Summary

• Shadowheart from Baldur's Gate 3 is a fan favorite, with a narrative arc surrounding her religious devotion and faith.
• Many talented cosplayers, such as likeassassin and Popcrimesart, have captured Shadowheart's character with stunning costumes.
• The complexity of Shadowheart is showcased through various cosplays, each highlighting different aspects of her personality and story.

Since romanceable BG3 companion with a narrative arc surrounding her religious devotion and faith, Shadowheart has been a massive draw for players and cosplayers alike.

Only weeks after Baldur's Gate's release, Shadowheart cosplays began popping up on Instagram, Reddit, and other social media apps. Many focus on the character's hard-edged personality, while some choose to highlight Shadowheart's softer side. Regardless of how they portray the character, these 10 artists have perfected Shadowheart's persona and costuming.

10 Shadowheart In The Elegant Camp Attire

Created By Christina Volkova/likeassassin

Christina Volkova, aka likeassassin on Instagram, is a cosplayer specializing in anime and fantasy characters. She's seen here in Shadowheart's more casual camp outfit, which she wears anytime the party makes camp. The elongated elf ears Christina uses compared to Shadowheart's ears in Baldur's Gate make for a more elegant touch that compliments her approach to the character.

This photoshoot was done by Irina Seidova (via Instagram). Christina also has other Shadowheart cosplays on her social media from the same likeassassin Instagram , with a more casual, modernized version that has a navy coat and black lace top but keeps Shadowheart's trademark topknot braid and tiara, showing off her versatility.

9 Starting Armor DIY

Created By Popcrimesart

Popcrimesart is a cosplayer and Twitch who does fantastic work, which she highlights above as she creates Shadowheart's armor from scratch. She notes in her post that she used patterns from grangertales (via Instagram) and Amazing3DPapercraft on Etsy, while the circlet and hairpiece come from The Dangerous Ladies, an all-women prop-making collective.

Popcrimesart documented her entire build via social media, from the cutting and sewing to the spray paint. She has shared numerous posts with it, including some rather humorous reels. The s she used are worth it, as the final look is spectacular.

8 Dramatic Leather Armor & Morning Star

Created By Jack Dallexis

Jack Dallexis (via Instagram) is an artist from Kharkiv, Ukraine, and she does Shadowheart proud in this brooding piece with photography by Kaya Midzusu. The dual red/blue lighting highlights the leather and foam work on the armor, showcasing Shadowheart's conflict regarding her goddess.

Another post, showing Shadowheart holding her mysterious puzzle box, is captioned, "Shar's favourite princess," while the character stares straight into the camera, daring the viewer to attempt the unsavory device. Jack gives plenty of credit to others who helped make the overall look possible, such as the wig by Cudo Kudo and crafting by 3dsvs and Silverhand Cosplay Crafters (all on Instagram).

7 Full Metal Dark Justiciar Half-Plate

Created By Olga Haku

Olga Haku is a customer and seamstress who has been working with cosplay since 2017. She has a particular penchant for Baldur's Gate 3, as evidenced by this look with Shadowheart donning Dark Justiciar Mail. The armor can be found in the Grymforge region in the game, and is a solid choice for players wishing to lead Shadowheart down the path of Shar.

Olga hasn't only worked with Shadowheart, however. Her portfolio on her frau_haku Instagram includes the best Lae'zal cosplay out there. The makeup and attention to detail in her artistry is clear. Her Instagram post titled "My Cursed Cosplay Videos" (also via frau_haku) has some fantastic action shots of both Shadowheart and Lae'zal, as well as general silliness. Even more impressive, though, is that this armor is made entirely out of metal.

6 Shadowhearts Prom Photos in Starting Armor

Created By LeahLux

Leah Lux is a Chicago-based cosplayer and a master of anime-inspired looks. This Shadowheart differs slightly from her usual cosplays, such as Sailer Moon or Tifa Lockhart. However, she's succeeded with a strong attention to detail and beautiful photos by Amiephotos on Instagram. Also, it has to be noted that Leah crafted almost everything seen in the cosplay, including the armor, wig, and spear.

Finally, the lighting in these photos offers a hilarious contrast to Shadowheart's character and has a nostalgic quality, as though the viewer is being treated to Shadowheart's prom photos. Leah recently showed this cosplay at C2E2 2024.

5 Witchy Camp Attire Video

Created By Iivolga

Iivolga is a cosplayer and streamer specializing in darker characters, such as those from the NieR, Resident Evil, and FATE series. What makes Iivolga's Shadowheart come through, though, is the genius presentation of this reel. Every detail and prop (from the map of Baldur's Gate to the cult mask) is meticulously thought out. While she holds the puzzle box, the lighting and fog effects add to the character's intrigue and create a captivating piece.

She's also brought out her Shadowheart a few other times, such as this fun dance mashup with other cosplayers showing off their own Baldur's Gate 3 characters. Iivolga also has shown more intimate, soft scenes with Shadowheart among a flower garden. These pieces show off the complexity of the character, and Iivolga draws the viewer in with her cold gaze.

4 Camp Attire In Sunlit Catacombs

Created By Frekya

Frekya is a model and cosplayer from Austria whose fantasy looks range from Princess Azula to Elsa. Her Shadowheart stands out due to the stellar craftsmanship of the costume by FD Cosplay Studio, based in Ukraine, which Frekya altered herself.

Moreover, the photography done by patrick_url, a -based cosplay photographer, really emphasizes Baldur's Gate 3's dark atmosphere, particularly through the warm yellow backlighting scattering across the amazing location. But beyond the technical pieces, Frekya sells this cosplay by effectively channeling Shadowheart's personality. She claims in an Instagram post to have played as Shadowheart during her first playthrough, and it shows.

3 Camp Attire With Low Approval Rating

Created By Narga_Lifestream

Narga_Lifestream is a cosplayer and costumer whose love of Baldur's Gate 3 exudes from every post she does, including some amazing looks as Minthara, a drow paladin companion. Her Shadowheart in the classic camp outfit shines because of the hilarious and flippant sass she gives to the character. Shadowheart serves for some fantastic one-liners throughout the game, and Narga_Lifestream has keyed into that attitude in this reel.

She also shows off some of Shadowheart's more somber attitude, particularly in photos done by rozzylis on Instagram, setting the character against a beautiful mountain lake. Most importantly, though, it must be mentioned that Narga_Lifestream is responsible for most of her costumes, and her Shadowheart is completely done by her own hands.

2 Selunite Shadowheart in Elegant Robe

Created By rbf.cos

tentatively embraced Selune, the goddess of the moon, and has turned away from Shar.

The costume, too, is a player favorite and pairs well with this redeemed version of Shadowheart. Photographer Chris Clima also helps the cosplay succeed through the beautiful sunset poses achieved. Rbf. cos's version of Shadowheart is a refreshing take on a character often praised for her darkness.

This outfit, the elegant robe, can be purchased from Figaro 'Facemaker' Pennygood or can be found inside Chamberlain's Office in Szarr Palace.

1 Larian Studios Sponsored Dark Justiciar Mail

Created By Sonia Grillet/cinderys_art

Sonia Grillet is a French cosplayer, artist, and streamer, and she earns the number one spot on this list due to the immaculate construction and detail found in her Shadowheart. This shouldn't be surprising, as the construction was sponsored by Larian Studios, the producers of Baldur's Gate 3.

Wig and fabric pieces were provided to Sonia by xia.cosplay on Instagram, a fellow French prop maker, but aside from this, the entire piece was built by Sonia's hands. Her skills are on full display in this reel, highlighting the impressive movement of the gauntlets and skillful paint details throughout. More than this, though, she channels Baldur Gate 3's Shadowheart's cold stare with a singular understanding of the character.

Source: Christina Volkova/Instagram (1, 2), Irina Seidova/Instagram, Popcrimesart/Instagram, grangertales/Instagram, Amazing3DPapercraft/Etsy, The Dangerous Ladies, Jack Dallexis/Instagram, Cudo Kudo/Instagram, 3dsvs/Instagram, Silverhand Cosplay Crafters/Instagram, Olga Haku/Instagram (1, 2, 3), Rbf.Cos/Instagram, leahlux_/Instagram, ChrisClima/Instagram, cinderys_art/Instagram, xia.cosplay/Instagram