Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a rich tapestry of companions and creatures to encounter, some ferocious and some surprisingly friendly. One such intriguing companion option is the adorable (yet potentially terrifying) Owlbear Cub. This guide delves into everything you need to know about finding, befriending, and caring for this unique camp follower in BG3.
Where to Find the Owlbear Cub
The journey to acquiring your feathery (and slightly toothy) friend begins in the Owlbear Nest. This cave can be found nestled in the forest, northeast of the Blighted Village waypoint. Look for the entrance just north of the bridge leading west from the Emerald Grove environs.
Upon entering the cave, you’ll encounter the Owlbear mother. Here’s where your choices come into play:
Peaceful Encounter: Characters with high Animal Handling skills can attempt to understand the Owlbear’s behavior, potentially avoiding conflict. Alternatively, a successful Survival check allows you to back away peacefully.
Aggressive Encounter: If intimidation is your game, a good Performance check lets you puff out your chest and roar, potentially scaring the Owlbear.
Hostile Encounter: Of course, there’s always the option of attacking the Owlbear. This approach won’t preclude getting the cub, but it’s not the most heartwarming method.
Crucially, if you want the cub as a companion, you must spare it during this encounter.
The Owlbear Cub in the Goblin Camp
After your initial meeting with the Owlbear family, take a long rest at camp. If you successfully spared the cub, you’ll find it caged in the Goblin Camp, located west of the Druid Grove and Blighted Village. Here, you have a few options to liberate your new friend:
Chicken Chase: This “sport” involves the goblins taunting the cub and then running away. You can participate and win the “game” to free the cub. (Be warned, it’s not the most pleasant activity.)
Persuasion: Characters with high Charisma can attempt to convince the goblins to release the cub, possibly through deception or a well-timed bargain.
Intimidation: If persuasion fails, a strong character can threaten the goblins into releasing the cub.
Remember: Certain actions can affect the cub’s presence in the camp. Killing Devout Mezzka or poisoning the camp through the Booze Tub might prevent the cub’s appearance.
Bringing the Owlbear Cub Back to Camp
Once you’ve freed the cub, it will be wary and skittish. Here’s how to win its trust:
Kindness is Key: Characters with proficiency in Animal Handling can use soothing words and gentle gestures to calm the cub.
Food is Love: The cub is, after all, still a growing creature. Offering it food will demonstrate your goodwill and establish a bond.
After successfully calming and feeding the cub, it will return to your camp after a few long rests. You’ll find it nestled in a corner, ready for pets and future adventures.
The Owlbear Cub as a Camp Follower
Having the Owlbear Cub as a camp follower offers some unique benefits:
Adorable Companion: Let’s face it, a tiny Owlbear cub is undeniably cute. It adds a touch of whimsy to your camp and provides some heartwarming interactions.
Morale Boost: The cub’s presence can provide a morale boost to your party, offering a small bonus to their experience points.
Potential Combat Ally: While the cub is small now, later acts of Baldur’s Gate 3 hint at the possibility of the cub growing into a formidable combat companion.
However, there are also some things to consider:
Not a Traditional Party Member: The cub cannot be directly controlled in combat and won’t level up alongside your party.
Vulnerability: As an animal, the cub is susceptible to being frightened or injured in combat situations.
About the Owlbear Cub
Here are some of the most common questions regarding the Owlbear Cub in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Can I miss out on getting the Owlbear Cub? Yes. If you kill the Owlbear mother or the entire Goblin Camp before encountering the cub, you won’t be able to recruit it.
What happens if I fail the checks to calm the cub? Don’t worry, you can try again after a long rest.
Can I have both Scratch and the Owlbear Cub in my camp? Absolutely! There’s no limit to the number of friendly creatures you can have at your camp.
FAQ’S
Where do I find the Owlbear Cub?
The cub’s journey begins in the Owlbear Nest, a cave located northeast of the Blighted Village. Here, you’ll encounter the mother Owlbear. The cub’s fate depends on your actions – you don’t have to fight the mama bear!
Wait, what if I whooped the mama bear’s behind?
No worries! Even if the mama Owlbear meets an unfortunate end, you can still snag the cub. Just take a long rest at camp, and the cub will appear at the Goblin Camp further west.
Uh oh, Goblin Camp? Sounds dangerous!
Not for a cunning adventurer like yourself! You’ll find the cub being held captive by Goblins. Here’s where things get interesting…
Free the Cub! How do I do that?
There are a few ways to liberate the cub. You can play a hilarious game of Chicken Chase with the Goblins, persuade them with your silver tongue (or coin purse!), or use your intimidation skills to scare them off.
Chicken Chase? Sounds like fun! Tell me more!
This wacky Goblin “sport” involves the cub running towards the player while the Goblins chase it. Be careful not to get trampled! If you win the game (the cub reaches you safely), the Goblins will release it.
Ugh, I stink at games. Can I buy the cub?
Maybe! Talk to the Goblin named Krolla and see if they’re willing to part with the cub for a price.
I’m more of a charmer. Can I sweet talk the Goblins?
Absolutely! Use your persuasion skills to convince the Goblins to release the cub.
Okay, I got the cub! Now what?
The cub will follow you back to camp and become a friendly follower. You can interact with it and even find it curled up for a nap in different spots around camp.
Does the Owlbear Cub do anything special?
Right now, the cub doesn’t offer any combat bonuses or special abilities. But hey, it’s adorable and who can resist a cuddly (and potentially ferocious) companion?
Is there anything I can miss out on if I don’t get the cub?
The Owlbear Cub is purely optional. You won’t miss out on any critical story elements by leaving it behind.
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