Alexis Ongsansoy
You’ve seen the Hag before in Baldur’s Gate 3. She goes by many names, but you and the rest of your party know her as Auntie Ethel. The first time you meet her in The Grove, you’ll just get the impression that she’s some old lady who has a few screws loose. This of course, leads into you using Astarion to loot her dry of her stock. It’s possible, believe me.
The second or third time, however, is where you’d want to throw down with her for varying reasons. Read the rest of the guide if you want to beat her in a confined space rather than chasing her to the depths of the earth!
How to Beat the Hag & Rescue Mayrina
When you meet the Hag for the second time, she’ll be busy trying to talk her way out of an interrogation with two men. After that, she’ll run to the southwest point of the map where the Putrid Bog is. Here, you’ll also run into the Riverside Teahouse fast travel point.
To make this strategy easier, it’s recommended that you get yourself to at least Lvl. 5. Reason for this is that you’ll have more spells or class features that’ll help you win. You can even beat the Hag without her leaving the Gnarled Teahouse, and that’s what we’re going for!
To beat the hag, one of you will need a Scroll of See Invisibility. A rare scroll no doubt so it might be difficult to procure early on, unless you get lucky and the item comes up for sale somewhere in the wilderness.
Another intrusive and permanent way to see invisibility forever will require you to have already rescued Volo from the Goblin Camp to the west. Talk to him when he gets to your camp and let him dig inside of your head all the way. If you let him prod until the end, he’ll give you an item that will help with fighting the hag.
Do note that you’re walking into her workshop not to talk peace, but to create permanent problems. We’re also going to assume that you chose to lose your eye to Volo. A classic Larian Studios strategy that will benefit you the most is talking to her directly.
Just engage her in a conversation and move Astarion to the upper floors where he has a clear sight of her. Do not go beyond the fireplace and into the Overgrown Tunnel! She’ll disappear from the Teahouse if you do this.
Make sure that your Cleric of choice has already given your team the buffs you need. You can give Astarion Bless along with the rest of your party to increase your chances of getting through the Hags AC.
Have Astarion sit on top to give you a good chance of shaving off a fourth of her HP. Check twice and make sure he’s sneaking and out of sight to dish out extra damage. That’s going to be his role for the entire fight.
Before the fight starts, make sure that whoever has Volo’s Eye is facing the Hag directly. Clear out the Redcaps near the Waypoint as well since they’ll be joining in on the fight. With a little bit of luck, the Hag will decide to run to the balcony outside.
It’s still possible to beat her indoors though, just make sure her attention is directed towards everyone except Astarion. Knock her lights out forever and you can move around downstairs freely.
The path into the Ancient Abode will no longer be blocked and the captives inside will no longer be hostile as well. Be sure to grab one of the Whispering Masks outside of the first door.
You’ll need it for later as it lets you into a room that leads into the Underdark. If you’re struggling with how to clear the poison gas, check out one of our quick guides to make it to the center.
Since the Hag has been dealt with, Mayrina can be found here alone. She won’t be set on fire as well so all you have to do is interact with the orange orb to let her down for the first time.
The second time will be her finding out that the Hag has made some abominable changes to their agreement. Find out more about that by going inside of the Acrid Workshop next door.
And that’s how you beat the Hag and rescue Mayrina in Baldur’s Gate 3. Hopefully this will be the last we’ll ever hear from Auntie Ethel. Don’t forget to free the three prisoners downstairs who haven’t lost their minds yet!
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