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While exploring the Forgotten Realms withinBaldur’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 becomecompanions.
One companion you will have is Shadowheart. Shadowheart happens to be one of theOrigin 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 August 22, 2025: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
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 theromance optionsif 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 isone of the best companionsand 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 ensure 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.
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Best Subclass For Shadowheart
While Shadowheart originally is theTrickery 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.
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.
Will give allies a +1d4 to Ability Checks
Resistance
Gives a bonus to Saving Throws
Sacred Flame
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.
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.
Ability Improvement
Add +2 to Wisdom
War Caster
Allows you to select offensive spells to use
Leveling Progression Breakdown
Here is how you should handle each level.
Spells Lineup
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.
Amulet of Restoration
Lets you cast certain healing spells as Bonus Actions
Myconid Colony - Underdark
Blood of Lathander
Heals you and your party if you die
Rosymorn Monastery - Mountain Pass
Boots of Aid and Comfort
Provides 3 temporary HP to a target that is healed by the wearer
Goblin Camp
Cloak of Protection
+1 to Saving Throws
Purchased at Last Light Inn
Eversight Ring
Immunity to the Blind Effect
House of Healing - Shadow-Cursed Lands
Hellrider’s Pride
Provides resistance against Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing to a target healed by the wearer
Save The Refugees quest - Druid’s Grove
Herbalist’s Gloves
Anytime you heal someone, they will automatically be cured of any poison.
Hood of the Weave
+2 bonus to your Spell Saves and Attack Rolls
Philgrave’s Mansion - Baldur’s Gate
Selune’s Spear of the Night
Add bonuses to Wisdom and to Perception
The Chosen of Shar quest - In The Ancient Temple
Shield of Devotion
Gain 1 additional spell slot, adds the spell Aid, and allows you to Shield Bash
The Whispering Promise
When you heal someone, this ring will give that person the buff Bless for one round.
Graveyard - Shadow-Cursed Lands
Wapira’s Crown
When you heal someone else, you gain 1d6 of health
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