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

To start Shadowheart's personal quest in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to focus on building a strong relationship with her and progressing through the main story until certain triggers occur. 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. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to start and progress her quest.

First, you need to recruit Shadowheart. She can be found early in the game, 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. Interact with her and invite her to join your party. Once sheÔÇÖs in your group, youÔÇÖll need to build her trust and approval. Shadowheart values pragmatism, secrecy, and a certain level of ruthlessness. She approves of decisions that prioritize survival and the greater good, even if they involve morally gray choices. Avoid being overly altruistic or revealing too much about yourself, as she tends to disapprove of such actions.

As you travel with Shadowheart, youÔÇÖll notice that she carries a mysterious artifact. This artifact is central to her personal quest. The first major trigger for her quest occurs when you reach the Goblin Camp. During your exploration, youÔÇÖll encounter a group of goblins who are searching for the artifact. This encounter will prompt Shadowheart to reveal more about her mission and the importance of the artifact. Pay close attention to her dialogue during this scene, as it provides key insights into her backstory and motivations.

After this encounter, ShadowheartÔÇÖs personal quest, titled ÔÇ£The Chosen of Shar,ÔÇØ will officially begin. The quest involves uncovering the secrets of the artifact and ShadowheartÔÇÖs connection to Shar. To progress, youÔÇÖll need to explore areas related to Shar, such as the Gauntlet of Shar, which is located in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This area is filled with traps, puzzles, and enemies, so make sure your party is well-prepared. ShadowheartÔÇÖs abilities as a cleric will be particularly useful here, especially her Turn Undead and healing spells.

One important tip is to keep Shadowheart in your active party as much as possible. This ensures that you donÔÇÖt miss any dialogue or story triggers related to her quest. Additionally, make choices that align with her values to maintain her approval. For example, if you encounter situations where you need to make a tough decision, consider what Shadowheart would do. She often prefers actions that protect her secrets and further her goals, even if they come at a cost to others.

A common mistake to avoid is neglecting ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval. If her approval rating drops too low, she may become less cooperative or even leave the party. To prevent this, avoid actions that she disapproves of, such as being overly trusting or revealing too much about your own past. Instead, focus on building a relationship based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Advanced techniques for optimizing ShadowheartÔÇÖs quest include using her cleric abilities strategically in combat. For example, her Spirit Guardians spell can be incredibly effective against groups of enemies, especially in the Gauntlet of Shar where youÔÇÖll face numerous undead foes. Additionally, consider multiclassing Shadowheart if you want to enhance her combat effectiveness. For instance, a few levels in rogue can give her access to sneak attack and additional mobility, making her a more versatile party member.

In terms of D&D rules, ShadowheartÔÇÖs abilities are based on the Trickery Domain for clerics. This domain grants her access to spells like Disguise Self and Pass Without Trace, which can be useful for stealth and deception. Her Channel Divinity feature, Invoke Duplicity, allows her to create an illusory duplicate that can distract enemies and provide advantage on attack rolls. Understanding these abilities and using them effectively can greatly enhance your gameplay experience.

Specific examples of scenarios where ShadowheartÔÇÖs quest progresses include encounters with other followers of Shar, such as the Dark Justiciars. These encounters often involve moral dilemmas and tough choices that can impact ShadowheartÔÇÖs approval and the outcome of her quest. For instance, you may need to decide whether to spare or kill a Dark Justiciar who has betrayed Shar. ShadowheartÔÇÖs reaction to these choices will depend on her approval rating and your previous interactions with her.

In summary, starting ShadowheartÔÇÖs personal quest in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 involves recruiting her, building her approval, and progressing through the main story until you reach key triggers like the encounter at the Goblin Camp. Keep her in your party, make choices that align with her values, and use her abilities strategically in combat. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting her approval, and consider advanced techniques like multiclassing to optimize her effectiveness. By following these steps and paying attention to her dialogue and reactions, youÔÇÖll be able to fully explore ShadowheartÔÇÖs backstory and complete her personal quest.