Over the course of aBaldur’s Gate 3campaign, the party is bound to get into a lot of tough fights. While equipment and spell choices certainly matter, there are some fantastic ways to get more advantages by gaining some of the many permanent buffs the game has to offer. And with extra hit points and bonuses to attack rolls, some of these are definitely worth seeking out.
Baldur’s Gate 3has plenty of ways to give the party extra help at any difficulty through all three acts. Frombuffs to help your dice rollsto powerful abilities from equipment likeThe Blood of Lathander,there are some great ways to tip the odds in your favoras you take on the Absolute. While some of these buffs are straightforward to gain, others require a little more effort, making them easy to miss.
10Potion Of Everlasting Vigour Increases Strength
Gained From Araj Oblodra In Act 2
ThePotion of Everlasting Vigouris a fantastic potion that can be obtained from Araj Oblodra in Act 2’s Moonrise Towers. When drunk,the potion will permanently increase that character’s Strength score by two. This makes it perfect for fighters, barbarians, or anyone else who will need high Strength for better melee attacks.
However, you will need to be prepared tomanipulate Astarion to get this powerful potion. Araj wants Astarion to bite her, and it will be up to you to force him to perform this act if you want the permanent stat increase.This will result in a loss of approval from Astarion, and it could be the end of any romance with him.
9Volo’s Ersatz Eye Can See Through Invisibility
Gained From Volo In Act 1
One of the bestpermanent buffs inBG3can be gained by doing something that, on the surface, seems like a really bad idea. Volo’s Ersatz Eye is a strange item that allows you togain the effects ofSee Invisibilitypermanently. This is very useful, especially later in Act 3, where invisible enemies can become frustrating.
Wyll and any character who took Auntie Ethel’s initial deal will not be able to gain Volo’s eye.
To gain the eye, you will have to first rescue Volo from the goblins in Act 1 and then speak to him at camp about your tadpole.Volo will offer to perform surgery, and despite him clearly not knowing what he’s doing, you should agree. After Volo destroys one of your eyes, he will give you the Ersatz Eye as a replacement.
8Necromancy of Thay Gives Multiple New Abilities
Gained From The Apothecary’s Cellar In Act 1
The Necromancy of Thay is a brilliant book that should be picked up in every playthrough, as it grants multiple buffs and abilities throughoutBG3. When first found in Act 1, theNecromancy of Thay can be unlocked and readwith a series of skill checks that need to be passed to proceed. Reading one page will grantSpeak with Deadas a ritual spell permanently, which is incredibly useful to have on hand.
However, reading three pages will grant the buff Forbidden Knowledge for aplus one bonus to Wisdom saving throws and checks. Keeping tight hold of the book until Act 3 is important, as deep inside Sorcerous Sundries' vault, you can find The Tharchiate Codex. Reading this, and then rereading The Necromancy of Thay, will give you the permanent ability to summon ghouls with the new spellDanse Macabre.
7The Tharchiate Codex Grants Temporary Hit Point Each Long Rest
Gained From The Tharchiate Codex In Act 3
The Tharchiate Codex, required to unlock the Necromancy of Thay fully, has its own fantastic permanent buff.The Codex is found in the Elminster section of the vaultunder Sorcerous Sundries. The door can be unlocked by either using theKnockspell or using the lever at the end of the Silverhand section.
To open the Elminster section via the Silverhand door puzzle, you need to open the doors in the right order. The order is: Silverhand, Evocation, Wish.
Whoever reads the Tharchiate Codex will be cursed with the Tharchiate Withering condition, reducing their Constitution by five. This can be removed with eitherRemove CurseorGreater Restoration, which will transform the curse into a blessing. The Tharchiate Codex: Blessing will then apply Tharchiate Vigour to the character,granting 20 temporary hit points after each long rest.
6Sweet Stone Features Offers A Version Of Bless
Gained From Boney In Act 3
Sweet Stone Features is one of my favorite buffs inBG3, simply because of how you gain it, as it’s a really fun way to get a great buff. The buff itself acts like a permanent version of theBlessspell, and therefore will not stack with it. Sweet Stone Features will granta plus 1d4 bonus to all attack rolls and saving throws.
To gain this, you will need tospeak with Boney in the Circus of the Last Days and commission a statue for 5000 gold. Only one can be purchased per playthrough, and it can be of either yourself or any companion. Once the statue is delivered to camp, have the subject gaze upon themselves for this nice permanent buff.
5BOOOAL’s Benediction Is Tricky To Get
Gained From BOOOAL In Act 1
BOOOAL’s Benediction is a weird buff that can be a little tricky to get unless you are prepared to part with a companion permanently. The permanent condition gives all those affectedadvantage on attack rolls against creatures who are bleeding. This remains so long as there are Kuo-toa in the Festering Cove who worship BOOOAL.
One way to get this buff is to follow the dialogue instructions and sacrifice a companion. However,an alternative is to pickpocket the main Kuo-toa priest, Pooldripp, to gain theSickle Of Boooal. With the sickle in your possession, you can make BOOOAL another offer, telling the tricky Red Cap that you can kill many in his name. This will grant BOOOAL’s Benediction to all party members present for the rest of the game, so long as the Kuo-toa are alive.
4The Mirror Of Loss Boosts Any Ability Score
Gained From House Of Grief In Act 3
The Mirror of Loss is an incredibly powerful artifact that can be interacted with in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace, inside Act 3’s House of Grief. The Mirror can be used topermanently gain plus two for any ability score, with the option for an additional plus one to Charisma, so long as the proper steps are taken. However, as you might expect from an artifact of Shar, this buff is not free.
You will need to offer up a memory to Shar in exchange for a new one that will grant you the stat increase. I recommend saving before attempting touse the Mirror of Loss inBG3, as there are skill checks that will need to be passed. Using the Mirror also gives the rebuff Stolen Vigour; however, this can be removed by long resting or usingRemove Curse.
3Loviatar’s Love Helps With Attack Rolls
Gained From Abdirak In Act 1
One of the best-known permanent buffs inBG3is also the strangest to get, as it requires completing a ratherweird side quest. Loviatar’s Love is a great buff that will give you aplus two bonus to all attack rolls and Wisdom saving throwswhile you have less than 30% of your hit points. While this might not sound like a lot, it can make a huge difference and is best used on high-damage characters.
To get Loviatar’s Love, you will need to speak to Abdirak in the Shattered Sanctum and allow him to beat you.It’s important to put on a good performance for him or egg him onusing either Performance or Intimidation checks. Once Abdirak is satisfied, you’ll receive the buff, which will last all game unless you die, as the buff will not be reapplied upon resurrection.
2Auntie Ethel’s Hair Increases An Ability Score
Gained From Auntie Ethel In Act 1
Although it doesn’t sound like something you’d want to pick up, Auntie Ethel’s Hair is a fantastic item. The hair can be used topermanently increase any ability by one. While this might not sound like a lot if used on an odd ability score, it can be enough to increase that ability score’s modifier.
Taking Ethel’s deal willbreak the oaths of some paladin subclasses.
The hair is a gift from Auntie Ethel after the fight during the quest “Save Mayrina” if Ethel is brought down to 20% health.Ethel will offer the party a bargainin exchange for letting her live. I recommend taking the deal unless playing as a super lawful good character, as Ethel will return in Act 3 regardless of your choices, and the hair is a great buff to pick up.
1Awakened Is Too Good To Pass Up
Gained From Crèche Y’llek In Act 1
Easilythe best permanent buff to pick up inBG3is Awakened, which can be obtained towards the end of Act 1. Heading into the mountain pass and following Lae’zel’s personal quest, the party will eventually end up in Crèche Y’llek. Lae’zel will want to sit in a device called a zaith’isk, but here you should insist on going first instead.
Lae’zel will be a little annoyed, but it is a small price to pay overall. You will need to succeed in all three saving throws to endure the zaith’isk, and your reward will be the passive feature Awakened. This is an amazingBaldur’s Gate 3buff that lets youuse all illithid powers as a bonus action instead of an action, making them much more worthwhile.
