Friends With Benefits - Approval Rating Buffs
🟡 Updated this year⚠️ Install Order · 2 steps
Install in this order, then this mod last — most mods fail to load without their framework and dependencies in place.
Preview
🔍 Analysis
- 👍 0.7% endorsement rate
- 🏆 #493 of 515 Gameplay mods in this game by downloads
📋 About This Mod
Friends With Benefits
Your companions now grant passive buffs based on their approval rating toward you.
Created based on an idea from Dedewhale.
Mod image credits to Jay Dunna.
Description
Friends With Benefits is a comprehensive companion approval buff system that makes your relationships with companions mechanically meaningful. Every companion grants unique bonuses (or penalties) based on how much they like you.
How It Works
When you load into the game for the first time with this mod, you'll be asked if you want to enable the system. Once enabled:
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[]Approval buffs update in real-time as your companion relationships change
[
]Each companion provides unique bonuses themed around their personality and skills[]Romance partners receive powerful exclusive buffs that reflect your deep bond
[]Achieve maximum approval with 6+ companions to unlock the legendary "Cult of Personality" bonus
Approval Tiers
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[]Exceptional (80+): Powerful combat bonus + skill bonuses
[
]Very High (60-79): Strong skill bonuses[]High (40-59): Moderate skill bonuses
[]Medium (20-39): Minor skill bonus
[]Neutral (-20 to 19): No effect
[]Negative (Below -20): Combat or skill penalties
Companion Bonuses
Astarion - The Predator's Edge
Theme: Initiative & Stealth
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[]Exceptional: Initiative +3, Stealth +2, Sleight of Hand +1
[
]Very High: Initiative +2, Stealth +2[]High: Initiative +1, Stealth +1
[]Medium: Stealth +1
[]Negative: Initiative -2
Shadowheart - Divine Protection
Theme: Defense & Insight
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[]Exceptional: AC +1, Insight +2, Medicine +1
[]Very High: Insight +2, Medicine +1
[]High: Insight +2
[]Medium: Insight +1
[]Negative: AC -1
Gale - Arcane Mastery
Theme: Spellcasting & Concentration
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[]Exceptional: Spell Save DC +1, Arcana +2, Concentration +2
[
]Very High: Arcana +2, Concentration +2[]High: Arcana +2, Concentration +1
[]Medium: Arcana +1
- Negative: Spell Save DC -1
Lae'zel - Warrior's Discipline
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[]Exceptional: Spell Save DC +1, Arcana +2, Concentration +2
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[]Exceptional: AC +1, Insight +2, Medicine +1
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[]Exceptional: Initiative +3, Stealth +2, Sleight of Hand +1
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[]Exceptional (80+): Powerful combat bonus + skill bonuses
Friends With Benefits adds companion approval-based buffs, making relationships mechanically meaningful. Each companion grants unique bonuses or penalties based on their approval. With 168 endorsements and 24,906 downloads, it's a niche but popular gameplay mod for players who want deeper companion interactions.
✨ Key Features
📊 Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Solid community traction with 168 endorsements and nearly 25k downloads.
- Adds real mechanical weight to companion approval, making relationships matter.
- Unique per-companion bonuses encourage varied party compositions.
⚠️ Cons
- Last updated over a year ago (Feb 2026), so compatibility with newer game patches is uncertain.
- Limited to approval-based buffs—if you want deeper companion quests or dialogue, this won't deliver.
For players who want companion approval to actually affect gameplay, not just dialogue. If you're tired of companions being cosmetic, this adds meaningful bonuses. Skip if you prefer pure narrative or don't care about min-maxing companion relationships.
💡 Beginner Tips
- Focus on raising approval with companions whose buffs match your playstyle (e.g., damage, defense, utility).
- Check the mod's description for a full list of companion-specific buffs to plan your party.
- If you're using other companion mods, test for conflicts early to avoid broken buffs.
📊 Mod Details
- Game
- Baldurs Gate 3 Mods
- Author
- For_Kiramay
- Version
- 1.0.0.10
- Downloads
- 24,906
- Endorsements
- 168
- Category
- Gameplay
- Created
- 2/24/2026
- Updated
- 2/24/2026
🔧 How to Install Baldurs Gate 3 Mods
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