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While exploring the Forgotten Realms within Baldur's Gate 3, you will come across quite a few people who are determined to help you stop the Mind Flayers and the Elder Brain. Some of these characters will even join your camp and become companions.
One companion you will have is Shadowheart. Shadowheart happens to be one of the Origin Characters, meaning you can play the game as her (though you may want to play as your own character first). Here's a guide to helping you get the best out of the character.
Updated by Erin Rice on December 25, 2023: This update contains vital information about Shadowheart's different levels. It also added some information regarding the best equipment for her.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
Shadowheart Companion Overview
Shadowheart is a Trickery Domain Cleric that is also a High Half-Elf. When you first meet her, you will be escaping the Nautiloid with Lae'zel. If you want to stop and help her out of the Mind Flayer pod, she will be extremely grateful. If you don't help her, you can still meet up with her after the Nautiloid crashes. Overall, Shadowheart is truly a good person with an extremely tragic and heartbreaking backstory. She is one of the romance options if you're interested in learning more about her. If you want her approval, all you need to do is listen to her. She is reluctant to share that she is a worshipper of Shar due to the stigma that surrounds that role. Make sure that you don't overstep her boundaries and keep an open mind; her story may take some unexpected turns.
Shadowheart is one of the companions you will probably keep in your party for most of the game. She is one of the best companions and is the only healer out of all the companions you will find in the game, making her invaluable on the battlefield. While you will want to make sure you still have plenty of healing items, she is still amazing. Since this is the case, you will want to build her to be a healer.
Baldur's Gate 3: Rescue The Grand Duke Quest Guide
BG3 is here and you may find yourself looking for some guidance with a few quests. Not to worry, we've got you covered!Best Subclass For Shadowheart
While Shadowheart originally is the Trickery Domain Subclass for a Cleric, you will want to change her Subclass to the Life Domain. This will enhance her healing capabilities and turn her into a true asset to your team. Out of all the companions you will obtain in the game, Shadowheart is the only one whose Class is perfect for being a healer. This makes her the best option unless you want to completely change a character and their Class. You will also want to make sure her Proficiencies are in Medicine and Persuasion. With this Subclass, Wisdom and Constitution are the best Abilities. These will help with her healing capabilities and ensure that she fits the role of a Cleric. The Wisdom increases her healing while the Constitution increases her health, creating the perfect healer. Here's the best layout for her Abilities starting out.
- Strength - 10
- Dexterity - 14
- Constitution - 16
- Intelligence - 8
- Wisdom - 16
- Charism - 10
Best Level Progression For Shadowheart
While leveling up, you will need to select Cantrips, Spells, and Feats for Shadowheart. Here are the best ones of each.
Best Cantrips
Cantrips are spells that won't need to be prepared. You get 3 at level 1.
Level | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
1 | Will give allies a +1d4 to Ability Checks | |
1 | Gives a bonus to Saving Throws | |
1 | This can give her a damage spell |
Best Spells
Spells are where all your healing capabilities will be coming from. Here's a breakdown of the most common Cleric spells.
- Banishment - Banishes target to a different plane of existence for two turns
- Command - Commands a creature to run away
- Death Ward - If a character reaches 0 HP, their HP increases to 1
- Divine Strike - Does Radiant Damage to enemies
- Freedom of Movement - Cancels any Difficult Terrain effects on a character
- Glyph of Warding - Cast a circle that will trigger a specified magical effect when stepped on
- Greater Restoration - Heals effects and poisons
- Guardian of Faith - Summons Guardians to attack those within the radius
- Guiding Bolt - Has a Radiant Damage of 4d6 and grants an Advantage
- Healing Word - Heals a character for 1d4
- Inflict Wounds - Does 3d10 of Necrotic Damage
- Mass Cure Wounds - Heals up to 6 characters within a 30-foot radius
- Mass Healing Word - Heals up to 6 characters for 1d4+3
- Revivify - Revives a character
- Sanctuary - Protects a character from damage as long as they don't do any damage
- Shield of Faith - Uses a Bonus Action to grant 2 Armor Class to a character
- Spirit Guardians - Calls spirits to do 3d8 Radiant or Necrotic damage to nearby enemies each turn and slows enemies' movement speed by half
- Spiritual Weapon - Summons a weapon that can do 1d8 damage to enemies and is considered a Bonus Action.
- Turn Undead - Turns the undead inside the radius
- Warding Bond - Selected character will obtain +1 on their Armor Class and Saving Throws plus resistance to all damage (Shadowheart will share the damage done to this character)
Best Feats
Feats will give you additional Abilities to effects, and you get them every 4 levels. At first, you will want to focus on doing the Ability Improvement Feats. These will allow you Wisdom to increase, making your healing better.
Level | Name | Effect |
|---|---|---|
4 | Ability Improvement | Add +2 to Wisdom |
8 | Ability Improvement | Add +2 to Wisdom |
12 | War Caster | Allows you to select offensive spells to use |
Leveling Progression Breakdown
Here is how you should handle each level.
Level | Spells Lineup |
|---|---|
1 |
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2 |
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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Best Items For Shadowheart
Considering Shadowheart will be your main healer, you want to give her armor that helps with that task. Here are some weapons and armor that go well with Shadowheart's healer build.
Item Name | Effect | Location | Act |
Amulet of Restoration | Lets you cast certain healing spells as Bonus Actions | Myconid Colony - Underdark | 1 |
Blood of Lathander | Heals you and your party if you die | Rosymorn Monastery - Mountain Pass | 1 |
Boots of Aid and Comfort | Provides 3 temporary HP to a target that is healed by the wearer | Goblin Camp | 1 |
Cloak of Protection | +1 to Saving Throws | Purchased at Last Light Inn | 2 |
Eversight Ring | Immunity to the Blind Effect | House of Healing - Shadow-Cursed Lands | 2 |
Hellrider's Pride | Provides resistance against Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing to a target healed by the wearer | Save The Refugees quest - Druid's Grove | 1 |
Herbalist's Gloves | Anytime you heal someone, they will automatically be cured of any poison. | Myconid Colony - Underdark | 1 |
Hood of the Weave | +2 bonus to your Spell Saves and Attack Rolls | Philgrave's Mansion - Baldur's Gate | 3 |
Add bonuses to Wisdom and to Perception | The Chosen of Shar quest - In The Ancient Temple | 2 | |
Shield of Devotion | Gain 1 additional spell slot, adds the spell Aid, and allows you to Shield Bash | Purchased at Last Light Inn | 2 |
The Whispering Promise | When you heal someone, this ring will give that person the buff Bless for one round. | Graveyard - Shadow-Cursed Lands | 2 |
Wapira's Crown | When you heal someone else, you gain 1d6 of health | Save The Refugees quest - Druid's Grove | 1 |
