Auntie Ethel stands as one of the most formidable bosses in BG3, presenting herself as an unusual old woman with a facade of a merchant, but with many hidden secrets lurking beneath.
BG3, or Baldur’s Gate 3, is an engaging party-based RPG immersed in the magical realm of Dungeons and Dragons. You might be pondering whether the game will become available on platforms like PS4 or Mac or if it will align with next-gen technology. However, before delving into those details, follow our comprehensive guide on overcoming Auntie Ethel in BG3’s unique dungeon adventure.
How to beat Auntie Ethel in BG3?
Auntie Ethel, a potent Hag and Fey creature and a Level 5 NPC and boss, awaits you in BG3. You will encounter her in Act 1 within the Overgrown Tunnel, accessible by journeying to the Sunlit Wetlands and heading to the Riverside Teahouse.
Upon your initial meeting with the boss, she appears disguised as a human trader, offering various items such as water or healing potions. At this stage, you will engage in a quest to seek help from Auntie Ethel, and she will negotiate with you to remove the tadpole parasite from your body, of course, demanding a price in return.
Should you agree to her terms, Auntie Ethel will take your eye, leaving you with the permanent “Paid the Price” debuff. Unfortunately, the Hag cannot genuinely resolve your parasite issue due to the Netherese shadow magic. As a consequence, you will find yourself missing an eye, deprived of the ability to perform Critical Hits, and facing Disadvantages on Perception Checks.
Tips to save Mayrina in Baldur’s Gate 3
Once it becomes clear that you’ve been deceived by the Hag, Auntie Ethel, a fight in BG3 will inevitably ensue. However, after being injured, she will flee, leading you to Ethel’s lair, the Ancient Abode. There, you’ll discover Mayrina in a cage, and as the battle begins, the Hag will set the cage on fire. You must quickly use Create Water, water bottles, or barrels to extinguish the flames.
But the fight with Auntie Ethel takes a tricky turn as she turns invisible, creating three illusions of herself. Counter this by using Magic Missile or Witch Bolt, which can send 3 darts of magical force at all three clones to reveal the real Hag. When her HP is halved, she will repeat the cloning; continue to attack as before or use AoE attacks like Burning Hands or Pin Down to locate the real Ethel.
In the next phase, Ethel will pull Mayrina from her cage and disguise herself as Mayrina using an illusion spell. Spotting a faint illusion effect on the fake Mayrina can lead you to the real Ethel. Once you defeat Auntie Ethel, Mayrina will be free.
After rescuing Mayrina, a door to the Acrid Workshop will open. Inside, you can find various items, including a wand called Bitter Divorce.
Where to find Ethel’s Lair in BG3?
Before reaching Auntie Ethel’s Lair in BG3, you’ll encounter various challenges and adversaries. Once Auntie Ethel escapes, you’ll have to pursue her through the fireplace.
This leads you into the Overgrown Tunnel cave, where you’ll find captured prisoners and Mayrina, a pregnant young girl. Your next objective is to reach the Gnarled Door on the way to the core of Auntie Ethel’s Lair.
To access the heart of Auntie Ethel’s domain, you must don the Whispering Mask helmet, found on a table to the right of the door. Once inside, turn right, head towards the waterfall, and jump across to the other side, where you’ll face gas pits. Utilize Misty Step to navigate over the pit and continue your quest in BG3.
Rewards
Defeating the boss in BG3 comes with significant rewards. Upon her defeat, you can gain:
- 250 XP
- 3x Potion of Hill Giant Strength
- Spellthief
- Corellon’s Grace
Additionally, after vanquishing Auntie Ethel, you can acquire her hair, granting you a boost to your Ability Score +1.
Don’t forget to check out our comprehensive guide explaining the romance options in Baldur’s Gate 3!
Featured image credit: Forgotten Realms Wiki
