Approval in Baldur's Gate 3: What Companions Like and Dislike

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In Baldur's Gate 3 the approval of companions is an important parameter on which the opening of their personal quests and the possibility of development depend romantic relationships and even effectiveness in battle. In this guide, we will talk about how this mechanic works in the game, as well as what specific actions lead to approval or disapproval from each companion.

How the approval system works in Baldur's Gate 3

High and low companion approval - what's the difference?

With high approval, relationships with others often improve significantly. fellow party members, causing them to become more loyal to you, support your point of view, and fight more effectively in battle. Personal quests for your companions may also be revealed to you and their romantic branches may become available to you.

If approval is low, you may experience dissatisfaction with your companions, conflicts with them, and even their departure from the team, which will deprive you of valuable allies and reduce your ability to complete both main and story quests. Additionally, bad actions or decisions can affect your reputation in the world and interactions with other NPCs.

You can view your companion's current approval level at any time by simply opening the card of the desired character.

How to Increase Companion Approval

To do this, you will have to act in accordance with the values, beliefs and aspirations of your comrades. Pay attention to their personal quests, backstories, and dialogue to better understand their preferences. Frequently communicating with your teammates, getting to know their opinions, thoughts and experiences will help you deepen your relationship with them and gain insight into their likes and dislikes.

Be sure to go through their personal missions and at the same time show interest in their goals and desires. You can also offer them gifts or small favors to increase their approval rate. Naturally, to do this you need to study their interests and tastes, otherwise the present will not bring you the desired result.

Conflict of interest between partners

Often you will find yourself in situations where different companions will have different opinions regarding current events, so some may approve of your actions, while others will clearly not like them. Unfortunately, it will not be easy, and sometimes even impossible, to please everyone.

For this reason, carefully consider the consequences of your decisions and make choices based on your own values or the long-term goals of your playthrough. At the same time, try to use dialogue options that are aimed at finding compromises, reducing tension between party members and resolving conflicts between them (some fights can even lead to the death of one of the companions, so it is better not to let the situation come to this).

Usually, quarrels and disagreements arise between characters with different worldviews. For this reason, in order to avoid conflicts, we advise you to simply take into your squad companions whose beliefs match yours, that is, if you are playing as a good-natured hero, then it is better to keep companions such as Karlach, Gale or Will in your team, and villains should take a closer look at Mintara and Astarion.

Changing the worldview of companions

However, you don’t have to try to constantly adapt to your companions - you can try to change their worldview to make it easier for you to communicate with them, moving along a good or evil path.

For example, you can change Gale's moral standards. If you side with the goblins in the first act, then, unlike Will and Karlach, he will not automatically leave your party. Talk to him during the goblin party, where he will threaten you to leave the group for participating in the massacre of refugees. You need to convince him to change his attitude towards life, justifying the atrocities committed as necessary for survival. You will not allow him to leave the team by distorting his worldview.

Achieving Maximum Approval

When you reach the maximum approval of a companion - “Exceptional”, you will no longer receive notifications regarding changes to this parameter.

If you follow our guide, then after Act 1 you will most likely be able to achieve the maximum approval rate with the companion you need. So, even if you encounter situations that can increase this value, it will not be reflected in the game.

Please note that you are unlikely to be able to get maximum approval from absolutely all your companions in one playthrough. The point is that you need to keep the characters in your squad so that they can express their opinions on this or that issue (interactions in the camp alone are unlikely to be enough for this).

How does distance affect approval?

If you stand too far from your companions when dealing with certain situations, they simply will not hear you, and therefore will not be able to express their approval or disapproval of your actions. So make sure they are close to you if it is important for you to listen to their opinion.

This feature can be used for your own purposes. For example, if it is important for you to get approval from one of your companions, but at the same time you do not want to worsen your relationship with another companion, then simply take the second one away from the group, and then make a choice.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart is a controversial person when it comes to receiving approval and disapproval of your actions. She cannot be called a 100% villain or hero - she is somewhere in the middle, with a slight bias towards good. For this reason, you may have trouble choosing the right solutions at first. However, once you get to know her better, you will be able to more easily understand her motives and desires.

What does Shadowheart approve of?

Prologue/Beach/Dark Crypt:

Rescue her from the capsule on the Nautiloid.
After rescuing her from the capsule, you chose to go with her in search of supplies and a healer.
Tell Shadowheart at the Camp that you will make finding a healer your top priority.
Calm a boar frightened by Astarion by passing a Train check or talking to him (requires the spell "Conversation with Animals" ).
Convince adventurers to leave the Overgrown Ruins.
Agree with Shadowheart after the battle with the undead in the Dark Crypt.
Successfully pass the Religion test while studying the Book of Dead Gods.
Successfully deceive Laezel's captors while she is in the cage.
Require Laezel to say "please" before releasing her.

Druid Grove:

Show Hex at the training ground your sword fighting technique (you need to pass an Athletics or Insight check.
Convince Zevlor and Aradyn to stop fighting in the Druid Grove.
After rescuing Nadira from the Bugbar assassin in the Grove, use Deception to convince her to give you the Soul Coin.
Don't let the tieflings kill the goblin Sazu in the cage, because she will be able to give out more information while alive.
When you first meet Zorru, talk to Laezel and ask her if she plans to be that rude to everyone she meets.
While Laezel is in the party, talk to Zorru and prevent the githyanki from forcing Zorra to bow to her.
When the Arc asks you why you care whether the goblin lives or dies, choose the option that says vengeance eats a man alive.
In the Emerald Grove, let Silver (the wolf) pick up your scent (requires Talk to Animals).
Successfully persuade Kaga to let Arabella go.
Tell the Kage that protecting your friends sometimes requires resorting to cruelty.
Swear to Netta to use the vial of wyvern venom she gives you.
Agree with Shadowheart about last resort after swearing to use poison.
Distract the Topaz bird from making a nest using Deception or a bard ability (requires Talk to Animals).
Call Raphael crazy and tell him that you will never make a deal with the devil.

Forest:

Crush the larva outside the Druid Grove.
Convince Edovin's brother and sister to leave rather than take revenge on the bear.
Convince Medvesycha don't attack you in his nest.
Spare the baby bear if you previously killed its mother in the nest.
Tell Skryab (the dog) that he can come to your Camp if his owner does not wake up.
Listen to Shadowheart when she tells you not to touch Silune's chest in the bear's cave (after the dialogue you can still take the contents of the chest).
Offer to help Jol and Demir get Mairina back from Aunt Ethel.

Extinct village:

Convince the goblins at the entrance to let you in peacefully.
Convince trolls to fight for you for free by passing a Persuasion check.
Convince the goblins at the Windmill to leave peacefully.
After helping the gnome at the windmill, ask him for compensation.

Approach road:

When you first meet Karlach, choose any answer that doesn't say you were sent by the paladins. Then make an Intimidation/Persuasion check. If Will is a party member, then persuade him to spare the girl by showing him that they have the same views.
Use the Bard ability when talking to Ruganne to convince him to give you the cargo.

Sun-drenched moors:

Simulate the roar of a mind flayer while talking to Lorin.
Say, “This has nothing to do with me. Goodbye" when you meet Aunt Ethel and the brothers while trying to enter the Sunlit Moors.
After locating Aunt Ethel, tell Jol and Demir that this is their problem.
After entering the passage in the swamp, successfully pass the Perception check
If Astarion is in the group, ask why he attacked Gandrel, and say that he didn't have to kill him.

Goblin Camp:

Make Crusher kiss your foot in Goblin Camp.
After the first dream about the larva, tell Laezel that in the dream you resisted.
After the first dream caused by the larva, tell Shadowheart that you refused/resisted in the dream.
Use Intimidation again to get Crusher to kiss your foot.
Tell Crusher you'd rather spit in his face, then win the fight and make him kiss your foot.
Tell Crusher that you would rather spit in his face, then win the fight and try to finish him off (a battle with the entire camp will begin).
Convince the ranger Klagga to give you the poem of the slain dwarf.
Tell Grikka (standing near the roasted dwarf) that you can help torture the prisoner.
Near the entrance to the temple, a dialogue between companions can begin. Agree with Shadowheart's statement that finding and rescuing Halsin is your first priority.
Win the Kurogon battle and convince Krolla to give up the money using the illithids' power.
Invite the little bear to your Camp.
While fighting, talk to the little bear and persuade him to help you win.
Tell the eighth goblin child standing outside the camp that you are sorry for his loss.
Convince Buyag Piddle to spend time praying instead of reading the manuscript.
Agree to the ritual of the priests of Loviatar.
Carry out Liam's torture for Executioner Thorn without Will.
Successfully torture Liam for Will. A Persuasion check is required.
Intimidate Executioner Thorn into telling you the information you need.
In the Broken Sanctuary, with Will in the group, express your desire to join the game with three goblins talking about the Blade (the room in front of the passage to the Throne Room of Dror Ragzlin, the desired area is located in the west).
Tell Mintara that you know where the grove is, but make an Intelligence check to hide the location from her.
Once you've finished torturing Liam, tell Mintara that the prisoner has revealed his location, and then take a Deception check.
When you first meet Halsin, tell him that you will help him deal with the goblins.
Tell Halsin to stay in the warg pen.
Agree to the ritual with Abdirak.

Underdark:

Fight the false god Buoal in Festering Bay.
Take the Boots of Speed from Tulla.
When speaking with the myconid king, succeed on your Persuasion check.
Tell the Restless Myconid the truth about the parasite and that you are seeking safe passage.
Calm down and convince Rothe to clear the way in the Abandoned Shelter.
Offer to share details about the Nautiloid ship with Omelum and succeed on the Perform check.

Tavern "Last Light":

Tell Isobel that Marcus is trying to kidnap her.
Play hide and seek with Oliver.
Refuse to drink Jaheira's thorned wine.

Destroyed Battlefield:

Trick the toll collector Gerringot Torm.
During the quest "Find Protection from the Curse of the Shadow", pass a Deception check when talking to Karniss, who will ask you for a lantern.
During the quest "Find Protection from the Curse of the Shadow", successfully convince Karniss to leave the area without a lantern.
Once you get the moon lantern, don't let go of Pixie Dolly.
You'll get a thumbs up every time you successfully fake drinking with Tisobald Torm in Waning Moon.
You will receive a thumbs up every time you successfully recall the story of Tisobald Torm in Old Moon.

House of Healing:

Convince your sisters to practice on themselves.
Convince Malus Torm to commit suicide.

Guild of Freemasons of Reitvin:

Tell Arabella you will find her parents.
Tell Arabella that she can stay at your camp.

Challenge Ball:

Immediately attack Yurgir.
Convince Balthazar to give you "assistance" in your quest.
Before you start testing the Ball, interact with the Sacrificial Chalice and let it do whatever it wants.
Before entering the Realm of Shadows, agree with her regarding the sacrifice she needs to make for Lady Shar.

Camp:

Give the little bear some food from your bag while he's at camp.
On your first night at camp, agree with her statement that it is necessary to find someone who can heal you all.
During the first event in the "larval sleep" camp, convince Laezel to retreat.
Pet Skryab in the camp.
After the second larval sleep, tell your companions to stop using the parasite's powers.
Say you regret your choice after the third larval nap.
Refuse Raphael the deal.
After talking with Raphael, tell Shadowheart that you will never trust the devil.
While talking about Shar, make a Persuasion check and then tell her that you don't judge her personal views.
When you find out that Shadowheart worships Shar, tell her that you don't care who she worships.
Ask her about Shar worship and convince her that you have no problem with it.
Talk to Shadowheart about her missing memories and tell her that you want her to show you her favorite flowers.
When a strange magical event occurs to Shadowheart, change the subject.
When Laezel learns that Shalowheart is in possession of a Githyanki relic, side with the latter.
While at the camp, Shadowheart will ask if you want to hear a story about her. Say yes, and then thank her for choosing to share the only memory of herself with you.

What Shadowheart doesn't approve of

The desire to join the search for a manger with Laezel immediately after her release.
Agreeing to help Will save the refugees in Druid Grove.
When talking to Aunt Ethel in Emerald Grove, mention that you need help because you are infected with a parasite.
Trying to convince the goblin guard near the goblin camp.
Help Aunt Ethel when she encounters Jol and Demir.
Shadowheart doesn't like Laezel, so she will be upset if you start taking advice from the Githyanki.
Tell her that she is hiding something after asking “what will you do if we succeed in removing the parasites.”
If you decide to stop by two trolls making love in the Extinct Village.
Tell Raphael that you will do anything to get rid of the parasite.
Insist on helping Maireena when you talk to Aunt Ethel at her house.
Let the party know that you trust Astarion after you allow him to drink your blood during a long rest.
Not far from the entrance to the temple in the Goblin Camp, a dialogue between the companions will begin. Tell Shadowheart that you are in no hurry when she starts insisting on choosing priorities.
Condemnation of her worship of Lady Shar.
On your first night at camp, when she tells you to be careful around Gale, you'll get her disapproval by choosing the fourth option: "If anyone's bothering me, it's you."
In the Broken Sanctum, if you allow Halsin to stay with you and take matters into your own hands, you will receive her disapproval.
Drink Jaheira's wine laced with truth serum.
If you swear to Nettie that you will take the poison as soon as the symptoms of becoming a mind flayer begin to appear, without telling Shadowheart that this is a last resort.
Give the artist 200 coins.
Lick the meat of a dead spider in the Ball Challenge.
In Shar's Challenge, before entering the Shadowfell, look into her mind as she prays to Lady Shar.

The guide is in the process of being written...