Noblestalk & Shadowheart in BG3 – Guide

BG3 Noblestalk is a powerful and mysterious mushroom that plays an integral role in the complex companion quest surrounding Shadowheart. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of how to obtain Noblestalk, who to give it to, and how it impacts Shadowheart’s attitude and backstory. We’ll also analyze Shadowheart’s origins, personality, and best builds to fully understand this cryptic Cleric of Shar companion.

Key Takeaways:

• Noblestalk is found in the Underdark and can heal, cure poison, restore memories, and persuade NPCs.
• Giving it to Shadowheart boosts her approval, unlocks backstory, and progresses her questline.
• Not saving Shadowheart results in her death, losing a powerful Cleric companion.
• Shadowheart has a tragic backstory involving the Mindflayers and lost memories.
• She is a complex, cold, but ultimately good-hearted companion who values honesty.
• Her Cleric/Ranger build makes her a versatile healer, buff/debuff caster, and ranged attacker.

Where to Find the Noblestalk Mushroom

The Noblestalk is a rare, luminescent mushroom that can only be found in the Underdark region below Baldur’s Gate. Specifically, it grows in the Dread Hollow area, guarded by explosive Bibberbang fungus.

To reach the Noblestalk, you’ll need to navigate down to the Underdark using the winding tunnels and cave systems below the starting area. Once in the Dread Hollow, you’ll spot the faint blue glow of the Noblestalk on the ceiling.

However, aggressive Bibberbang mushrooms block the way. These mushrooms will explode and poison you if approached. Therefore, you have three main options to safely grab the Noblestalk:

• Extinguish the torchkeeping the Bibberbangs active with a spell or ability.
• Drink a Potion of Poison Resistanceto ignore their explosions.
• Use Mage Handto carefully pick the Noblestalk from a distance.

With the Bibberbangs dealt with, you can collect the precious Noblestalk mushroom and decide what to do with it.

What Does Noblestalk Do in Baldur’s Gate 3?

This rare Underdark mushroom has a variety of effects when consumed or given to certain NPCs:

• Restores Health:Eating Noblestalk heals around 10 HP and cures poison.
• Restores Memories:Giving it to Shadowheart or Baelen Bonecloak helps them regain lost memories.
• Changes Attitudes:Giving it to Shadowheart dramatically improves her attitude and unlocks backstory. Or gives new dialogue with Derryth Bonecloak.
• Progression:Allows progression of Shadowheart’s companion questline.

So in summary, Noblestalk acts as a powerful healing mushroom, memory aid, and relationship booster with select NPCs. It also enables progression for Shadowheart’s personal story.

Who To Give Noblestalk To in Baldur’s Gate 3

You have a few options on who to gift your precious Noblestalk mushroom to:

• Shadowheart:Boosts attitude, unlocks memories and backstory. Recommended option.
• Baelen Bonecloak:Restores his memories but angers his sister Derryth.
• Derryth Bonecloak:Gives some new dialogue and shop access but does not help Baelen.
• Yourself:Heals and cures poison, but cannot give to anyone else.

We strongly recommend giving the Noblestalk to Shadowheart as it has the most in-depth effects on her character arc and provides plenty of new insights into her background. The other NPCs provide limited side benefits.

Effects of Giving Noblestalk to Shadowheart

When given to Shadowheart, the strange Underdark mushroom has profound effects on her attitude, memories, and personal quest:

• Improves Attitude Towards You:She becomes much more grateful and friendly.
• Regains Childhood Memories:She remembers her old friend Rennald from youth.
• New Backstory Details:Fleshes out her history and connections to Noblestalk.
• Progresses Companion Quest:Opens up new dialogue options to unlock “Finding Rennald” entry.
• Relationship Boost:Strengthens rapport, leading to eventual romance route.

Handing the Noblestalk to Shadowheart is highly recommended to gain a deeper understanding of this complex companion.

Consequences of Not Saving Shadowheart

When you first meet Shadowheart, she is trapped in a Mindflayer pod on the Nautiloid ship. You can choose to either save her by unlocking the pod, or leave her behind.

If you don’t free Shadowheart from the pod, here is what will happen:

• Shadowheart Dies:The Mindflayers will kill her or the tadpole will consume her mind.
• Lose a Companion:You’ll miss out on having the only Cleric companion and her personal quests.
• No Noblestalk Interactions:You won’t be able to see the outcomes of giving her the mushroom.
• Difficulty Spike:Lacking a Cleric makes battles noticeably harder in early access.

Overall, it is highly advised to free Shadowheart from the pod and keep her as a companion. Her healing powers and compelling character story make her an invaluable party member.

Is Shadowheart a Good Companion in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Shadowheart can seem cold, standoffish, and mysterious at first, but she evolves into a powerful ally and intriguing character if you earn her trust. Here’s a quick pros and cons analysis:

Here is a table summarizing the pros and cons of Shadowheart as a companion:

Ultimately, Shadowheart is one of the most useful yet complex companions. If you can look past her prickly exterior and unravel her hidden past, she becomes a loyal ally and brings a strong Cleric skillset. Her story ties closely to the main plot as well, making her almost mandatory.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Hag Eye Guide

Shadowheart’s Tragic Origins and Backstory

Shadowheart has one of the most intricate and painful backstories amongst companions. Here are the key known details:

• She was a half-elf taken in by a High Priestess of Shar.
• Sent on a mission to retrieve an artifact, which went horribly wrong.
• Captured by Mindflayers who tortured her and erased memories.
• Lost her faith and left the Sharran order, now seeking purpose.
• Her real name and history remain clouded in mystery.
• The Noblestalk mushroom somehow ties into her clouded past.

Slowly peeling back these layers to reveal more about Shadowheart forms a major part of her compelling companion questline. We encourage playing through all of her personal story beats to fully understand this tragic character.

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Arfur Gregorio Guide

Best Builds and Party Role for Shadowheart

Shadowheart has an interesting Cleric and Ranger class combination, making her a versatile support character who can also dish out ranged damage. Here are some top builds:

• Cleric/Ranger– Focuses on Cleric spells up to level 3, then invests in Ranger for ranged damage. Max out Wisdom.
• Ranger/Cleric– Prioritizes Dexterity and Ranger skills first, then gets Cleric spells for buffs/healing.
• Melee Cleric– Uses Cleric and Ranger levels, but wields melee weapons like mace and shield. Also viable.

As a Cleric, she can fill the vital healer role but also leverage domains like Trickery for stealth/deception spells. As a Ranger, she inflicts excellent damage with a longbow from range. She also has skills like Perception and offers Guidance frequently.

Overall, keep Shadowheart’s build flexible but optimize Wisdom to get those higher level Cleric spells for buffs, heals, and revives. She works in any party makeup.

How to Get Shadowheart to Trust You

Below are some tips on how to get the secretive Shadowheart to open up and trust you more:

• Show compassion– Shadowheart is slow to trust but will respond to genuine kindness over time.
• Help her remember– Support her efforts to recover lost memories at a pace she’s comfortable with.
• Be honest– Lies and secrecy will damage your rapport. Be transparent in your words and actions.
• Don’t pry– Avoid invasive personal questions early on. Let Shadowheart voluntarily open up.
• Give space– Shadowheart is independent and introverted. Let her have some personal time when she needs it.
• Have patience– It takes time for her to lower her guard. Don’t rush the relationship building.

If you can demonstrate compassion, honesty, patience and support – Shadowheart will eventually reciprocate with trust and loyalty. Use key moments like the Noblestalk gift to foster closeness as well.

FAQ – August 18, 2023

Can I give Noblestalk to anyone else besides Shadowheart?

Yes, you can also give Noblestalk to Baelen or Derryth Bonecloak. But they have limited side effects compared to Shadowheart.

What happens if I eat Noblestalk myself?

Eating Noblestalk will heal you and cure poison, but prevents you from giving it to NPCs for their unique interactions.

Can I sell Noblestalk?

No, Noblestalk is a quest item so it cannot be sold or traded away.

What is the ideal time to give Noblestalk to Shadowheart?

After progressing her companion questline is best, so she understands the context and memories triggered by it.

What are some ways to get Shadowheart to trust me?

Show compassion, help her remember her past, be honest/patient with her, respect her boundaries, and support her faith.

How can I get Shadowheart to join my party?

You must help release her from the pod on the ship, then complete her companion questline to recruit her fully.

How do I make Shadowheart a better companion?

Focus on developing her Cleric abilities, boost Wisdom, unlock her backstory, and make morally sound choices to gain her approval.

What is a brief summary of Shadowheart’s background?

She was a Sharran cleric sent on a doomed mission, captured by Mindflayers who tortured and wiped her memories, now seeking lost faith and purpose.

Conclusion

To summarize, Noblestalk is an invaluable mushroom with potent effects while Shadowheart is a deep, tragic character with intricate ties to the main story. We recommend locating Noblestalk early to gain favor with Shadowheart and in turn, recruit a loyal Cleric companion. Learning her origins and motivations through dialog, quests, and gifts like the mushroom provide great insight into this mysterious woman. Building trust and an effective Cleric/Ranger character will ensure Shadowheart becomes a valuable party member.