Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Story & Character Discussion Is the Act 3 Romance enough for you?

What I mean by consistently giving you validation throughout the game, is that you meet Shadowheart at the very start and, if you save her life, she immediately starts giving you positive feedback. And there’s a tremendous amount of content through Act 1 that shows her growing trust in you. She gets all kinds of speech bubbles, sharing her thoughts, and then there is the option to ask her how you’re holding up in her estimations. And she consistently validates the player character if they’re in good standing with her, when they ask how they’re holding up. This continues into Act 3 and gets pretty intense in its sentiment.

Of course, there are the main relationship events, like the Act 1 and Act 3 romance scenes, the conversation after Nightsong, and her acknowledgment of the role that you’re playing in her life. Then there’s the Act 3 camp conversation where she says she wants to live in a cottage in the country with you after it’s all over. In addition, you get cute, fun little interactions like giving her a night orchid, which provides further positive contact with the character.

In contrast, Lae’zel is cold and acts pretty heartless toward the character honestly, until you hit Act 2 and then she’s obsessed with you. Her romance blossoms really late and you don’t get consistent validation from her. No slight on Lae’zel, because I adore her as a character, but she’s definitely not my favorite romance interest. With Karlach, I know that she has her own romance scenes, makes confessions of love, and is certainly affectionate toward the player character. The difference between Karlach and Shadowheart is that Shadowheart simply has more content. You can’t regularly ask Karlach how you’re holding up in her estimations. So you don’t have all of the same opportunities for validation. Again, no slight on Karlach because she’s a lovely character.

And I’m not sure why folks are getting hostile saying that I’m satisfied with Shadowheart’s romance. I think that it’s a beautiful romance and very well done. I don’t see why that’s a terrible position to take. There’s nothing wrong with me enjoying the game as it is, period. And besides which, I have said that there are things that I would like to see added, if you look closely at my posts. I can say that Shadowheart has a beautiful romance and also wish that there might be a little bit more, at the same time. Like for example adding a brief confession of love in Act 3, or romance-specific dialogue in Act 2

There’s no need to be adversarial.

Edit: Also with the Shadowheart-Halsin thing, it’s whatever. Ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist. It doesn’t have to be a part of the story. If it’s spoiling her romance in your view, as it would in mine, just avoid it.

Edit 2: I’m speaking as someone who has romanced Shadowheart to the end of the game, Lae’zel some ways into Act 3, and Karlach some ways into Act 2, so I may be ignorant on some points but I don’t think I’m too far off.