Summary
Shadowheart is one of the most popular Companion characters inBaldur’s Gate 3, and that’s not only because she has one of the best storylines. The Cleric is one of the most versatile classes, so even though Shadowheart is cast as a healer by her fellow Sharrans she can also be a DPS dealer or melee fighter once she’s recruited by Tav.
There are a variety of roles and builds that she can take as a member of your party, and it’s possible to change her subclass or multiclass with the help of Withers. That makes it difficult to say what gear would be the best for her overall when the choices are highly dependent on the specific, unique build.
Updated June 25, 2025 by Kristy Ambrose:The steady stream of awards for BG3 continued to fill up the shelves at Larian Studios well into 2024, along with excited talk about the studio’s future projects.
Although Sven Vicke and his team won’t be adding any content in the shape of DLCs or sequels, small patches, and maintenance will continue along with somebigger additions in Patch 8, which includes a new Domain for Clerics and even more possibilities to customize Shadowheart.
12Luminous Armor
In A Locked, Opulent Chest In The Selunite Outpost
Clerics and Paladins are the classes known for their Radiant damage, and the former has access to several spells to choose from that do either Necrotic or Radiant damage. Regardless of her chosen Domain, Shadowheart always has Guiding Light andSpirit Guardians, and the Luminous Armor makes spells like these even better.
It’s stashed in an opulent chestin the Selunite Outpostin the Underdark, so it’s easy to find provided you may pick a lock. Thanks toRadiating Shockwave, every time Shadowheart deals Radiant damage, she causes a Radiant Shockwave like the spell of the same name. This condition also takes -1 from an enemy’s attack rolls and casts Radiating Orb in an area that covers a 10ft radius.
11Elegant Studded Leather
Locked In High-Security Vault 9 Of The Counting House
The Elegant Studded Leather has decent stats for Light Armor and is of an impressive Very Rare quality. For those times when Shadowheart wants to stay out of combat and heal, it’s one of the best choices. Its one major drawback is that it’s a reward for a quest in the Baldur’s Gate Counting House, which happens later in Act 3.
The Ambusher ability gives Shadowheart a +2 bonus to Initiative, which can be crucial to getting an advantage in battle and organizing the fight. The Shield is a level one Abjuration spell that gives the caster immunity fromMagic Missile, and a +5 increase to their armor class.
10Browbeaten Circlet
In The Evidence Chest Of Moonrise Towers Prison
This item is ideal for a Shadowheart build that emphasizes her spellcasting powers, in particular those of a healer. The circlet is light armor that can worn by any class or spec, and it can be found locked in the evidence chest in Moonrise Towers. The chest is locked, but it’s possible to pick it, or kill the Warden and loot the key.
The Browbeaten condition is a beneficial, passive ability that gives the wearer a +1 bonus to their spell save DC while they have the Threatened condition. This is when a character is within striking distance of an enemy, which usually gives Shadowheart a Disadvantage on her attack rolls.
9Armour Of The Sporekeeper
Sold By Mystic Carrion
It’s quite clear that this armor is designed specifically for a Druid of the Sporekeeper Conclave. However, should the player decide to build Shadowheart with a focus on Necrotic damage, this would be the ideal armor for her. Every time she deals Necrotic damage with a spell, like Harm orVampiric Touch, the abilityMalefic Funghigives her +1 to all damage and another +1 bonus to her spell save DC.
Spore Sacks,meanwhile, allows the wearer to use the ability to spread different kinds of spores that can harm enemies and benefit allies. This is an ability that only Sporekeeper Druids have, and they get it when they choose their Circle. Multiclassing Shadowheart into a few Druid levels just to give her this ability would give her a deadly DPS or healing build, but even without this feature, it’s still a nice chest piece.
8Dark Justiciar Half-Plate
Reward From Shar For Slaying The Nightsong
The death of the Nightsong has interesting consequences for both the storyline of the game and its immediate environment, along with Shadowheart’s personality. If the player chooses this route, it solidifies her connection to the dark goddess Shar, who gives her theDark Justicar Half-Plateas a reward for her loyalty.
This armor is of Very Rare quality, and even though it includes “plate” in its name, it’s classified as Medium armor, so a Cleric can use it. It comes with several handy spells and abilities related to Shar, as well as typical Cleric spells likeShield of Faith, which works with Shar’s Protection to create an AoE field of Necrotic damage around the wearer.
7Glowing Shield
In A Locked Chest In The Goblin Camp
Clerics can use shields, and sometimesit’s helpful for Shadowheartto have one to boost her AC. She can wield weapons like spears and clubs as one-handed weapons, so if players don’t mind her doing a bit less damage, it’s a decent trade-off.
TheGlowing Shieldis hidden in a locked chest behind the Goblin Camp, so it’s not hard to obtain but it is challenging to find. In addition to the AC boost, it also grants the ability Loving Protection, which allows the user to heal themselves once they drop below half of their health.
6Dark Justiciar Mail
Looted From A Skeleton In Grymforge
It’s an obvious choice for a Cleric of Shar, and easy to loot from one of two long-dead Dark Justiciars in Grymforge. One is by the dock, the other is by the Ancient Forge Waypoint. The Dark Justicar Mail is of an Uncommon quality and gives Shadowheart the passive ability, Nightsinger’s Reply.
Shadowheart has several abilities and spells that do Necrotic damage, and this unique skill gives her one more. Nightsinger’s Reply automatically does 1d4 Necrotic damage to any enemy that hits her while she’s Obscured.
5Elven Chain
Purchase From Exxvikyap At The Rivington General Store
Not every class can enjoy the protection of chain mail, but thanks to the passive skillElven Chain, anyone who puts on this armor is automatically proficient with it. That also makes it ideal for other squishy classes like spellcasters, Druids, or Rogues.
Meanwhile,Elven Abilitygives the character two advantages in battle by adding a +2 to their Initiative bonus and giving them Advantage on Dexterity saving throws. One more great thing about this armor is that it’s easy to find from a vendor. Players don’t need to go to the trouble of unlocking a chest or killing a boss.
TheElven Chainis found in the inventory of the Rivington General Store, and its price depends on how much proprietor Exxvikyap likes you. She’s fond of her boss, the blacksmith Angleiron, who works upstairs on the roof. So, try not to kill him when he blames the party for Orin attacking him and taking his shape.
4The Jolty Vest
Purchase Or Steal From Zhentarim Trader Brem
This Rare piece of Medium armor is available fairly early in the game, provided the player explores the Wilderness and finishes the “Find The Missing Shipment” quest. This quest leads the player to the Zhentarim hideout, where a trader named Brem is hawking his wares. This is also where the “Save The Artist” quest starts and where one of the entrances to the Underdark can be found, so it’s worth a visit.
One of the items in his inventory isThe Jolty Vest. It’s ideal for any Cleric, but especially for one of the Tempest subclass. which specializes in Lightning damage. Superior Material gives the wearer +1 against Slashing damage, which is nice for a melee-fighting Cleric. Finally, Countershock has the potential to make an attacker Shocked if they fail a saving throw, but only if the wearer already has the Lightning Charges condition.
3Armor Of Landfall
Purchase In Sorcerer’s Sundries
This is a Druid’s armorjudging solely by the design, but there’s nothing about theArmour of Landfallthat another class couldn’t use. Many of its properties are useful to a Cleric who focuses on healing and ranged damage. It can be found in Sorcerer’s Sundries, but exactly who has it depends on how many survivors made it to the city from Act 1.
High Spellcasting gives Shadowheart a +1 to her spell-saving throws, and any kind of plant growth or vines will heal her thanks to Green Bed Generation. Plant Growth is a level 3 Transmutation spell that several classes can learn, and it gives her the ability to make pesky weeds and plants appear in a 60ft area to slow down enemies.
