Romance

Romance is an optional feature in Baldur's Gate 3. The player can start a romantic relationship with other characters - be it a brief fling or long-term. Some relationships can find their peak in sexual scenes, while others will follow different paths.

Characters can show interest on the player regardless of race and gender. Most important relationships will occur only with companions. Romance is available in multiplayer, but players won't be able to start a romance with each other. Some companions will be okay with being in a polyamorous relationship if the character pursues more than one companion and asks to be with them, but companions will not initiate any polyamory on their own. You cannot be in a poly relationship that includes multiple Origin characters.^{[Needs Verification]}

There are also some sexual encounters the player can initiate with NPCs who aren't companions.

List of Romance Options

Characters open to polyamory will have a ♥ next to their name.

Female Characters

• 

  Karlach ♥, a Tiefling.
  

• 

  Lae'zel, a Githyanki.

• 

  Minthara ♥, a Drow.

• 

  Shadowheart ♥, a Half-Elf.

Male Characters

• 

  Astarion ♥, a High Elf.

• 

  Gale, a Human.

• 

  Halsin ♥, a Wood Elf.
  

• 

  Wyll, a Human.

Non Companions

Spoiler warning! This section reveals details about the story of Baldur's Gate 3.

• 

  The Emperor, a Mind Flayer.

• 

  Sorn Orlith, a Drow.

• 

  Nym Orlith, a Drow.

• 

  Mizora, a Cambion.

• 

  Naoise, a Wood Elf.

• 

  Haarlep, an Incubus.

Romantic Interactions

This section contains references to mature themes.

Astarion

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

Players should be aware that Astarion's romance and conversations in general hold mentions of and allusions to various types of abuse, manipulation, and sexual assault.

• After the cutscene of Astarion sneaking away at night triggers, the player can find an exsanguinated boar at the bridge before the Blighted Village, to the far right path of the signpost saying "Moonhaven" (north of the village), or just after the dialogue with Auntie Ethel at the entrance of Sunlit Wetlands (south of the village). The following long rest, the player will wake up to Astarion trying to drink their blood. He will approve of the player saying they trust him, and further approve of them letting him drink their blood. Note that if the player doesn't successfully stop him the second time the choice is presented, the player will die. They can simply be revived using a revivify scroll later.

• Getting a substantial lead, either the location of the Githyanki Crèche from Zorru or learning about Halsin's possible whereabouts from Nettie, will trigger a scene with him later in camp when you talk to him. He remarks how he likes the player, and the player can respond in a flirtatious manner. No approval changes from any options. Note that you may want to wait to trigger this scene till later since the dialogue makes it sound as if he and the player have been travelling together for a while, but that's preference

• A scene can be triggered at camp where Astarion says he has fed on a bear, the following conversation nets no approval changes but he makesa few playful quips to the player and they can do so in turn. The parameters for trigger this is unclear at the moment (possibly average-good relationship), but you at least need to know he is a vampire

• If the player allows Astarion to kill Gandrel, the gur monster hunter who can be found to the left of the Riverside Teahouse, you can talk to him to trigger a conversation where he invites the player to have sex with him; no approval changes for the dialogue in favor of it. To get the dialogue to kill Gandrel: know Astarion is a vampire before triggering the convo, then ask Gandrel what he is hunting, then picking "Only a spawn? Pity. Not like he's a real vampire." then picking either the first or second option.

A similar scene with the same outcomes should trigger when the player reaches Good approval with Astarion, even without dealing with the Gur^{[Needs Verification]}

• The above mentioned conversation will trigger a sex scene after you go to sleep, but the dialogue and scene are that of the tiefling party. The scene has no approval besides him approving if you sleep with him, but if you act as if you don't trust him he will be upset and leave rather than sleeping with the player. The player will wake the next morning to Astarion standing shirtless, back turned to them, and can make a playful quip before asking him about the scars on his back; no approval changes.

• As early as Chapter One, a scene can trigger where Astarion is looking into a mirror. The player may compliment him on anything to effectively “flirt” with him, aside from his moles and smile lines (this will lead to him being upset and leaving). This does not affect approval

• At either the goblin or the tiefling party, the player can agree to sleep with Astarion afterwards. It will trigger the above mentioned sex scene if this is the first time the player has slept with him. During the actual sex scene, the player can opt to show him their neck (if they are aware he is a vampire) to him to gain approval points, or not for no approval changes. The next morning, the player will awake to see Astarion standing, back turned to them. They can make a few quips (no approval changes) and/or ask him about the scars on his back (no approval changes).

• If the player has already slept with Astarion, then talking with Astarion at the party will result in a much more familiar conversation, where he can even tell the player he loves them, though he is just using shallow charm (no approval changes). Agreeing to sleep with him again will simply end the night as per usual, sex is simply implied.

Heavy Chapter 2 and 3 Spoilers Ahead

Romance Spoilers This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

Heading into Chapter 2 and 3, it is important to note that some choices you make, Astarion will disapprove of, but they may be for the "better". Disapproval of an action will not lock you out of romance scenes, and he may even change his outlook on your actions later on.

• The next substantial scene with Astarion happens after the player goes to bed after talking to Araj Oblodra with Astarion in the party. She is a vendor located on the main floor of Moonrise Towers. Players can pick whichever option they feel suits how they want their relationship with Astarion to be. Picking options that manipulate Astarion into having sex with you simply for pleasure will be followed by a cutscene where Astarion breaks up with the player.

A similar scene with the same outcomes will trigger if your approval with Astarion is maxed in Chapter 2, even if you don't talk to Araj^{[Needs Verification]}

• Once the party successfully completes Kill Raphael's Old Enemy, Raphael will inform Astarion about the nature of his scars and the player can then talk with Astarion about the information revealed. It is important to ponder how you want to proceed with this, as it will change Astarion's fate and the dynamic of his relationship with the player.

• Once you have made it past out of the Shadow-Cursed Lands, the player can find Astarion's fellow spawn in Fraygo's Flophouse near the Southspan of Wyrm's Crossing waypoint. If the player did not interact with them, then long resting a couple times in the area should trigger a scene where they come talk to you at camp.^{[Needs Verification]} The player is free to choose any responses they want, but may see disapproval pop up at certain choices. His siblings will attack the party, and afterwards he will talk to the player. Again, you may choose to respond however you feel.

• Once the player confronts Cazador, they may choose what outcome they want. They can convince Astarion to simply kill Cazador instead of performing the rite himself, or he can perform the rite and become a Vampire Ascendant. Note that if he goes through with the rite, everyone in the cells will die. An additional note: Astarion becoming the Vampire Ascendant will completely change how he acts towards everything, including the player. He will be more controlling and forceful, more stereotypical "evil tyrant". Some players may be uncomfortable with such a dynamic, so be sure to pick carefully.

• After the conclusion of the rite, a scene with Astarion will be triggered depending on the outcome. If he went through with the rite, the player can tell him they would like to be a vampire like him, and he can and will turn the player into his spawn. The player is, as always, free to choose whatever options they want following, but becoming Astarion's spawn means you can no longer break up with him. The option is there to try, but he will not let you go.

• If he did not go through with the rite, he will tell the player he would like to show them something outside the city, and take them to see his grave. You're free to choose any options you want, but note that accepting to sleep with him will result in an extra bit of dialogue where he tells the player he loves them.

Gale

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

As early as Chapter One (if the player has Medium approval), the player can trigger a scene with Gale where Gale talks to the player about Mystra can be triggered. During the scene, Gale will offer to share with the player being under the weave, and if the player successfully passes all the checks, they may envision holding hands or kissing Gale for approval points.

• At the tiefling party and only if the scene under the weave has been triggered, the player can sleep with Gale. The next morning, Gale will further confide in them about what happened with Mystra, and the player can choose a number of responses (no approval changes)

Halsin

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

TBD

Karlach

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

Her first scene can be during Chapter One. If the player has Medium approval^{[Needs Verification]} you can drum up the courage to tell her how much you like her. This will lead to Karlach meeting you, once you went to bed and everybody else is asleep. Since you haven't been able to continue with The Hellion's Heart past the first step in Chapter One, you will not be able to touch her. You can convince her, however, to kiss you - which you can either end sooner or embrace the moment, only to burn you lips.

• WIP

Lae'zel

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

Her first scene can be during Chapter One. She finds the player's martial prowess endearing, and will offer a single night of debaucherous pleasure.

Minthara

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

Her first scene can be during Chapter One. During the party, only if the player sided with the goblins, she will offer the player a night of pleasure.

Shadowheart

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

In Chapter One, during the party and only if the player sided with the tieflings and has at least Medium approval. The player and Shadowheart will drink wine, have a deep conversation, and can choose to kiss at the end of the night, away from camp.

Wyll

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

In Chapter One, during the party and only if the player sided with the tieflings and has at least Medium approval. Wyll and the player can meet away from camp to make love.

Non Companions

Sorn and Nym Orlith:

Romance Warning This section reveals details about romance and may contain mature themes.

Sorn and Nym Orlith are twins and workers at Sharess' Caress, a brothel just outside Baldur's Gate. You can pay 500 gold to sleep with one of them though you cannot actually pay them for solo service if a romanced companion is in the party. If you have a romanced companion or companions in the party with you, they will offer to both sleep with you and your romance(s) for 1000 gold instead, however, most companions will refuse until you have completed their personal quest.^{[Needs Verification]} To sleep with them, you must send any party members not involved in the affair to camp before you can initiate the scene. Note that this scene is not animated, and takes place in the dark.

Inter-character Relationships

• After dealing with the Goblin-Druid Grove conflict in Chapter One, if the player does not spend the night with Lae'zel she will do so with either Astarion or Wyll - as long as they are still in the camp.

Dark Urge Specific Scenes

The following scenes are only available if the player is playing as The Dark Urge origin character.

• You can snap Minthara's neck after having sex with her.