More than two years after its 2023 launch, Baldur’s Gate 3 remains a reference point for character-driven role-playing games, and in 2026 its most persistent fan conversations still circle one question: why can some beloved NPCs never become romance options? The game’s Origin characters and companion romances are celebrated for wit, intimacy and replay value, but a long list of memorable side characters has inspired a parallel wish list among players. These figures are lovable, complicated and sometimes flirtatious, yet their stories remain platonic. Spoilers for Baldur’s Gate 3 and its characters follow.

The discussion is not about turning every NPC into a dating sim. It is about the emotional pull of characters who already feel fully realized. Community requests have long centered on figures whose arcs carry grief, loyalty, ambition or quiet humor, and those traits make the absence of romance feel both understandable and tantalizing. As of 2026, the debate has outlasted the game’s launch cycle, with repeat playthroughs, fan art and modding culture keeping the topic alive.

The Enduring Appeal of the Platonic Favorite

Baldur’s Gate 3 gives players a rare sense of intimacy with its cast. Companions remember choices, react to approval and build relationships through shared danger. Side characters often receive the same care in miniature: a rescued refugee, a proud wizard’s apprentice or a devil with impeccable manners can leave a stronger impression than some full companions in other RPGs. That is why romance requests persist even when the narrative offers no path forward.

Zevlor and the Weight of Renewal

When players first meet Zevlor, he is a diminished version of the Hellrider paladin he once was. He leads refugee tieflings from Elturel toward Baldur’s Gate, protecting them where he can until Absolute cultists abduct him. If the party rescues him, he returns as an ally in the final battle against the Netherbrain. His growth is satisfying because it is earned: a man who felt powerless reclaims his mind and his purpose. A romance built on that shared trauma, especially after the Mind Flayer Colony, would give players a rare story about healing rather than conquest.

Gortash, Z’rell and the Evil Route

Lord Enver Gortash is charismatic, polished and dangerous, and his dialogue with The Dark Urge carries a different charge than his exchanges with Tav. With Tav he is cordial but firm; with The Dark Urge there is history, familiarity and hints of flirtation. Fans have long argued that an evil playthrough would make the most sense for such a romance, since the player’s goals could align with his desire to control the Netherbrain and rule the world. At the very least, Gortash knows how to dress for the occasion.

Disciple Z’rell offers a different flavor of evil romance. As a loyal follower of The Absolute, she projects intimidating authority, yet her dialogue during the assault on Moonrise Towers includes a memorable line about the player becoming 'just another notch' on her bedpost. That single remark has kept players guessing for years. A romance with Z’rell would place The Absolute closer to the center of the story, turning devotion to a godlike force into something personal and perilous.

Barcus, Lakrissa and the Good-Hearted Favorites

Barcus Wroot cannot catch a break. Every time the party meets him, the poor gnome is having a terrible day, and he needs rescuing more than once before he can be invited to camp. He never becomes a full companion, let alone a romance option, but his loyalty to friends such as Wulbren is remarkable even when that loyalty is poorly repaid. If players encourage him to lead the Ironhand Gnomes, his arc becomes quietly inspiring. A Barcus romance would be sweet, funny and grounded in the kind of affection that grows through patience rather than spectacle.

Lakrissa greets anyone fortunate enough to chat with her with wit and charm. She is often found alongside Alfira, and the game implies something deeper between them, or at least a hardcore crush. Yet her dialogue with the player is openly flirty, and her charisma does the rest. If she is saved with the other captive tieflings in Moonrise Towers during Act 2, her flirting becomes bolder, whether because she feels safer or because the dreams have become real. A romance with Lakrissa would suit a good playthrough that values levity amid catastrophe.

Raphael, Alfira and the Art of Longing

Players can romance Raphael’s visage through the incubus Haarlep, but the devil himself remains untouchable, even after a deal. That is part of his appeal. Raphael is charming, sassy and cordial in a way that carries a sinister undertone, like a dark waltz. He would care little about the player’s moral choices so long as those choices served his goals and personal gain. It would not be a healthy romance, but it would fit evil-aligned Tavs or embraced Dark Urges. Some players simply want to watch the world, and the hells, burn.

Alfira is already a fan favorite, and many players have wanted her to join as a companion and fill the role of the dearly missed bard. Her fate in The Dark Urge playthroughs makes romance impossible unless she is miraculously saved, but Tav’s experience is entirely different if she survives each act. Her sweet demeanor and cheery attitude would make for an endearing romance, and cut content has only strengthened the case: an unused approval meter suggests she may once have been planned as a companion or even a romance option. Imagine the music she would bring to camp.

Dammon, Jaheira and the Comfort of Care

Dammon would be a heartfelt romance for good-aligned players. The infernal mechanic is first found at the Emerald Grove, and he becomes crucial to Karlach’s romance by using Infernal Iron to help repair her engine and craft the Flawed Helldusk Armour set. Because his path crosses directly with one of the game’s main characters, a romance with Dammon would feel especially touching, particularly for players who experience Karlach’s story firsthand. Even without romance, it is clear that he deeply cares.

Jaheira is a classic option and a very desired romance among fans, but Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke has clarified that romancing her will never be an option. It makes sense: Khalid, her late husband, remains a sore spot, and she bluntly refuses to elaborate on him in the game. Even so, players still want to give her kisses. A romance with Jaheira would be incredible either as The Dark Urge, given her history with Bhaalspawn, or as a normal Tav, but the playthrough would need to be good. The mom of the party has no time or patience for evil.

Rolan and the Pride That Melts

When players first meet Rolan at the Emerald Grove, they can side with him in telling his siblings to flee or convince him to stay and help the other tieflings. For the best character arc and the clearest romance potential, convincing him to stay is the richer path. Rolan is the cocky apprentice to the cruel wizard Lorroakan, and he begins as rude and snippy, almost as if he despises the player. Over time, that facade melts. If the player helps him and his siblings, Cal and Lia, throughout the game, he aids the fight against Lorroakan and the Netherbrain, inspired by their actions. By the end, his compassion and loyalty are rock solid. That would also mean Gale has competition, and wizards are rarely keen on that.

A Wish List, Not a Demand

The romance wish list around Baldur’s Gate 3 is ultimately a tribute to the strength of its writing. Players are not asking for every NPC to become a conquest; they are asking for more time with characters who already feel like friends. In 2026, that affection remains one of the game’s most durable legacies. Whether the request is Zevlor’s healing, Barcus’s kindness, Jaheira’s legacy or Rolan’s hard-won loyalty, the fantasy is simple: these characters are immensely lovable, and players would like to love them back.