The Burning Question: Who Gets Your Infernal Iron in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The short answer, and frankly the only correct one, is: Give your Infernal Iron to Dammon. It’s not even a question. This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s practically a requirement if you want to experience the full depth of Karlach’s companion quest, “The Hellion’s Heart,” and unlock some seriously powerful rewards. Holding onto it for some hypothetical later use is a colossal mistake. You’ll gimp Karlach’s story, miss out on vital upgrades, and potentially lock yourself out of a romance option. So, hand it over to Dammon. Every. Single. Time.
Let’s dive deeper into why Dammon is the only worthy recipient of your precious Infernal Iron.
Why Dammon is the Infernal Iron MVP
Dammon, the Tiefling blacksmith, is the linchpin of Karlach’s quest. He’s not just some random NPC; he’s the only character in the game capable of stabilizing and upgrading Karlach’s Infernal Engine. This engine is, to put it mildly, causing her some problems. Left unchecked, it’s literally going to cook her from the inside out. By giving Dammon Infernal Iron, you’re not just completing a quest; you’re ensuring her survival and paving the way for her to reach her full potential.
Here’s a breakdown of the tangible benefits of trusting Dammon with your Infernal Iron:
- Advancing Karlach’s Questline: The Hellion’s Heart quest is pivotal to Karlach’s personal story. Giving Dammon Infernal Iron allows you to progress through this quest, uncovering more about her past, her struggles, and her ultimate goals. It allows you to discover more about the Zariel tieflings from Avernus.
- Cooling Karlach’s Engine (Twice!): Dammon uses the Infernal Iron to perform critical repairs on Karlach’s engine. These repairs significantly reduce the overheating issues that plague her, making her more effective in combat and generally improving her well-being. You need two pieces of iron initially for this process to work correctly.
- Potential Romance: If you’re interested in romancing Karlach, progressing her questline and improving her condition is absolutely essential. A healthy, less-fiery Karlach is far more receptive to your advances.
- Crafting Powerful Gear: In Act 2, if you provide Dammon with additional Infernal Iron at the Last Light Inn, he can craft the Flawed Helldusk Heavy Armor, a very powerful piece of equipment. This armor is a significant boon to any character proficient in heavy armor, offering excellent protection and powerful enchantments.
- Preventing Karlach’s Demise: Seriously. Leaving Karlach’s engine unattended is a death sentence. Dammon is the only one who can prevent that.
The Infernal Alloy Red Herring
You might encounter another type of infernal metal called Infernal Alloy. This is not the same as Infernal Iron, and Dammon can’t use it for Karlach’s engine or the Helldusk armor. Infernal Alloy is used in the creation of other items, primarily related to crafting high-level weapons and armor. While valuable, it doesn’t play a direct role in Karlach’s quest or your relationship with Dammon. Don’t get them confused.
Consequences of Hoarding Infernal Iron (Don’t Do It!)
What happens if you ignore Karlach’s plight and hoard the Infernal Iron?
- Failed Questline: The Hellion’s Heart quest will stall, preventing you from experiencing Karlach’s full story.
- Potential Death of Karlach: If you completely ignore the overheating issues, Karlach’s condition will deteriorate, potentially leading to her demise.
- Missed Romance Opportunity: As mentioned, a healthy Karlach is a happy Karlach, and a happy Karlach is more likely to be interested in a romantic relationship. Neglecting her needs effectively sabotages any chance of romance.
- Lost Gear: No Helldusk armor for you! This is a significant loss, especially for characters who benefit from heavy armor.
- Moral Implications: You’re actively choosing to let a companion suffer when you have the means to help. It’s not a good look for your character’s moral compass. Consider how your choices are impacting those around you. The Games Learning Society emphasizes the importance of decision-making and consequences in games, which can offer valuable lessons about real-world choices.
Locating Infernal Iron: A Treasure Hunt
Now that you know the importance of Infernal Iron, where can you find it? Here are a few known locations:
- Blighted Village: Check the basement, accessible through a locked door or a webbed ceiling. This location is often tied to the Masterwork Weapon Forge quest.
- Goblin Camp (Shattered Sanctum): Find Dror Ragzlin’s stash at X:296, Y:65.
- Shadow-Cursed Lands (Act 2): One piece is simply sitting in the Overworld at X:105, Y:18.
- Other Locations: Keep an eye out in various chests, containers, and hidden areas throughout the game. There are a total of 7 known locations.
Remember, you only need two pieces to complete the initial stages of Karlach’s quest, but finding more will allow Dammon to craft the Helldusk armor in Act 2. So, loot diligently!
The Importance of Keeping Dammon Alive
This cannot be stressed enough: Protect Dammon at all costs. He is vital to Karlach’s questline, and if he dies, you are effectively locked out of helping her. This means no engine upgrades, no romance, and no Helldusk armor.
Dammon appears in three key locations:
- Emerald Grove (Act 1): During the refugee crisis.
- Last Light Inn (Act 2): In the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
- Baldur’s Gate (Act 3): At the Forge of the Nine.
Ensure his safety in each location. This might involve preventing the invasion of the Emerald Grove, protecting the Last Light Inn from attacks, and ensuring he survives any encounters in Baldur’s Gate. The consequences of his death are far too severe to ignore.
Final Verdict: Give the Iron to the Tiefling!
In conclusion, there is absolutely no strategic, narrative, or moral reason to withhold Infernal Iron from Dammon. He is the key to unlocking Karlach’s full potential, crafting powerful gear, and experiencing a rich and rewarding companion quest. Embrace the fire, embrace the Tiefling, and hand over that Infernal Iron!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Infernal Iron and Dammon to further clarify any lingering uncertainties:
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How many pieces of Infernal Iron do I need for Karlach? You need a minimum of two pieces of Infernal Iron to complete the initial upgrades to Karlach’s Infernal Engine. However, finding more allows Dammon to craft the Flawed Helldusk Heavy Armor in Act 2.
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What happens if Dammon dies before I can give him Infernal Iron? If Dammon dies, you will be locked out of Karlach’s questline, preventing you from upgrading her engine, romancing her, and obtaining the Helldusk armor. Protect him at all costs!
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Where can I find Dammon? Dammon can be found in the Emerald Grove (Act 1), Last Light Inn (Act 2), and Baldur’s Gate (Act 3).
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Can I use Infernal Iron for anything else besides Karlach’s quest? No, Infernal Iron is primarily used for Karlach’s questline and crafting the Helldusk armor by Dammon. Don’t confuse it with Infernal Alloy.
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Is Infernal Alloy the same as Infernal Iron? No, Infernal Alloy is a different type of infernal metal used for crafting other items, not related to Karlach or Dammon.
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Does giving Infernal Iron to Karlach directly do anything? No, you must give the Infernal Iron to Dammon for him to work his blacksmith magic on it.
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Can I revive Dammon if he dies? Dammon cannot be revived with standard revival methods like Revivify or Withers. His death is permanent and has significant consequences.
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What is the Helldusk armor that Dammon can craft? The Flawed Helldusk Heavy Armor is a very powerful piece of heavy armor that Dammon can craft in Act 2 if you provide him with additional Infernal Iron. It offers excellent protection and beneficial enchantments.
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Does Dammon make it to Baldur’s Gate in Act 3? Yes, Dammon can be found at the Forge of the Nine in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
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How do I protect Dammon in the Emerald Grove? Prevent the invasion of the Emerald Grove by either siding with the Tieflings or finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
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What happens if I side with the Goblins in Act 1? Siding with the Goblins will likely result in the death of Dammon and the Tieflings, locking you out of Karlach’s quest.
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Can I complete Karlach’s quest without giving Dammon any Infernal Iron? No, giving Infernal Iron to Dammon is a fundamental requirement for progressing Karlach’s questline.
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Where is the first piece of Infernal Iron I can find? The first piece of Infernal Iron is typically found in the basement of the Blighted Village.
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Is it possible to miss the opportunity to give Dammon Infernal Iron? Yes, if Dammon dies or you fail to encounter him in the Emerald Grove and Last Light Inn, you will miss the opportunity.
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What is the significance of Karlach’s Infernal Engine? Karlach’s Infernal Engine is a device implanted in her chest by Zariel, causing her immense pain and threatening her life. Dammon’s repairs are crucial for stabilizing and ultimately fixing the engine.
Understanding the importance of these choices and the impact they have on characters like Karlach is a key aspect of engaging with the narrative and learning through games. The GamesLearningSociety.org promotes the study and understanding of how games can be used as educational tools, and the complex choices in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a prime example of this potential.