BG3 Romance: Every Companion Romance Option Ranked

Baldur's Gate 3 has some of the most developed companion romance writing in gaming. Larian built 8 romanceable companions, each with distinct personalities, approval mechanics, scene triggers, and long-term arcs. The romance system genuinely responds to your choices throughout the 100+ hour campaign.

Here's every romance option, what each requires, and which fits which type of protagonist. Minor spoilers about general character arcs but no major plot reveals.

The 8 romanceable companions

Astarion (vampire rogue)

Personality: Sarcastic, self-serving initially, deeply traumatized underneath. His romance arc is genuinely complicated because his initial openness to sex is rooted in his trauma.

Romance path: Astarion's romance has two distinct directions depending on whether you pursue him genuinely or allow him to use you. The genuine path requires persistence and rejecting certain advances.

Approval requirements: Medium. Has strong opinions on undead, vampires, and personal autonomy.

Recommended for: Players who appreciate complicated character arcs and don't mind uncomfortable initial dynamics.

Shadowheart (cleric of Shar)

Personality: Mysterious, religious, guarded. Her arc involves uncovering her past. One of the most popular romances.

Romance path: Romance develops slowly. Her trust-issues require patience. Multiple scene triggers throughout Acts 1-3.

Approval requirements: Medium-high. Has strong opinions on religion and loyalty.

Recommended for: Players who appreciate slow-burn romance and mysteries.

Gale (wizard)

Personality: Bookish, over-explanatory, carries an orb in his chest that will destroy him eventually. Complicated arc around magical obsession.

Romance path: Gale's romance develops through magical and intellectual connection. His romance includes the "Weave" magical intimacy scene that's distinctly different from other romances.

Approval requirements: Medium. Appreciates intelligence and magical engagement.

Recommended for: Players playing intellectual or magical protagonists.

Lae'zel (Githyanki fighter)

Personality: Aggressive, militaristic, starts hostile. Extreme character arc from alien warrior to genuine partner.

Romance path: Lae'zel's romance involves genuine cultural exchange. She's hard to win initially but genuinely devoted once committed.

Approval requirements: Specific. She respects strength, fearlessness, and martial competence.

Recommended for: Players who enjoy redemption arcs and strong warriors.

Wyll (warlock)

Personality: Charming, dashing, politically motivated. The "good guy" romance option in some ways.

Romance path: His romance develops through shared heroism and political allegiance.

Approval requirements: Medium. Appreciates heroic choices and willingness to help others.

Recommended for: Players playing paladins or straightforwardly heroic characters.

Karlach (barbarian)

Personality: Bubbly, enthusiastic, has an engine in her chest that's slowly killing her. Extremely endearing character.

Romance path: Karlach's romance is direct and joyful. She's enthusiastic and openly affectionate. Her health situation adds emotional weight.

Approval requirements: Medium. Appreciates fun, loyalty, and helping friends.

Recommended for: Players who want uncomplicated warmth.

Halsin (druid)

Personality: Older druid, wise, open about his non-monogamous nature (he suggests "open" relationship dynamics).

Romance path: Halsin joins in Act 2. His romance is quieter and more adult than the others.

Approval requirements: Low-medium. He's direct about his interest.

Recommended for: Players who want a specifically mature and forest-dwelling romantic partner.

Minthara (evil drow paladin)

Personality: Proud, ambitious, evil-aligned. Her romance requires specific choices that are morally complicated.

Romance path: Requires siding with goblins during Act 1. Limited availability and specific scene triggers.

Approval requirements: High for evil choices specifically. She appreciates cruelty and ambition.

Recommended for: Players doing evil playthroughs.

The approval system

All BG3 romance is gated by the approval system. You can see approval in settings by toggling "Show Approval" display.

Approval thresholds:

• Neutral: baseline
• Approves of: you can initiate flirting
• High approval: romance scenes available
• Maximum: full romance commitment unlocked

Specific actions raise/lower approval with specific companions. A companion might approve of a heroic act while another disapproves.

The greedy protagonist problem

Like Witcher 3, BG3 punishes pursuing multiple romances simultaneously. At a specific story point, your companions will confront you about your multiple romantic pursuits. You can be honest and commit to one, or maintain the lies (leading to worse outcomes).

Be honest early. If you're torn between companions, pick one before the confrontation moment.

The romance scene timing

Most companions have romance scenes at specific story points:

• Act 1 Tiefling party (after saving the grove) — first major scene
• Mid-Act 2 (various locations)
• Act 3 (major emotional moments)

Miss these trigger points and you might miss the romance window entirely. Check companion dialogues regularly.

The specific advice by protagonist type

Paladin/heroic characters: Wyll is the natural fit. Karlach works great too.

Rogue/sneaky characters: Astarion has obvious appeal but requires patience through his arc.

Wizard/intellectual characters: Gale is custom-built for this playthrough.

Warrior/militant characters: Lae'zel rewards aggressive play.

Dark urge/morally ambiguous: Minthara works for evil runs.

Generalist/good-aligned: Shadowheart is a safe, popular, emotionally-rewarding choice.

Druid-focused characters: Halsin fits naturally.

Fun-focused characters: Karlach is pure joy.

The multiplayer note

In multiplayer, each player can romance a different companion. Or players can romance each other's characters. Or both simultaneously (your character can romance a companion AND another player character).

The long-term consequences

Romance choices affect:

• Act 3 endings (specific cutscenes tied to romances)
• Certain companion-specific quests
• Post-game Epilogue party (added in Patch 7)

The Patch 7 Epilogue party is genuinely worth pursuing. Every companion shows up with their current life updates based on your choices. Romance partners have distinct scenes during this.

What we make at Choost

We don't make narrative-heavy dialogue games — the writing investment for Larian-level romance is enormous. Granny's Rampage is focused bullet heaven action with minimal narrative. Completely different genre focus. But we love what Larian achieved with BG3's character writing. For more BG3 content, the bg3 tips and bg3 class tier list posts cover gameplay. For more RPG content, the games like Baldur's Gate 3 and witcher 3 romance posts have related content.

We also make Granny's Gambit, a Victorian deckbuilder where that same stubborn streak plays out in turn-based card combat.

The short answer

Most popular: Shadowheart.

Most complicated: Astarion.

Most uncomplicated joy: Karlach.

Most intellectual: Gale.

Most challenging: Lae'zel or Minthara.

Most heroic: Wyll.

Most forest-dwelling: Halsin.

For multiplayer romance: Whoever your friend is playing.

Every BG3 romance is well-written. The genuinely hard part is choosing just one. Larian respects player choice enough that every path rewards the commitment. Pick based on the character whose arc most interests you, not the one who seems "optimal."