One of Baldur’s Gate 3 favorite characters is Shadowheart, and we can see why. She is a very useful character and has one of the best backstories in the game, making her the second act’s protagonist. Yet, while she has a good story, some people think her subclass isn’t the best, and that’s why everyone runs to Withers to re-class her. If you want to make the most out of Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3, we’ve prepared a guide to tell you the best build you can get for her and how to make it happen.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best DPS Build for Shadowheart
Contrary to what many might think, the best build for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3 will see her stay as a Cleric; however, you’ll need to change her domain. For story reasons, she’s a Trickery Domain Cleric who worships Shar, and while some of the spells are great, other domains are way better and can do more damage or provide more support. To make a good DPS build for Shadowheart, here’s what you’ll need:
Light Domain Cleric Build
If you want to see Shadowheart raze the battlefield with her spells, the best you can do is change her to a Light Domain Cleric. To do that, we have a guide on changing the class of your character or companions. Once you’ve done it, here are the skills you’ll need:
- Strength: 15 (+1 Bonus)
- Dexterity: 10
- Constitution: 13
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 17 (+2 Bonus)
- Charisma: 12
These skills will let Shadowheart do more damage with her spells while also providing a bit of melee damage and good AC (Armour Class). However, it is better to keep Shadowheart as a caster and keep her far from the action.
Class Progression
While many people want to multi-class, we recommend sticking to one class to unlock everything it has. Clerics unlock some fantastic abilities, and the Light Domain has some of the Cleric’s most powerful spells. Here’s how the class progression will look for this Shadowheart build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Level 1:
- Choose a Subclass (Light Domain)
- Warding Flare (Subclass)
- Domain Spells
- Level 2:
- Radiance of Dawn (Subclass)
- Channel Divinity Charges
- Turn Undead (Class)
- Level 3:
- Domain Spells
- Level 4:
- Feat: Choose ability improvement and raise Strength and Wisdom.
Image Source: Larian Studios via The Nerd Stash
- Feat: Choose ability improvement and raise Strength and Wisdom.
- Level 5:
- Destroy Undead (Class)
- Domain Spells
- Level 6:
- Channel Divinity Charges
- Improved Warding Flare (Subclass)
- Level 7:
- Domain Spells
- Level 8:
- Feat: Choose ability improvement and raise Wisdom twice.
- Potent Spellcasting (Subclass)
- Level 9:
- Domain Spells
- Level 10:
- Divine Intervention (Class)
- Level 11:
- Level 6 Spells
- Level 12:
- Feat: Choose War Caster.
Light Cleric Equipment
Regarding equipment, the best items you can give Shadowheart are the spears she gets by following the Gauntlet of Shar quest or anything that does Radiant Damage. For armor, equip her with any medium armor that provides bonuses to attacks with Spells; you’ll find plenty during the third chapter of the game.
Light Cleric Spells
If you have Shadowheart ready with her equipment and skills, now’s the time to prepare her spells; these are the ones we recommend:
- Shield of Faith
- Inflict Wounds
- Guiding Bolt
- Cure Wounds
- Spiritual Weapon
- Hold Person
- Spirit Guardians
- Prayer of Healing
- Beacon of Hope
- Glyph of Warding
- Mass Healing Word
You can add others you like regarding roleplay or functionality, but these, combined with your domain spells, should suffice.
Related:
How To Get the Sword of Justice in Baldur’s Gate 3
And that’s how you can make the best build for Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3. As you can see, Shadowheart works better as a caster and does a lot of damage to many enemies at a time. You must keep her safe at all times if you want her to provide support or cast some powerful spells.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
