How to recruit Shadowheart as your Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3

by JFFK · January 22, 2026

Today we are going to take a look at how to recruit Shadowheart as your companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. Shadowheart is one of the few available companions that you can recruit in BG3. Like Lae’zel you will also find Shadowheart on the Nautiloid ship in the tutorial area of the game. So basically you can recruit her at the start of the game.

You also get the choice of not freeing her from the pod. She will survive the crash with the ship and you will get the chance to recruit Shadowheart a few more times later in the game.

How to recruit Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

While you make your way forward on the Nautiloid tutorial ship you will enter a room with a big console and two guys tied to a chair in the middle. You will notice someone screaming for help on the left side inside the pod. You can go talk to the pod, Shadowheart is in there. Now you can either leave her and recruit her later or immediately free her.

Shadowheart trapped in the pod on Nautilod ship BG3

Step 1: Find the Eldritch Rune

To the right of Shadowheart’s pod, there is a door leading further east into a small side room. Walk into this room and head to the very back. You will see a Dead Thrall lying on the ground near some brain jars.

Loot the body to find the Eldritch Rune. (Note: You no longer need a separate “Elaborate Key” for a chest; the rune is the primary item required for the console).

Step 2: Use the Console

Return to the console next to Shadowheart’s pod. Interact with it and choose the option to insert the Rune into the socket. Then, “Place your hand on the console.”

You will be prompted for a Wisdom (Illithid) check. This is a very low Difficulty Class (DC) roll. Success will cause the pod to hiss open.

After you unlocked the pod Shadowheart will jump out of it and become your companion if you want her in your group.

Shadowheart alive and recruited on Nautilod ship in BG3

Other ways to recruit Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3

There are currently 3 known locations where you can find and recruit Shadowheart as a companion in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Nautiloid ship inside the pod. We covered this method above.
She can be found right at the start of the Ravaged Beach.
Shadowheart can be found near the entrance of the Dank Crypt (Abandoned Ruins) northern end of the Ravaged Beach. She will once again offer to join your party
Inside Druid’s Grove, she is sitting on a rock near the training area in the Hollow. She will once again offer you to join the party.

One thing to remember, if you free Shadowheart on the Nautiloid ship she will make a comment once you get to the Ravaged Beach. She will thank you for freeing her and you will gain Shadowheart approval.