In Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), Auntie Ethel’s Hair is a rare item that provides a permanent +1 boost to one of your character’s ability scores. Obtaining it requires a mix of combat prowess, strategic dialogue choices, and clever gameplay. Here’s a detailed guide on how to secure this powerful reward.
Finding Auntie Ethel
You’ll encounter Auntie Ethel in Act 1, at the Riverside Teahouse in the Sunlit Wetlands. Initially, she appears as a kind old woman offering help, but things take a dark turn as you uncover her sinister motives. Once you confront her about her dealings with Mayrina, she reveals her true identity as a hag and teleports you to her lair, the Overgrown Tunnel.
Preparing for the Encounter
Before entering the fight, ensure your party is well-equipped. Auntie Ethel’s abilities include powerful spells, illusions, and environmental traps. Having characters with high Wisdom and Charisma is crucial for dialogue checks, while a balanced party of damage dealers and healers will help you withstand her attacks. Spells like Silence or Counterspell can neutralize her abilities, making the fight more manageable.
Fighting Auntie Ethel
During the battle in the Overgrown Tunnel, your objective is to weaken Auntie Ethel to below 20% health without killing her outright. Be cautious, as her ability to create illusory duplicates and teleport around the battlefield can prolong the fight. Once her health drops low enough, she may beg for her life, offering a deal.
Making the Deal
At this point, Auntie Ethel proposes a trade: her hair in exchange for sparing her life. Here’s what you need to know:
- Dialogue Checks: Passing a DC 20 Intimidation or Deception check allows you to secure both Auntie Ethel’s Hair and Mayrina’s freedom. For Fighters and Barbarians, the Intimidation check is easier, requiring only a DC 15 roll with advantage.
- Choosing the Reward: Auntie Ethel’s Hair is offered as a reward. You can choose which ability score to enhance when the hair is consumed. This bonus is uncapped and stacks with other buffs, making it invaluable for min-maxing your character.
- Alternate Tactics: To maximize your rewards, some players use a strategy where one party member remains outside the combat zone. After intimidating Auntie Ethel into giving up the hair, the out-of-combat member can attack her before she escapes, allowing you to both claim the reward and eliminate her.
Important Notes
- No Second Chances: If you kill Auntie Ethel without making the deal, you won’t receive her hair. Ensure you lower her health carefully to trigger the dialogue.
- Paladin Consequences: Accepting the deal breaks a Paladin’s oath, so consider the moral implications for your character’s story.
- Combat Challenges: Auntie Ethel’s legendary actions, like creating duplicates or using Weird Magic Surge, can disrupt dialogue and reinitiate combat. Use non-spell buffs like Bardic Inspiration to improve your skill checks.
Aftermath
Once you’ve obtained Auntie Ethel’s Hair, consume it to permanently enhance your chosen ability. The boost applies after other buffs, making it an excellent way to exceed ability score caps. Freeing Mayrina completes her questline and may provide additional rewards, depending on your choices.
Securing Auntie Ethel’s Hair in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a rewarding challenge that combines combat strategy and persuasive dialogue. Whether you take a straightforward approach or exploit clever mechanics, the permanent ability score boost can greatly enhance your character’s performance throughout the game.
