Want to know how to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3? One of the companions you encounter early in BG3 is Shadowheart, a mysterious cleric trapped in a mind flayer pod. You can choose to free her and it’s not that tough to help her there. If you do that, you can bring a new companion with a deep story to your party. Our guide tells you how to free Shadowheart from the pod in Baldur’s Gate 3, whether you should free her and what are the consequences for that.
How to Free Shadowheart from the Pod in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)
To rescue Shadowheart from the pod, you need to find an Eldritch Rune that can activate the console next to her pod. Here are the steps to follow:
- Enter the room on the eastern side of the pod, where you will see another pod with a Dead Thrall inside.
- Loot the Dead Thrall’s body and get the Eldritch Rune. There will be some other useful items in the chest and beside the dead bodies in the room, feel free to collect all the loot as much as you can.
- Return to the console beside Shadowheart’s pod and insert the Rune into the socket.
- Place your hand on the console and use your Illithid Power to allow the pod to open. For that, select the command ‘Will the pod to open’. You will need to pass a Wisdom check of 2, which is fairly easy.
- The pod will open and Shadowheart will be released; choose to recruit her to your party or leave her behind.
After freeing her from the Mind Flayer pod, you get the dialogue option to invite her to join your crew. But if you decide not to recruit her immediately, or maybe things just don’t go as planned. No worries! You’ll get another chance later at teaming up with her. After you escape from the Nautiloid, you will see Shadowheart near the Ancient Door at the entrance to the Dank Crypt.
Just a heads up, though – if you try and fail to save her on the Nautiloid, you won’t be able to befriend her at that moment. But there will be a chance to meet up with Shadowheart later at the Ancient Door and decide to invite her to join your party then.
How to Free Shadowheart without the Eldritch Rune
If you don’t have the Eldritch Rune or fail the Wisdom check, you can still try to open the pod using other methods. But these ways are more risky and may have negative consequences. Here are some alternatives to opening the pod:
- You can pass a Strength check of 10, which isn’t exactly a walk in the park. If you pull it off, Shadowheart will be saved but a little worse for wear health-wise. But if you fail, you might end up damaging the pod and there goes your chance to save her right then and there.
- Alternatively, use your Arcane knowledge to hack the console – this one’s for the Wizards or Sages, or anyone who has some Arcane tricks up their sleeve with the help of a successful Intelligence check of 7. But if you botch it, you might set off an alarm and get the Mind Flayers’ attention.
- If all else fails, leave Shadowheart in the pod and quickly run from the Nautiloid. Sure, you’ll miss out on freeing Shadowheart on the ship, but it’s not the end of the world. She’ll appear again near the Ancient Door that leads to the Dank Crypt. You can decide then if you want her to tag along or not.
Should You Free Shadowheart on the Ship in Baldur’s Gate 3?
In short yes, you should free Shadowheart from that Mind Flayer’s pod on the ship, and let me tell you why it’s a smart move. First, it’s not that hard once you get the hang of it, and there’s no downside to rescuing her there.
Regarding what Shadowheart brings to the table, she’s strong as a Cleric in terms of healing, buffing your team, and debuffing enemies. Moreover, she can hold her own in a fight with her Mace and Shield which makes her valuable in the upcoming fights, especially the optional boss, Commander Zhalk. Once you beat him, you will get his magic greatsword, the Everburn Blade.
Further, she is a potential romance option too, no matter what your character’s gender or race is. She has a really deep and fascinating personality, and as you move forward in the storyline, you’ll uncover her secrets and what drives her. To add more, she has a unique connection to the Tadpole in your head.
Alternatively, rescuing her also means she’ll think more highly of you and the synergy between both of you levels up. That boosts her approval, making her more loyal and friendly. This opens up more dialogue options and quests, and she’s more likely to back you up in your decisions throughout the game. So yeah, saving Shadowheart is a win-win move.
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