How do I unlock Shadowheart's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3?

To unlock Shadowheart's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to build a strong relationship with her and progress through the main story. Shadowheart is a cleric of Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss, and her personal quest revolves around her devotion to Shar and the mysterious artifact she carries. Here is a detailed guide on how to unlock and progress through her quest.

First, you need to recruit Shadowheart early in the game. She can be found trapped in a pod on the Nautiloid ship during the prologue. If you miss her there, you can find her on the beach near the crash site after the ship crashes. Once she joins your party, you need to build trust with her. Shadowheart values secrecy and loyalty, so avoid prying too much into her past early on. Instead, support her decisions and show understanding when she expresses her devotion to Shar.

As you progress through Act 1, Shadowheart will occasionally share more about her past and the artifact she carries. Pay attention to these conversations and choose dialogue options that show empathy and support. For example, when she talks about her faith, you can express curiosity without being judgmental. This will help increase her approval of you, which is crucial for unlocking her personal quest.

One key moment in Act 1 is when you reach the Goblin Camp. Shadowheart will suggest infiltrating the camp to gather information. Agreeing with her plan and successfully completing the infiltration will further increase her approval. Additionally, during the camp celebration after defeating the goblin leaders, you can have a private conversation with Shadowheart. Choose dialogue options that show you respect her boundaries and are interested in her well-being. This will deepen your relationship and bring you closer to unlocking her personal quest.

In Act 2, Shadowheart's personal quest becomes more prominent. You will encounter the Gauntlet of Shar, a temple dedicated to her goddess. This is a pivotal location for her quest. As you explore the temple, Shadowheart will reveal more about her past and the artifact she carries. She will also face a significant choice that will shape her future. To unlock this part of her quest, you need to have built a strong relationship with her and gained her trust.

During the Gauntlet of Shar, you will face several challenges and puzzles. Shadowheart will need to perform specific rituals to progress. Pay attention to her dialogue and follow her lead. She will also face a moral dilemma involving a captured Nightsong. The choice she makes here will have lasting consequences for her character and your relationship with her. Support her decision, whether she chooses to embrace her devotion to Shar or reject it, to continue her personal quest.

Important tips and considerations include being mindful of Shadowheart's approval rating. You can check her approval in the character sheet. High approval is necessary to unlock her personal quest and influence her decisions. Avoid actions that go against her values, such as being overly aggressive or disrespectful to her faith. Additionally, make sure to include her in your party during key story moments to ensure her quest progresses.

Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting her approval or making choices that alienate her. For example, siding with the Absolute or being openly hostile to her faith can lower her approval and hinder her quest progression. Also, avoid skipping important dialogue options with her, as these are crucial for building trust and unlocking her quest.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your party composition and combat tactics to support Shadowheart. As a cleric, she excels in healing and support. Pair her with characters who can deal high damage or tank enemies to make the most of her abilities. Additionally, use her spells strategically during combat to keep your party alive and debuff enemies.

Related D&D rules and mechanics include the cleric class features and the role of deities in character backstories. Shadowheart's devotion to Shar influences her abilities and decisions, reflecting the D&D mechanics of divine domains and alignment. Understanding these rules can help you make informed choices during her quest.

Specific examples and scenarios include the dialogue options during the camp celebration and the choices in the Gauntlet of Shar. For instance, during the celebration, choosing to ask Shadowheart about her past and expressing genuine interest will increase her approval. In the Gauntlet of Shar, supporting her decision to spare or kill the Nightsong will shape her character arc and your relationship with her.

By following these steps and considerations, you can successfully unlock and progress through Shadowheart's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3, deepening your bond with her and influencing her story.