How to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 during the BG3 prologue

Shadowheart is one of the first, and arguably the best companions you’ll run into at the opening of Baldur’s Gate 3. Most players will want to make sure they don’t miss out and get the opportunity to add her to the party. To do that, you will first need to free Shadowheart from the pod she’s trapped in. She is one of the game’s most popular companions who also has a romance questline that spans through all of the game’s three Acts. If you want to pursue either of those relationships with her, read on to free her and start on the right path.

How to free Shadowheart in BG3

To free Shadowheart from the Mind Flayer pod, you’ll need to complete the following steps during the game’s introductory prologue:

1. Reach the room where Shadowheart’s pod is located, near the end of the Nautiloid ship in Act One.
2. Examine the console just to the right of Shadowheart and her pod. An Arcana check lets you spot that “there’s magic at work here.” There will be an empty socket where something can be placed.
3. Head through the sphincter to the room East of the Mindflayer Pod Shadowheart is in.
4. You’ll find another pod with a figure inside. Walk past it to the opposite end of the room.
5. Search the body of the “Dead Thrall” next to the Elaborate Chest (Cartilaginous Chest). They’ll have an Eldritch Rune on them. The Elaborate key or a Sleight of Hand check can be used to open the chest.
6. Return to Shadowheart. Place the Rune into the socket on the console and then interact with the console again.
7. Select the option that pops up: “Illithid (Wisdom): Will the pod to open.” This will free Shadowheart with the powered-up console.
8. Once freed, you can speak to her. She’ll then become a party member for the remainder of the Nautiloid tutorial.

Other ways to free Shadowheart

Some classes offer unique solutions on how to open the pod. By using them, you can bypass the search for the Eldritch Rune. As a Barbarian, a Strength check lets you rip the pod lid straight off. Similarly, certain classes, like the Wizard and Warlock, or characters with the Arcane skill proficiency can attempt to hack the console without the Eldritch Rune, bypassing this part of the sequence.

Should you free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3?

We would definitely recommend freeing Shadowheart from the Mind Flayer pod when you reach it. Not only is the puzzle pretty easily solved, but there’s little downside to doing it unless you’re trying everything to stay on Lae’zel’s good side. Shadowheart is a capable companion, and her assistance is a real boon throughout the rest of the first act. She’ll also be grateful to you for freeing her when you run into her again after the prologue. This makes freeing her a quick and easy way to score some good raport with the character. Don’t expect elaborate dialogue options just yet. Lae’zel will cut your conversation short and ask you to get to the helm.

As a Trickery Domain Cleric, she has access to powerful spells like Guidance, Command, and Guiding Bolt. The former is a godsend while clearing skill checks like the ones required to unlock the Necromancy of Thay book. Shadowheart can also hold her own in combat with radiant damage bonuses on her weapons. She’s a godsend against Commander Zhalk, the first boss in the game. Defeat him and his cambions to get the Everburn Blade, a magic greatsword. You need Shadowheart to do this, with her Command: Drop spell allowing Lae’zel to pick up the sword and use it against its owner. Ultimately, this lets you fulfil the tutorial’s goal of getting to the helm of the ship and teleporting it elsewhere. As a recent prisoner of the mindflayers, she also has a tadpole in her brain like your other allies. If you don’t save her here, you’ll find Shadowheart near a large doorway that leads to the Abandoned Ruins. Otherwise, head to Druid Grove and you’ll find her with the Tiefling refugees and Druids.

That covers everything you need to know about how to free Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3. Going forward, if you’re struggling to move the scuffed rock, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 Arcane Tower guide if you’re scouring the Underdark for loot. Besides Shadowheart, there are plenty of other companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, each with their own playstyle. You may want to check out our best Karlach build as well as our best Wyll companion build.