What is the solution to the puzzle in the House of Healing in Baldur's Gate 3?

The House of Healing in Baldur's Gate 3 features a puzzle that requires players to interact with a series of surgical tools and a patient to progress. This puzzle is part of the larger questline involving the Shadow-Cursed Lands and the Thorm family. The solution involves understanding the mechanics of the puzzle, making the right choices, and avoiding common pitfalls. HereÔÇÖs a detailed breakdown of how to solve the puzzle.

First, when you enter the House of Healing, youÔÇÖll encounter a group of nurses and a surgeon named Malus Thorm. The nurses are performing a macabre surgery on a patient, and Malus will engage you in dialogue. The key to solving the puzzle lies in how you interact with Malus and the surgical tools. The puzzle is essentially a dialogue and interaction-based challenge rather than a traditional mechanical puzzle.

To begin, you need to approach Malus Thorm and engage him in conversation. During the dialogue, Malus will ask you to assist in the surgery. This is where the puzzle mechanics come into play. You will be presented with several options, each corresponding to a different surgical tool. The tools include a scalpel, a bone saw, and a pair of forceps. Each tool represents a different approach to the surgery, and your choice will determine the outcome.

The correct approach is to choose the scalpel. Selecting the scalpel allows you to perform the surgery with precision, which is what Malus is looking for. If you choose the bone saw or the forceps, the surgery will fail, and Malus will become hostile. This is a common mistake players make, as they might assume that using a more aggressive tool like the bone saw would be effective. However, the puzzle is designed to reward careful and precise actions.

Once you select the scalpel, you will need to pass a skill check. The skill check is typically a Medicine or Dexterity check, depending on your characterÔÇÖs abilities. Passing this check is crucial, as it ensures the surgery is successful. If you fail the check, Malus will still become hostile. Therefore, itÔÇÖs important to have a character with a high Medicine or Dexterity skill to increase your chances of success. If your character is not well-suited for this check, consider using a companion like Shadowheart, who often has a high Medicine skill.

After successfully performing the surgery, Malus will be pleased and will allow you to proceed without further conflict. This is a significant advantage, as fighting Malus and the nurses can be challenging due to their high health pools and powerful abilities. By solving the puzzle, you avoid a potentially difficult combat encounter and gain access to the next part of the quest.

There are a few advanced techniques and optimizations to consider. First, if you have a character with high Charisma, you can attempt to persuade Malus to let you take over the surgery entirely. This bypasses the need for a skill check and allows you to proceed without any risk of failure. Additionally, if you have a character with the Guidance spell, you can use it to boost your skill check, increasing your chances of success.

In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, the puzzle reflects the importance of skill checks and dialogue choices in determining outcomes. The Medicine skill, which is used in the surgery, is a key part of the D&D 5E rules and is often used for healing and medical knowledge. The Dexterity skill, on the other hand, represents precision and fine motor skills, which are also relevant in this context.

A specific example of how this puzzle plays out is if you choose the bone saw. The bone saw is a more aggressive tool, and using it will result in a failed surgery. Malus will become angry, and the nurses will attack you. This leads to a combat encounter that can be difficult to win, especially if your party is not well-prepared. On the other hand, choosing the scalpel and passing the skill check results in a peaceful resolution, allowing you to continue the quest without unnecessary combat.

In conclusion, the puzzle in the House of Healing requires careful attention to dialogue choices and skill checks. By choosing the scalpel and passing the associated skill check, you can avoid combat and progress smoothly. Make sure to have a character with high Medicine or Dexterity, and consider using spells like Guidance to improve your chances. Avoid common mistakes like choosing the wrong tool, and remember that persuasion can be a powerful tool in this situation. This puzzle is a great example of how BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 integrates D&D mechanics into its gameplay, rewarding thoughtful and strategic decision-making.