Baldur’s Gate 3 romance options ranked: who and how to pursue them

Want to know about Baldur’s Gate 3 romance options? Romance is a big part of most modern RPGs. They usually start off as friendships and getting to know characters better can lead to moments of vulnerable intimacy.

Romance isn’t limited by Baldur’s Gate 3 races and subraces. And while you might not be rewarded for courting one of Baldur’s Gate 3 companions, it’s exciting to watch these relationships build. Read on for a comprehensive guide on how to romance characters in the Forgotten Realms.

How to romance characters in Baldur’s Gate 3?

In Baldur’s Gate 3, characters can be romanced by performing actions they approve of before romancing them at the camp. Remember that each character you meet in the world of Faerun has their own ideologies and approaches to situations. Gaining the approval of one party member might mean annoying another. While you rest at the camp, you can speak to Baldur’s Gate 3 companions for deep conversations. You can track how close they are to you in their individual character screens.

Romances are not restricted by gender or race, granting players free will to explore their desires. Plenty of the options out there are spread across different Baldur’s Gate 3 classes too, so most romances are pretty unique experiences. Once you build enough approval with a character, you’ll gain access to more conversation options that can lead to intimate moments.

Romanceable characters in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 has romance options that cover several races and gender preferences. Here’s a list of all the romanceable characters in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Astarion
• Shadowheart
• Gale
• Lae’zel
• Wyll
• Karlach
• Minthara
• Halsin
• Minsc
• Jaheira

While all of the above NPCs are fully fleshed-out romance options, there are also some instances where you can woo certain characters for a potential one-night stand, and like the above romance options, they come in all genders and races. Here is a list of all of the one-off romances in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Guardian
• Haarlep
• Mizora
• Naoise Nallinto
• Nym and Sorn Orlith

All Baldur’s Gate 3 romances ranked

Not all romances are made equal. Many are easier than others, or deeper and more meaningful. In some cases, they’re just simply more fun. Keep in mind that the following is just our own ranking, but here are our picks for all the romances we’ve seen so far, from worst to best. Here’s our Baldur’s Gate 3 romances ranked list:

1. Guardian – Since this isn’t a real romance, but just a demonic parasite trying to trick you into lowering your guard, it’s probably safe to say this is the least healthy relationship you can have.
2. Minthara – The experience might be good, but the sheer number of atrocities you need to commit to get here gives this romance a steep asking price.
3. Lae’zel – Similarly to Minthara, there’s a steep asking price to making it work here. Her stubbornness guarantees you’ll have to sacrifice your standing with others here. She is however still capable of decency and heroics, earning her a slightly higher spot.
4. Gale – While a charming and handsome man easily worthy of admiration, Gale is difficult to romance. It’s not always clear what direction to go with him. Good thing we wrote him into this guide then.
5. Wyll – Though he’s been a bit of a polarizing force in the past, his rewrite has definitely done him some good. He’s still not super easy to romance, but the complexity of his character makes it a really interesting time. A dance isn’t something I’d turn down.
6. Astarion – He might be a bastard, but the synergy of asshole energy and down-bad neediness makes him one of the purest fun romances to experience in the game. His experience with trauma can be gutwrenching, especially as he stands up for others who lose bodily autonomy.
7. Shadowheart – She’s got it all. A fascinating backstory, a complex arc, and a clear but rewarding path to success. Shadowheart is our pick for the best romance in the game that we know about so far.

Each of them have different likes, dislikes, and requirements if you want to pursue a romance with them. There’s also an argument to be made that some of them are better romance options than others. First let’s break down how to go about pursuing a romance with any of these would-be suitors.

Astarion romance

Likes: Siding with monsters, murder, selfish deeds, moves that support his own goals.

Dislikes: Altruistic and selfless actions.

This cunning High Elf Rogue values deception and narcissism over noble deeds. This can cause a rift among your companions so choose wisely. Being mean to people and taking advantage of them builds your approval with Astarion. You can romance Astarion after rescuing the Druid Halsin and saving the refugees. After a long rest, you can talk to him at the celebration of the refugees. Follow the following dialogue choices:

• Really? Saving lives is awful?
• True, the goblins would have thrown a wilder party.
• And what’s your idea of ‘a little fun’?
• All right, let’s do it. I’ll see you later.

Head to a bedroll and interact with it. Choose to go to bed with Astarion. And then pick these dialogue options:

• You don’t have me yet.
• And what do you want?
• Nod.

Completing this dialogue will lead to a passionate night with Astarion.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Deceive Tieflings and ask Lae’zel to say ‘please’ before freeing her from the cage.
• Join Lae’zel against the Tieflings if you persuade them to free her.
• Tell Auntie Ethel about a tadpole in your head in Druid Grove.
• Try to persuade the goblin guard outside the Blighted Village.
• Decline the devil’s invitation to remove your tadpole.

And here are some choices that will knock your approval down with Astarion:

• Agree to help Wyll save the refugees in Druid Grove.
• Question his attitude toward the controlled fishermen at the Nautiloid wreckage.
• Say that the druids overreacted when speaking to Marriko and Locke in Druid Grove.
• Agree to help Zevlor.
• Smear dung on your face when Sentinel Olak asks you to.

Shadowheart romance

Likes: Kindness to animals, persuasive personalities, deception.

Dislikes: Cruelty, callous actions, siding with the Githyanki.

This High Half-Elf Cleric is a devotee of Shar. Avoid conflicts and violent encounters through cunning to build up a strong bond with Shadowheart. Her style is at odds with Lae’zel so you might not be able to win the approval of both of these characters. Pick your dialogue options and narrative choices accordingly.

You can romance Shadowheart after rescuing the Druid Halsin and saving the refugees. After a long rest, you can talk to her at the celebration of the refugees. Follow the following dialogue choices:

• Tieflings?
• Are you worried Shar won’t approve?
• I’d be glad to. (If she asks to share a bottle)
• I’ll find you after everyone’s turned in for the night.

Head to your bedroll and interact with it. Choose to find Shadowheart. By clicking on Shadowheart, players share a moment with her at the cliffside. There will be a moment of talking and the both of you share a kiss.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Tell her that finding the healer is your top priority.
• Show Guex in the Druid Grove your sword fighting technique.
• Persuade Arka that killing Sazza means she’ll take everything to the grave.
• In the conversation with her after speaking with Sazza and learning about Gut, ‘You’re right. We have to investigate all leads, no matter how unsavoury.’
• After saving Nadira from the Bugbear Assassin in the Grove, use Deception to convince her to give you the soul coin.

There’s a glitch that lets you gain an infinite approval increase from Shadowheart. Here’s how to do it. Upon discovering a damaged helmet on a body in the Blighted Village and passing a few skill checks in dialogue with Shadowheart, you can get her to reveal her worship of Shar. After that, the following options can be repeated at the camp to gain Shadowheart’s approval:

• We should get to know each other better.
• Tell me something about yourself besides Shar, besides tadpoles.
• You’ll have to point out night orchids to me if we ever pass some.

And here are some choices that will knock your approval down with Shadowheart:

• Violence unless unavoidable, be it in a dialogue or in combat.
• Siding with Lae’zel’s violent tendencies.
• Diving into conflict instead of sidestepping it.

Gale romance

Likes: Kindness, intelligence, proficient magic use.

Dislikes: Cruelty, unnecessary violence, stupidity.

With a magic ticking time bomb in his chest, Gale is one of the more kind-hearted companions you’ll meet across your D&D campaign. Helping the owlbear cub and Scratch the dog are good ways of getting close to this Human Wizard. Showing intelligence and having an interest in magical knowledge and poetry help too.

You can romance Gale as he practices an incantation at the refugee celebration camp. Show an interest in magic and then pick these dialogue options:

• You’re a good teacher.
• Hold on to the moment. It’s a good night for intimacy.
• Picture kissing him.

Keep talking about your previous magic lesson with him. Follow these conversation choices:

• I never thought it was so easy to cast magic.
• So did you think about what I pictured when we were connected by the Weave?

Rest for a night and meet him struggling near the campfire. Comfort him. Upon completing that conversation, head to your bedroll and interact with it and choose Gale to spend a night with him.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Gale in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Convince Rolan to stay in Druid Grove.
• Agree to help Wyll save the refugees in Druid Grove.
• Show Guex in the Druid Grove your sword fighting technique.
• Say that the druids overreacted when speaking to Marriko and Locke in Druid Grove.
• Crush the tadpole outside of Druid Grove.

And here are some choices that will knock your approval down with Gale:

• Join Lae’zel against the Tieflings if you persuade them to free her.
• Smear dung on your face when Sentinel Olak asks you to.
• Read the Necromancer Tome from Search the Cellar.
• Agree to open the gate for the goblin raiders.

Lae’zel romance

Likes: Siding with the Githyanki, shows of strength, violent actions.

Dislikes: Siding against the Githyanki, shows of weakness, mercy.

This Githyanki Fighter prefers aggressive decisions and dialogue. She doesn’t shy away from combat and her approval depends on picking fights whenever you can. She prefers slicing her problems instead of sidestepping them. Remember that Shadowheart is at odds with Lae’zel’s ideals so gaining the favour of one will mean letting the other down. Lae’zel doesn’t compromise for anyone else and you’ll have to factor that in when you court her.

To romance Lae’zel, build up approval before you approach her during the refugee celebration. Follow these choices:

• Are you… asking for sex?
• Yes. I will share my bed with you tonight.

Return to your bedroll and interact with it and choose Lae’Zel. Choosing this option will let you spend the night with her.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Lae’zel in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Show Guex in the Druid Grove your sword fighting technique (Athletics check).
• Choose to attack Taman and Gimblelock in dialogue outside the Crypt.
• When talking to Zevlor for the first time inside the Druid Grove, tell him you’re sorry but you have no time to help him.
• During dialogue with Lae’zel, after she describes ceremorphosis, tell her you will find a cure.
• If Kagha’s snake kills Arabella, tell her “She was just protecting her own.” in dialogue afterwards.

And here are some choices that will knock your approval down with Lae’zel:

• Convince the Owlbear not to kill you in its cave.
• Try to persuade the goblin guard outside the Goblin Camp.
• Smear dung on your face when Sentinel Olak asks you to.
• Sympathetic behaviours.

Wyll romance

Likes: Shows of strength, courage, kind actions.

Dislikes: Cruelty, cowardly actions, siding with Devils or Goblins.

A noble Warlock, Wyll has a rather dark past. He is noble and admires your choices when players lend a helping hand. Going against selfishness, entitled behaviour, and never siding with monsters such as Devils, and Goblins is also a good way to get close to him.

Players will need to speak to ask Wyll about the Goblins and the Tieflings. He then opens up about why he dislikes Goblins. He doesn’t talk about his glass eye when asked. Later on, players will need to choose not to bring him along to the goblin camp or the windmill in the Blighted Village. Head over to the windmill, speak with Spike and persuade him into giving the prisoner and release him.

Head back to the campsite and add Wyll back into the party then head to the Goblin Camp. Look for Spike and speak about Mizora. Players will need to kill Spike and Abdirak when he says that Mizora is no longer there. Wyll will then open up about Mizora. Go to bed after this conversation. Head back to the Goblin Camp, speak with Halsin in their prison and hunt down all of the Goblin leaders while Wyll is still in your party.

While you can romance Wyll, the Early Access build of the game does not have this content. We’ll learn more about Wyll’s rework and romance options as we near Baldur’s Gate 3 release date.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Wyll in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Show Guex in the Druid Grove your sword fighting technique.
• Crush the Tadpole outside of the Druid Grove.
• Tell Scratch (dog) that he can come to your Camp if his friend doesn’t wake up.
• Try to persuade the goblin guard outside the Goblin Camp.
• Agree to fight Fezzerk in the Blighted Village.

And here are some choices that will knock your approval down with Wyll:

• Smear dung on your face when Sentinel Olak asks you to.
• If you choose to walk in on the two trolls having sex in the Blighted Village.
• Cruel Behaviors.
• Agree to open the gate for goblin raiders.
• He will leave you if you side with the goblins.

Karlach romance

Likes: Displays of strength, kindness, doing the right thing

Dislikes: Selfish decisions, injustice, denying aid

Players can find Karlach at The Risen Road in the side quest Hunt the Devil. You’ll have to convince Wyll that she isn’t a threat. And then you need to help her beat some shady paladins led by Anders. While you can go on a date and eventually romance Karlach, this happens in Act 2 of the game. You’ll need to help her with her tendency to erupt in flames. And using Infernal Iron to repair the engine in her chest at the Last Light Inn with Dammon will help you progress in her companion quest.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Arguing to Wyll that she is not a devil when he confronts her at your camp.
• Using Speak with Dead to ask the Abducted Nobleman in the crashed Nautiloid if there are any last rites he would like performed.
• Persuading Zevlor not to take a swing at Aradin.
• Promising Zevlor to talk to Kagha about giving the tieflings more time in the grove.
• Telling Silfy you won’t get angry when she fails to rob you.

And here’s how to knock your approval down with Karlach:

• Persuade the adventurers outside the Dank Crypt to leave.
• Tell Kagha that sometimes cruelty is required.
• Attacking the owlbear.
• Booing Volo in the goblin camp.
• Accepting the poison from Nettie.

Minthara romance

Likes: Cruelty, violence, actions that benefit her goals.

Dislikes: Kindness, siding with Druids, shows of weakness.

This Drow Paladin is one of the leaders of the Goblins. Players must do the following to trigger the romance scene with Minthara. However, doing so will cause Wyll to permanently leave the party. Here’s how to romance Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Head over to the Goblin Camp.
• Go to the Shattered Sanctum.
• Tell Minthara about the Grove and aid the Goblin Raid.
• Speak with her and say ‘It’s been a privilege to fight alongside you.’ ‘Embrace the change.’ and ‘Open your mind.’
• A Goblin celebration will be held at the campsite.
• Speak with Minthara and tell her you are hers.
• Interact with your bedroll and choose to go to bed with Minthara.

Here are some approval choices to build approval with Minthara in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Upon entering the Shattered Sanctum without initiating combat (friendly terms with the Goblins), you can choose to speak to Minthara and agree to join her hunt (Attack Druid Grove).
• Back at the Druids Grove gain Minthara’s trust by betraying the Tieflings (Betray Zavlor) during the ensuing confrontation. Opening the gate for Minthara’s hunting party (Blow the warhorn – Betray Zavlor) will lead to a battle with the grove’s inhabitants. After slaying every Tiefling and wiping out the druids, return to Minthara.

And here are some choices that will knock your approval down with Minthara:

• Searching for her desires and then failing the Persuasion/Intimidate check will initiate combat.
• Siding against the goblins makes her an enemy.

Halsin romance

Likes: Respecting nature, kindness to animals, heroic deeds

Dislikes: Harming animals, cruelty

You’ll find him as a prisoner at the Worg Pens. This is within the Shattered Sanctum. While you can eventually romance Halsin, this isn’t available right away. There’s been a lot of talk around that Baldur’s Gate 3 bear scene but this doesn’t let you recruit him. You can only recruit Halsin in Act 2 of BG3. Once you reach the Last Light Inn, Halsin will try to find a child named Thaniel. Help him through the quest and build your approval rating. This lets you pursue a romance with him in Act 3.

We don’t yet know of any approval choices or disapproval choices to build or lower approval with Halsin in Baldur’s Gate 3 yet. We’ll update this part of the guide once we’ve had that chance.

Minsc romance

Likes: Kindness to animals, heroic deeds

Dislikes: Needless violence, ridiculing his beliefs

Minsc returns from the earlier Baldur’s Gate games. He has seen a great deal of the Sword Coast. Minsc is a potential romance option but you’ll only be able to romance him in Act 3. In Act 2, ensure that Jaheira survives to build a rapport with Minsc.

Minsc is at the Counting House vault in Act 3 as the Stonelord character. You’ll be able to handle a trap that Nine-Fingers placed for him. Later, you’ll find Minsc down in the city sewers where you’ll fight multiple Bhaalists. You can then choose to let Minsc live or kill him. Spare him to start your journey with him.

We don’t yet know of any approval choices or disapproval choices to build or lower approval with Minsc in Baldur’s Gate 3 yet. We’ll update this part of the guide once we’ve had that chance.

Jaheira romance

Likes: Heroism, being resolute in your decisions

Dislikes: Outright evil acts, selfish deeds, cowardice

Jaheira is a returning character who is also a potential romance option. You’ll see her battle prowess in Act 2 when the Last Light Inn is attacked. Keep her alive and you’ll be able to work towards a potential romance later in the game. If you storm the Moonrise Towers with her against Thorm and succeed, you will be able to recruit her as a companion.

One-off romances in BG3 without an approval rating

The following romance options aren’t ones that blossom into full-blown relationships. Either way, they lend more context into the world of Faerun and its many tastes. Here are the one-off romances in Baldur’s Gate 3 and how to get them.

Guardian romance

As it turns out, the Guardian who keeps appearing in your dreams can be romanced just like the other NPCs. If you’re early on in the game, hold your horses as you won’t be able to do this until act three of the game, unfortunately. A key part of making this romance happen is to keep the parasite in your head, as the Guardian asks. This will negatively impact your abilities and other relationships over time, but will provide you with a unique skill tree.

Haarlep romance

If you were disappointed at not being able to romance Raphael, then you’re in luck as his demonic lookalike, Haarlep, can be romanced. While you’re in Raphael’s domain as part of the Free Orpheus and Deal With the Devil quests, you can enter the boudoir where you’ll find Haarlep waiting for you. Be aware that if you try and reject Haarlep at any time, it will lead to a battle against him and some imps. You can also ask him to change into a female form if that’s what you would prefer.

Mizora romance

If romancing Wyll wasn’t enough, you can also romance the devil who is holding his soul captive. You’ll be forced to make a significant decision relating to Wyll’s soul during act three, but afterwards, Mizora will stay in your camp, and proposition you fairly soon after that. If you’re wanting to romance Wyll, we wouldn’t recommend romancing Mizora too, though, for what we hope are obvious reasons.

Naoise Nallinto romance

Naoise is one of the Dryads at Sharess’ Caress. When you first find her, she’ll be with another woman, Fist Jara. Break into Naoise’s room on the upper floor and Fist Jara will turn into a Mind Flayer and attack you. Kill her and Noaise will ‘reward’ you, and you’ll receive a blessing that lasts until your next long rest.

Nym and Sorn Orlith romance

Nym and Sorn Orlith are Drow siblings who you’ll probably have met on your first visit to Sharess’ Caress. Once you’ve met them, you can hire them individually for 500 gold, or alternatively if you already have a partner you’re romancing, you can hire both of them for 100 gold.

That covers all the romance options in Baldur’s Gate 3. Gain the approval of your companions and work your way towards meaningful relationships. You can pursue a romantic relationship with different characters as your hero across playthroughs. We imagine Baldur’s Gate 3 mods will eventually alter your romance options, too.

Is romance gender-locked in Baldur’s Gate 3?

There are male and female options regardless of the protagonist’s gender.

Can you romance multiple characters in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Yes, you can romance multiple characters in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Can you romance everyone in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You can romance any and all companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, it has been confirmed.