This article has end-game spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3The rise of romanceable companions happened in the early 2000s when the popularity of CRPGs began to skyrocket, particularly with BioWare games. With six origin characters to romance plus some smaller additions to the cast, Baldur's Gate 3 has romance options that cover a wide variety of preferences. The best romances in Baldur's Gate 3 are those with characters that are closely connected to the main story, are well-written, and have a variety of outcomes depending on the player's choices.
Because Baldur's Gate 3 is a game that takes into account player choices and consequences, some of these consequences play out with the romanced companions, where they'll state boundaries. If these boundaries are crossed, the companion will end the relationship. Therefore, a comprehensive look at these romances takes into account the full arc of each companion, including their various endings, and views the stated boundaries as a positive aspect of the relationship since it is indicative of a more nuanced narrative and gaming experience.
S Tier
Astarion - The hidden depths of Astarion's character arc are on display in full force in his romance. What starts out as a purely physical relationship pivots to something far deeper and meaningful as Astarion is forced to confront the depths of his feelings, his experiences with sexual coercion, and his lingering PTSD.
Astarion's romance is triggered relatively early with high enough approval and if he's permitted to drink from the player character. While he propositions the player character for sex, he reveals later that this was a manipulation tactic he had fallen back on to guarantee his safety, and even goes so far as to admit that he doesn't know if he wants people to see him that way. Pressuring him into sex leads to him breaking up with the player character, and other instances of him participating in sex imply he's disassociating.
While this seems discouraging, Astarion's romance arc has been praised by real-life survivors of sexual assault as resonant with their experiences in recovery and navigating new relationships. Giving Astarion a space to heal and build a positive relationship with someone new results in a romantic relationship with remarkable depth and growth that's rarely seen in media and, like Astarion, goes beyond what's originally presented.
Astarion's romance also goes in two different directions depending on whether he ascends or remains a vampire spawn. If he ascends and the player remains in a relationship with him, becoming a vampire spawn themselves, casting Detect Thoughts on him reveals he loses all respect for them as he sees it as degrading themselves. His actions as an Ascended Vampire reflect this, where he refers to a romanced player as his pet. Astarion's romance as a vampire spawn goes in a completely different direction, where he views his partner as his equal.
Shadowheart - God's Favorite Princess has the advantage of her arc being closely tied to the main storyline, as in Act 2 her decisions determine the fate of the world state and many of the NPCs going forward, particularly regarding Shadowheart's role in stealing the Astral Prism, her ties to Shar, the Shadow Curse, and the Nightsong. Romancing her allows the player to more easily persuade her to spare the Nightsong, thus lifting the Shadow Curse and sparing those sheltering in Last Light Inn.
Helping Shadowheart with her family and the Shar cloister is all the more poignant with her romance. As Shadowheart is a companion who is encouraged to join the party several times and has a larger role in the main plot than the other companions, her romance is closely tied to significant plot events in Act 2, especially as she opens up and grows as the narrative progresses. As Shadowheart's loyalties are determined largely by the player's actions, players wishing to romance her should be careful about setting her on a dark path, as she'll be forced to choose between Shar and the player, and will ultimately go with her loyalty to Shar.
A Tier
Karlach - One of the most popular companions thanks to her optimism and humor, Karlach's story may not be the happiest, but it is certainly compelling and more centered on her character than external events like some of the other romances. Her partner has the opportunity to support her through her experience of receiving a terminal diagnosis and can accompany her back to Avernus at the end of the game to ensure she does not die.
Karlach's other romance paths are more tragic, with her dying thanks to the infernal engine in her chest or putting the player in the shoes of the companions in the other romance arcs and turning Karlach into a mind flayer. The player can choose to end the romance with her, or continue it with her as a mind flayer.
Lae'zel - Prickly and aggressive, Lae'zel may not seem like the ideal choice of partner especially in the first few hours of Baldur's Gate 3, but her story as a warrior finding her own path and confronting the lies she's been told is incredibly compelling. This is all reflected in her romance, which proves to be as tender as the others. with Lae'zel being loyal and caring deeply for her partner.
The various githyanki factions and their roles in the story - including unearthing the lies of Vlaakith and possibly liberating Orpheus - also play a key role across the main plot, making Lae'zel's romance thematically and narratively relevant. Because of the githyanki's history with the illithids, Lae'zel ends the relationship if the player becomes one but does make it clear that she has the utmost respect for them and their sacrifice. Githyanki players who romance Lae'zel are able to accompany her when she leaves with Orpheus and his forces.
B Tier
Gale - The Wizard of Waterdeep has been lonely for a long time thanks to the orb in his chest. Players may be put off of Gale's romance thanks to his intimidating ex and worries that he may not be over her, but he's more than eager to move on to someone new. Despite a persistent bug that's had him propositioning nearly every player that's ever been nice to him, Gale's romance is charming and sweet, and he's the only companion who is completely unfazed by the player's choice to become an illithid, even happy to marry them with his entire family present.
Gale's romance path is tied largely to his personal quest regarding the Crown of Karsus and his perspective on himself, and whether he wants to use the crown to ascend to godhood. However, his romance doesn't branch in meaningful ways like the other romances in higher tiers. His unconditional love for his partner no matter their appearance is endearing and makes Gale a worthy choice.
Wyll - This is the closest to a classic fairytale romance, with Wyll's noble background and strong moral virtues guiding his actions. The player has the chance to help Wyll reconcile with his father, and plays a large role in the fate of Wyll's pact with Mizora, which determines his future. Wyll is one of the few romances in Baldur's Gate 3 that proposes marriage to the player, and has some very sweet scenes. One drawback for Wyll's romance is his worries about his reputation as the Blade of Frontiers, and so players romancing him should be careful when making decisions that could compromise that image.
While Wyll values loyalty, becoming a mind flayer prompts him to suggest the player find a place outside of society to live so that they may continue their relationship in secret, something that may not appeal to everyone. Otherwise, remaining loyal to him and staying true to his vision of romance results in the same ending.
C Tier
Halsin - With progressive views on romance, Halsin is happy to be in an open relationship with the player character regardless of their relationship status. Polyamory is rarely seen in media, including games, and Halsin's inclusion - which includes getting the expressed consent from the player character's partner - is a massive step forward. As Halsin only becomes an active companion in Act 2, it's only possible to trigger his romance in Act 3. Halsin also doesn't have as much content as the other romances higher on this list, and is probably best romanced as a part of a poly romance with Shadowheart or Astarion, who are both open to the relationship.
Minthara -Minthara has a distinction of being the only recruitable drow, and as such provides a unique perspective a variety of situations in Baldur's Gate 3 across the course of the game. Unfortunately, recruiting her requires razing the Emerald Grove, resulting in the subsequent loss of several other companions, merchants, and quest lines across the game, and so many players will forego recruiting her and her romance. While her romance technically triggers in Act 1, it only progresses much later in the game.
The Emperor - The Dream Visitor in the player character's head turns out to be an illithid called the Emperor, previously the famous adventurer known as Balduran who founded Baldur's Gate. The Emperor is incredibly manipulative, but if the player character is open-minded and shows curiosity towards him, he proposes a romantic interaction that happens within a dream sequence. This doesn't have any consequences on any active romances, though the rest of the party infected with illithid tadpoles are revealed to have watched the entire event.
Mizora - The demon that oversees Wyll's pact decides to set up shop in the player's camp during Act 3, and eventually propositions them. Despite this being a one-scene affair, accepting Mizora's proposition has severe consequences for Wyll, Lae'zel, and Gale's romances, resulting in the immediate end of their romances, while Karlach will respond badly as well.
