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Discover all Illithid Parasites locations in our Baldur’s Gate 3 guide that will help you unlock new and more powerful Illithid Powers.
If you have played Baldur’s Gate 3, you probably have discovered a secret and sometimes overpowered feature that allows you to pass a successful skill check roll during the dialogue. This feature is called “Illithid Powers,” and it is activated if you succeed on 3 Illithid, Wisdom Skill Checks. Additionally, often you can choose the “True Soul” dialogue option when talking to certain NPCs to enhance your powers further. Those Powers players can also experience in some fights as a passive ability that lets them change a successful attack roll into a critical hit. It is a very powerful, dangerous part of the story and these creatures may be a source of great power, but all that they offer comes with a cost.
Moreover, enhancing Illithid Powers will require you to gather and consume certain Parasites hidden around the Forgotten Realms. In this guide, we will cover all Illithid Parasites Locations in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What are Illithid Parasites in BG3?
The Illithid Parasites are Mind Flayer Parasites, story item consumable that can unlock new Illithid Powers. These Parasites are also known as Tadpoles and there are numerous occasions within the main story when you will be given a choice to consume one. As there are several Illithid Powers to play around with, you can activate various powers on each character. This will help you come up with a strong composition with strong powers to win fights easily.
Each time you find a new leaving parasite and inject or consume it in some way, it’ll grant you new skill points and as a result a new power. Look for those creatures scattered throughout the Forgotten Realms. Some can be found in jars or pools of brine, while others reside within the skulls of the infected.
Players can use Illithid Powers and they work similarly to spells. Also, you can use those skills a limited number of times per short or long rest. After you unlock the mind flayer skill tree, and spend the specimens on any skill, you’ll be able to use it during combat or outside of it freely. You can access them from your spell menu at the bottom of the screen. After using this ability a certain number of times, players may experience a few dream sequences. These dream sequences will reveal more about the character’s backstory.
All Illithid Parasites Locations in BG3
There are over 45 Illithid Parasites or Mind Flayer Parasites that you can come across in the Forgotten Realms. You will come across them by defeating the True Soul bosses and Infected characters, searching certain locations, and completing certain quests. Here are all Illithid Parasite locations within each Act of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Act 1
There are 10 possible Illithid Parasites that you can collect in the first Act of Baldur’s Gate 3.
World Locations
Enclave Library – Druid Grove
You can find one on the table next to a dissected Drow in the Enclave Library at X: -445 Y: 17. Make sure to loot it while Nettie is not watching you, or you can loot it after killing Nettie.
Crèche Y’llek – Infirmary
You can find three Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens in the infirmary of Crèche Y’llek. Two of them are near a table at X: 1285 Y: -818, and the third one is on another table at X: 1285 Y: -802.
True Souls Characters
Edowin
You will find dying Edowin in the Forest at X: 139 Y: 446. He will be hurt from an Owlbear attack and after the conversation, he will die inevitably. After his death, loot his body to get the Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen.
Flind
You can find Flind in The Risen Road Cave at X:139, Y:444. Flind is a gnoll warlord, a powerful and a dangerous enemy that is difficult to tackle. However, you can use Illithid Powers to turn her against her allies. It will make the fight easier for you, allowing you to defeat her and get the Parasite.
Gut
After saving Halsin, you will get to start the “Defeat the Goblins” quest which will take you to the Goblin Camp, Shattered Sanctum. Once there, you need to defeat three Goblin bosses including Gut. She is the first Goblin boss that you encounter in the Shattered Sanctum at X:-297, Y:-21. Upon defeating Gut, loot the body to get the parasite.
Dror Ragzlin
Dror Ragzlin is one of the three Goblin bosses that you will have to defeat at the Goblin Camp. He is the second Goblin boss that you encounter in the Shattered Sanctum at X:299, Y:41. After defeating him, loot his body to get the parasite.
Minthara
Minthara is the final Goblin boss that you will encounter in the Shattered Sanctum at X:333, Y:46. However, she is one of the recruitable companions in the game. If you do not choose to side with her, then you will have to face and defeat her. Defeating her will get you the Mind Flayer Parasite.
Nere
Nere or True Soul Nere can be found at Grymforge in the Underdark. However, there are a couple of ways through which you can get the Parasite from Nere. At the Grymforge, you will get the option to kill him or side with him. Killing him will get you the parasite instantly, and siding with him let you pursue some quests.
Quests
Now, there are two certain quests, each one for siding with Absolute cultists who will reward you with a Gift from the Absolute. The Gift from the Absolute is the same as the Parasite Specimen.
Raid the Emerald Grove
Complete the Raid the Emerald Grove quest for Minthara after siding with her. She will reward you with a Gift from the Absolute upon the completion of the quest.
Do Not Betray Nere After the Free True Soul Nere Quest
After completing the Free True Soul Nere, you will get the choice to either betray Nere or side with him. Choosing to side with Nere will reward you with a Gift from the Absolute from Nere.
Act 2
There are 11 possible Illithid Parasites that you can come across in Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3.
World Locations
Docks of Moonrise Towers
You can find two Parasites by breaking the crates on a boat at X: -71 Y: -187. If you do not find these parasites in Act 2, then this boat will move to Smuggler’s Dock in Act 3.
Zealot Krizt – Moonrise Towers
You can find one on Zealot Krizt in the Oubliette of Moonrise Towers.
Brine Pool – Mind Flayer Colony
Pass the perception check (DC 16) in the Brine Pool at X: 678 Y: 45 to find one Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen.
Isobel
You can find one on Isobel’s body after she has been abducted from Last Light Inn by Marcus. She will aid Ketheric Thorm in the fight.
True Souls Characters
Linsella
You can find Linsella in the kitchen of the Moonrise Towers X:70, Y:187. Defeat her in a battle to get the parasite from her body.
Zealot Malik
Zealot Malik is one of the two soldiers that you will encounter at the entrance of the Moonrise Towers at X:-153, Y:-124.
Adept Merim
Adept Merim is stationed with Zealot Malik at the entrance of the Moonrise Towers at X:-153, Y:-124. Engaging in combat with any of the two soldiers will require you to eliminate both of them.
Zealot Krizt
Entering the Moonrise Towers from the side entrance near the Docks will let you run into Zealot Krizt. You can talk your way inside the Moonrise Towers and later find her body in the Oubliette.
Disciple Z’rell
Z’rell is a lieutenant and an advisor to Ketheric Thorm. You will first encounter her at the Moonrise Towers. If you are pursuing the Assault on Moonrise Towers, then you will face her with Ketheric Thorm.
Marcus Falgor
You can encounter him at the Last Light Inn (X:-66, Y:163) when he reveals that he is an Absolutist spy. Engaging him in combat and defeating him will let you get the parasite and stop the abduction of Isobel.
Quests
There are two Gifts from the Absolute that you can earn in Act 2.
Capture Isobel the Selûnite Cleric
Completing the Capture Isobel the Selûnite Cleric sub-quest for Z’rell will reward you with the Gift from the Absolute. You will have to capture Isobel alive from the Last Light Inn and report back to Z’rell and Ketheric.
Find Ketheric Thorm’s Relic
Completing the Find Ketheric Thorm’s Relic by sending the Nightsong to Moonrise Towers will reward you with a Gift from the Absolute. You will get the choice of either freeing Nightsong or sending her to Moonrise Towers.
Act 3
There are 26 possible Illithid Parasites that you can come across in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3.
World Locations
Docks in Rivington
You can find one on a barrel at the docks (X: -225 Y: 108) in Rivington.
Western Beach – Rivington
You can find two Parasites in the Storage of a ship at X: -212 Y: 129 Western Beach in Rivington.
Wyrm’s Rock Fortress -Wyrm’s Crossing
You can find one in a locked chest on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress at X: -32 Y: 219.
Steel Watch Factory – The Lower City
You can find six parasites inside a Cargo Shipment at X: -202 Y: -125 on a ship east of Steel Watch Foundry. The Cargo Shipment will be disguised as Wooden Trunks.
Sorcerous Sundries – The Lower City
You can find one on a table at X: -9 Y: -92 Sorcerous Sundries.
Blushing Mermaid Basement – The Lower City
You can find one in the basement of the Blushing Mermaid at X: -2336 Y: -120 next to a Gnarly Cauldron.
Iron Throne – The Lower City
You can find one on the table inside the flooded room of The Iron Throne location at X: -45 Y: 18.
The Lodge – The Lower City
You can find one on the table on the second floor of The Lodge at X: -208 Y: -86.
Crimson Draughts – The Lower City
Go to the Sanguine Laboratory in the cellar of Crimson Draughts to find a parasite on a table at X: -1856 Y: -428. You will have to access the laboratory through a wooden hatch.
The Counting House – The Lower City
You can find one in the High Security Vault 6 at X: -713 Y: 881 in the Counting House.
Steel Watch Foundry – The Lower City
Go to the Lab Level of the Steel Watch Foundry to find a parasite on a table at X: -1937 Y: 447.
True Souls Characters
Avery Sonshal
You can find Avery Sonshal at Felogyr’s Fireworks which you can visit while following the Investigate the Suspicious Toys quest. As you will end up defeating everybody in the workshop, make sure to loot the body of Avery Sonshal to get the parasite.
Churg Elvek
You will encounter Churg Elvek near the Grey Harbour Docks location. After a brief initial cutscene with Churg, draw out the weapons to engage in combat. Defeat Churg to get the parasite.
Darbonna
You will find Darbonna guarding the entrance to the Upper City near the Baldur’s Gate waypoint. Choose to attack to defeat Darbonna to get the parasite.
Dravo Flymm
Dravo Flymm runs Flymm’s Cobblers in the Lower City with his wife. You can find him at the shop, but he has lost his mind completely. Choose to attack Dravo Flymm to get the parasite.
Edenosa
You can encounter Edenosa at the entrance to Bloomridge Park. She will stop you from entering the Bloomridge Park. You can choose to draw out your weapons to attack her, but she can also die if you get in a fight with Bhaal cultists. Loot her body to get the parasite.
Mibbs
As you make your way to the entrance of the Upper City, you will encounter Mibbs alongside Darbonna. They both will be guarding the entrance so, choose to attack to get the parasite.
Sally Flymm
The wife of Dravo Flymm who runs Flymm’s Cobblers in the Lower City. Sally has retained her mind but has lost control of her body. So, if you are eliminating Dravo, take down Sally as well to get the parasite.
Quests
There are two special variants of Tadpole that you can get in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3.
- During the main story sequence, The Emperor will reward you with an Astral-Touched Tadpole, a special variant of a parasite specimen.
- You can find a special variant of the parasite, Mind Flayer Brain on a Mind Flayer. The Mind Flayer will be hiding in a basement of the Abandoned Windmill in Rivington.
FAQs about Illithid Parasites Locations BG3
How many Illithid parasites are there in BG3?
There are over 45 Illithid Parasites or Mind Flayer Parasites that you can come across in the Forgotten Realms. You will come across them by defeating the True Soul bosses and Infected characters, searching certain locations, and completing certain quests.
Is there a downside to using Illithid powers in BG3?
Yes, there are a few downsides to using Illithid Powers in Baldur’s Gate 3. The first main drawback is the disapproval from the companions. Moreover, there is a major drawback of excessive usage of Illithid Powers and that is tying the player to a bad ending of the game.
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