Baldur’s Gate 3, a realm filled with moral quandaries and life-altering decisions like the BG3 Illithid powers, is a place where players are often faced with the allure of power. As you grapple with the enigmatic influence of an alien tadpole within your mind, the temptation to wield its extraordinary abilities becomes irresistible. Illithid powers, formidable in their potential, promise capabilities that few other feats can rival.
Yet, the path to unlocking these powers isn’t without its challenges and repercussions. The underlying message of Baldur’s Gate is crystal clear: every action has its aftermath. But what level of repercussion are we talking about here? Will the alluring powers outweigh the potential drawbacks? And most importantly, how do you navigate the labyrinthine journey to fully unleash the might of these newfound abilities?
How to unlock the BG3 Illithid powers?
During the Early Access phase, players could tap into BG3 Illithid Powers by choosing “Illithid [Wisdom]” options during dialogue interactions. However, the official release has ushered in a new method. Unlocking these powers now involves collecting Illithid tadpoles from infected NPCs through the use of the “Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen” item.
It’s essential to note that collecting these specimens doesn’t necessarily imply immediate utilization, nor does it seem to carry negative consequences.
BG3 Illithid powers carrier list
Several characters within the game are known carriers of the Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen:
- Edowin
- Priestess Gut
- Dror Ragzlin
- All infected recruitable companions (Shadowheart, Minthara, Astarion, etc.)
Navigating BG3 Illithid powers
Keep an eye on the red parasite icon situated at the upper-right corner of your screen, just above the minimap. This icon is your gateway to the BG3 Illithid Powers skill tree.
Unlocking these abilities entails expending your Parasite Specimens to “evolve different facets of your mind.”
The spectrum of BG3 Illithid powers
In BG3 Illithid Powers exhibit a diverse array of forms and functions. Several powers that were previously exclusive to certain character classes during Early Access are now accessible to all who possess the tadpole and fulfill the prerequisite conditions.
Each unique power requires the investment of a single tadpole to unlock. However, the most potent cerebral regions mandate the consumption of the Astral-Touched Tadpole.
Moreover, every companion boasts their individual skill tree for you to explore and unlock. This affords the flexibility of pursuing distinct chains with different companions, allowing you to infuse them with Illithid abilities while abstaining from the transformation yourself. Be prepared to engage in persuasive dialogue to convince certain companions to embrace the infection willingly.
| Power Name | Action Type | Requires | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survival Instinct | Action | Completion of Omeluum Quest (Not purchased) | Infuse a creature with psionic force. If it reaches 0 hit points, it heals [3d4] instead of falling Unconscious. |
| Favorable Beginnings | Passive | — | First attack roll or ability check made against any target in combat gains a bonus equal to your Proficiency bonus. |
| Charm | Reaction | Favorable Beginnings | Charm a creature that makes an attack roll against you, preventing them from attacking you until their next turn. |
| Luck of the Far Realms | Passive | Favorable Beginnings | When you succeed on an attack roll, choose to make it a Critical. |
| Concentrated Blast | Action | — | Deal 3d6 Psychic damage against a foe while concentrating on a spell and then break concentration after. |
| Cull The Weak | Action | Concentrated Blast | Heal a creature for 2d8 when it attacks but it becomes Vulnerable to all damage types. Lasts 3 turns. |
| Psionic Backlash | Reaction | Concentrated Blast | When an enemy casts a spell within 9m of you, use your reaction to deal 1d4 Psychic damage per spell level. |
| Psionic Overload | Action | — | Deal an extra 1d4 Psychic damage with weapon attacks in exchange for taking 1d4 Psychic damage per turn. |
| Ability Drain | Passive | Psionic Overload | When you make an attack roll, reduce the target’s corresponding ability by 1 (once per turn). |
| Stage Fright | Action | Psionic Overload | On a failed Wisdom save, all targets within a 6m radius have Disadvantage on attack rolls.
Each time they miss, they take 2d6 Psychic damage. It lasts 3 turns or until the target succeeds an attack roll. |
| Transfuse Health | Action | — | Give half of your health to heal a target for that amount. |
| Perilous Stakes | Action | Transfuse Health | In exchange for making a creature Vulnerable to all damage types, the affected creature gains 2d8 HP back when succeeding on an attack roll. |
| Shield of Thralls | Action | Transfuse Health | Conjure a volatile shield that gives the affected creature 10 temporary hit points. |
| Force Tunnel | Action | — | Charge forward, pushing all objects and creatures in your (9m) path 4m away from you. Enemies cannot make Opportunity Attacks against you. |
| Displace | Passive | Force Tunnel | Creatures that are dealt Falling damage due to your actions also take an additional 1d8 Psychic damage. |
| Repulsor | Action | Force Tunnel | Push any and everything back 6m on a failed Strength save and deal 2d6 Force damage or half as much on a save. |
| Astral-Touched Tadpole Only Feats | |||
| Psionic Dominance | Reaction | Charm | When an enemy uses a spell lower or equal to your Proficiency Bonus within 18m, use your reaction to nullify the spell. |
| Absorb Intellect | Action | Perilous Stakes | Lower a creature’s Intelligence by 1 and heal your wounds by 1d8 for 5 turns. |
| Mind Sanctuary | Action | Psionic Backlash | Create an area that allows creatures within to take actions and bonus actions as if they were the same for 3 turns. |
| Fracture Psyche | Action | Ability Drain | Reduce a target’s AC by 1 on a failed Intelligence save and, if they die within 5 turns, cast Fracture Psyche on another target. |
| Black Hole | Passive | Displace | Teleport to another tadpole-infected creature. |
| Mind Blast | Action | Cull the Weak | Deal 4d8 Psychic damage. Stun targets within the cone of attack for 1 turn on a failed Intelligence save. |
| Illithid Expertise | Passive | Luck of the Far Realms | Gain Expertise in Persuasion, Deception, and Intimidation. |
| Freecast | Passive | Shield of Thralls | Necessary spell slots, charges, and similar resources for one action or spell per rest is removed. |
| Displacer Beast Shape | Passive | Stage Fright | Transform into a Displacer Beast with 85HP as if to Wild Shape. Once per Long Rest. |
| Fly | Passive | Repulsor | Fly to a position within 18m. |
Baldur’s Gate 3 presents a realm of intricate choices, where the allure of power intertwines with the shadows of consequence. As you navigate the evolution from Early Access to the official release, the journey to unlock BG3 Illithid Powers is imbued with newfound complexity and intrigue. So, embark on this odyssey, choose your path wisely, and discover the untapped potential that lies within the enigmatic realm of Illithid abilities.
Meanwhile, if you are struggling with anything in the game, make sure to check out if we prepared an article on it, such as the one on the locations of all companions in Baldur’s Gate 3.
