Baldur’s Gate 3 is packed with multiple outcomes and storylines, creating endless replayability for literally hundreds of hours. Just like its Dungeons & Dragons source material, there are numerous pathways that players can take, and this includes in their character’s love life.

There are several different romances players can get involved in, ranging from fully-fledged relationships with companions to one-time flings with a handful of NPCs (such as The Emperor, Mizora, Haarlep or the Drow Twins). Naturally, players might be curious about which companion could be the “canon” romance, but that’s the thing: they’re all the correct choice.

Gale’s Romance is Traditionally Romantic

It’s Wholesome and Completely Dazzling

 

A romance with Gale Dekarios is without a doubt the most storybook romantasy out of all the companions. He’s witty and tender-hearted, definitely the most traditionally romantic option available. That said, it’s by no means plain or boring. With the inclusion of magic and performance, it’s clear that Gale’s love language is grand gestures.

Not to mention, his entire questline surrounding Netherese Magic directly intertwines with the plot, raising the stakes in not only the players’ interactions with him but a romance overall. It’s a beautiful story about fighting to keep loving and finding strength through unconditional love, an excellent pick for those with a sweet tooth craving for romance.

Minthara Offers a Range of Complexity

One of the More Challenging Romances

In order to romance Minthara Baenre, the player has to be a bit rough around the edges – after all, she’s still evil-aligned, but she’s not senseless. She’s a bit of a challenge to romance, but well worth it for those she lets in, just as becoming a soft spot to anyone else would take some effort. However, it’s understandable, considering she’s a direct victim of The Cult of the Absolute and Orin herself.

Playing a morally grey character is ideal for this romance since she’s a perfect fit for it, other than being outright evil together. Thankfully, it is possible to still be good-aligned and maintain a relationship with her, but she will be a tinge disappointed if you don’t become The Absolute with her. Either way, she’s an excellent representation of the darker side of the story, one with emotional layers and complexities players would definitely enjoy.

Wyll is Basically a Prince Charming

Being Properly Courted Feels Sweet and Heartfelt

Wyll Ravengard is more than just a hero with a heart – he’s the knight in shining armor, the kind and gentle Prince Charming who has one of the sweetest romances in the entire game. Wyll’s romance, in return, is a lot slower and more reserved, expressing that he wants to take the time to properly court the player and set up their lives for the long term. It’s tooth-rottingly sweet, and that’s not even considering his genuine connection to the main story.

Being the son of Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard, he was raised to protect Baldur’s Gate and its people no matter the cost, even if it meant a deal with Mizora prior to the events of the game. His whole narrative surrounds the concept of heroism and the desire to be good for the sake of being good, making for a perfect fairy tale.

Halsin’s Romance is the Most Flexible

He’s Genuinely Supportive With Most Outcomes

Before Halsin is even a romance, he’s crucial not just to the subplot of understanding the mind flayer tadpoles and the entire history of Reithwin, but to removing the Shadow Curse in Act II. It’s not until Act III that he’s able to finally stop and smell the roses – and the player happens to smell quite rosy.

Halsin is incredibly understanding and flexible when it comes to his romance. He doesn’t want players to feel confined to him, so that means he’s totally chill with polyamory. For players that want to have multiple partners or one-night stands, he’s comfortable with that, but he’s also completely fine with wanting to be exclusive as well. He’s probably the most flexible romance option of all of them, because who would he be to deny someone of their nature?

Lae’zel Undergoes the Most Growth

Her Warmth is Genuinely Underrated

 

On the surface, Lae’zel seems incredibly harsh and abrasive – however, it’s important to remember that her behavior is in line with githyanki culture, not to mention that she’s undoubtedly terrified of the situation she’s in. So, as players take their time and slowly chip away at her icy exterior, they’ll find that she’s actually quite heartfelt.

Her connection to the main story (especially as players progress to Act III and Orpheus), is tight-knit, with a romance that’s just as binding. She’s literally the first character that players meet – and for those who experienced love and first sight, the only one that will remain in line of sight until the end of the game. Her romance is possible with any type of playthrough, with unconditional loyalty and the most tender puppy eyes.

Karlach’s Romance is Ride or Die

To the Hells and Back – Literally

Everyone unanimously agrees that Karlach didn’t deserve any of the evils that happened to her, and the awful tragedies that continue to befall her. With the threat of death constantly looming overhead, her questline is perhaps one of the saddest: she either dies or has to return to Avernus. However, romancing her unlocks a secret third option: going to Avernus with her.

She’s a direct victim of Gortash as well, which gives her all the more motivation to strike him down when it’s revealed that he’s the Chosen of Bane. Romancing her makes this all the more rewarding, saving the world and literally going to the hells and back together – it’s just a shame that Larian Studios is done with the game after this new update; fans would have loved an Avernus DLC.

Astarion is Full of Depth

Like Loving a Feral Kitten

Astarion is, funnily enough, the only companion that doesn’t have any direct connection to anything happening in the main storyline. Cazador is evil for his own benefit, unrelated to mind flayers or The Absolute or most especially the Dead Three – Astarion isn’t connected, yet his romance is literally the most compelling and well-crafted in the entire game.

It’s a heartbreaking story about the cycle of abuse, with the player being a direct influence in either way that it goes. He’s flexible for any playthrough, but it’s far more rewarding to break the cycle, to choose to try living, and to recover from trauma. Not to mention, if players are playing as The Dark Urge, his romance was basically made for it, strengthening the narrative and its overall message.

Shadowheart is Basically the Main Character

She’s Fully Involved in the Main Story

 

It’s without a doubt that Shadowheart has one of the best romances in the entire game, especially considering her deep connection to the main story. In literally every single act, she’s essential to the plot in some way, where many players consider her to be (other than Tav) the unspoken main character.

Because of this, her deeply flexible romances are full of substance, regardless of which direction players end up going in. If anything, considering the nature of her storyline, it brings into question if meeting her and romancing her wasn’t another act of divine intervention. Either way, she’s an excellent option for all types of players, especially for those wanting to be fully immersed in the story.