Quick Links
Baldur's Gate 3 offers a rich tapestry of romance options, adding depth and memorable moments to your gaming experience. Whether you're looking for a lasting bond that evolves throughout your campaign or a fleeting, intense encounter, the game caters to a variety of romantic preferences. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to pursue every romance option in Baldur's Gate 3, ensuring you don't miss out on any potential relationships.
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 sex. This inclusivity ensures that every player can explore romantic storylines with any of the game's romanceable characters.
Romance in BG3 can be categorized into short-term and long-term relationships, each offering unique experiences depending on the character and your goals. Some characters are open to brief encounters, while others require a more prolonged courtship. Be aware that certain actions can lock you out of multiple romance options, such as failing to complete specific tasks in a timely manner or being too flirtatious with multiple characters.
Most companion NPCs in the game can be romanced, significantly altering your interactions with them. Since you can't experience all romance paths in one playthrough, we'll detail each relationship in our individual guides linked below.
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 those interested in short-term romances, 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 you encounter, making her a prominent choice for romance. Her journey intertwines deeply with the game's plot, adding layers to your adventure when pursued romantically.
Shadowheart can be romanced both short-term and long-term across different acts of the game. Here's how to win her heart:
- Keep Shadowheart in your party to build a stronger connection.
- Increase her approval by showing kindness, avoiding violence, and respecting her privacy. Supporting her in conflicts with Lae'zel can boost her approval significantly.
- In Act I, look for the "...missed a chance to connect" dialogue. Alternatively, wait for the camp party after rescuing Halsin. If you've shown interest, you'll likely see an exclamation mark over her head. Accept her invitation to share a bottle and choose to spend the evening with her. During your walk, avoid dialogue options that show disinterest, leading to a kiss. After this, affirm your desire for a longer-term relationship if you wish.
- In Act II, continue your romance regardless of whether you side with Selune or Shar. If choosing Selune, support her new look; if choosing Shar, be patient for the nighttime event.
- In Act III, complete her quest, leading to a final romantic swim. Choose the positive dialogue options to deepen your bond.
Shadowheart Romance Special Notes:
- Shadowheart may end the relationship if you are too flirtatious with other characters, though exceptions exist. In Honor Mode, it's safest to focus solely on her.
How to Romance Gale in Baldur's Gate 3
Gale, the wizard from Waterdeep, is a key figure in the game's plot, making him an intriguing romantic partner.
How to Romance Gale:
- Rescue Gale from the portal northeast of the crash site to begin.
- Fulfill his requests to consume magical items, occurring up to three times in Act I.
- Attend his magic lesson in Act I, choosing dialogue options that lead to romance. Avoid being harsh to keep future options open.
- Before transitioning to Act II, support Gale during the Elminster cutscene.
- In Act III, keep Gale alive and read "The Annals of Karsus" in Sorcerous Sundries. Speak with him before resting, choosing "Close your eyes," "Kiss Him," and "You're already everything I need you to be" to unlock the final romance scene.
Gale Romance Special Notes:
- Gale is not open to an 'open relationship' and will be upset if you romance others.
How to Romance Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3
Astarion's charm and wit make him a popular choice for romance, offering a more open-minded approach to relationships.
How to Romance Astarion:
- Increase your approval rating by joining him early and choosing self-serving options. He appreciates sarcasm and generally disapproves of helping others.
- Allow him to drink your blood to boost your relationship further.
- During the camp party, engage with Astarion, choosing dialogue options like "...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" to unlock the first romance scene. Let him bite you during this scene.
- After the first scene, inquire about his scars, showing interest and asking about their Infernal origin.
- In Act II, take Raphael's deal to learn more about Astarion's scars. When he visits at night, choose dialogue affirming your affection.
- In Act III, complete Astarion's quest, deciding whether to let him complete the ritual or not. Support him to unlock the final romantic scenes.
Astarion Romance Special Notes:
- Astarion is the most open to 'open relationships' among long-term partners in Baldur's Gate 3.
How to Romance Karlach in Baldur's Gate 3
Karlach's romance is rewarding but challenging, requiring careful attention to her storyline.
How to Romance Karlach:
- Support Karlach against the fake Paladins of Tyr and add her to your party early to build approval. She values kindness, understanding, and justified violence.
- Collect Infernal Iron and bring it to Dammon at the Emerald Grove to help with her overheating heart. Express disappointment about not being able to touch her, and affirm your desire to find a solution.
- At the camp party, express your feelings to Karlach, leading to a later encounter where you propose cooling her off with water to attempt a kiss. She'll be open to this idea.
- In Act II, continue helping Dammon at the Last Light Inn to further tune her up.
- In Act III, take Karlach on a date to deepen your bond.
Karlach Romance Special Notes:
- Karlach is highly sensitive to infidelity. If she catches you with others, be sincere in your apologies to potentially regain her trust.
- Once her heart is fixed, you can commit to a long-term relationship with unique dialogue options.
How to Romance Wyll in Baldur's Gate 3
Wyll's romance enhances his storyline, offering a heroic and emotional journey.
How to Romance Wyll:
- Build approval by acting heroically, helping others, and supporting him in his quests. Assist him with Mizora and his father.
- Rescue Halsin and the Tieflings at the Emerald Grove to make him available during the party.
- In Act II, after a Long Rest, find Wyll dancing. Choose romantic dialogue options to deepen your bond.
- 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 both fleeting and long-term, depending on your choices.
How to Romance Lae'zel:
- Raise her approval by acting decisively and aggressively. She appreciates direct action over persuasion or deception.
- Once her approval is high, mention her changed behavior towards you in camp, potentially leading to a one-night stand.
- In Act II, accept her duel challenge. Regardless of the outcome, you'll deepen your bond.
- In Act III, the outcome depends on whether she sides with Vlaakith or Orpheus. Siding with Orpheus can lead to a public relationship in the ending sequence.
Lae'zel Romance Special Notes:
- Lae'zel will end the relationship permanently if you cheat on her after the duel.
How to Romance Halsin in Baldur's Gate 3
Halsin's romance is popular for his unique charm and nature-focused storyline.
How to Romance Halsin:
- Ensure you lift the Shadow Curse before concluding Act II to keep romance options open.
- Rescue Halsin from the Goblin Camp to make him available as a companion later.
- In Act II, complete his quests to allow him to join your party. Keep him in your party, as he values kindness, nature reverence, and fairness.
- Regularly engage in dialogue with him, focusing on his past relationships.
- Once his approval is high enough, he'll visit you at night, asking about other relationships. Shadowheart and Astarion will be okay with this, but Karlach and Gale will not.
How to Romance Minthara in Baldur's Gate 3
Minthara's romance is unique, often associated with an evil playthrough.
How to Romance Minthara:
- Avoid attacking the Goblin Camp and instead ally with Minthara, betraying the Emerald Grove.
- After defeating the grove, express honor in fighting beside her, 'Embrace the change,' and open your mind. She'll visit your camp.
- During the goblin party, affirm your allegiance to her. If you pass the persuasion check, she'll join you in bed.
Recent updates suggest you can now knock Minthara out at the Goblin Camp and rescue her from Moonrise Towers in Act II, allowing her to join your party. We'll update this guide once we confirm this information.
Minthara Romance Special Notes:
- Choosing the evil path with Minthara will drastically change your game experience, affecting your relationships with other party members.
All One-Off Romance Options in Baldur's Gate 3
### How to Romance Mizora:
- Keep Wyll in your party and avoid siding with Minthara.
- Rescue Mizora from the Mind Flayer Colony below Moonrise Towers in Act II.
- In Act III, speak to Mizora in Wyrm's Rock Fortress before Gortash's coronation. Mention Duke Ravengard, and she'll visit your camp.
- When she appears, rest until you see an exclamation mark over her head. Ask about "beyond these planes," and choose "Sounds delicious, what are you suggesting?" followed by "Smile."
- Mizora will visit you at night, triggering a one-time romance scene.
How to Romance the Guardian:
- Choose to protect the Guardian/Emperor between Acts II and III.
- Evolving into Half-Ilithid can help with approval.
- Visit the Emperor's old hideout to learn about his past lover.
- When the Emperor visits after this discovery, hold their hand.
- During their next visit, acknowledge their flirting and respond positively to their advances, triggering the romance scene.
How to Romance the Drow Twins:
- Visit Sharess' Caress in Wyrm's Crossing in Act III.
- Speak to Mamzell Amira near the bar. Complete her quest or pay directly for access to the twins.
- Follow her instructions to the chambers to initiate the scene. Avoid involving 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, Raphael's home.
- Cross the 'Mystic Force Curtain' to enter the Boudoir.
- Engage with Haarlep, an Incubus, who offers a romantic encounter. Be aware of potential consequences if you're already in a relationship, especially with Karlach.
How to Romance Naoise Nallinto:
- Visit Sharess' Caress in Wyrm's Crossing.
- Find the locked door marked by a green lantern and ivy. Pick the lock or get the key from Mamzell.
- Enter to find Naoise and Jara. After defeating the Mindflayer that Jara turns into, speak to Naoise and follow her cues for a brief romantic scene, granting the Rapture buff until your next long rest.
