How do I unlock the secret ending with the hag in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3?
To unlock the secret ending with the hag in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3, you need to engage with the character Auntie Ethel, who is a recurring antagonist in the game. This secret ending involves a complex series of choices and interactions that can lead to a unique resolution with her. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.
First, you need to encounter Auntie Ethel in Act 1. She appears in the Sunlit Wetlands, which is a swampy area near the Blighted Village. When you meet her, she will offer to help you with a problem, but she is actually a hag with her own sinister agenda. You can choose to confront her immediately or play along with her schemes. If you confront her, she will retreat to her lair, the Riverside Teahouse, where a more significant confrontation awaits.
In her lair, you will find a trapped girl named Mayrina, who is being manipulated by Ethel. You can choose to save Mayrina or side with Ethel. If you save Mayrina, Ethel will offer you a deal: she will give you a powerful item in exchange for letting her go. This is where the secret ending begins to take shape. If you accept her deal, she will give you a Hag's Eye, which is a cursed item that grants you a boon but also has a significant drawback. This choice sets the stage for your later interactions with her in Act 2.
In Act 2, you will encounter Ethel again in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. She will be disguised as a human woman named Auntie Ethel, and she will offer to help you with your quest. However, if you have the Hag's Eye from Act 1, you can use it to see through her disguise and confront her directly. This is a crucial moment, as it allows you to bypass her tricks and engage with her on your terms.
When you confront Ethel in Act 2, she will offer you another deal. This time, she will propose a more significant bargain: she will grant you a powerful wish in exchange for something of great value to you. This is where the secret ending comes into play. If you agree to her deal, you must carefully choose what you wish for and what you are willing to give up. The choices you make here will determine the outcome of your interaction with her.
One important tip is to consider the long-term consequences of your choices. Ethel is a master manipulator, and her deals often come with hidden costs. If you wish for something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if you wish for power, she may grant it to you, but it could come at the cost of your soul or the lives of your companions. On the other hand, if you wish for something more modest, such as the safety of your companions, she may be more likely to honor the deal without significant drawbacks.
Another consideration is your character's alignment and moral compass. If you are playing a good-aligned character, you may want to avoid making deals with Ethel altogether, as her intentions are inherently evil. However, if you are playing a more morally ambiguous or evil character, you may find her offers tempting. The key is to role-play your character's decisions and consider how they align with your overall story arc.
A common mistake to avoid is rushing through the dialogue with Ethel. Take your time to read and understand the implications of each choice. The game often provides subtle hints about the consequences of your actions, so pay close attention to the wording of her offers and the reactions of your companions. If you rush through the dialogue, you may miss important clues that could help you make a more informed decision.
Advanced techniques involve using your character's abilities and spells to gain an advantage in the negotiation. For example, if you have a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception, you can use these skills to manipulate Ethel into offering a better deal. Similarly, if you have access to spells like Detect Thoughts or Zone of Truth, you can use them to uncover her true intentions and gain leverage in the negotiation.
In terms of D&D rules, hags are powerful fey creatures with a variety of magical abilities. They are known for their cunning and ability to manipulate others through deals and bargains. In Baldur's Gate 3, Ethel's abilities are based on these rules, and she uses them to her advantage in her interactions with the player. Understanding the lore and mechanics of hags in D&D can help you anticipate her moves and make more strategic choices.
Specific examples of scenarios include the moment when Ethel offers you the Hag's Eye in Act 1. If you accept it, you gain a powerful boon, such as increased spellcasting ability, but you also suffer a curse that can only be removed by defeating her. This sets up a moral dilemma: do you accept the power and deal with the consequences later, or do you reject her offer and face her in combat immediately? Another example is the wish she offers in Act 2. If you wish for the safety of your companions, she may agree, but she could also twist the wish in a way that harms them indirectly.
In conclusion, unlocking the secret ending with the hag in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful consideration of your choices, understanding of the game's mechanics, and strategic use of your character's abilities. By paying attention to the details, role-playing your character's decisions, and anticipating the consequences of your actions, you can achieve a unique and satisfying resolution to this complex storyline.
First, you need to encounter Auntie Ethel in Act 1. She appears in the Sunlit Wetlands, which is a swampy area near the Blighted Village. When you meet her, she will offer to help you with a problem, but she is actually a hag with her own sinister agenda. You can choose to confront her immediately or play along with her schemes. If you confront her, she will retreat to her lair, the Riverside Teahouse, where a more significant confrontation awaits.
In her lair, you will find a trapped girl named Mayrina, who is being manipulated by Ethel. You can choose to save Mayrina or side with Ethel. If you save Mayrina, Ethel will offer you a deal: she will give you a powerful item in exchange for letting her go. This is where the secret ending begins to take shape. If you accept her deal, she will give you a Hag's Eye, which is a cursed item that grants you a boon but also has a significant drawback. This choice sets the stage for your later interactions with her in Act 2.
In Act 2, you will encounter Ethel again in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. She will be disguised as a human woman named Auntie Ethel, and she will offer to help you with your quest. However, if you have the Hag's Eye from Act 1, you can use it to see through her disguise and confront her directly. This is a crucial moment, as it allows you to bypass her tricks and engage with her on your terms.
When you confront Ethel in Act 2, she will offer you another deal. This time, she will propose a more significant bargain: she will grant you a powerful wish in exchange for something of great value to you. This is where the secret ending comes into play. If you agree to her deal, you must carefully choose what you wish for and what you are willing to give up. The choices you make here will determine the outcome of your interaction with her.
One important tip is to consider the long-term consequences of your choices. Ethel is a master manipulator, and her deals often come with hidden costs. If you wish for something that seems too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if you wish for power, she may grant it to you, but it could come at the cost of your soul or the lives of your companions. On the other hand, if you wish for something more modest, such as the safety of your companions, she may be more likely to honor the deal without significant drawbacks.
Another consideration is your character's alignment and moral compass. If you are playing a good-aligned character, you may want to avoid making deals with Ethel altogether, as her intentions are inherently evil. However, if you are playing a more morally ambiguous or evil character, you may find her offers tempting. The key is to role-play your character's decisions and consider how they align with your overall story arc.
A common mistake to avoid is rushing through the dialogue with Ethel. Take your time to read and understand the implications of each choice. The game often provides subtle hints about the consequences of your actions, so pay close attention to the wording of her offers and the reactions of your companions. If you rush through the dialogue, you may miss important clues that could help you make a more informed decision.
Advanced techniques involve using your character's abilities and spells to gain an advantage in the negotiation. For example, if you have a character with high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Deception, you can use these skills to manipulate Ethel into offering a better deal. Similarly, if you have access to spells like Detect Thoughts or Zone of Truth, you can use them to uncover her true intentions and gain leverage in the negotiation.
In terms of D&D rules, hags are powerful fey creatures with a variety of magical abilities. They are known for their cunning and ability to manipulate others through deals and bargains. In Baldur's Gate 3, Ethel's abilities are based on these rules, and she uses them to her advantage in her interactions with the player. Understanding the lore and mechanics of hags in D&D can help you anticipate her moves and make more strategic choices.
Specific examples of scenarios include the moment when Ethel offers you the Hag's Eye in Act 1. If you accept it, you gain a powerful boon, such as increased spellcasting ability, but you also suffer a curse that can only be removed by defeating her. This sets up a moral dilemma: do you accept the power and deal with the consequences later, or do you reject her offer and face her in combat immediately? Another example is the wish she offers in Act 2. If you wish for the safety of your companions, she may agree, but she could also twist the wish in a way that harms them indirectly.
In conclusion, unlocking the secret ending with the hag in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful consideration of your choices, understanding of the game's mechanics, and strategic use of your character's abilities. By paying attention to the details, role-playing your character's decisions, and anticipating the consequences of your actions, you can achieve a unique and satisfying resolution to this complex storyline.