Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Unlock the Quasit Familiar (Shovel)

Discover how to permanently unlock Shovel, a Quasit Familiar early in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, or how to use its abilities and attacks.

BG3 How to Unlock the Quasit Familiar

How to Unlock the Quasit Familiar (Shovel)

To unlock the Quasit Familiar Shovel, you need to locate the Apothecary underneath the Blighted Village in Act 1 and learn the spell from one of the Caskets found in the basement. Additionally, you can bypass the Ornate Mirror and talk with Shovel on the other side with a Warlock, Wizard, or Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline subclass) and unlock Shovel permanently. Below are the steps needed to Unlock the Quasit Familiar Shovel Permanently in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Enter the Apothecary in the Blighted Village
  • Use the lever to enter the Necromancer’s cellar
  • Open Casket at coordinates X:-667 Y:332
  • Use a Wizard with “learn spell” and permanently unlock the spell
  • If Warlock or Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer bypasses the ornate mirror
  • Immediately talk to Shovel inside the Mirror Room
  • She will call you Master and permanently allow you to summon her

Let us walk you through each step on how to Unlock the Quasit Familiar Shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3.


Locating the Apothecary Underneath Blighted Village

Baldur's Gate 3 Blighted Village Necromancer Basement location

In the Blighted Village, you can locate a Wooden Hatch just south of the Emerald Grove Environs waypoint. This leads to a secret basement of a Necromancer who lived in the apothecary. The easiest way to access the Apothecary is go to around to the side entrance on the south. Sneak as you come around the corner and you can attack the two goblins outside. Then as you enter, sneak again and attack the three goblins milling around just inside. The building they are standing in front of is the Apothecary. You can go up the stairs and inside without running into the ambush attack from the other goblins.

Scroll of Summon Quasit

BG3 Locating Shovel Summon

Once inside the basement of the Apothecary, find the lever and pull it to unlock an extra section of the basement. Move into the next area where you will locate a series of Caskets. Move to coordinates X:-667 Y:332 and search this casket to find the Scroll of Summon Quasit. Note, that the other Caskets contain enemies and will trigger a fight if you open the wrong casket.

BG3 Learn Spell Shovel

If you intend to use Gale or a Wizard character, you can learn this spell permanently with 50 gold. Simply right-click on the scroll and select “learn spell.” This will allow you to summon Shovel as needed. There is an additional option that requires you to bypass the Ornate Mirror in the same area. This is advised because the Bracer of Defence is just beyond it.

The secondary option for how to unlock the Quasit Familiar Shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3, is by talking to her, with the summoner who used the scroll on the other side of the Ornate Mirror. If you summon him in the basement of the Apothecary, select ANY dialogue option except “No. And you’ll.” This works on Warlocks, Wizards, and Sorcerers with Draconic Bloodline subclass.

Bypassing Ornate Mirror

Baldur's Gate Bracers of Defence Necromancer's Secret Basement
Ornate Mirror

The simplest way to bypass the Ornate Mirror is through either a 15 DC Intimidation check or a strength check. Additionally, you can read the Dark Journal located in the Apothecary’s Cellar at coordinates X: -667 Y: -318. Use this information to trick the mirror and pass a 15 DC Persuasion check. If you fail these checks, the Ornate Mirror will have a series of questions you must answer correctly.

Question 1: What th-ink you of the zulkir know as Szass Tam?

Answer 1: Szass Tam is a foul, wretched creature.

Question 2: T-tell me, why might one use balsam ointment?

Answer 2: Answer either of these

  • I read a doctor’s journal – he used balsam to clean a wound.
  • I use it to clean wounds out in the wilds.
  • Balsam disinfects wounds. Surely everyone knows that?
  • To clean a wound?

Question 3:…if you could see an-ything in me, what w-ould it be?

Answer 3: Answer either of these

  • I’d look for whatever spell will rid me of this worm in my head.
  • I’d see how to safely keep the powers this mind flayer’s worm has given me.
  • Class-specific answers might popup, those are safe as well [BARD]

Beyond Mirror

Once beyond the mirror, immediately talk with Shovel again. She will refer to the caster as the new “master.” You must do these immediately passing the threshold into the Mirror Room, so don’t stray too far.

BG3: How to Summon Shovel the Quasit Familiar?

The best way to summon Shovel the Quasit Familiar is to use a Wizard party member, like Gale, who can learn the spell. Thus, you will be able to summon Shovel as many times as you like. Otherwise, if you have another character just cast the spell with the scroll, it will remain a single use item. The scroll will be consumed and you cannot summon Shovel again.

Furthermore, the first time you summon Shovel you will initiate a conversation with the Quasit. Moreover, if you haven’t summoned her already in another playthrough, then you really receive the Rude, Crude, and Full of Attitude achievement.

Shovel’s Attacks and Abilities

BG3 Shovel's Abilities

The summon Quasit Familiar Shovel has three abilities, Claws, Invisibility, and Scare. Below are each ability:

  • Claws: Lash out with deadly claws, dealing 1d4 + Dexterity Modifier for Slashing damage.
  • Invisibility: Quasits use this ability to become invisible to the naked eye.
  • Scare: Lash at a creature to Frighten it.

The most useful skill is Invisibility until a long rest. You can use this to explore and even trigger the surprise status effect in combat and gain a huge advantage.


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