Free the Woman With the Console Next to Her in BG3
One of the first optional quests you’ll encounter in Baldur’s Gate 3 is to free Shadowheart from the pod. While Lae’zel advises you not to take her out, it’s understandable that you want her freed. We’ll explain how to free Shadowheart from the pod in the Nautiloid in Baldur’s Gate 3 below, as well as the consequences of doing so. At the very least, it means you’ll get a party member earlier than usual.
Open the Mind Flayer Pod to Free Shadowheart
In Baldur’s Gate 3, freeing Shadowheart from the Mind Flayer pod is very simple, and requires no risk on the player’s part. Here’s the basic procedure:
- A socket can be found on the console just to the right of Shadowheart’s pod.
- Go through the Sphincter to the room east of Shadowheart’s.
- A figure like Shadowheart’s will be ahead of you. Walk past it and to the other end of the room.
- A “Dead Thrall” lies next to the Cartilaginous Chest. Search their body for an Eldritch Rune.
- Put your hand on Shadowheart’s console and insert the Rune into the socket.
- You will be triggered. Select “Illithid (Wisdom): Will the pod open.”
Shadowheart will be released from the pod at this point. He will be a party member throughout the Nautiloid tutorial as soon as the pod is opened. In addition to using the Parasite, certain character classes, such as Wizards or Arcane-trained characters, can hack the console without Runes.
Shadowheart can help you in the fight that follows. As we discussed in our Baldur’s Gate 3 companions guide, Shadowheart is one of the best party members.
Should You Free Shadowheart?
It is definitely a good idea to free Shadowheart. In addition to being easy to do once you learn how there are no real penalties for freeing Shadowheart, she is an asset in the fight against the devils in the next room. You might even be able to get Commander Zhalk’s magic greatsword with her help.
When you free Shadowheart, you will also have a significant bump in your relationship with her later on, as she is understandably grateful for your rescue and can be the basis for a romance in Baldur’s Gate 3. In Baldur’s Gate 3, if you save her from the pod, she will lie in your path after you wake up after deducing where to go after the crashed ship. Otherwise, she’ll be further up the beach, trying to get into the Dank Crypt of Baldur’s Gate 3.
