, or might even approve of them, while a compassionate and sensitive character will appreciate if you save someone's life or perform any noble deed. Reactions vary based on the personality of each companion.

Characters with Whom You Can Romance In Baldur's Gate 3

As mentioned earlier, there are a total of 8: Shadowheart, Astarion, Lae'zel, Wyll, Gale, Karlach, Halsin, Minthara. Each requires their own approach.

The main rules for building strong relationships with a character:

• Communicate according to their personality, avoid arguing;
• Make choices that align with the character's views;
• Do not flirt with other companions.

Additionally, companions cannot flirt or enter relationships with each other.

Shadowheart

One of the first companions you can recruit. She's quite cunning and doesn't judge attempts at theft and deception. However, she won't forgive you for showing favor and flirting with Lae'zel. Shadowheart doesn't trust the githyanki and demonstrates it whenever she can.

Despite her affinity for theft and deceit, Shadowheart does not approve of violence and solving problems through force and cruelty. She'll like it if you refrain from killing, show mercy even if it means resorting to trickery or outright lying. The half-elf girl is pragmatic, occasionally cold and secretive, but has a special compassion for children and animals. A romance with her develops rather slowly, adding interest and realism.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

You'll first meet Shadowheart during the quest "Nautiloid in Distress," where you'll need to rescue her from captivity.

At the refugee celebration, talk to Shadowheart. During the conversation, choose neutral, gentle phrases – this is intuitively clear, and making a mistake will be difficult. After the dialogue, you'll witness a scene where the main character kisses Shadowheart, marking the beginning of their relationship.

Lae'zel

A warrior githyanki, headstrong and fiery. Lae'zel is the complete opposite of Shadowheart – she's used to achieving everything by force, won't miss an opportunity to engage in combat, and will criticize the protagonist for what she considers weakness and softness.

Proceed similarly to Shadowheart: during the celebration, meet Lae'zel in the camp and talk to her. A romantic cutscene will ensue.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

You'll first encounter her in the same mission as Shadowheart – "Nautiloid in Distress." You can recruit her after saving her from the tieflings during the course of the quest's story. We don't recommend letting her die by not rescuing her – she's a strong and indispensable companion. Even without romantic involvement, she becomes a valuable and powerful addition to the party.

Astarion

A charismatic elf and one of the most memorable male companions due to his selfish and occasionally harsh nature. In conflicts involving goblins, tieflings, and druids, he won't judge you for any of your choices – he simply doesn't care. Astarion dislikes it when the main character shows excessive kindness, doesn't seek personal gain, and spends their efforts on constant assistance. In this regard, he's similar to Lae'zel.

In the past, he was a vampire and has retained some of his old habits. Keep this fact in mind during conversations with him.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

You can find Astarion after the crash of the "Nautiloid." You'll encounter him while exploring the Wrecked Beach. The elf will ask for help, after which you can recruit him into the party. Despite his cunning and selfishness, Astarion doesn't have a heart of stone. He'll be grateful to the protagonist for support and kind words.

Wyll

Wyll is a warlock who regretfully made a pact with a devil. His negative attitude toward another companion, Karlach, is explained by this fact. Wyll won't like her and will be wary of her.

Noble and heroic by nature, sometimes even excessively. He dislikes selfishness, but if there's no alternative, he's loyal to the use of force and cruelty.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

Wyll is the last companion you'll meet during the story, in the druid grove. The process of initiating a romantic cutscene is similar to the previous companions. Choose neutral options and don't support Karlach – then a romance with Wyll is guaranteed.

Gale

Gale is a wizard tainted by forbidden magic. He's polite, friendly, and courteous by nature. He won't miss a chance for a joke, rarely quarrels, and is favorably disposed towards all companions. Building a connection and starting a relationship with him is easy.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

He can join the party in the "Crash Site." The main condition for establishing a relationship: accepting Gale's past and not condemning him for his corrupted magic.

Karlach

Karlach is a tiefling who escaped from Hell in her past. Despite her intimidating appearance, she's quite friendly, cheerful, and amiable. The only person she can't get along with is Wyll, but the protagonist will be able to reconcile them in the future.

Her tough life has made her independent and somewhat introverted, but in nature, she's open and even sensitive.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

You'll meet this companion on the Road to Resurrection. In the second case, Will can help you with the search. Karlach will be thankful for protecting her from Will's attacks and will never react negatively to friendly proposals, jokes, and positive phrases.

Halsin

A companion who appears closer to the middle of the game and is not available until the second act. He looks imposing and threatening, but in reality, he's quite kind-hearted and fair. He's an elf druid, so he cares deeply about everything related to nature and his homeland.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

The opportunity to get close to Halsin arises during the quest to rescue the tieflings. You can recruit him after completing the "Rescue the Refugees" quest.

Halsin will be accepting of the presence of another partner. This is logical since by the time he appears, you've most likely already formed a pair. However, you'll still need to break things off with the first companion and choose Halsin if you want to pursue the romantic path with him.

Minthara

Minthara isn't a full-fledged romantic interest, but she's still an interesting character with whom you can spend just one night. Perfect for a romance if you're following the villainous path and aren't afraid to lose the trust of other companions.

Minthara is one of the three leaders of the goblin army, cruel, authoritative, and sardonic. You could say she's the most amoral companion among all those listed. She's an NPC and can't join the party.

How to Meet and Start the Relationship

To initiate a "relationship" with Minthara, you need to enter the goblin camp as part of the quests related to the "Emerald Grove." Agree to help the drow elf and let the goblin party into the grove.

Note that the intimate scene with Minthara will result in losing Wyll and Karlach and facing disapproval from Gale and Shadowheart. Are you sure a fleeting romance is worth such consequences?

As of now, these are all the possible relationships that can be pursued to completion to get a romantic scene. There might be further development of a romance with Jaheira and Minsc in the future.