What are the consequences of letting the hag live in Baldur's Gate 3?
Letting the hag live in Baldur's Gate 3 is a significant story choice that occurs during the "Save Mayrina" questline in Act 1. This decision has both immediate and long-term consequences, affecting the narrative, character relationships, and potential rewards. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of what happens if you choose to spare the hag, Ethel, and how to navigate this choice effectively.
When you encounter Ethel in her lair, she offers a deal: she will let Mayrina go and give you a powerful reward if you agree to let her live. This reward is a unique item called the "Hag's Hair," which grants a permanent +1 boost to one of your ability scores. This is a rare and valuable reward, as permanent stat increases are hard to come by in the game. However, sparing Ethel also means she will continue her nefarious activities, potentially causing harm to others in the future.
To achieve this outcome, you must first navigate the hag's lair, which is filled with traps, illusions, and dangerous enemies. The lair is located beneath the Riverside Teahouse in the Sunlit Wetlands. Once inside, you will need to fight your way through Ethel's minions and solve environmental puzzles to reach her inner sanctum. When you finally confront Ethel, she will transform into her true form and engage you in combat. During the fight, she will use powerful spells and abilities, such as invisibility and summoning duplicates of herself, to confuse and overwhelm you.
To spare Ethel, you must reduce her health to a certain threshold, at which point she will offer the deal. ItÔÇÖs important to manage your damage output carefully to avoid killing her outright. If you accept her offer, she will teleport away, leaving behind the Hag's Hair and Mayrina. Mayrina will be grateful for her rescue but may express concern about the consequences of letting Ethel live.
One important tip is to ensure your party is well-prepared for the fight. Ethel is a formidable opponent, and her lair is filled with environmental hazards. Having a balanced party with strong melee fighters, ranged attackers, and spellcasters will help you handle the various challenges. Additionally, using abilities like Detect Thoughts or high Persuasion can give you an edge in dialogue, potentially allowing you to negotiate with Ethel more effectively.
A common mistake is underestimating Ethel's abilities and the difficulty of her lair. Players may rush into the fight without proper preparation, leading to a difficult or even unwinnable situation. ItÔÇÖs crucial to take your time, explore the lair thoroughly, and use stealth and strategy to gain the upper hand. Another mistake is accidentally killing Ethel before she can offer the deal. To avoid this, focus on controlling your damage output and using non-lethal attacks if necessary.
Advanced techniques include using crowd control spells like Hold Person or Silence to limit Ethel's abilities and prevent her from escaping. You can also use environmental elements, such as explosive barrels or traps, to your advantage. Additionally, having a character with high Perception can help you detect hidden traps and secrets in the lair, giving you an edge in exploration and combat.
From a D&D rules perspective, Ethel is a Green Hag, a type of fey creature known for its cunning and magical abilities. In the game, her abilities are based on the D&D 5E ruleset, including her use of illusions, invisibility, and charm spells. Understanding these mechanics can help you anticipate her moves and counter them effectively.
In terms of story consequences, sparing Ethel means she will continue to operate in the world, potentially causing more harm. However, it also opens up the possibility of encountering her again in future acts, where she may offer further deals or become a recurring antagonist. This adds depth to the narrative and allows for more complex moral dilemmas.
In summary, letting the hag live in Baldur's Gate 3 is a choice that offers both rewards and consequences. By carefully managing your combat strategy, preparing your party, and understanding the mechanics involved, you can navigate this decision effectively and shape the story in a way that aligns with your character's goals and values.
When you encounter Ethel in her lair, she offers a deal: she will let Mayrina go and give you a powerful reward if you agree to let her live. This reward is a unique item called the "Hag's Hair," which grants a permanent +1 boost to one of your ability scores. This is a rare and valuable reward, as permanent stat increases are hard to come by in the game. However, sparing Ethel also means she will continue her nefarious activities, potentially causing harm to others in the future.
To achieve this outcome, you must first navigate the hag's lair, which is filled with traps, illusions, and dangerous enemies. The lair is located beneath the Riverside Teahouse in the Sunlit Wetlands. Once inside, you will need to fight your way through Ethel's minions and solve environmental puzzles to reach her inner sanctum. When you finally confront Ethel, she will transform into her true form and engage you in combat. During the fight, she will use powerful spells and abilities, such as invisibility and summoning duplicates of herself, to confuse and overwhelm you.
To spare Ethel, you must reduce her health to a certain threshold, at which point she will offer the deal. ItÔÇÖs important to manage your damage output carefully to avoid killing her outright. If you accept her offer, she will teleport away, leaving behind the Hag's Hair and Mayrina. Mayrina will be grateful for her rescue but may express concern about the consequences of letting Ethel live.
One important tip is to ensure your party is well-prepared for the fight. Ethel is a formidable opponent, and her lair is filled with environmental hazards. Having a balanced party with strong melee fighters, ranged attackers, and spellcasters will help you handle the various challenges. Additionally, using abilities like Detect Thoughts or high Persuasion can give you an edge in dialogue, potentially allowing you to negotiate with Ethel more effectively.
A common mistake is underestimating Ethel's abilities and the difficulty of her lair. Players may rush into the fight without proper preparation, leading to a difficult or even unwinnable situation. ItÔÇÖs crucial to take your time, explore the lair thoroughly, and use stealth and strategy to gain the upper hand. Another mistake is accidentally killing Ethel before she can offer the deal. To avoid this, focus on controlling your damage output and using non-lethal attacks if necessary.
Advanced techniques include using crowd control spells like Hold Person or Silence to limit Ethel's abilities and prevent her from escaping. You can also use environmental elements, such as explosive barrels or traps, to your advantage. Additionally, having a character with high Perception can help you detect hidden traps and secrets in the lair, giving you an edge in exploration and combat.
From a D&D rules perspective, Ethel is a Green Hag, a type of fey creature known for its cunning and magical abilities. In the game, her abilities are based on the D&D 5E ruleset, including her use of illusions, invisibility, and charm spells. Understanding these mechanics can help you anticipate her moves and counter them effectively.
In terms of story consequences, sparing Ethel means she will continue to operate in the world, potentially causing more harm. However, it also opens up the possibility of encountering her again in future acts, where she may offer further deals or become a recurring antagonist. This adds depth to the narrative and allows for more complex moral dilemmas.
In summary, letting the hag live in Baldur's Gate 3 is a choice that offers both rewards and consequences. By carefully managing your combat strategy, preparing your party, and understanding the mechanics involved, you can navigate this decision effectively and shape the story in a way that aligns with your character's goals and values.