Would the Baldur's Gate 3 Companions Date Each Other?

[@natefoster5454]

I'm so disappointed that they don't romance each other behind Tav's back.

[@PocketLeaves]

That would be really cool if they did!

[@nina-thi]

There’s a hint to something like this at the tiefling party. If you don’t take up Astarion’s and Lae’zel’s offer, they will sleep together. If you say yes to Astarion and no to Lae’zel, she will tell you she’ll take Wyll instead and then in the morning complain that all he wanted to do was talk all night lol But other than that, sadly they don’t really interact with each other in that way.

[@GabbyJFS_02]

Idk if you’ve ever played but there are a few instances of this in the Dragon Age series. And it’s something I think BG3 is lacking: development of relationships between characters besides your own. We don’t really see too much of them all becoming friends, they have their initial view of them and that’s pretty much it. One of my few gripes with the game.

[@chipsalom]

How do you know they weren't? 😁

[@Velanaris]

I liked that about Dragon Age Inquisition, if you don’t date Iron Bull or Dorian they might end up dating each other

[@godessnerd]

Personally love wyll x karlach. Not just because of the initial set up but also it also adds an interesting angle of interaction. Wyll is a romantic type unable to share even a kiss or a touch until cooling down karlach’s engine. These two kids forced to grow up because of the devils but unable to heal properly until their away from/have power over there abusers.

[@aflooki]

WYLLACH TRUTHERS RISE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in any possibility of having the two of them in your party they have suchh a special bond, they would do anything for eachother and its so sweet

[@kjmudkipzofthemudkipdynast2657]

It just makes the most sense

[@SarcyBoi41]

Wyll is also the best companion to go back to Avernus with Karlach since he's the only other one with expertise regarding devils. When I went for the achievement for romancing Karlach, I made Wyll my origin character just because I think they're perfect for each other lol

[@kingofgrim4761]

@@SarcyBoi41HELP ME I WANT THE ACHIEVEMENT ITS DAMN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET KARLACHS APPROVAL HIGH

[@SarcyBoi41]

@@kingofgrim4761 It really isn't. Just get her ASAP and have her in your party, do anything nice and you'll get her approval. Then she'll ask to spend time with you at the Tiefling party at camp and from there you're locked in.

[@Good-ol-Jaz]

What a fun concept! Personally I like; Lae'zel x Shadowheart (toxic religious trauma yuri), Astarion x Karlach (the cat and golden retriever ship, so soft and tender), and Gale x Wyll ("Gale? Gale? G A L E?" And also because they're both such sappy romantics)

[@PocketLeaves]

I read a fanfic once with background Gale x Wyll, and they were so sweet and tender!

[@alexisloveschocolate]

Seductive Literature by fiveforchibis has to be my all time favorite BladeWeave ship. It is fairly spicy though for those who would like to avoid those kinds of fics. But I can read Wyll with almost anybody, and definitely all of the main tadpole group as a polycule

[@simonjameskenway6933]

Karlach and Wyll*

[@ANGRYWOLVERINE2060-ft2nc]

Astarion bit karlach and caught on fire. Hilarious

[@CL-lx2pm]

I have stood strong on the hill that Wyll/Gale is so good. They just seem not only good together but good for each other too!

[@thetheatreguy9853]

Personally, I'm a major Wyll x Karlach shipper because it's the only ship outside of the main character that is somewhat hinted at. If they go to avernus together, Karlach will make a passing remark that she loves him that hints at their relationship when you talk to her in the epilogue.

[@betweenthelakescinema7027]

If you’re dating both Lae’zel and Shadowheart in act 2 and choose Shadowheart, Lae’zel will comment how extra painful it is that it had to be “her” that you fell for. Read into that what you will.

[@aflooki]

i WILL read into that what i will........ hee hee (evil laugh)

[@Rathdrgnknight]

I'm a huge fan of bloodweave because it's an INCREDIBLY versitile ship. They both have the capcity to bring out the absolute BEST in each other, but they also have the capacity to bring out the WORST in each other as well. It means fics can be really wild and fun and interesting because there are *so many* places to go with them, whether they're good for each other or bad for each other is wildly up to interpretation and I love seeing those interpretations.

[@TTRPGSarvis]

I do wish companions would start to pair off if you aren't romancing them by a certain point. It's one of my favorite aspects of Mass Effect 3 or Dragon Age Inquisition. You aren't the only one finding love on your adventures.

[@SarcyBoi41]

True, I loved the Garrus X Tali thing going on in ME3, and the James X Ashley thing in the Citadel DLC. Too bad it was just those two pairings though. I feel like they could've given us more. I haven't gotten to the Dragon Age series yet but I'm looking forward to it more now since you said the Inquisition companions pair off

[@Druidic_Brujo]

Wyll & Astarion being together is so real to me. I feel it so strongly.

[@CeaselessEnemy]

I like Karlach and Astarion, mostly just because of Touch Starved x Tired of Touch as a dynamic. I like the idea of them finding their middle grounds.

[@zacharybosley1935]

Wyll x Karlach off rip: their stories are just tied around each other so neatly, and theyre both the party golden retriever. Bloodweave: Gale and Astarion, either as the Spawn and the Teacher, or the God and Ascendant, both follow a very unique relationship with power and authority and ambition that feels like they ground each other better than anybody else could. Shadowheart x Lae'zel: Religious Trauma is a very strong theme for these two, and when they finally get past the obligations of their gods & culture, truly they cannot be stopped.

[@IrethEdelstein]

you get it XDDD

[@Wilted.lycoris]

I see you Lae’zelxMinthara and raise you KarlachxMinthara.

[@PocketLeaves]

I'm listening! (They'd have such an interesting dynamic!)

[@daemass9676]

Well, if we could use non-romanced characters ending dialogues from origin playthroughs as a proof of what characters actually think of each other, Minthara is semi-canonically in love with her

[@Wilted.lycoris]

@@PocketLeaves I’m totally going to spoil Karlach origin for you,I’ll take my jail sentence afterwards. If you’re Karlach origin and romance Minthara and commit to letting your engine take you out,she cries. Minthara sobs and mourns the loss of you and calls it a “needless tragedy”. I did it completely on accident but have not stepped off my soap box defending my love of the ship since.

[@sweetyft]

Yes! Minthare has a dialogue line to give her opinion on the other party members and she has nothing but good things to say about Karlach right away.

[@Fizzypopization]

Karlach would never.

[@elizabethchipman3908]

Are we all sleeping on KarlachxGale? Hear me out- Both are very good aligned, wanting to do what’s right for everyone involved, willing to give up everything to save the ones they love (Gale blowing himself up and Karlach volunteering to become illithid) Both have the opportunity to utilize “taboo” or dark forms of magic to power themselves in the Soul Coins and the Shadow Magic despite their morals guiding them differently. I also think Karlach could really help Gale process everything after speaking to Elminster and later act two. He’s being asked to die for his goddess, the person he trusts and adores most in the world, and being led to do so by a beloved mentor in Elminster, and I think Karlach could provide some perspective since the betrayal from Gortash. She’s been in purgatory because she put too much trust in a person of power, and she could guide him to make a choice for himself rather than for Mystra- to keep living alongside her while she fights so desperately to stay alive too. And they both essentially have bombs in their chests and could find some solace in that shared worry. Karlach is sincere and upbeat where Gale is more matter-of-fact and even tempered. I think Karlach would help him reignite his passion for living, and he could help ground her. I also imagine he’d be desperately searching for spells or technology that would help repair her engine, trying cold or water spells to lower her temperature and the like. They’d be such a ‘bomb’ couple! And their ship name could sound super cool like bloodweave does. Maybe infernalweave or netherflame? (Wow this was long, thanks to anyone who read it all😁❤️)

[@JMOlsen_]

Karlach is plainly too stupid to be a viable match for Gale. She doesn't understand 90% of what he is saying, she is afraid of and dismissive of magic. That wouldn't work. Plus Gale is neutral, somewhat corruptible. Whereas Karlach puts her obsolete childhood peasant values above literally everything else, including her own survival and the survival of her companions.

[@Sofia-ge6wm]

Bloodweave is so fucking cute and there's also people who add Halsin to the mix and honestly I find that idea interesting

[@aflooki]

i get the appeal of adding halsin, but also if you've romanced gale and tried to talk to him about being with halsin too, you know that he is very strictly monogamous and is very uncomfortable by even bringing up the idea... so i personally have a hard time picturing it

[@taigatoco]

I feel like people who add Halsin into Bloodweave are just discovered Gale for themselves after 2-3rd playthrough and do 3some just for horny reasons (and because they already love Astarion/Halsin and don't want to loose it). And Gale explicitly don't want to share his LI with anyone. It isn't headcanon territory, it's a fact. And as a big Gale fan it's sad that his new 'fans' are so ready to put aside his wants and needs for selfish/horny reasons.

[@Sofia-ge6wm]

@@taigatoco Yes!!! I can see the three of them being friends and maybe Gale asking Halsin for help with Astarion's healing since they have similar traumas but other than that I can't see the three of them being a thing

[@RayWhitfield92]

No its for Gale Origin reasons, if you play as Gale you can romance Astarion and Halsin at the same time ​@@taigatoco

[@taigatoco]

@@RayWhitfield92 you can OOC the hell out of the character during origin playtrough. The information the character gave you while you're not controlling him still stands. I highly doubt that people just choose Gale origin for their first run of the game and dive in completely blind.

[@aaronjafri9004]

Talking about characters as if they're real people is the best way to talk about characters, change my mind. Also, I haven't beaten the game yet but Halsin being genuinely put off by the idea of being "all ears" only makes me love my beautiful bear boyfriend even more.

[@Louves192]

Wyllstarion fans unite ❤ I love Shadowheart x Lae'zel, even their actors ship them hard. I can see the appeal of Wyll x Karlach, but from my perspective they have more sibling energy. I cannot really ship any of the companions with Gale. Bloodweave would work in an evil-ish playthrough for me, as they would just enable each others hunger for power. And double ascension for Astarion sounds funny. But as always, nothing can top Durgetash.

[@PocketLeaves]

REAL WITH DURGETASH!!!!

[@RayWhitfield92]

I like Bloodweave the most, it just makes sense. Shadowheart and Laezel And Karlach and Wyll Those are my favourites

[@bandit_of_trash]

OK but Minthara and Gale would be an interesting pairing... especially considering the interactions you get between them lol. Minthara always roasting the shit out of him is hilarious.

[@PocketLeaves]

Oh I'd LOVE to see that, but good luck to Gale

[@aconitinia]

from what i've seen, they actually have some cute interactions if you romance her in a gale origin run. she teases him quite a bit, but does genuinely care about him underneath all that

[@natefoster5454]

My ships would be: The Hellian couple (Karlach x Wyll). The Forbidden trio (Astarion x Shadowheart x Halsin). The Marshall couple (Minthara x Laezel). And if Minthara isn’t recruited, then the Celestial Duo (Gale x Laezel)

[@midnight7786]

There IS NO pairings. It's canon that they're all polycule 😤😤 That said, I do think Shadowheart and Lae'Zel would be a cool pairing as well as Shadowheart and Karlach, and Gale and Lae'Zel (that's ship is such an unexpected pairing that it kinda works in some levels with Gale being interested in Lae'Zel's culture and Lae'Zel giving Gale something a bit different than what he's experienced. Not to mention, I could see her having him stand up to Mystra). But there is a pairing, I kinda wished you mentioned ngl, and that's Astarion and Karlach. It does serve the trope of tragic lovers/nice person and asshole person but the idea of Karlach spending years of hell due to Gortash and Zariel could be an interesting dynamic with Astarion, who spend 200 years being a slave under Cazador. At first, they wouldn't like each other but imagine if Karlach got into the Astarion scene after the Tiefling celebration where Astarion, who is known to be an open flirt and offers sex as fun, is faced with someone who brings some interest to him.... only he can't touch that person. So instead, he gets into a conversation, and they bond - something that Karlach hasn't gotten in years and Astarion gets to experience something more than what he usually does. Astarion could possibly show her around what she was missing after 10 years while Karlach's warm nature can rub on Astarion's cold demeanor and slowly remove the masks he had to wear for years. And there's also the tragedy, Karlach wants to be free in the sun but Astarion can't live out in the sun...meanwhile Astarion wants to be free roam out in Faerun now that he's away from Cazador but Karlach has to go back to Avernus otherwise she'd die from her engine. Both wants freedom and to live their lives but it feels impossible to not only be free but to do it with the ones they love. It's kinda even sweet and makes audience cry once realizing that they would rather give up their desires for one another, depending on the playthroughs.

[@PocketLeaves]

Astarion and Karlach do parallel each other, yet they handle things so differently! They'd be a really interesting couple to explore!

[@deafbeans5221]

fr fr lol,

[@whensomethingcriesagain]

Pairing Lae'zel with Minthara was an inspired choice, given their experiences with serving masters on opposing sides who both betrayed them in similar ways. You could easily get a full "The Prophets have betrayed us" moment with them, though hopefully one with a better ending, as they're both forced to grapple with their shared experiences and empathize with each other as a result.

[@KaseQueso]

Of the 6 Karlach and Gale- he loves attention, she loves giving attention, plus he's most likely to solve her heart problem permanently Astarion and Laezel- they can keep up with each other in the battlefield and the bedroom. Similar ideals, similar desires for the outcome of their life Wyll and Shadowheart- both poetically adorable, they can trauma bond over being mislead, similar ideals (shadowheart tries too hard to be bad but she's a good egg) Minthara... I'm all hers

[@OakandIV]

This was a lot of fun. It did not match my preferred ships, but you really sold me on Galstarion and Min’zel, which I had never even considered. If I were doing a gale -astarion ship, I would go with them bonding initially over the Necromancy of Thay. Astarion really does want to learn magic. He thinks he needs the power. Gale, at his worst, believes he needs to prove himself through magical knowledge and power. All that fear and ambition could draw them together. In the happy version of their story, Astarion could catch feelings and fight for Gale when Mystra tells him to sacrifice himself. Gale understands (or thinks he understands) how it feels to think one’s self a monster. They could have compassion for each other. I don’t know if they could fix each other. Probably they would both go nuts with ambition. But they would have a chance.

[@no-mx1tc]

My personal favorite setup is shadowzel (ofc), karlach wyll and Astarion (Astarion wants to hate their optimism, but he adores how respectful and caring they are, and they can all bond over the shared experiences of trying to overcome their bodies being turned into something that hurts them and detaches them from their identities), and Gale being happily single (he needs to learn how to find fulfillment outside of a relationship after Mystra)

[@PocketLeaves]

Gale could really benefit from learning to love himself outside of a relationship and what others see in him.

[@Mellie]

Lae'zel would definitely love Gale, once he showed her his knowledge and willingness to embrace her culture, that is actually my main ship for the companions. I think she'd be a lot more likely than Astarion would, especially seeing his willingness to blow himself up for a cause. Astarion doesn't even like Gale, and Gale doesn't stan Astarion's bloodlust. I thnk the bloodweave is my least favorite ship. I just don't get it at all and I think a lot of people who but them together do so because they don't want to choose between the two of them. I really liked your original take. Karlach + Shadowheart, Wyll + Astarion, Gale +Lae'zel.

[@blakcharazard213]

NEW. POCKET. LEAVES. VIDEO. LET’S. GOOOOO!!! 😁

[@zenmaster8]

The revised ships are literally what I thought of when you said the question.

[@GabbyJFS_02]

Personally I definitely can’t see Gale with Lae’zel, I feel like our dorky wizard would just be too terrified of her 😂 imagine him trying to “prove he is worthy of her love” and immediately being accidentally killed. For me, it’s: *Shadowheart:* Either Lae’zel or Gale, Lae’zel bc I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and Gale bc I feel like he’d bring out the more gentle side of her. *Gale:* Astarion for reasons mentioned below, and Karlach as they’re both pretty morally sound characters and as Gale said he could be “smooth enough for the both of them.” Also Karlach would definitely be able to talk him down from blowing himself up. *Astarion:* Karlach because they both value their freedom and just want to live their own lives and because Karlach would definitely be like “I can fix him.” But I suppose also Gale as I feel like they would warm up to each other and (hopefully) bring out the best in each other. *Wyll:* Karlach for rather obvious reasons and also Halsin because Wyll seems enamored with him from the start. *Lae’zel:* Astarion, because despite her dislike of vampires they also have some pretty funny banter and I feel like Astarion is slightly in awe of the hot mommy gith. And again SH, both are very similar, two sides of the same coin. *Minthara:* Haven’t played with her enough to really know too much about her but she seems to admire Karlach quite a bit. But I don’t know if their wildly different viewpoints could lead to a long-lasting relationship. Also bc the whole on fire thing. *Karlach:* As you can see I can envision her with pretty much any member of the party, except maybe Halsin as she’s not into polyamory and Halsin makes it pretty clear he wants to feel free in the relationship. But personally I prefer her with Wyll. She really is best girl. *Halsin:* Not Astarion as from what little knowledge I have of his romance he is one horny Druid and depending on what choices you make Astarion, while he may agree to it, doesn’t want his relationship to focus on sex. Not that that’s the only thing Halsin cares about, but personally I can just see a lot of friction there. He could do well with Wyll I think, or maybe Shadowheart, although from what banter we get Halsin seems to view her as more of a spoiled child than anything else so…not quite the dynamic I’d like to picture being in a relationship.

[@kare880]

For me it's Lae'zel/Gale Shart/Karlach Wyll/Astarion "Short" Elaboration: As someone who mains Githyanki you get more dialogue with Lae'zel where you pretty much get the idea that she is a TEACHERS PET, if you play as a Githyanki and choose any dialogue option revolving around history she scolds you for not knowing, she also is too proud to admit when she doesn't know something for example if you ask her "what does purification entail" as a non gith after allowing her to interrogate Zorru she will say "i'm Sworn to say little more" as in i'm not allowed to tell you, but if you ask her a githyanki the dialogue changes and she will ADMIT that she doesn't know what purification entails "i know little more" this woman could be a history teacher if she weren't a warrior, we underestimate her love for knowledge and learning which is something i think her and Gale would share together, we learn from her romance that she wishes to be a softer more gentle woman and Gale could allow her to do that. I should mention, i'm saying all this while being a Gale Stan lol and i do romance him as a Gith. I put Shart with Karlach as i can't see her being with Astarion, anyone who ships her with Astsrion should be banned, thats illegal. They have serious sibling energy going on together, i'd put her with Wyll if i didn't think Wyll and Astarion would be a better couple, Wyll is the healthy that Astarion needs, Shart could use that too but she's not in as much need of saving as she is very logical and driven by that. My OTP for Karlach 100% is always Karlach and Minthara, but as minthara isn't apart of the question. I'd put her with Shadowheart, Karlach is the light shart needs.

[@kbucket]

I know it seems super basic but Gale x Shadowheart has become a fave of mine... I was doing a shart origin run, with the full intention of romancing Lae'zel but then I was getting so many scenes with Gale and it just felt right! They've both been groomed directly by their gods (as in personal contact with them) but both manipulated differently. They also seem like they'd both really enjoy just a simple life together. If you don't romance either of them, Shadowheart does visit Gale in Waterdeep (if she is travelling faerun) and Tara even sits on her lap lol. Knowing Gale, he would be so eager to help her learn more about her past, and you know that man would surprise her with a beautiful cottage filled with animals and a night orchid garden...

[@sepehr86]

my favorite is bloodweave i liked your analysis and i also feel like astarion wants to be worshiped(deep down his heart)and gale is the one that can perfectly does that :,))))

[@Rhampsinites]

I think there is some merit to Gale Lae'zel Pairing. Lae'zel openly compliments Gale's skill at magic and Gale shows authentic interest in Gith Culture. Plus you get fun dynamics like: "Magic User X Fighter" "Nerd X Jock" "Golden Retriever X Black Cat" "Earnest Optimism (with underlying Scathing Pragmatism) X Scathing Pragmatism (with underlying Earnest Optimism)"

[@PocketLeaves]

That is so fair! I don't have the two of them on my party at the same time very often, so maybe I've been missing on more of their interactions that solidify the ship more!

[@HeyitsEm18]

My headcanon - if Im doing a Tav run I’m romancing Gale we end up splitting our time between Waterdeep and the Gate. Wyll and Karlach are together kicking devil butt in the hells. Lae and Shart are doing long distance while Lae is off freeing the Gith from Vlaakith. Astarion is learning to be his own person after all these years. As much as I LOVE Astarion for my Durge I think he definitely needs time to himself to heal. I don’t think he’d be single forever but he needs time to figure out who he is without Cazador

[@GhostofApocrypha]

I always have to add Minthara and Halsin whenever I'm thinking about this, because it just helps me choose ships I like more Karlach/Minthara Shadowheart/Lae'zel Astarion/Halsin Wyll/Gale But tbh I love like. Every ship between all of them. More favs include Shadowheart/Karlach Shadowheart/Minthara Shadowheart/Astarion Wyll/Shadowheart Wyll/Lae'zel Gale/Lae'zel Karlach/Lae'zel Wyll/Astarion (I'm sure you can tell who my favorite characters are aha) My favorite ship in all the game is Lae'zel/Shadowheart even though i dont usually like enemies to lovers, but for a lot of the reasons you said still. I have so many thoughts about them. I want them to realize how alike they are, help each other through leaving their religions, learn to respect each other. I want to see them mellow out around each other, forgive each other, learn from each other. Whether its platonic or romantic, I'm obsessed with how they interact. I want them to becone close. Help each other. Because they both deserve good. Karlach/Minthara is my runner up because of how tragic they are. Minthara, the most loyal companion, being totally and completely destroyed by her lover's choice to die, rather than go back to her prison. Origin Karlach romancing Minthara... it makes me so not okay. I adore them. My fav charactars are indeed Lae'zel (as my favorite overall, i love her development and i relate to her a lot) and Shadowheart (as my favorite romance) (Wyll is my third), and my least favorites are Astarion and Halsin, just because i find it hard to connect with them. But i think they're good characters. Its hard to hate any of the companions. Edit to include: If I'm allowed to include Durge I will always, always ship them with Minthara or Shadowheart. If Astarion has the most lines with them, but Selunite Shadowheart and Durge!resist's parallels are so, so good. I love them. My little amnesiacs

[@FairyBogFather]

Gae'zel is my favorite ship. Their banter is just too funny 😂

[@gwenmorse8059]

I agree with Karlach + Wyll for the same reason (Wyll going to Avernus). I agree with Astarion + Gale for the same reason (because they each under-value themselves + astral sex) and _also_ because they both have gorgeous hair (Astarion will approve if you joke with him that Gale's hair is nicer than his). I agree with the two cult ladies - Lae'zel likes a little bruising and Shadowheart likes a little whipping - but it's a tough road with the attempted murder at the start. Since going through the Halsin romance he makes me very uncomfortable (I don't like his "in midlife crisis - wanna bang?" vibe) so I would leave him alone until he develops some actual maturity. Minthara is an extremely subtle and complex character. She's so accepting of Tav and attracted to them (whatever their choices including full squid and slayer) I'd almost say she's the only one who "has" to end up with Tav. I might put her in a throuple with one of the other pairs who take their individual darker/power-collecting path - she and Ascended Astarion and God Gale would end up ruling the whole of the Realms - but she's very adamant that she will only be in a monogamous couple. She might be ride or die Tav, I think Jaeheira is overlooked in BG3. Her budding mentor/cub relationship with Tav (even if Tav is older than her) shows she's missing close relationships in her life. I don't want her to be a Tav romance (I think it was handled really badly with CHARNAME in BG2), but I'd like her to have a NPC romance. If Halsin wasn't so icky (to me), he'd probably be the best choice - shared values, also a reluctant leader, loves kids. Last up, I'd like to see a NPC romance for Minsc. He's tricky with his ABI, but I'm a firm believer that disabled people get to have love too! I think Minsc needs someone to protect and who is introverted enough to encourage him to smooth out his roughest edges. BG2 had a female elf named Aerie who was a former slave and victim of trauma. I think she's a template for a good romantic prospect for Minsc (although it would work equally well as a male NPC). Minsc would grow to be just a tiny bit less loud and reckless, and the romance would grow in confidence and assertiveness and nurture him. If you consider Minsc in the context of being a well-rounded character (as opposed to comic relief) he's a very closed off and guarded person. Boo is a sort of shield or defense mechanism so that he doesn't have to be vulnerable with anyone.

[@t.f.wright9796]

Thanks so much for turning my idea into a video. Very fun watch and great couple picks. Lae'zel and Shadow heart still my fave

[@sherbertvalley]

personally karlach x astarion holds a special place in my heart

[@Tamisday]

I’m doing an Astarion playthrough right now and am struggling with who to pair him with because 1) he is precious and I must protect him but 2) I am obsessed with the drama of pairing him with Minthara and him being an absolute disaster without Tav but 3) I feel like it would be funny to pair him with Gale just to spite Gale.

[@callmegwen9513]

Loved the silly and unscripted format! Feels like taking with a friend

[@HobGungan]

This was tough before your explanation, because my brain immediately went for and loved Karlach/Wyll and Lae'zel/Shadowheart, but I wasn't sold on that leaving behind Gale/Astarion. But not only did you settle on the same triptych, but you explained the one I didn't initially like in a really nice way. Of course, I too prefer polycule camp and wish you could actually do that in-game. P.S. So now we need to unpack Halsin/Minthara. 😸

[@samiyarossini]

1,850+ hours, and I've yet to do an Origin run (unless we're including durge) because, even with the No Romance Limit mod, -I can't decide who should be smooching who-.

[@lokiserpentem8534]

Literally ill stop playing the run for a bit while im struggling to figure it out

[@Numdenu]

oh boy oh boy i cannot wait for a deep dive into the death bug from fallout new vegas

[@sk8ergrrl1]

I think I could write a whole essay on each possible pairing in the group and why they could or couldn’t work.

[@Bibochan18]

I agree with pretty much all your pairings, especially Astarion/Halsin, that's my otp right there!

[@feidreth2504]

thats exactly how i ship them too lol like if they all need one partner. also, your astarion pillow is great

[@widzianosrakuna]

You are so real for Karlach and Shadow. For astarion and wyll too, although i cannot decide if i pefer them and bloodweave. Usuallg in my rps i have gale and wyll and me and astarion so For laezel i usually add shadowlach

[@RB-yt6rx]

I didnt think about karlach/wyll. That is such a cute ship 😮

[@salempistorius7395]

In my playthrough, the morning after Lae'zel and Shadowheart had their knife fight, Lae'zel was complimenting Shadowheart on her combat prowess and how much she had improved, and since then I've been devoted toxic yuri truther

[@laurenturner3172]

I love your points :) for me, it's very hard to see Bloodweave. Their personalities are so different haha. My lineup would be Lae'zel and Minthara, Astarion and Halsin, Shadowheart and Gale, and Wyll and Karlach.

[@siobhannicolson5566]

so im pairing my current tav w wyll, but im struggling to think of how id pair the rest of the party. ive gotten really into astarion and karlach recently, as well as astarion and gale, but the rest is kind of a question mark lol

[@molliethomas2585]

Finally able to sit down and watch while playing BG3

[@Jules_Diplopia]

Interesting. I currently have a Wyll playthrough going, and during the tiefling party Wyll was being nice to everyone, but it was Shadowheart who took him off. And in passing Lae'zel commented that she would have to find someone else, and that Astarion looked good. That just leaves Gale. Since Karlach is gone, I suspect that he might team up with Halsin. But it is weird, there are so many options. Lae'zel and Shadowheart are of course the 2 characters who are the least developed (in the story world) not naieve, but with little real experience. So they could grow together.

[@sweetyft]

Cazador deep dive. That’s intriguing!

[@Skarletkombat]

For me it’s Lae’zel x Shadowheart , Wyll x Karlach , and Gale x Minthara . I know the last one doesn’t make sense, but I will not elaborate on it. 🤭

[@alenafraskova6903]

For me it would be Shadowheart with Laezel, Karlach and Wyll, Astarion and Halsin(and Tav), Gale with... I dont actually know I don't want to pair him with Minthara. Gale with someone from his school once he is a professor and Minthara can have a harem, too sassy for only one person :D

[@glassashlyn]

i was romacing karlach in one of my playthroughs, and when karlach was complimenting wyll i was lowkey getting JEALOUS LMAO. so i was happy when you said wyll and karlach should be a couple haha

[@CeaselessEnemy]

I like ship discussions. There's something very fun, thinking about relationship dynamics between the BG3 cast. I wish there were more Polycule dynamics, but I understand most of the characters are rather monogamous, so Ill make due with daydreaming.

[@sophiekrupin97]

i typed out my answer before you got to yours but i had to delete it because we agree 100% lol

[@s1b3r11]

Karlach/Dammon Astarion/Gale Are pretty much the only ones that I can see

[@ali-san9844]

Karlach x Astarion has been my roman empire ever since I saw a video on origin Karlach's first night with Astarion and origin Astarion's date with Karlach

[@deafbeans5221]

I LOVE the polycube, but i think (if mono) then gale X asartairn (with halsen). the fits so well. then Shadow heart X Leza, of course wyll and kalach

[@benjaminHUH]

2:26 those are all what i thought first lmao

[@eris.jane.fontanella]

Gale and Lae'zel give me straight vibes 😶‍🌫️

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Where is your Discord? I want in! In my fic, Wyll and Astarion become eventual best friends.

[@maddona3245]

Karlach and Wyll, Shadowheart and Lae'zel, Gale and Astarion. Karlach and Wyll are such a natural pick I haven't manged to romance either of them. I've made the comparison in my head about Shadowheart and Lae'zel being so much like Anders and Fenris from Dragon Age II I'm not sure realistically they would ever think of each other romantically. I am totally a Bloodweave fan. Initially it's because Gale is the only companion that doesn't react too horribly to Astarion being outed as a vampire. He's not happy about it but really he says I taste terrible so don't. Which isn't like the others who are literally stay the eff away from me. If you wait to ask him about having a vampire in camp, the only person who has that option, until after you are fully aware of Gale's issues his answer is so much more revealing. Thanks for another interesting video. =)

[@Macaronracaron.]

My favorites are: shadowheart/Karlach, laezel/wyll, and I saw minthara/Gale and I find it so funny. Karlach/wyll is really good, and laezel/shadowheart giving that toxic yuri is 🔥❤️🔥 Edit: I forgot to add how cute Astarion/karlach’s romance is if you play as one of them.

[@nathanfivecoate5848]

Shadowheart and Lae'zel go from actively hostile/antagonistic toward one another in act 1 (No, attempting to slit the throat of someone you hate in the middle of the night is NOT FOREPLAY, IT IS ATTEMPTED MURDER.) to only *barely* tolerating one another by act 3. I do not ship it at all, no matter how hard other people do.

[@Ginny97263]

my sets would be Karlachxminthara, laezelxshadowheart, wyllstarion, galexhalsin, or laezelxminthara, karlachxwyll, bloodweave, and shadowheartxhalsin

[@itsyaboiroman3345]

YES FINALLY SOMEONE ELSE THAT’S A WYLLSTARION ENJOYER🤩

[@l.j.1417]

Bring back cannon romances like Dorian and Bull! For all the bad of Dragon Age Inquisition, they crushed the characters. ❤

[@shyanfakhraey4841]

All of the dragon age game now got discount on steam until 27june

[@PocketLeaves]

OH SICK! I will be getting them now!

[@thimovijfschaft3271]

Is that a giant Mooncake plush nehind you?

[@whatisausername7679]

i need everyone here to know, that if you play as karlach origin and recruit and romance minthara and then decide to die and not go to avernus minthara is extremely fucking upset about it and literally cries in a cutscene (she doesnt cry if for example a durge dies to bhaal or decides to kill themselves) minthara really, really likes karlach

[@zacharybosley1935]

Strong takes all around

[@harley3211]

I live for this

[@aflooki]

ok hear me out but astarion x laezel has so much potential. Like, we already know laezel finds astarion attractive infact she immediately starts flirting with him if you have her in your party when u find astarion lmao. they do hook up however it is a very transactional thing for them. Astarion likely does it out of his want for protection, and laezel seems to see him as just an entertainment. but i think theres definitely potential for them catching feelings. as both of them are known to do lol.

[@ANGRYWOLVERINE2060-ft2nc]

Of course they can

[@emmasilver2332]

AstarionxKarlach is so cute

[@Xovergirl]

Okay but THE ASTARION PLUSH WHERE U GET IT????

[@Kveldrunari]

My ideal - Wyll x karlach Gale x astarion Me (female human) x laezel x shadow heart x minthara

[@OakandIV]

Second comment to feed the algorithm, because this deserves it. My favorite ships - Karyll. Both respect the other. Both are willing to sacrifice or even die for each other. Both know that. Both are great people. I honestly think they are a perfect couple and prefer their romance. Lae’starion - Lae’zel sleeps with Astarion (or Wyll) at the party, and enjoys him (she gives Wyll a poor review). Astarion likes Lae’zel and loves to be around strength. She wants entertainment; he wants protection. In the happy version of their story, I can imagine them saving each other. At least for a while. I can’t see Shadale. I think those two would stay single. Halsin? I honestly don’t like his romance lines. He accepts a “no” but he complains about it. Poor form for anyone, and he should know better. Thanks again for a fun video. Looking forward to your next.

[@blisterwort]

Origin Gale x Lae'zel is so cute if you let her beat your ass during her romance, she knows that Gale is a fragile nerd who isn't worthy of her in Githyanki culture but she still chooses him, Hes so interested in her culture and he's the only one who picks up on her jokes! Gale definitely falls for her first but she falls harder.

[@Mailed-Knight]

For the algorithm.

[@itmesarah]

Personally… Shadowheart x Karlach Lae’zel x Minthara Astarian x Wyll Gale x Jaheira (non romantic) Halsin x Me (please)

[@RanPizza]

What i love about gale x astarion, is they quickly start to respect each other (in the bickering kinda way). But whats super interesting about their dynamic is how astarion just doesnt understand how someone so hurt by others, is still trying to stick to his "lawful good" morals. Like gale consistently always values peace and the "right thing to do." Astarion is much the opposite, being the "chaotic evil", lashing out at the world now that he finally has the power. Astarions lines show he just doesnt get that gale (arguably the most powerful of the group) doesnt ever seem to be tempted to do bad things. (Ie gale destroying the shadow lantern in act 2/not absorbing the shadow weave for origin gale). Its such a fun and interesting dynamic for a lawful good x chaotic evil romance.

[@Deadpan_Snarker]

Gale is in absolutely no way a lawful good character. The man is pure Neutral alignment. He has morals and compassion but he also tends to justify villainous actions A LOT and he is also driven by hunger for power - a trait assosiated with evil alignment. It is less one-the-nose in act 1, but becomes extremely evident after you discoverer the crown. Besides, I played as evil character, and I can't say that he was always disapproving of them: Wyll and Karlach (actual good-aligned guys) left, Gale stayed. And he even justified some of my villainous actions: not caring that I slaughtered everyone in Last Light Inn, that I handed SH to Viconia, and he gives only -1 disapproval if you allow Astarion ascend. He is very flexible with his morals, which is not an indicative of good and especially lawful character.

[@RanPizza]

Girl i dont know anything about dnds alignments. Im just going off what he approves or dissaproves of in game.

[@lost_infog]

OKAY HEAR ME OUT!! Im regards to the main six I really enjoy these ships: 1. Karlach x Astarion 2. Gale x Shadowheart 3. Wyll x Lae'zel Now I know on surface level 2/3 of these don't make sense but hear me out. 1. I really like Karlach x Astarion for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, it allows for Astarion to not put up his "hey I'm so sexy, we should do the sex so we get our own benefits from it" and instead have to think of how to "gain" Karlach's protection in an unconventional manner for him. He wouldn't need to go through his usual pattern of seducing someone to gain something out of it, and instead be forced to drop his mask and just... Talk. To be and to talk, which is honestly very beneficial for Karlach since she hasn't really had anyone in Avernus to "be and talk with" for ten years. They can create a meaningful conversation without overtstepping any physical boundaries, and focus on if they want to create a meaningful emotional relationship. Secondly, the two of them have very similar trauma. Both were unwilling slaves/servants to a powerful and abusive figure that granted them no automomy, that includes their physical characteristics such as their skin. If anyone can understand either one of them and learn from each other's experiences, it would be each other. Astarion could learn how to accept hope and look at the brighter things in his undead life. Karlach can earn comfort from knowing there is another who knows what it's like to be seen as a monster, and learn from Astarion to not let one's life end quickly just because of another person's damage done unto you. They both can feel freedom in their identities with each other. Lastly, I really just love their banter AND I love the idea of "hot person cooling down from a cool perspn who is warmed up by a hot person", both figuratively and literally. 2. Now I know on surface level they may not have a lot in common, but listen... Both struggle with an affliction given to them by their goddess due to certain circumstances, and have to grapple with gaining and losing the favor of their goddess. Their magic is inherently involved and derived from the power of their goddess, and they both feel their own forms of intimacy with said magic. They both learn to not succumb to the wishes of their goddesses, and instead learn who they are without their goddess and learn to love that version of themselves. Plus they're both insane goobers who are very corny, and they enjoy a good glass of wine. They both can relate and learn from each other without encouraging possibly destructive behaviors. Gale can show Shadowheart that she has the liberty to be fascinated and enjoy doing right things, and Shadowheart help Gale realize that revenge on a goddess by becoming a god himself will only destroy what it means to be a mortal with humanity. They can also experiment with each other's magic (in more ways than one hehe) and learn alternative forms of producing magic that does not relate to their goddess. A little escapism, if you will. Their banter is also very enjoyable to listen to, especially the one where they're in Bhaal's temple lol. 3. Lastly, we have Wyll x Lae'zel. I believe they can show each other different forms of passion and why their forms of passion are borh right. Wyll can give Lae'zel a safe space to feel what it's like for someone to love without feeling like she has to be on constant high alert, and Lae'zel can give Wyll more courage to challenge others and be more selfish with his desires. Wyll can pick up more martial lessons from her as well, relieving him from needing to heavily rely on his Warlock powers if he so wants, and Lae'zel can learn why fighting with your heart is powerful. Their stories also both involve dragons, which is sick as hell, and they actively work through a complicated relationship with a powerful woman who has been constantly deceitful and cruel to them and others for their own benefit. Plus, Wyll (being all over the Sword Coast and being most familiar with Faerûn IN MY OPINION) can help with Lae'zel's education with the land and can be a great role model for Lae'zel's kid (if she has the gith egg from the creche) by encouraging the child to enjoy his freedom of choice and to not be afraid of using his heart. I think the different ways they can encourage each other is just really sweet in general, and they can learn a lot from each other's experiences. Plus I think they're closed in age to each other compared to the other companions? So in regards to age mentality, it works. Anyway apologies for how long this was ahhh. TLDR: each ship can encourage each other to be their best selves and influence healthy, postive behaviors in the end game.

[@kstar1489]

I like Karlach x Wyll, and even Baezel x Shart, but to me I get no romantic or sexual chemistry from Astarian and Gale. I think they actually don’t like each other that much, I get more the “initially dislike/distrust each other and are distant but slowly come to care about each other and become bickering friends” type vibe. Honestly Astarian seems a bit repulsed by Gale, at least at first. Idk I’m legit repulsed by it for some reason, I just do not ship it at all. My OTP is Astarion with myself other ships I like: Wyll x Astarion, Karlach x Astarian, Shart x Astarion… hmm, I’m seeing a pattern

[@aestheticadrian7913]

I say I’m panromantic asexual because I fall in love with personality’s, not gender, and I don’t like anything sexual.

[@maymaecat5149]

Ace gang unite ♤♤♤ See, im a poly girl all day, but BladeWeave is the most monogamous duo of the whole game. They both will leave you if you attempt to be with halsin or dance with the drow. (The all are except for miss shadowheart and Astarion. You don't know how upset i was that this uber progressive game does not let me be poly unless i romance an elf.) I think they would be great together☝🏾 But I almost think Wyll can get with just about anyone without any issue, once they get past his slowburn things (thats also me being a Wyllmancer champion, i need everyone to love Wyll) That being said Astarion with one of BladeWeave is PEAK, bc they are both slowburn kings and thats definitely what he would need romance wise. Speaking of romance, i can't give anyone much of anything. Seeing as I personally think they are all in a queerplatonic polycule bc most of them needs a friend more than a partner. They are in the deepest most initmate freindships with each other and they will occasionally have sex with each other if they'd like to. (I dont feel like explaining my thoughts and feeling about queerplatonic relationships rn your just gonna have to trust me on how this would work and how its VERY different from a romantic polycule) Halsin and Minthara are included in that, but im with you and believe Minthara would only really have sex with the women in the relationship(And it would be deep passionate bdsm☝️) And if Durge is the Tav involved, even more so(with durgetash things) I could go on and on about my qpr poly cule things but imma leave it here

[@GarethOfByzantium]

You know you can actually do this, right?

[@Mariahiscool]

im voting shadowheart and halsin srry

[@PocketLeaves]

OH? I have never considered them together just as a couple before, but that could be sweet!

[@Mariahiscool]

@@PocketLeaves i think theyd be perffff i dont know who i see lae'zel with.... perhaps with the canonical durge??? 🤔

[@RobThePrincess]

Wait. Are the companions "Friends"-coded?? Lol

[@RobThePrincess]

I know it's a like a boomer comment. But 20 years ago, they were the group of 6 friends where the fans would constantly move pairs of "ships" around all the time, because they all generally worked so well together lol.

[@PocketLeaves]

OOH! Yeah that's the companions alright!

[@zakityzak3364]

Is there a link to the discord?

[@chaos9059]

Gale and Astarion are bad match. Both of them are blinded by ambition. Also if Gale ascends. He falls into the same hole. Except he's the Mystra of the relationship.

[@astridmarie6412]

I refuse to believe Karlach is not a lesbian but I respect your opinion 😌

[@PocketLeaves]

That's so fair. She gets the short end of the stick with that since I really love Shadowheart and Lae'zel together. But I always make a sapphic Tav just for her when I romance her myself.

[@dariaradac423]

Monosexuals stop trying to erase bisexual characters challenge. And why is it always Karlach? Just because she's more masculine? Guess what, masculine bisexual women exist. And we're tired of being erased.

[@gwenmorse8059]

Karlach is canonically bi or pan. If you play her origin and do a long sleep before picking up any companions, she fantasizes about a three-way with both a male and female fantasy image. She likes the D and the vag.

[@ali-san9844]

Fair enough, but the game literally contradicts that with her being attracted to Dammon?

[@faemewmi]

wyllstarion nation rise shartzel skip gale and give karlach minthara sry gale halsin x laezel ?? LMAO idk!! idk...

[@JoelTrujillo]

SECOND?!

[@LeanneKnoll]

tldr my pairings are: Wyll/Lae'zel Astarion/Karlach Shadowheart/Halsin and Gale and Minthara are not together... let me explain okay so in the game i got the opportunity to ask lae'zel who she tried to hook up with at the end of act one party. She says Wyll. so i spent like 20 mins trying to understand that logic because she says when he comes into the party that hes to idealistic about the world. i think that knowing what i know about her story it kind of makes sense. lae'zel fundamentally doesn't understand love, weather thats love of family, love of partners, ect. Wylls whole thing when you romance him is that hes too into love and romance. and while i can them not meshing well in the beginning but we all know zel is a softy and if you put wyll in at the end when shes confessing how scared she is to loose the one she loves, its honestly beautiful. Astarion is healing from being viewed as an object and Karlach never sees him that way. their relationship is about enjoying their humanity and not a trama bond. Also the date scene is too adorable not to see how touched Astarion is. Shadowheart from the jump likes to dream about halsin. not just cuz shes horny, but she also thinks hes sweet. Halsin takes care of kids along with thaniel at the end and Shadowheart's farm is perfect for those kids. Her story revolves around family and he can give it to her. Gale's story is too focused on Mystra and his good ending is that they get back together. Minthara needs time alone after Orin. She needs to figure out to trust again and shes not ready imo to be with someone.

[@claioya5478]

My fave ship is probably Astarion x Tav/Durge x Halsin. Maybe because that’s what I did on my current Playthrough. There have been lots of discussions about, if Astarion consenting to Tav sleeping with Halsin is genuine or not. I think it is because he rejects the other poly character of the group (Shadowheart). So there is something about Halsin in particular. His question on if you’re only doing this because he’s not offering enough sex is also totally valid, especially with his history. But after Tav assures him he’s fine. Then again I see them starting more as Tav and Astarion having an open relationship at first and then later on being a full throuple after Astarion had had time to gauge that Halsin is safe. I have trauma similar to Astarion and have also been in in poly relationships in the past. Honestly it’s kind of nice to know I don’t have to provide for all my partners sexual needs and that there’s another person available if I just don’t want to.

[@potatoman7594]

haven't watched the video but I'm just gonna immediately say there's no more right couple than shadow heart and laezel. they were written in the stars on each others hearts.