Detailed Companion Profiles
Astarion Ancunin
Rogue (Thief) | High Elf | Romanceable by any gender
Astarion is a vampire spawn who has suffered centuries of abuse at the hands of his master, Cazador. He is sarcastic, self-serving, and initially views the party as useful tools. However, beneath his cruel exterior lies a traumatized soul capable of genuine connection.
- Recruitment: Found on the Ravaged Beach immediately after the prologue. Agree to let him join or he will offer again later.
- Approval: Astarion likes cruelty, mocking the weak, and pursuing power. He approves of feeding on enemies and choosing selfish options. However, showing genuine care for him during his personal quest raises approval significantly.
- Personal Quest: "The Pale Elf" - Help Astarion confront Cazador and choose whether to ascend as a full vampire or remain a spawn.
- Romance: Requires medium approval. His romance scene triggers after the tiefling celebration in Act 1. Later scenes require progressing his personal quest.
Tip: Letting Astarion bite you during camp conversations raises approval and unlocks unique dialogue options.
Shadowheart
Cleric (Trickery Domain) | Half-Elf | Romanceable by any gender
Shadowheart is a devoted cleric of Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss. She begins the game with her memories suppressed and a mysterious artifact in her possession. Her journey is one of the most emotionally impactful in the game.
- Recruitment: Automatically recruited from the Ravaged Beach pod. If missed, she appears at the Druid Grove.
- Approval: Shadowheart values pragmatism, loyalty to the party, and kindness to animals (particularly her pet rat, Shirra). She dislikes cruelty to the weak but appreciates ruthlessness toward enemies of Shar.
- Personal Quest: "Daughter of Darkness" - Discover her true identity as a Selunite, confront her past at the Gauntlet of Shar, and choose between Shar and Selune.
- Romance: Shadowheart's romance is one of the most popular. It requires high approval and completing key moments in her personal quest. The beach scene in Act 2 is iconic.
Warning: Siding with the Goblins and destroying the Druid Grove causes Shadowheart to leave permanently unless persuaded otherwise.
Gale Dekarios
Wizard (Evocation) | Human | Romanceable by any gender
Gale is a brilliant but arrogant wizard with a deadly secret: a Netherese destruction orb in his chest that could level a city. His personal quest involves managing this condition while pursuing magical knowledge.
- Recruitment: Found at the Roadside Cliffs waypoint, begging for help with a magical portal. Help him to recruit.
- Approval: Gale appreciates intelligence, magical curiosity, and heroic deeds. He likes when you solve problems through knowledge rather than brute force.
- Personal Quest: "The Wizard of Waterdeep" - Feed Gale magic items to suppress his orb, then confront his ex-goddess lover Mystra in Act 3.
- Romance: Gale's romance is sweet and intellectual. He writes poetry and creates magical gifts. Requires high approval and not romancing others simultaneously early on.
Tip: Give Gale magic items to consume. This is mechanically bad (you lose items) but raises his approval and progresses his quest.
Wyll Ravengard
Warlock (The Fiend) | Human | Romanceable by any gender
Wyll is the "Blade of Frontiers," a folk hero who made a pact with the devil Mizora to protect his homeland. He struggles with the moral cost of his power while maintaining his heroic image.
- Recruitment: Found at the Druid Grove defending the gate. Complete the goblin threat questline to recruit.
- Approval: Wyll values heroism, protecting innocents, and keeping your word. He dislikes unnecessary cruelty and breaking promises.
- Personal Quest: "The Blade of Frontiers" - Rescue his father from the Absolute, deal with Mizora's demands, and choose whether to remain a warlock or break the pact.
- Romance: Wyll's romance is straightforward and wholesome. He appreciates directness and moral integrity.
Karlach Cliffgate
Barbarian (Berserker) | Tiefling | Romanceable by any gender
Karlach is a tiefling who escaped service in the Hells after being sold by Gortash. Her infernal engine heart makes her incredibly powerful but also causes her to overheat. She is warm, enthusiastic, and deeply kind despite her traumatic past.
- Recruitment: Found on the Risen Road, fighting alongside Anders' paladins (who are actually cultists). Reveal the truth to recruit her.
- Approval: Karlach loves kindness, helping others, and fighting tyranny. She approves of standing up for the weak and underdogs.
- Personal Quest: "Our Fiery Friend" - Help Karlach control her infernal engine, confront Gortash, and decide her ultimate fate.
- Romance: Karlach's romance is beloved for its warmth and humor. She is nervous about intimacy due to her heat. The scene where you hold hands through a bucket of water is famously adorable.
Lae'zel
Fighter (Battle Master) | Githyanki | Romanceable by any gender
Lae'zel is a githyanki warrior who believes the tadpoles can be purged through a creche healer. She is harsh, pragmatic, and initially views other races as inferior. Her character arc involves questioning gith supremacy.
- Recruitment: Found trapped in a cage on the Ravaged Beach. Free her to recruit.
- Approval: Lae'zel respects strength, directness, and gith culture. She approves of fighting rather than talking and values competence above all else.
- Personal Quest: "The Githyanki Warrior" - Visit the githyanki creche, survive Vlaakith's test, and choose between loyalty to the queen and freedom.
- Romance: Lae'zel's romance is physically intense and emotionally complex. She requires a strong partner who can challenge her worldview.
Warning: Lae'zel will turn hostile if you side with the mind flayers or oppose Vlaakith too openly without persuasion.
Halsin
Druid (Circle of the Moon) | Wood Elf | Romanceable by any gender
Halsin is the First Druid of the Emerald Grove, a powerful shapeshifter who has been captured by goblins. He is wise, compassionate, and deeply connected to nature. His romance became internet-famous for the "bear scene."
- Recruitment: Rescue him from the Goblin Camp prison. He temporarily joins in Act 1 and becomes a full companion in Act 2 if you complete his quests.
- Approval: Halsin values balance, protecting nature, and respecting all life forms. He approves of diplomatic solutions.
- Personal Quest: "The First Druid" - Save the tieflings, cleanse the Shadow-Cursed Lands, and protect the spirit of nature.
- Romance: Halsin is polyamorous and can be romanced alongside most other companions. His romance emphasizes emotional connection and acceptance.
Minthara Baenre
Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) | Drow | Romanceable by any gender
Minthara is a drow paladin of the Absolute who commands the goblin forces. She is ruthless, fanatical, and deeply committed to her goddess. Recruiting her requires betraying the Druid Grove.
- Recruitment: Side with the goblins and raid the Druid Grove. Spare Minthara after the raid and she will join you in Act 2.
- Approval: Minthara approves of cruelty, devotion to the Absolute, and decisive action. She respects strength and punishes weakness.
- Personal Quest: "Absolute Confidence" - Navigate her relationship with the Absolute, survive her trial, and help her find a new purpose after the truth is revealed.
- Romance: Minthara's romance is intense and dominant. She expects submission and loyalty. It is one of the more morally complicated romances.
Warning: Recruiting Minthara locks out Wyll and Karlach unless you later persuade them to stay. She also prevents the "Save the Refugees" quest completion.
Approval System Explained
Each companion has a hidden approval score that increases or decreases based on your dialogue choices and actions. Approval affects whether companions stay, leave, romance you, or provide unique quest content.
- High Approval (80+): Companion is loyal, shares personal secrets, and romance becomes available.
- Medium Approval (40-79): Companion stays but may be reserved. Some quests remain locked.
- Low Approval (0-39): Companion may threaten to leave or turn hostile at critical moments.
- Negative Approval: Companion will leave the party permanently or attack you.
Tip: You can check approximate approval through dialogue. Companions with high approval will flirt, confide in you, and initiate camp conversations. Use the "Speak with Dead" spell on corpses to learn companion preferences.