Baldur’s Gate 3 Romance Options Guide: Everything you need to know about romance in Faerûn

August 1, 2023

Baldur’s Gate 3, the real thing and not the Early Access version, is finally here after nearly 4 years of waiting patiently. Our early impressions of Baldur’s Gate 3 are that it’s one of the best RPGs of all time, no matter whether you’re in it for the romance options or the overwhelming amount of story and exciting gameplay that’s there.

Speaking of romance options: there are plenty of them. Unlike Early Access, however, which let you jump into bed with some companions almost immediately during Act 1 depending on your choices, romance is a little more complicated this time around. Some are still down to clown in your pants ASAP, but others may need a little more time before anything like that happens.

And all in all, your Baldur’s Gate 3 romance options are a lot more varied and emotionally fulfilling than you’ve come to expect from companions in role-playing games. It’s not necessary press X or Y to get them to like you, but treat them as you would any person: like someone with their own mind and ideals that may (or may not) clash with your own.

But who are your romance options in the first place, and how does romance work anyway? Can players romance one another in multiplayer? Can you finally push Lae’zel and Shadowheart together in an epic enemies-to-lovers romance? So many questions, but so little time.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Romance Options: Who can you romance in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Who you can romance in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a much more loaded question than you no doubt first thought, especially as you can play as a Custom Character – a character you create yourself or an Origin Character, such as Lae’zel, Shadowheart, Gale, etc. There’s also The Dark Urge, who is considered an Origin Character, but not in the same way as your companions. Does that sound confusing? Check out our The Dark Urge guide for a full explanation.

To sum up who you can and cannot romance, we’ve included a handy little bullet-point list. Thanks to Larian for highlighting this themselves on a community post made via Steam.

Can I romance another Origin Character as an Origin Character? For example, playing as Wyll, can I romance Astarion?

Yes, you can! If you decide to play as one of the Origin Characters (and that does include The Dark Urge) and want to romance another Origin Character, you’re free to!

As an Origin Character, can I romance another Origin Character that my friend is playing in multiplayer?

Nope. Larian Studios said it best: “If you and your co-op partner both kiss your monitors at the same time, the static shock you’ll experience produces a heart-racing effect similar to the feeling of love.”

Can NPC Origin Characters romance one another? For example, Lae’zel and Shadowheart, Gale and Karlach, etc

No, they cannot. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any flirty lines tossed each other’s way, however. But where there’s romance to be found in this game, it does seem to center on the player character more than anywhere else.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Romance Options: All of the romance options available in Baldur’s Gate 3

Lae’zel

Lae’zel is a Githyanki warrior that hails from the Astral Plane. She’s the very first companion you come across during your time on the Nautiloid ship and is very much the ‘objective first’ sort of gal. That means no, you’re not going to get any approval from her by messing around.

The Githyanki were enslaved by the mindflayers for many years before winning their freedom, so one way to get on Lae’zel’s good side is to not hold back at all when it comes to talking bad about your tentacle-faced enemies. You’ll get instant approval. Oh, and if that doesn’t help out, just be a complete jerk to Shadowheart, your other companion. The two of them do not get along at all.

Gale

Gale is a human wizard who, if he is to be believed, likes long walks on the beach, stroking his pet cat, and being right all the time. He also has fabulous hair on his head and face, though that may just be a smidgen of bias on our part.

Unlike a few of the other companions, Gale is very much someone with a heart of gold underneath all of that sarcasm and mystery. Unfortunately, he also has a thirst for power and that, like many things in Baldur’s Gate 3, has come to bite him in the ass. Maybe the power of luuuurve will help fix some of his problems?

Gale’s romance is monogamous only, so if you’re looking to be with him don’t expect to maintain romantic relationships with any of your other companions.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is the half-elf cleric of the group and is not at all keen when it comes to explaining more about her. But don’t worry, as long as you don’t prod her again and again about it, you’ll be Shadowheart’s friend – and maybe more – before you know it.

Like Lae’zel, Shadowheart appreciates you going out of your way to mess with the Githyanki fighter. If you disagree with Lae’zel, Shadowheart is bound to like it. Though it isn’t just teasing that will get her approval – she also likes it when you take the initiative and put the group’s needs in front of other, random NPCs. Oh! And she likes it when you pet dogs, that’s important to note, too.

Astarion

Arguably the reason why so many people are playing Baldur’s Gate 3 in the first place, Astarion is a high-elf, vampire spawn rogue that is very much down to clown. He is incredibly dramatic, and in all honestly, looks like he recently came home from an audition in Nilfgaard.

Astarion is not only the drama, but he likes a good fight too. That said, he doesn’t see the value in helping others when you can help yourself instead. He is selfish, so if you want to get on his good side then we’d advise sticking up for him being a vampire, as well as putting yourself and your wants (as well as his) first.

Wyll

Much like Gale, Wyll isn’t as high-strung as his other companions and, for the most part, values generosity, compassion, and justice to the point that he made a deal with the devil to uphold those ideals. So it’s pretty easy to say that yes, Wyll joins Gale as being one of the ‘good guys.’ To a certain extent anyway.

Wyll likes characters who go out of their way to help others, and who doesn’t judge him and his circumstances when it comes to how he got his warlock powers. Mindless violence also doesn’t vibe well with him, so be sure not to go down that route if you want to get to know more about Wyll.

Karlach

Karlach may look big and mean at a distance, but her heart is in the right place. Well, it would be if it wasn’t an infernal engine actually, but we don’t want to digress.

Much like Gale, Karlach believes in doing the right thing. She’s big and blunt, with strength that’ll make you swoon. The downside is that, being a Barbarian and having hotter than hell skin that makes it impossible to touch another person, she can be a bit cranky with her fierce temper. Deep inside though? She’s a loveable character.

Did we mention she has her own teddy bear called Clive? We love Clive.

Halsin

Halsin is likely the buffest elf you’ve ever seen, and if you play your cards right you can see those muscles in all their glory. The former head Druid of the Grove joins your party if you save it and its residents towards the end of Act 1. Once he does, you can pretty much immediately start flirting with him, and though he may reciprocate your energy, he’ll blatantly tell you he can’t do anything with you until after you’ve fixed the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This basically means you can’t pursue a full relationship with him until very late in Act 2/early in Act 3.

To gain his affection, you should make choices that favor helping people and preserving nature. Be kind to animals, protect the weak, and help Halsin out with his personal quest during Act 2.

The Emperor

The Emperor is the true, Mindflayer identity of your dream visitor in Baldur’s Gate 3. You won’t get this reveal until you enter the game’s third act, and won’t be able to act on it until even later, but if you want to eventually get intimate with those tentacles you’ll want to try to get into their good graces before that.

To do this, you’ll want to embrace your ithillid side, at least a bit. We were able to romance The Emperor without having any of our companions use the Astral-Touched Tadpole, but we did become half-Mindflayer. Beyond that, you’ll want to visit their old hideout under the Elfsong Tavern once you get to Baldur’s Gate proper. Exploring their old hideout triggers a lot of sharing from The Emperor, which eventually leads to a romantic scene the next time you take a long rest.

Mizora

Mizora is Wyll’s demonic patron, a devil with a taste for powerful pets. If you want to get a taste of her yourself, you’ll need to follow through with Wyll’s personal questline.

That said, you don’t have to save Duke Ravenguard to get with Mizora. You just need to speak with her during your time in the actual city of Baldur’s Gate during Act 3. Regardless of how you deal with the duke, Wyll’s patroness will decide to offer him a devilish deal for his freedom, will stick around in camp afterwards. We went with the option to have Wyll choose himself over his father, so we’re not sure if Mizora stays with you if you go the other way.

Once she’s in your camp, speak to her after a rest and she’ll ask if you want to meet up once you go to sleep. This will be your opportunity to get intimate with her, experiencing all the pleasures of hell. Depending on if you’ve romanced anyone else, they will have an opinion on your demonic tryst.

This is cool and all, but can you be gay in Baldur’s Gate 3?

I don’t know – can you?

Is there polyamory in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You can be in a polyamorous relationship with some characters, but until we have time to progress throughout the gambit that’s Baldur’s Gate 3… We won’t have the full details of who those characters are until later on.

For now, we can confirm players able to form a polyamorous relationship with the following couple(s):

Astarion
Halsin
Shadowheart

It should be noted that this guide is a work-in-progress due to the fact that we only received a review code for Baldur’s Gate 3 three days before launch. As such, information will be added over time. This guide was last edited on 08/16/2023.