Baldur’s Gate 3: Best build for Shadowheart

❘ Updated: 2024-04-11T19:26:24

Larian Studios

Shadowheart is one of the most popular companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 – but she can only be as powerful as you need her to be with the right build. So, here’s the best Shadowheart build you can use in the game from her ideal spells, feats, and more.

Crafting your character is one thing, but managing and leveling up the various companions who join your journey adds another layer of complexity to the game’s character development.

So, here’s the best build for Shadowheart to ensure the game’s rather tortured healer is as efficient and strong as possible, so you can take down whatever enemy you come across, and maybe even romance her.

Contents

Where to find and recruit Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3
Best subclass for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3
Best ability score spread for Shadowheart
Best spells for Shadowheart
Best Feat for Shadowheart
Best items for Shadowheart
Best build for Shadowheart

A screenshot of the game Baldur's Gate 3

Where to find and recruit Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

Shadowheart is available to recruit while you’re still aboard the Nautiloid. All you have to do is find a chamber with a bright red pod to the left as you make your way to the helm of the Nautiloid ship towards the end of the first act. Shadowheart is stuck in this very pod.

Go into the room that is to the pod’s left. You will find a body, a console, and another pod inside the room. All you have to do is search the corpse to find the Eldritch Rune.

After picking up the rune, go back to the other room to use the console and set Shadowheart free. Once this is done, all you have to do is pass the Illithid/Wisdom check which will set Shadowheart free and she will join your party.

Best subclass for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

It’s up to you whether you keep her original subclass or opt for a change, but the best subclass for Shadowheart is undoubtedly the Life Domain rather than her original Trickery Domain.

If you do choose to change her class, then you’ll need to Respec her with Withers, which will cost you 100 Gold.

Best ability score spread for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

In the same way as her subclass, you don’t have to change these, but if you choose to, this is the best ability spread to put into Shadowheart since her main stat is Wisdom:

Strength: 10
Dexterity: 14
Constitution: 16
Intelligence: 8
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 10

Constitution is always a key stat to focus on as it determines your health and will likely keep you alive. Then there’s Wisdom, which is her spellcasting modifier, and a focus on Dexterity for all those key skills she needs to excel in.

Best spells for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

A screenshot of Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3

Being a Cleric, spells are a vital element for Shadowheart. You want to focus on her having a mixture of healing, support, and damage, especially when having her as a Companion. Here are our recommendations for the best spells for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Cantrip: Guidance
Cantrip: Resistance
Cantrip: Produce Flame
Level 1: Healing Word
Level 1: Protection from Evil and Good
Level 1: Cure Wounds
Level 1: Inflict Wounds
Level 1: Shield of Faith
Level 1: Command
Level 2: Spiritual Weapon
Level 2: Hold Person
Level 3: Mass Healing Word
Level 3: Remove Curse
Level 3: Glyph of Warding
Level 4: Freedom of Movement
Level 5: Insect Plague
Level 5: Dispel Evil and Good
Level 5: Flame Strike
Level 5: Planar Binding
Level 6: Heal
Level 6: Heroes’ Feast

Best Feat for Shadowheart

War Caster

War Caster is undeniably the best Feat for Shadowheart and is well worth adding to her character when she levels up to 20.

It’ll help her concentration spells stay up, allow her to make a reaction using a spell when an enemy moves out of her threat range and will strengthen her tenfold.

Best items for Shadowheart

Consumable items and gear in Baldur’s Gate 3 can make a big difference when you’re building your character. Here are some of the best items you can use in the game:

Adamantine Splint Armour: Reduces all incoming damage by 2 and sends attackers Reeling. Additionally, attacks can’t land critical hits on the wearer.
Boots of Aid And Comfort: Grants additional temporary HP to creatures healed by Shadowheart.
Ring of Absolute Force: Allows Shadowheart to cast the Thunderwave spell

Best build for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you’re not too worried about altering her subclass, or you just want to know how to take her past 1st level, our build guide has you covered below:

Level	Features
1	Cantrips: Guidance, Resistance, Produce Flame — Spells: Healing Word, Cure Wounds, Inflict Wounds, Protection from Evil and Good, Shield of Faith — Subclass: Light Domain
2	Channel Divinity Charges — Turn Undead — Spell: Command
3	Spell: Spiritual Weapon, Flaming Sphere
4	Cantrip: Blade Ward — Spell: Lesser Restoration — Ability Improvement: Wisdom +2
5	Destroy Undead — Spells: Revivify, Mass Healing Word
6	Channel Divinity Charges — Spells: Glyph of Warding
7	Spell: Freedom of Movement
8	Ability Improvement: Wisdom +2 — Spell: Insect Plague
9	Spells: Flame Strike
10	Cantrip: Sacred Flame — Spell: Planar Binding
11	Spell: Heal
12	Spell: Heroes’ Feast — Feat: War Caster

There you have it, that’s the best Shadowheart build in Baldur’s Gate 3. While leveling up this fantastic Companion, take a look at some of our other handy Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and content: