Baldur's Gate 3: How To Free Shadowheart

The best class in Baldur's Gate 3 is (obviously) the Cleric. And so adding a Cleric companion to your party is a no-brainer. But unfortunately, the only Cleric companion in the game, Shadowheart, needs to be saved before she can join the party.

Shadowheart is a great character who's only real downside is her anti-Githyanki racism (which is profound). Here is a guide on how to save Shadowheart in Baldur's Gate 3!

How To Free Shadowheart

When you first begin the Baldur's Gate 3 campaign, Shadowheart can be found in the second room you access, inside one of the Mindflayer pods. She's literally impossible to miss, but here's a pretty picture of the Mindflayer pods anyway for you:

When you interact with the pod, Shadowheart begs you to free her but Lae'zel will urge you to move on. Just ignore Lae'zel here, she isn't that annoyed if you take an extra minute to free Shadowheart, she's just in a bad mood.

To free Shadowheart from the pod, do the following:

1. Examine the console next to the pod Shadowheart is in.
   1. If you are proficient in Arcana:
      1. Select the "[Arcana]" option and you will perform a skill check.
      2. If you pass the check you will have a new option to pick labelled "[Illithid]".
      3. Pick the "[Illithid]" option and perform another check (almost impossible to fail).
      4. Passing the "[Illithid]" check will open Shadowhearts pod.
   2. If you are NOT proficient in Arcana:
      1. Go to the next room (to the East) and run to the back of the room.
      2. You will find a Dead Thrall here on the floor.
      3. Loot the Dead Thrall and collect the "Eldritch Rune".
      4. Return to the console and interact with it, choose the "Use Eldritch Rune" option.
      5. A new "[Illithid]" option will be now be available.
      6. Pick the "[Illithid]" option and perform an Illithid Powers skill check (almost impossible to fail).
      7. Pass this check and Shadowheart will be free.
2. Shadowheart will escape the pod and then automatically begin talking to you.
3. Agree to "stick together" and Shadowheart will join the party for the rest of the prologue.

Sadly, there is no way to free Shadowheart without using Illithid Powers, but it's worth it to save a life.

Spoiler Alert: After the prologue the Mindflayer ship will crash-land and you will wake up on a beach playing solo again. Shadowheart is about 5 metres away from you lying down in the sand, just wake her up and she will rejoin your party.

And that, ladies and gentlemen was your guide to freeing Shadowheart. Now get out there, pick the correct genitals, and have an amazing adventure!

Shadowheart would not approve...