Baldur's Gate 3 delivers companion relationships that feel more involved than most RPGs from the last ten years. You can pursue a gradual connection with Shadowheart, jump straight into something physical with Astarion, or navigate any of the other romance paths the game offers. Success depends on tracking approval, picking dialogue carefully, and recognizing when a relationship moment is about to happen. Skip the wrong camp conversation and you lose access to scenes that never come back.
Who can you actually romance in BG3?
The romanceable characters divide into two categories: Origin Companions and Non-Origin Companions. Origin companions join early and have the most developed relationship content. Non-origin companions arrive later with shorter (but still worthwhile) romance arcs.
Origin companions
- Astarion (High Elf) — vampire spawn with trust issues and a cutting sense of humor
- Gale (Human) — wizard carrying a magical disaster inside his body
- Karlach (Zariel Tiefling) — barbarian with an infernal engine replacing her heart, making physical contact impossible at first
- Lae'zel (Githyanki) — blunt and intense, with more emotional depth than her first impressions reveal
- Shadowheart (High Half-Elf) — cleric of Shar hiding secrets even from herself
- Wyll (Human) — warlock with a devil's pact, trying to live up to his heroic image
Non-origin companions
- Halsin (Wood Elf) — archdruid who becomes available in Act Two, and the only companion comfortable with polyamory
- Minthara (Lolth-Sworn Drow) — requires a specific Act One choice that cuts off other storylines
Astarion approval and romance
How does companion approval affect romance?
Approval functions as the hidden relationship currency in BG3. Each companion evaluates your decisions, and that running total determines whether romance dialogue appears. The bg3.wiki approval page shows that approval also changes the Difficulty Class on persuasion checks, making a companion who respects you easier to convince.
Each companion values different things. Astarion likes selfish pragmatism. Wyll wants heroism and protection of the innocent. Karlach responds to honesty and fighting oppression. Consistently act against a companion's principles and approval tanks, locking romance paths before you notice.
Practical approach: recruit companions as soon as they're available, bring them along for major decisions, and avoid choices that clash with their worldview. Companions not in your active party still react to big story moments at camp, but being present generates more approval gains.
Shadowheart camp approval dialogue
How do you start a romance?
Romances typically begin during long rests at camp. After major plot points, companions initiate deeper conversations or become open to advances. The Tiefling Refugee Celebration at the end of Act One (only happens if you save the Emerald Grove) concentrates more romance opportunities than any other moment. Multiple companions can be approached in one night, and the usual two-companion cap on starting romances can stretch to three with precise timing.
The sequence for three simultaneous romances at the celebration works like this:
- Start the 'truly connect' conversation with Shadowheart before taking the long rest (only possible if you haven't begun any other romance)
- Right after, accept Lae'zel's offer
- During the celebration, approach a third companion (like Karlach) and agree to meet later
After the celebration, take multiple long rests in a row (partial rests work and save supplies) to trigger the queued romance scenes before hitting major Act Two transitions like the Rosymorn Monastery Trail or Shadow-Cursed Lands, which can bump romance events out of the queue.
Can you be in multiple relationships at once?
Yes, with restrictions. You can begin relationships with two Origin companions at the same time during early game. The game forces you to choose between them eventually. Halsin breaks this pattern: Shadowheart, Astarion, and Karlach will agree to include him in an open arrangement if you ask. Other companions won't accept a committed polyamorous setup.
For detailed information on each companion's relationship style and what kind of bond you can form, check our guide here.
Other characters and one-night encounters
Beyond companions, BG3 includes several one-time encounters with non-companion characters. These don't develop into full romance arcs, but they can create friction with companions you're already committed to.
What about the Dark Urge origin?
Playing as the Dark Urge origin introduces some dark complications to romance. In Act One, after sleeping with Minthara, the game lets you kill her immediately afterward. More dangerous: Sceleritas Fel can force your character to attack whoever they're closest to during the night, which typically means your romance partner. The companion needs to be woken up to survive. If they aren't, they're dead by morning without ceremony.
This makes Dark Urge playthroughs riskier for maintaining relationships, and players who want to keep their romance partner alive need to watch for these scripted attacks.
Karlach romance at camp
Romance achievements worth knowing
Two achievements connect directly to romance:
- Hot Date — go on a date with Karlach (the achievement description calls it "playing with fire," which is literal given her infernal engine)
- Mind Blown — romance the Emperor
Both are missable if you don't pursue the specific companions or finish the required quests before the game ends.
For more guides on companions, builds, and everything else in the game, check out the latest guides on GAMES.GG to keep up as the meta shifts.