Embark on a perilous journey through Baldur’s Gate 3 as you navigate the treacherous paths of The Risen Road and uncover the mysteries of Waukeen’s Rest. This guide is your key to exploring hidden secrets, engaging in fierce battles against gnolls, and rescuing trapped souls in a burning inn. Whether you’re seeking powerful allies like Karlach or confronting the looming threat of Githyanki patrols, every choice you make will shape your adventure in this richly woven tale of survival and strategy. Prepare to delve into a world where danger lurks around every corner, and your decisions could lead to glory or doom.
The Risen Road and Waukeen’s Rest – important places
The Risen Road and Waukeen’s Rest are significant locations in Baldur’s Gate 3, each offering unique experiences for players. The Risen Road serves as a crucial pathway connecting Elturel to Baldur’s Gate, lined with various encounters and lore that enrich the game’s narrative. This area is marked by its scenic views alongside the River Chionthar, making it both a beautiful and strategic route for adventurers. Meanwhile, Waukeen’s Rest, a notable inn along the Risen Road, has become a focal point due to its tragic backstory involving an attack by the Absolute, which leaves it in flames and adds an element of urgency to quests in the vicinity. Together, these locations enhance the immersive world of Baldur’s Gate 3, providing players with both aesthetic beauty and compelling storytelling opportunities.
Damaged bridge. This is the main way to reach the northern part of the map. You’ll reach it from the Blighted Village. The bridge is partially destroyed, but you can jump to the other side.
Gnolls in front of the cave. They’ve surrounded two survivors within the cave. You can attack the gnolls (position the party on the rocks above and attack the first monster from behind) or use your illithid powers to dominate the gnoll leader, commanding the group against the survivors in the cave. If you’ve dominated the gnolls, after combat you can command the leader again to either leave the area or attack the other gnolls.
Cave survivors. Two people are defending a chest tied to the Find the Missing Shipment quest. You can help them beat the gnolls, reach them through the trapped passage or let the gnolls kill the,.
Burning Waukeen’s Rest. The gate leading to the inn is blocked and you can help the people gathered there break through it.
Here, you’ll get the quest to find and rescue the Great Duke. You can search both floors of the burning Rest (save Benryn here – pass a skill check to help him escape) and adjacent buildings. The fire is gradually spreading, but you can put it out with magic or seek alternative paths.
Githyanki patrol. We strongly advise you to save the game before approaching the mountain pass, as you may end up forced into a hopeless battle. You’ll likely want to return after leveling up your party and giving them better gear.
This place is tied to Lae’zel’s companion quest. After approaching the pass, watch the cutscene with the dragon. The commander is a Kith’rak knight who’ll fly away after the conversation. You can use the tadpole’s powers here to deceive him or try and hand over the artifact. If you manage to deceive him, he won’t attack you and you’ll learn where to seek the githyanki creche.
Important NPCs and companions
In Baldur’s Gate 3, players encounter a diverse array of important NPCs and companions that significantly influence gameplay and narrative. Among the ten primary companions are notable characters like Astarion, a cunning High Elf Rogue with a dark past, and Shadowheart, a mysterious Cleric devoted to a secretive deity. Each companion brings unique abilities and backstories, enhancing the player’s experience through combat support and rich interactions. Additionally, characters such as Minsc, a fan-favorite Ranger returning from previous games, add nostalgia and humor to the journey. The choices made in recruiting these companions can shape the story’s outcome, making their roles crucial to the player’s adventure in Waukeen’s Rest and beyond.
Karlach. She is a Tiefling hiding next to the river. Karlach is wounded, but you can still attack her with a crossbow. You can talk her down from a fight through a Perception or Intimidation check. While talking to her, you can agree to help her kill the Paladins hunting her. You can also ally with the Paladins and kill Karlach for them.
If you’ve recruited Wyll, you’ll trigger a camp scene between him and Karlach.
What are the best strategies to defeat the gnolls in the cave
To effectively defeat the gnolls in the cave during Baldur’s Gate 3, consider implementing the following strategies:
Pre-Battle Preparation
- Scout the Area: Before engaging, use stealth to scout and identify enemy positions. This can help you plan your approach and avoid being overwhelmed.
- Utilize Ranged Attacks: Begin the fight with ranged attacks to thin out the gnoll numbers from a distance. This minimizes the risk of close combat, where they can deal significant damage.
Combat Strategies
- Focus on Grouping: Use area-of-effect spells like Cloud of Daggers or Fireball to target multiple gnolls at once, as they tend to cluster together. This can quickly reduce their numbers and disrupt their attacks3.
- Target Key Enemies Last: Leave tougher enemies, like Flind, for last. Focus on eliminating weaker gnolls first to reduce incoming damage and then concentrate your firepower on Flind when she is isolated.
Utilizing Illithid Powers
- Mind Control Tactics: If you have Illithid powers, use them to control Flind. Successfully executing a Wisdom skill check can turn her against her allies, significantly easing the battle.
- Divert Attention: Command Flind to attack other gnolls, which can create chaos and allow you to regroup or heal during the fight.
Environmental Advantages
- Leverage Terrain: Use elevation and environmental features to your advantage. Positioning your characters on higher ground can provide bonuses to attack rolls and make it harder for gnolls to reach you.
- Create Hazardous Surfaces: If possible, create difficult terrain using spells or environmental interactions (like ice or fire) to hinder the movement of gnolls and control the battlefield3.
Post-Battle Considerations
- Loot Strategically: After defeating the gnolls, ensure you loot their bodies for valuable items, including any quest-related items that may assist in further adventures.
By employing these strategies, you can increase your chances of success against the gnolls in the cave, turning a challenging encounter into a manageable one.
How can I use Illithid powers to my advantage against the Gnolls
Using Illithid powers effectively against the gnolls in Baldur’s Gate 3 can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Here are some strategies to maximize these unique abilities:
Key Strategies for Using Illithid Powers
1. Mind Control
- Target Flind: Approach the gnoll named Flind without initiating combat. Use your Illithid powers to peer into her mind. This can neutralize her and potentially turn her against her allies.
- Command Allies: Once you have control, command Flind to attack other gnolls. This tactic can significantly reduce the number of enemies you face directly, allowing you to focus on the remaining threats.
2. Wisdom Skill Checks
- Utilize Skill Checks: Engage in Illithid Wisdom skill checks during the encounter. For example, successfully convincing Flind can lead her to assist you in combat or even make the gnolls flee.
- Multiple Attempts: You can attempt multiple checks to either gain control over Flind or manipulate the situation to your advantage. Each successful check can provide different outcomes, like diverting gnolls or gaining temporary allies.
3. Psychic Damage and Control
- Mind Blast: Use the Mind Blast ability to deal substantial psychic damage to multiple enemies at once, potentially stunning them and giving you a tactical advantage.
- Psionic Overload: If you have this power, it adds extra psychic damage to your attacks, which can be particularly effective against clustered enemies like gnolls.
4. Environmental Manipulation
- Create Chaos: Use Illithid powers that manipulate the battlefield, such as creating hazardous areas or pulling enemies into disadvantageous positions. This can disrupt their formation and make them easier targets.
5. Post-Battle Control
- Dominate Remaining Enemies: After defeating most gnolls, use your Illithid powers on any remaining foes to either intimidate them into fleeing or force them into submission for additional loot or information.
By leveraging these strategies, you can effectively utilize Illithid powers to control the battlefield against the gnolls, turning a challenging encounter into a strategic victory.
