Saving Grand Duke Ravengard: A Baldur’s Gate 3 Masterclass

So, you’re staring down the barrel of one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most challenging, and emotionally charged, rescues: saving Grand Duke Ravengard. The good news? It’s absolutely possible. The better news? We’re going to break down exactly how to do it, step by step. The core of saving Ravengard involves successfully navigating the Iron Throne prison, located deep beneath the waves, and making crucial decisions that impact not just his survival, but the fate of other prisoners as well. Prioritize speed, strategic spellcasting, and smart team composition, and you can pull off this daring rescue.

Act 3: The Rescue Mission Begins

The saga to save Ravengard truly kicks off in Act 3. While you’ll hear whispers of his fate and glimpse him in earlier acts, it’s here, in the bustling city of Baldur’s Gate, that you finally have the opportunity to secure his freedom. This quest is intertwined with the main narrative, particularly Wyll’s personal storyline, but it can be pursued regardless of his presence in your party.

The Flymm Cargo Warehouse and the Iron Throne

The first step is locating the Flymm Cargo Warehouse in the Lower City. This is a key location tied to the “Avenge the Drowned” quest. Inside, hidden in the northwest corner of the warehouse, is a basement entrance. This leads to a submersible, captained by the resourceful Redhammer. You’ll likely need to persuade Redhammer to cooperate, and then use the submersible to reach the underwater prison known as the Iron Throne.

Important Note: Gortash will give you an option to dock at the Iron Throne, and people will die, or turn around and retreat, and people will live. You should do the Iron Throne before dealing with Gortash.

The Iron Throne: A Race Against Time

Once you arrive at the Iron Throne, the clock starts ticking. You have a limited number of turns (typically six on Balanced difficulty) to rescue Ravengard and any other potential prisoners, including the Gondians. This is where strategic planning becomes paramount. The prison will be flooding after a set amount of turns, leading to certain death for anyone left inside.

Here’s a tactical breakdown:

1. Team Composition: Speed and mobility are your best friends here. Characters with high movement speed, the ability to Dash, Jump, or teleport (like Gale or Shadowheart with Dimension Door) are essential. A healer is also a must to keep Ravengard alive during the escape.

2. Prioritize Ravengard: He is located in the central cell in the room to the east of the docking site.

3. Freeing the Prisoners: You have to pull levers to open the doors. Killing Sahuagin guards is not an action, so get rid of them before you free the duke.

4. Dash and Jump: Use Dash and Jump back to the ladder in the central room.

5. The Submersible is Safety: Send Ravengard towards the submersible immediately. Once he reaches it, he will be safe.

6. Potions of Speed and Haste: Using potions or spells that grant Haste can be incredibly useful in ensuring everyone reaches safety.

7. Enemies: Remember to prioritize enemies that pose the most immediate threat, especially those targeting Ravengard.

Saving Ravengard from Exploding Spiders: The Mizora Twist

If you’ve broken Wyll’s pact with Mizora, she may attempt to sabotage your rescue by unleashing exploding spiders upon Ravengard’s release. A clever tactic to counter this is to trigger the spiders during Ravengard’s turn and then immediately use Dimension Door to teleport him to safety. This requires precise timing and coordination.

The Aftermath: Reunions and Repercussions

If you successfully rescue Ravengard, he’ll eventually head to your camp for a potentially tense reunion with Wyll. This encounter’s dynamics depend heavily on Wyll’s choices regarding his pact with Mizora. Saving Ravengard also unlocks further story developments and quests related to the main plot and Wyll’s personal questline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you save Duke Ravengard in Act 2?

No, Duke Ravengard cannot be saved in Moonrise Towers. You will encounter him there, but your rescue opportunity doesn’t present itself until Act 3.

2. Is Duke Ravengard in the Iron Throne?

Yes, the Iron Throne is where you finally get the chance to rescue Duke Ravengard in Act 3.

3. What happens if Duke Ravengard dies?

If Ravengard dies, it significantly impacts Wyll’s storyline and potentially alters the ending of the game. It also fails that part of any quests that you have tied to Ravengard.

4. How many turns do you have to save Duke Ravengard?

You typically have six turns on Balanced difficulty to rescue Ravengard and other prisoners from the Iron Throne before it floods.

5. Can you save Duke Ravengard without Mizora’s help?

Yes, you can save Duke Ravengard even if you reject Mizora’s offer. You simply need to locate the Flymm Cargo Warehouse and proceed to the Iron Throne.

6. How do you revive Duke Ravengard?

Unlike party members, Ravengard cannot be resurrected if he dies in the Iron Throne. That will be the end of his story.

7. Where do I find the Flymm Cargo Warehouse?

The Flymm Cargo Warehouse is located in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate during Act 3.

8. Can you save Duke Ravengard and the Gondians?

Yes, it is possible to save both Duke Ravengard and the Gondians within the six-turn limit of the Iron Throne encounter. However, this requires careful planning, efficient use of movement abilities, and prioritizing targets effectively. It will also require you to move the duke quickly and to free all the prisoners quickly as well.

9. Is Grand Duke Ravengard in Act 2?

Yes, Duke Ravengard has a part to play in Act 2. You can meet him after confronting Ketheric Thorm in the bowels of the Towers.

10. What companions are best for saving Ravengard?

Companions with high mobility (Astarion, Monk Tav), teleportation spells (Gale, Shadowheart), and healing capabilities (Cleric Tav, Shadowheart) are ideal for this mission.

11. What happens if I don’t save Duke Ravengard in time?

If you fail to rescue Duke Ravengard before the Iron Throne floods, he will die, and it impacts the game.

12. Does Wyll need to be in my party to save Ravengard?

No, Wyll does not need to be in your party to undertake the rescue of Duke Ravengard. However, saving Ravengard is tied closely to Wyll’s personal questline.

13. What is Dimension Door used for?

Dimension Door is a powerful spell that allows you to instantly teleport yourself and one willing ally to a nearby location. This is invaluable for quickly extracting Ravengard from dangerous situations.

14. Can you save Ravengard if you kill cultists?

Whether or not you save Duke Ravengard is not tied to if you kill cultists or not. If you are on the quest to rescue Florrick in Act 1, you can knock them out, but killing them will lower the morale, which means Duke might die.

15. How does Mizora factor into saving Ravengard?

Mizora’s involvement depends on Wyll’s pact. If the pact is broken, she may attempt to kill Ravengard with exploding spiders. Agreeing to the pact may provide information on Ravengard’s location, but comes with its own consequences.

Saving Grand Duke Ravengard in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a complex and rewarding endeavor. By understanding the challenges, planning your approach, and utilizing the right tools and abilities, you can secure his freedom and influence the course of the game’s narrative. Remember to adapt to the situation, improvise when necessary, and never underestimate the power of a well-timed Dimension Door. For more insights into game design and the learning potential of games, explore the resources available at Games Learning Society and visit GamesLearningSociety.org.