Shadowheart Companion Guide in Baldur’s Gate 3

Shadowheart is the default Cleric companion and one of the most story-heavy characters in Baldur’s Gate 3. A devoted follower of Shar, her personal quest culminates in a major Act 2 decision that reshapes her build and ending. This guide covers how to build and befriend her.

Class and Role

Shadowheart starts as a Level 1 Half-Elf Cleric (Trickery Domain). She is your primary healer and support caster early on.

• Best respec: Life Domain for pure healing, or Light Domain for damage + support.
• Keep her Wisdom high (her spellcasting stat) and give her a shield + medium armor.

Approval: Likes and Dislikes

Shadowheart respects pragmatism and cruelty toward enemies, but she is protective of the vulnerable.

She approves of:

• Showing mercy to the vulnerable (in her interpretation)
• Defiance of authority and gods she distrusts
• Cruel choices toward her enemies

She disapproves of:

• Needless kindness to those she sees as threats
• Destroying the Druid grove (if you side against the tieflings)

Act 2: The Sharran Choice

In Act 2 you reach the Nightsong. Shadowheart is commanded to kill her. This is the biggest companion decision in the game:

• Spare the Nightsong: Shadowheart rejects Shar, becomes a Selûne cleric, and her storyline turns toward redemption. She gains a new domain and a lighter path.
• Kill the Nightsong: She stays devoted to Shar and gains powerful Sharran abilities, but locks a darker ending.

This choice is irreversible without a respec and heavy reload. Decide based on the party you want, not just power.

Final Tips

Keep Shadowheart in the backline casting Bless, Healing Word, and Spiritual Weapon. Her Trickery domain’s Invoke Duplicity is excellent for advantage on key attacks. If you want a stronger healer, respec her to Life Domain early.