In the shadowy depths of Baldur’s Gate 3, players must navigate the treacherous encounter with Auntie Ethel, a cunning hag whose charming facade hides dark intentions. As you venture to the Riverside Teahouse, a seemingly innocent gathering spot, you’ll quickly find yourself embroiled in a sinister plot involving kidnapped souls and dangerous bargains. Will you side with the desperate brothers seeking their sister or risk everything to confront Ethel and uncover her true nature? Prepare for a thrilling mix of strategy and deception as you delve into this pivotal quest that could alter your fate in the game forever.
Quest objectives
In the “Deal With Auntie Ethel” quest of Baldur’s Gate 3, players are tasked with navigating a web of choices and moral dilemmas. The primary objectives include confronting Auntie Ethel, a cunning hag, and determining her fate while managing the consequences of your decisions on your party and the surrounding world. Players will need to gather information, engage in combat, and make critical choices that will affect both the immediate outcome of the quest and the broader narrative arc. Successfully completing this quest not only advances the storyline but also provides valuable rewards and insights into the game’s intricate lore.
- Get Auntie Ethel’s help.
Walkthrough
In the Deal With Auntie Ethel quest of Baldur’s Gate 3, players embark on a challenging journey to confront the enigmatic hag, Auntie Ethel. The quest begins at the Riverside Teahouse, where players will encounter two brothers accusing Ethel of kidnapping their sister. Successfully navigating dialogue options and skill checks is crucial, as they can lead to discovering the truth behind Ethel’s illusions. As players delve deeper into the swamp, they must overcome various obstacles, including navigating through illusions and engaging in combat with Ethel’s minions. The quest culminates in a pivotal confrontation with Auntie Ethel, where strategic choices can determine the outcome and rewards of this dark and twisted tale.
Heading towards the Riverside Teahouse, you will encounter two brothers – Johl and Demir – accusing Auntie Ethel of kidnapping their sister. If you pass the investigation skillcheck, it’ll turn out the woman is lying. During this dialogue, you can take the side of brothers and help them in their search. After the talk, the woman will disappears.
To find her, you have to go deep into the swamp. If you pass the secret knowledge or persuasion skillcheck, it’ll turn out that the whole thing is just an illusion. If you fail to pass it, you can also take down the illusion by talking to the sheep. Failing will result in the neighborhood still looking incredibly colorful, as in the picture below.
Auntie Ethel lives in a Teahouse near the fast travel point. As soon as you go inside the house and decide to talk to the old lady, the cutscene will start.
What are the best strategies to defeat Auntie Ethel
To successfully defeat Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3, players should adopt a strategic approach that leverages preparation, teamwork, and clever use of spells. Here are the best strategies to consider:
Preparation Before the Fight
- Level Up: Ensure your party is at least level 5 or higher to increase your chances of survival and success against Ethel’s formidable abilities.
- Eliminate Minions: Clear out any Redcaps or other enemies in the area before engaging Ethel. This prevents her from summoning additional threats during the fight.
- Equip Spells: Prepare spells that offer long-term debuffs (like Bane), crowd control (such as Thunderwave), and area damage (like Fire Bolt) to manage the battlefield effectively.
During the Fight
- Focus on Ethel: When Ethel summons duplicates of herself, identify the real Auntie Ethel by looking for the unique dark red claws on her dress, as opposed to the green claws of her clones1. Concentrate your attacks on her to quickly reduce her health.
- Use Invisibility and Buffs: Utilize potions of invisibility to sneak up on Ethel and set up advantageous positions for your party. Spells like Faerie Fire can help reveal her if she tries to hide1.
- Keep Mayrina Safe: Ensure that Mayrina, who is trapped in a burning cage, is protected. Use water spells or barrels to extinguish the fire and prevent her from taking damage during the fight.
Tactical Maneuvers
- Mark Your Target: Use abilities like Hunter’s Mark or Hex on Ethel to keep track of her even when she duplicates herself. This helps avoid wasted attacks on clones.
- Positioning: Take advantage of high ground and spread out your party to minimize area damage from Ethel’s spells. Melee characters should engage directly while ranged characters provide support from a distance.
- Quick Damage Output: Aim for a fast-paced assault on Ethel to prevent her from using her more powerful abilities. If necessary, utilize tactics like pushing her off ledges with spells like Thunderwave for a quick victory, though this will forfeit any loot from her body.
Post-Fight Decisions
After defeating Auntie Ethel, you will have an opportunity to negotiate for Mayrina’s freedom in exchange for a power boost. Choose wisely whether to accept her offer or intimidate her into releasing Mayrina without a deal, as this can impact your party dynamics and future encounters.
By following these strategies, players can navigate the challenges posed by Auntie Ethel and emerge victorious while maximizing their rewards.
What are the best spells to use against Auntie Ethel
To effectively combat Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3, utilizing the right spells can significantly tilt the odds in your favor. Here are the best spells to use during the encounter:
Recommended Spells
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Magic Missile
- Purpose: This spell automatically hits and can be used to target and eliminate Ethel’s illusions. Each missile will deal damage to a different target, ensuring that you can clear her duplicates quickly.
- Strategy: Cast this early in the fight to reduce the number of threats on the field, allowing your party to focus on the real Auntie Ethel afterward1.
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Create Water
- Purpose: Essential for extinguishing the flames on Mayrina’s cage, this spell can save her life during the initial phase of the fight.
- Strategy: Use it as soon as the battle begins to prevent Mayrina from taking damage from the fire.
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Faerie Fire
- Purpose: This spell highlights enemies, making them easier to hit and revealing Ethel’s true form among her illusions.
- Strategy: Cast this on Ethel before she summons her duplicates to ensure you can identify her easily throughout the fight.
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Bane
- Purpose: A debuff spell that reduces Ethel’s attack rolls and saving throws, making her less effective in combat.
- Strategy: Use this early in the encounter to weaken her offensive capabilities, allowing your team to withstand her attacks better.
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Thunderwave
- Purpose: This spell can push enemies away and deal area damage. It’s particularly useful if you want to attempt a “cheese” tactic by pushing Ethel into the chasm for an instant defeat.
- Strategy: Position yourself strategically and use this spell when you have a clear shot at Auntie Ethel to potentially end the fight prematurely5.
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Healing Spells (e.g., Cure Wounds)
- Purpose: Keeping your party healthy is crucial during this challenging fight.
- Strategy: Have your Cleric or any character with healing spells ready to restore health when needed, especially after heavy hits from Ethel or her minions.
By combining these spells effectively, players can manage Auntie Ethel’s illusions, protect Mayrina, and ultimately defeat her in a strategic manner.
