This is the product of listening to consumers who are convinced that they know best and giving into silly demands to placate them.
There were way too many young entitled guys who were salty that their only female romance options were pragmatic, dutiful, and not "traditionally attractive" Lae'zel and standoffish snarky Shadowheart.
They attacked the forums in droves because it messed with their fantasy that all women should act vulnerable and do everything within their power to be as appealing to men as possible.
What we have now are watered down and confused followers who constantly feel like they're holding something back and pitying you because they're doing their best to be kind.
It comes off as condescending and inconsistent. Shadowheart in particular went from being stoic to acting like middle school girls in the 90's who modeled themselves after the witches in "The Craft."
But hey, at least a pile of young adult males who have 4 Charisma in real life can now romance the more-tolerant woman of their dreams!
I disagree, I'm pretty sure that it was mostly female gamers complaining about Shadowheart.
Male players were very happy with how standoffish and secretive Shadowheart is (she is obviously this way because she IS vulnerable). Also she has a bit of a goth aesthetic going and we guys really like that, but way to condemn half of humanity to make yourself feel better. I mean obviously Larian should listen to you and condemn the vast majority of it's own playerbase (males with 4 charisma who love videogames).
Oh and her instant dislike of Laezel was great, I wish more characters refused to entertain each other, or even duke it out and fight to the death (BG2 style)
