Many players don’t know that there are fantastic permanent bonuses and passives you should get in Baldur’s Gate 3. Some will help you become a powerful fighter; others will give you roleplaying benefits.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a complex game with massive replayability, offering countless hours of gameplay. Those who have already tried the game will be well aware that you won’t be able to experience everything it has to offer in just one playthrough. One of the easy things to miss are permanent bonuses and passive abilities you can easily receive and should try to find in Baldur’s Gate 3.
This build has been updated for the patch 5 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Permanent Bonuses and Passives You Should Get Baldur’s Gate 3
Here is the list of all permanent bonuses and passives you can get in Baldur’s Gate 3:
| Quest | Act | Permanent Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Auntie Ethel’s Hair | 1 | Gain +1 to an Ability Score. |
| Awakened | 1 | Use illithid powers as a Bonus Action. |
| Boooal’s Benediction | 1 | Advantage on Bleeding Targets. |
| Brand Of The Absolute | 1 | Benefits from Absolute Equipment. |
| Find Familiar: Scratch | 1 | Gain Find Familiar Scratch. |
| Find Familiar: Cheeky Quasit | 1 | Gain Summon Quasit Shovel. |
| Loviatar’s Love | 1 | 30% Hit Points or less, you gain a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls and Wisdom saving throws. |
| Musical Instrument Proficiency | 1 | Play a variety of musical instruments. |
| Necromancy Of Thay | 1 | Gain Speak with Dead. |
| Paid The Price | 1 | +1 to Intimidation, but disadvantage on perception. |
| Survival Instinct | 1 | Additional illithid power Survival Instinct. |
| Repulsor | 1 | Additional Illithid Power Repulsor. |
| Volo’s Ersatz Eye | 1 | See Invisibility |
| Arabella’s Shadow Entangle | 2 | Entangle an Undead or shadow creature. |
| Bardic inspiration | 2 | Gain a stronger charge of Bardic Inspiration. |
| Githzerai Mind Barrier | 2 | Advantage on Intelligence Saving throws. |
| Level 3 Shadow Spell Slot | 2 | Additional Level 3 Spell Slot. |
| Potion of Everlasting Vigour | 2 | Gain +2 Strength. |
| Slayer Form | 2 | Ability to transform into the Slayer. |
| Summon Us | 2 | Allows you to summon Us. |
| Danse Macabre | 3 | Create 4 ghouls summons. |
| Monk’s Hideous Laughter | 3 | Create 4 ghoul summons. |
| Mirror of Loss | 3 | +2 to an Ability Score of your choice. |
| Partial Ceremorphosis | 3 | Access to tier 3 illithid Powers. |
| Sweet Stone Features | 3 | Blessed permanent. |
| The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing | 3 | Gain 20 temporary hit points after a long rest. |
| Unstable Blood | 3 | Explode on contact with fire. |
| Vampire Ascendant | 3 | Gain Ascendant Bite and Misty Escape. |
| Statue of the Gods | 3 | +2 to Saving Throws |
Act 1 Permanent Bonuses in Baldur’s Gate 3
Below is a list of the following permanent character bonuses that can be obtained in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3):
Auntie Ethel’s Hair
Effect: Gain +1 to an Ability Score of choice.
You can obtain this passive bonus if you defeat Auntie Ethel during Save Mayrina’s quest and take her deal to spare her life. The quest is relatively long and dear old woman is a challenging opponent, but the bonus might be worthwhile. You can start the quest in Ac 1. To find the quest and Auntie Ethel’s Riverside Teahouse from Druid Grove take the bridge to Blighted Village, be careful there are goblins there. Then, head north to the swamps, and Auntie’s house should be easy to find at the end of the road. She is not what she seems at the start and a powerful enemy, especially on low levels, so watch out! When Auntie has low health, don’t kill her; instead, wait for her turn, and she will ask for mercy, starting the dialogue.
Awakened
Effect: You can use all of your illithid powers as a Bonus Action.
To earn the Awakened Illithid Powers (Bonus Action) bonus from the Zaith’isk Chair, you must complete a series of DC checks within the Mountain Pass of the Githyanki Creche Y’llek. Pass all three saving throws, and that person will get the Buff. Lae’zel can also enter the chair, which makes things significantly easier. Check out our full Awakened guide here for details.
Boooal’s Benediction
Effect: Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against Bleeding Targets.
To get this passive bonus you must sacrifice a companion to BOOOAL in The Festering Cove. You can find BOOOAL in the Underdark. The easiest way to get there is to teleport to Underdark Beach and head east until you reach a small edge and rocky platform underneath with red exploding mushrooms.
Brand Of The Absolute
Effect: Allows the benefits from Absolute Equipment.
You’ll meet Priestess Gut for the first time in Shattered Sanctum in the goblin camp. To obtain the Brand of Absolute bonus, your character must agree to be branded by Priestess Gut. After that, you can freely benefit from all the Absolute gear pieces listed below.
The following list presents all Absolute Equipments in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Absolute’s Warboard
- Faithbreaker
- Gloves of Power
- Ring of Absolute Force
- The vision of the Absolute
Find Familiar Scratch
Effect: Permanent summon of Scratch dog.
Travel west of Druid Grove in Act 1 and look for a white dog guarding a dead body coordinates X: 69 Y: 476. Pass a perception check to read his collar and learn his name, which is Scratch. Choose dialogue options like “You’re okay, Scratch…” and “I don’t think he’s going to wake up.” Gently convince him his master is gone, offering him companionship on your journey. Extend your hand so he can follow your scent back to camp. Rest at camp to finalize his recruitment.
Find Familiar Cheeky Quasit
Effect: Permanent summon of Shovel quasit.
Within the Blgihted Village of Act 1, you can locate a wooden hatch to access the Apothecary’s Cellar. This is the same area containing the Bracers of Defence and Necromancy of Thay. Within the Graverrobber’s cave, you will find a casket with a Scroll of Summon Quasit. Learn this spell with a Wizard to permanently unlock this summon character.
Loviatar’s Love
Effect: When you have 30% Hit Points or less, you gain a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls and Wisdom saving throws.
You can get the Loviatar’s Love passive bonus in the Shattered Sanctum from the Goblin Camp. First, you must find Abdirak, he will be praying to Loviatar the goddess of pain. Talk to him, endure his ‘peace through pain’ test by successfully passing three dialogue checks, and he will reward you with Loviatar’s Love passive. However, Loviatar’s Love bonus is lost on death, so keep it in mind.
Musical Instrument Proficiency
Effect: You know how to play a variety of musical instruments and are able to entertain a crowd with them.
Normally, Musical Instrument Proficiency is only available if you choose a Bard class or a performance proficiency feat at specific levels. Thankfully, the developers thought about the players who don’t want to commit to any of those yet still want to roleplay as a character trained in playing musical instruments. The next permanent bonus will grant you that ability.
To receive Musical Instrument Proficiency in BG3, you need to do is help Alfira with her song in Druid Grove. She can be found on the hill from the central Druid’s circle, looking over the beach and sea underneath. You’ll have to pass two Charisma checks, so it’s a good idea to save the game and load again if you won’t be able to do so. Now, all you need to do is find yourself at least one of the available musical instruments, and you are ready to entertain the crowds with your beautiful music!
Necromancy Of Thay
Effect: Gain Speak with Dead once per long rest.
In Baldur’s Gate 3 to receive it head to the Blighted Village to the west from Druid Grove and in one of the houses, you’ll find an entrance to the Apothecay’s cellar. The door is hidden behind the bookcase. To reveal the concealed entrance, shift the crates positioned to the left of the bookcase. Please hover your mouse over the crates and pull them aside. This will reveal the secret door to the cellar. In one of the rooms, you will find a book, the Necromancy of Thay. Please read it and pass all three checks, the last one wisdom will reward you with Speak with Dead and a new permanent bonus.
Paid The Price
Effect: Gain +1 to Intimidation checks. It also prevents the character from making Critical Hits and imposes a Disadvantage on Perception checks.
This permanent bonus in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be earned during the first conversation with Auntie Ethel in the Riverside Teahouse. Accept her proposition to remove the parasite from your head. During the dialogue, select “Are you saying you can remove it…” and then, “Fine. Can you remove the parasite?” Follow the conversation until you receive the passive voice.
Survival Instinct
Effect: Gain the additional Illithid Power Survival Instinct.
Head to the Underdark, Myconid Colony, and locate a Blurg; he is a Hobgoblin and a trader just next to the fast travel point. Tell him about the tadpole in your head, and he will introduce you to the Mind Flayer, Omeluum. Talk to him and help investigate the parasite to receive this BG3 permanent bonus.
Volo’s Ersatz Eye
Effect: Gain see invisibility permanently.
Obtain Volo’s Ersatz Eye by rescuing Volo and letting him attempt surgery. You can find him in the Shattered Sanctum, which you can access from the Goblin Camp. He will be close to where Abdirak is praying to Loviatar. This passive bonus carries negative effects with it, but it is worth taking on the same characters in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Act 2 Permanent Bonuses in Baldur’s Gate 3
Below is a list of the following permanent character bonuses that can be obtained in Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3):
Arabella’s Shadow Entangle
Effect: Entangle an Undead or shadow creature until a long rest.
Tell Arabella about her parents’ fate during the quest to Save Arabella. Save Arabella’s quest starts in Act 1, Emerald Grove near the Sacred Pool. This involves freeing Arabella from the Druid leader Kagha. Later in Act 2, if you save Arabella, she can be found and initiate the Search for Arabella’s Parents quest. This involves going to the House of Hope in Act 2 and finding her parents. Use Speak with Dead on Locke’s corpse and break the news to Arabella.
Bardic inspiration
Effect: Gain a Bardic Inspiration charge stronger than usual (1d12). It is usable once per long rest and does not consume Bardic Inspiration charges.
Use a Bard character and agree to play alongside Alfira to cheer up the children in Moonrise Towers after the assault on the tower. Use the perform action alongside Alfira, who will grant this bonus when talking to her after playing alongside her.
Githzerai Mind Barrier
Effect: Gain Advantage on Intelligence Saving throws.
Within the Mind Flayer Colony, underneath Moonrise Tower, in the Necrotic Laboratory, locate the item Waking Mind (coordinates X: 750 Y: -139). Connect the brain to the Archive Interface, speak to the skinned head, and agree to purge or consume its mind.
Level 3 Shadow Spell Slot
Effect: An additional Level 3 Spell Slot, separate from normal Spell Slots.
This benefit is only available if using Gale as an origin character. If so, Gale must kill the three mini-bosses in Act 2 in the Shadow-Cursed Lands: Gerringothe Thorm, Malus Thorm, and Thisobald Thorm. Once destroyed, consume the Shadow Weave from their corpses. Gerringothe Thorm is found in the Reithwin Tollhouse. Malus Thorm can be found in the House of Healing. Thisobald Thorm can be found in the bar at the Waning Moon.
Potion of Everlasting Vigour
Effect: Gain +2 Strength. It can be used to raise Strength above 20, even after a respec.
Bring Astarion to Moonrise Towers and find Araj Oblodra, Drow Trader. She will want to bite and sample Astarion’s vampire blood. If done, she will offer the Potion of Everlasting Vigour, which permanently increases the Strength of the one drinking it by 2. Also, make sure to donate your blood. This will lead to a separate permanent bonus, Unstable Blood, which causes your blood to be flammable.
Slayer Form
Effect: Gain the ability to transform into the Slayer once per Long Rest.
Summon Us
Effect: Allows you to summon Us, an intellect devourer, as a familiar.
Prevent Us from dying on the Nautiloid during the Prologue, then free it from its cage in the Mind Flayer Colony in Act 2. You can find this underneath Moonrise Towers during the end of Act 2, Morgue Coordinates X:661 Y:-63. Loot the key from Chop and free Us.
Act 3 Permanent Bonuses in Baldur’s Gate 3
Below is a list of the following permanent character bonuses that can be obtained in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3):
Danse Macabre
Effect: Create 4 ghouls that fight alongside you.
Obtained by reading the Tharchiate Codex found in the Sorcerous Sundries Vault. You must pass a level 20 Wisdom check, and the vault puzzle can be difficult. You can find this in the Elminster Vault. Baldur’s Gate > Sorcerer Sunderies > Ramazith’s Tower > Weave Button Vault > Silverhand -> Evocation -> Wish, pull lever, return and loot item. See the full guide on the Sorcerous Sundries Vault here if you are unfamiliar.
Monk’s Hideous Laughter
Effect: Gain casting of Tasha’s Hideous Laughter per long rest.
Find the Sentinet Amulet in the Grymforge during Act 1. Bring it with you in Act 3 to the Open Hand Temple in Wyrm’s Crossing. Finish the Help the Cursed Monk by entering the basement of the temple. Find a corpse that contains the missing Monk. Accept the curse yourself to gain permanent access to this spell.
Mirror of Loss
Effect: Gain +2 to an Ability Score of your choice (and optionally +1 to Charisma).
Interact with the Mirror of Loss during the conclusion of Shadowheart’s quest. This is done at the bottom of House of Grief during Act 3, fighting Viconia’s for her shield. You must pass a 25 DC and 20 DC check to get the +2 bonus. Check out our full Mirror of Loss Guide here.
Partial Ceremorphosis
Effect: Gain access to tier 3 illithid Powers.
Consume the Astral-Touched Tadpole the Emperor offers during the story at the end of Act 2.
Sweet Stone Features
Effect: Gain a +1d4 bonus to Attack rolls and Saving throws.
You can acquire the True Hero of Baldur’s Gate statue for 5,000 gold. Once you purchase, Boney will deliver a personalized statue to your resting location. Upon inspection of the statue, it reveals a permanent long buff. Boney is located in the Rivington Circus area at the start of Act 3.
The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing
Effect: After a long rest, gain 20 temporary hit points.
Obtained by reading the Tharchiate Codex found in the Sorcerous Sundries Vault. You must pass a level 20 Wisdom check and the vault puzzle can be difficult. You can find this in the Elminster Vault. Baldur’s Gate > Sorcerer Sunderies > Ramazith’s Tower > Weave Button Vault > Silverhand -> Evocation -> Wish, pull lever, return and loot item. See the full guide on the Sorcerous Sundries Vault here if you are unfamiliar.
Unstable Blood
Effect: Gain the passive Unstable Blood.
Give Araj Oblodra a sample of your build in Act 2 within the Moonrise Towers. In Act 3, you meet her again in the Lower City and must drink the mysterious potion she offers you from the experiment with your blood.
Vampire Ascendant
Effect: Gain class actions, such as Ascendant Bite and Gaseous form, and an extra 1d10 Necrotic damage to weapon and unarmed attacks.
In Act 3, travel to Cazador’s Palace. Enter the Sinister door by locating Kozakuran Dictionary and killing Godey to retrieve the Szarr Family Ring. Continue upstairs, kill a pack of wolves, and enter the office chamber. This will give you an elevator down to Cazador’s Dungeon. Once here, head north to a massive area where Cazardor will have individual vampires spawn, feeding a ritual to empower him.
From here, you need to kill Cazador WITHOUT destroying the vampire spawn on the outside channeling power. You can kill the various Werewolfs, bats, and other creatures, but you must eliminate Cazador and leave the ritual intact. Then, let Astarion finish the ritual and gain his new power, Ascendant Bite!
Statue of the Gods
Effect: +2 to all saving throws.
To get a permanent +2 bonus to all saving throws in Baldur’s Gate 3, make a one-time gold offering to the Statue of the Gods in Stormshore Tabernacle in Baldur’s Gate Lower City. The amount of gold depends on your level, with level one being 400 and a max level of 12 requiring 5,000 gold!
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