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How to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

Updated: Sep 18, 2023 10:08 am
How to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

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Do you want to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3? There are multiple companions, such as Wyll, Astarion, Gale, and Karlach, that you will find throughout your journey, but she is one of the first, along with Lae’Zel. It is up to you to rescue her if you want an additional ally during the prologue.

During the prologue, you will have many encounters after you escape from your pod. Sure, you can handle these yourself, but it helps to have a few allies by your side. It is especially useful to have Shadowheart since she is a high half-elf, trickery domain cleric of Shar.

If you want to obtain all of the companions, you will want to rescue Shadowheart from the Mind Flayers. Go quickly, for there may be a time limit to this. Get Shadowheart’s pod open and gain some more magic to use in battle. So, follow this guide on how to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to rescue Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

You can find Shadowheart in a large circular chamber with multiple pods. You won’t come across this room on the Nautiloid ship until you have met up with Lae’zel. Once you reach the room, follow the left wall, and you will find Shadowheart’s pod. She will be asking for help.

There are two options that you can now take to free Shadowheart that are detailed below.

How to free Shadowheart without magic

If you can’t open the illithid pod via magical means (I.E. you chose to be a druid, rogue, barbarian, etc.), you will need to progress to the room connected to the back of this chamber. Inside, you will find an Intellect Devourer. Defeat this foe in combat and head to the back of the room.

To free Shadowheart from the Mind Flayer pod, you will need to find the Elaborate Key. You will pass by a Mind Flayer pod. If you interact with the console in this room, it will turn the NPC trapped inside into a Mind Flayer. Go up the stairs in the back of the room and interact with the dead Thrall. Pick up the loot, which includes an Elaborate Key.

Bring this key back into the circular chamber and look to the right side of the room. Here, you will find a chest. On a side note, if you are a Rogue who has thieve’s tools, you can attempt a sleight of hand check to unlock the elaborate chest without the key.

Inside the chest, you will find an Eldritch Rune that can be used on the console. Go over to the console and use the rune. You will now need to make a wisdom check of zero to succeed. Selecting this option will open the pod and free Shadowheart. After you free Shadowheart from the pod, she will accompany you during your time on the Nautiloid ship. However, once the ship has crashed, you can find Shadowheart at the end of the Ravaged Beach.

How to free Shadowheart with magic

You can also free Shadowheart using Arcana checks if you choose the warlock or wizard class at the start of the game. Start by interacting with Shadowheart’s pod. From there, choose the Arcana check option. This will tell you about the magic if you succeed at the check.

After succeeding on the Arcana check, go over to the nearby console and perform another Arcana check. This time, it will be to inscribe the device with runes. This will free Shadowheart from her prison.


Kelsey Knowles is just another anime nerd who enjoys gaming.

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