Embark on an exhilarating journey through the Nautiloid, the eerie mind flayer ship that serves as the prologue to Baldur’s Gate 3. This compact yet intricate map is your first taste of the game’s rich world, filled with hidden treasures, unique weapons, and potential allies waiting to be discovered. As you navigate through its shadowy corridors, every choice could lead you to fortune or peril, setting the stage for the epic adventures that lie ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer, our guide will illuminate the secrets of the Nautiloid and help you chart your course to escape its clutches.
Key points of Baldurs Gate 3 – M1 – Nautiloid
Important locations on the map
Powerful enemies and traps
Unique passageways and treasures
New potential team members
BG3 begins on the Nautiloid ship. In this guide, you will find a Nautiloid map on which we have marked the most important places and potential companions. We explain where to find Laezel and Shadowheart. You will also learn what to do with the talking brain.
Important locations – Nautiloid
The Nautiloid serves as the introductory location in Baldur’s Gate 3, where players embark on their quest amidst the chaos of a mind flayer vessel. This area is relatively compact but rich in exploration opportunities, featuring unique items, a significant weapon, and potential party members. Players begin their journey with the quest to escape the Nautiloid, which also acts as a tutorial for game mechanics. Key locations within the Nautiloid include various pods containing NPCs, an unstable Nursery that introduces pivotal story elements, and several combat encounters that set the tone for the challenges ahead. The Nautiloid not only lays the groundwork for gameplay but also immerses players in the game’s lore and atmosphere right from the start.
1. Starting place. You start Baldurs Gate 3 alone, but during the exploration of the ship you can get the first companions – Us the Intellect Devourer, the fighter Lae’zel, and the cleric Shadowheart.
Myrthal and the talking brain. On the upper level of one of the first rooms, you can find a man who has undergone a surgery. The talking brain will ask for liberation. You can accept this request and pass one of several skill checks or refuse and destroy/defeat the brain in combat. This choice was further described on the Myrnath and the talking brain – Nautiloid page.
Imps. These are the first monsters you will encounter while playing the game – fighting them is mandatory. When dealing with these creatures, it may be helpful to have Intellect Devourer in your party and to detonate the tanks located there with distance attacks.
Terminal with 3 buttons. Each button has a different action, with the choice generally limited to freeing characters from pods and fighting them (middle button) or murdering imprisoned people (right button). A cleric called Shadowheart is in one of the pods. You can free her when you find a special key to the chest in the adjacent room. We’ve described the location with prisoners in more detail on the page Prisoners in the pods – Nautiloid.
Commander Zhalk. He remains on the captain’s bridge, with no interest in attacking the team and no interest in fighting one of the friendly Mind Flyers. This will facilitate your access to the transponder, though you still need to watch out for imps (some of them will appear on the captain’s bridge after a while).
Transponder. This is the main destination during the prologue. You need to reach the transponder with any party member and interact with it to restore the connections. This will finish the prologue and advance to act 1 of the campaign.
Companions and important NPCs on Nautiloid
On the Nautiloid, players encounter several companions and important NPCs that are crucial for the game’s narrative. Notable among them are Lae’zel, a Githyanki warrior who provides combat prowess and insight into the game’s lore, and Shadowheart, a cleric with mysterious motives who can aid in healing and spellcasting. Additionally, players may come across Gale, a wizard with a complex backstory that intertwines with the overarching plot. These characters not only enrich the gameplay experience but also offer unique dialogue options and quests that enhance player engagement as they navigate the initial challenges of escaping the Nautiloid.
- Us – you help them to get out of Myrnath’s head and recruit them for the duration of the prologue.
- Lae’zel is a fighter who will automatically join your party.
- Shadowheart – the cleric will be imprisoned in one of the pods. You have to find the key to the chest in the next room. The key is on the corpse. Open the chest and take the rune needed to operate the mechanism by the pod with the imprisoned cleric.
- Commander Zhalk is a very powerful enemy encountered on the bridge – he is engaged in a battle with a Mind Flayer.
Nautiloid
The Nautiloid serves as the introductory map in Baldur’s Gate 3, setting the stage for players as they embark on their adventure. This prologue area is primarily designed to familiarize players with the game’s mechanics and narrative, featuring a confined space filled with valuable items and unique encounters. Players must navigate through the mind flayer vessel, encountering NPCs like Shadowheart and potential allies while collecting notable loot such as the Everburn Blade. The Nautiloid’s layout includes various rooms and challenges, culminating in a race against time to escape before the ship crashes, marking the transition into the main storyline of the game.
The entire prologue of the campaign takes place aboard the Nautiloid flying ship. You can treat this part of the game as an extensive tutorial. You’ll be able to become familiar with the basics of exploring the game world, fighting using the turn-based combat system, interacting with elements of the environment, or commanding the party
At the conclusion of the prologue, the Nautiloid makes an emergency landing and crashes. This means that you will not be able to return to the ship after advancing to the first act. However, there will be an opportunity to examine fragments of the shipwreck.
What are the best strategies for escaping the Nautiloid
To successfully escape the Nautiloid in Baldur’s Gate 3, players can employ several effective strategies that leverage both combat and exploration. Here are the best tactics to ensure a swift getaway:
Key Strategies for Escaping the Nautiloid
1. Understand Your Environment:
- Begin by exploring the area around your starting pod. Investigate the nursery pool carefully; an Investigation check (DC 10) will reveal its instability, preventing unnecessary damage from an explosion if you avoid reaching into it.
2. Utilize Combat Wisely:
- Engage in combat strategically. Use the Intellect Devourer as a tank to draw enemy fire while you and your allies take out Lesser Imps and other foes. Avoid getting surrounded, as these enemies can deal significant damage quickly.
3. Prioritize Objectives:
- Your main goal is to reach the helm of the ship and connect the transponder. Focus on defeating enemies that block your path but prioritize moving towards the helm, where you’ll need to connect the transponder within a limited number of turns.
4. Efficient Use of Healing and Resources:
- Look for Restoration Chambers to heal your party before major fights. Make sure to loot any fallen enemies for useful items, including healing potions and equipment that can aid in combat.
5. Engage with NPCs:
- Interact with potential companions like Lae’zel and Shadowheart. Their abilities can significantly enhance your combat effectiveness and provide additional options for overcoming obstacles.
6. Use Environmental Advantages:
- Take advantage of high ground or cover during battles to minimize damage from ranged attacks by enemies. If available, use ranged attacks effectively to control the battlefield.
7. Quick Decision-Making:
- Be prepared for quick decisions during combat, especially when facing Commander Zhalk and his Cambion reinforcements. Deciding whether to engage or bypass certain fights can be crucial to managing your party’s health and resources.
By following these strategies, players can navigate the challenges of the Nautiloid effectively, setting themselves up for success as they progress into Baldur’s Gate 3.
What are the best combat tactics against the Imps on the Nautiloid
To effectively combat the Imps on the Nautiloid in Baldur’s Gate 3, players can utilize a variety of tactics that leverage positioning, ranged attacks, and environmental advantages. Here are the best strategies:
Best Combat Tactics Against Imps
1. Use Ranged Attacks:
- Imps are agile and can close distances quickly, making ranged attacks a preferred method of engagement. Utilize bows or spells from a distance to prevent them from getting too close. Dipping arrows in fire can enhance damage significantly against these foes.
2. Take Advantage of High Ground:
- Positioning your characters on elevated surfaces provides an advantage in combat, granting better attack rolls. Imps often favor high ground themselves, so moving your party to similar positions can help counter their advantage.
3. Control the Battlefield:
- Use spells like Grease to hinder the movement of Imps, making it harder for them to reach your characters. This tactic can slow them down and create openings for your party to strike without retaliation.
4. Utilize Environmental Hazards:
- Look for explosive barrels or other environmental items that can be used against the Imps. Dropping these near groups of enemies and igniting them with fire spells can deal significant area damage.
5. Engage in Tactical Movement:
- Use the Dash action to reposition your characters strategically during combat. If an Imp gets too close, consider disengaging to maintain distance and avoid being surrounded, which can lead to overwhelming damage from multiple attackers.
6. Leverage Allies:
- If you have companions like Lae’zel or Shadowheart, use their abilities to support your team. Shadowheart’s spells can heal or buff allies, while Lae’zel can engage enemies directly, drawing their attention away from your ranged attackers.
7. Focus Fire:
- Concentrate your attacks on one Imp at a time to reduce their numbers quickly. This prevents them from overwhelming your party and allows you to manage the battlefield more effectively.
By implementing these tactics, players can navigate the challenges posed by Imps on the Nautiloid and set themselves up for a successful escape from this perilous environment.
