Auntie Ethel’s Vanishing Act: Unraveling the Secrets of Her Invisibility in Baldur’s Gate 3

Auntie Ethel, the seemingly harmless old woman you encounter in the early acts of Baldur’s Gate 3, is far more than meets the eye. One of the most frustrating, and frankly, terrifying aspects of facing her is her frequent use of invisibility. The reason Ethel keeps turning invisible isn’t just for show – it’s a core component of her combat strategy, rooted in her nature as a Green Hag and her mastery of illusion and deception. She employs invisibility to reposition herself, summon clones, and generally disorient your party, making her a formidable opponent. She exploits this magic to keep players on edge, preventing them from landing powerful blows and capitalizing on her vulnerabilities. Let’s dive into the depths of her magical arsenal.

Understanding Ethel’s Invisibility Tactics

Auntie Ethel’s invisibility isn’t just a random spell she casts. It’s intricately woven into her skillset and the very environment she commands. Several factors contribute to her constant disappearing act:

• Hag Magic: Green Hags, like Ethel, are inherently magical creatures with a natural affinity for illusion and trickery. Invisibility is a common spell for them, allowing them to manipulate perceptions and control the battlefield.

• Repositioning: Ethel uses invisibility to move to more advantageous locations. She might teleport to a higher platform for ranged attacks or vanish to flank your party. Her invisibility provides a safe window for these maneuvers.

• Clone Summoning: A key element of Ethel’s strategy is summoning clones of herself. She often turns invisible before creating these duplicates, making it difficult to discern the real Ethel from the illusions. This confusion is crucial to her survival.

• Mind Games: Ethel delights in toying with her prey. The constant disappearances and reappearances are designed to instill panic and frustration, making you more prone to mistakes. This psychological warfare is as much a weapon as her spells.

• Environmental Advantage: Ethel’s lair is filled with traps and illusions. The invisibility spell allows her to blend seamlessly into this environment, making her even harder to track and target.

• Protective Measure: Invisibility provides Ethel with a crucial defensive advantage. It makes her a harder target to hit, especially against characters relying on direct attacks.

Countering Ethel’s Invisibility

While Ethel’s invisibility can be daunting, it’s not insurmountable. There are several ways to counter her tactics and bring her out of hiding:

• Area-of-Effect Spells: As noted in the original text, area-of-effect (AoE) spells are your best friend. When you suspect she’s nearby, casting spells like Fireball or Cloud of Daggers can reveal her location. The splash damage will interrupt her invisibility.

• See Invisibility: The “See Invisibility” spell allows you to automatically detect invisible creatures. Having a character with this spell is incredibly useful in the fight against Ethel.

• Faerie Fire: This spell coats creatures in a glowing light, making them visible even if they are invisible. It’s a reliable way to expose Ethel and prevent her from vanishing again.

• Detection Potions: Potions of See Invisibility can provide a temporary but effective means of spotting Ethel. Keep a few on hand for emergencies.

• True Seeing: The “True Seeing” spell is even more potent than “See Invisibility,” revealing illusions and hidden objects as well as invisible creatures.

• Constant Vigilance: Pay close attention to the battlefield. Watch for any subtle movements, changes in the environment, or clues that might indicate Ethel’s location.

By combining these tactics, you can strip away Ethel’s veil of illusion and bring her to justice.

FAQs: Unmasking Auntie Ethel

1. How do I make Auntie Ethel visible in the floating cage room?

If Ethel is invisible on the wooden planks near the control orb, target an area-of-effect spell around that location. Her circle should glow, and the AoE damage will force her to become visible.

2. What happens if I let Auntie Ethel live and give her Mayrina?

If you let Ethel live and give her Mayrina, Ethel will offer you power in the form of an ability point. You can negotiate to keep Mayrina or her unborn child, or even persuade Ethel to give you both the ability point and Mayrina while letting her live. However, this decision has significant moral implications.

3. What happens if I let Ethel take my eye?

If you let Ethel take your eye in exchange for a “cure,” you’ll receive the “Paid the Price” debuff, a permanent disadvantage for the rest of the game. This debuff prevents you from landing critical hits. It’s generally not worth the cost.

4. Should I side with Auntie Ethel?

Siding with Auntie Ethel is generally considered the wrong moral choice in Baldur’s Gate 3. Her manipulation of Mayrina has horrifying consequences, and opposing her is the morally sound decision for characters with good alignments.

5. Can Auntie Ethel remove the Illithid tadpole parasite?

Auntie Ethel claims to be able to remove the parasite, but her methods are highly suspect. It’s best to be wary of her “cures,” as they often come with a terrible price.

6. How strong is Auntie Ethel?

Auntie Ethel is a formidable boss fight, even for higher-level parties. Her spells and attacks can be devastating, making her one of the most challenging encounters in Act One.

7. Should I tell Auntie Ethel about the parasite?

While it seems like a good idea to seek her help, be cautious. Telling Ethel about the parasite will pique her interest, but her intentions are far from benevolent.

8. How do I save Mayrina from Auntie Ethel?

To save Mayrina, you need to destroy the control orb that controls the cage she is in. Ethel may also attempt to make Mayrina seem like an illusion, so be vigilant. Prioritize rescuing Mayrina from the cage before it burns down.

9. Is it worth killing Ethel?

Killing Ethel saves Mayrina and the Mask, preventing her from continuing her wicked schemes. While you miss out on the hair boon, the moral and practical benefits outweigh the loss.

10. Where is Auntie Ethel hiding?

Auntie Ethel is found in the Riverside Teahouse, southwest of the Blighted Village. This is where you’ll first encounter her and begin to unravel her true nature.

11. When should you fight Auntie Ethel?

While you can attempt the fight at lower levels with strategic play, it’s best to tackle Auntie Ethel at level 10 or higher. This ensures you have the necessary spells, abilities, and gear to withstand her attacks.

12. Can you save Auntie Ethel’s prisoners?

Unfortunately, you cannot save Ethel’s masked prisoners until after you defeat her. Removing the masks will kill them, as she is actively holding the spell on everyone.

13. Is Auntie Ethel’s eye worth it?

No, Auntie Ethel’s eye is not worth it. Giving up your eye results in a permanent debuff that significantly hinders your combat capabilities.

14. Does Auntie Ethel come back after escaping into the fireplace?

Yes, Ethel does return after escaping into her fireplace, making the fight even more challenging as she attempts to ambush you.

15. What kind of hag is Auntie Ethel?

Auntie Ethel is a Green Hag, a powerful and malevolent fey creature known for her cunning, trickery, and dark magic. She holds immense power and commands a region, making her a formidable foe.

The world of Baldur’s Gate 3 is filled with intrigue, difficult choices, and complex characters like Auntie Ethel. Understanding her motivations and abilities is crucial to navigating this challenging landscape. If you are interested in more articles and studies on video game characters, then consider visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for valuable insights.