Auntie Ethel is one of the core villain NPCs in the game and players are called to decide what to do with her at the end of Act 1. Let’s go through all the options of whether you should kill or spare the Hag in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Overall, players should choose to spare the Hag but also keep Mayrina alive. This will grant the best possible rewards overall.
In this BG3 Hag decision guide, I will explain whether you should kill or spare Auntie Ethel by showcasing all possible outcomes.
As you’re progressing through the story, don’t forget to check out our guide on where to find the True Love Rings in Baldur’s Gate 3, as they offer a unique effect on the equipped characters.
BG3 Hag Decision – All Options
At the end of Act 1, after damaging Auntie Ethel (aka the Hag) enough during combat, she will surrender and propose a deal.
Specifically, she will request to let her escape, while also requiring that you give her Mayrina. In exchange, she will increase an attribute of your choice through the Auntie Ethel’s Hair item.
Based on that, during the dialogue with Auntie Ethel, players have the following Hag decision in BG3 to make:
- Kill the Hag.
- Spare the Hag, give her Mayrina, and get the Attribute increase bonus.
- Spare the Hag, refuse to give her Mayrina, and still get the Attribute increase bonus (requires DC).
The first two choices are pretty straightforward and have no special requirements. The third choice will require you to pass an Intimidation or Deception check.
Also read: How to Romance the Drow Twins
Now, let’s examine the choices in turn.
Kill the Hag
If you decide to kill the Hag, Mayrina will stay alive but the Hag won’t actually die.
Instead, she will come back in Act 3 where you’ll learn that she will constantly keep getting revived due to the existence of three certain mushrooms.
If you choose to kill the Hag, you won’t get any attribute bonuses, so I don’t recommend this choice.
Spare the Hag
Players can decide to spare the Hag, which will reward them with Auntie Ethel’s Hair, an item that grants a permanent +1 bonus to an attribute of your choice.
However, she will request Mayrina in exchange. If you accept the trade, Mayrina will die and you’ll miss out on her story quest in Act 3, so it’s also not an ideal decision.
Thankfully, there is a third option. Specifically, you can choose to spare the Hag and pass an Intimidation or Deception check.
If successful, the Hag will leave, you will get the attribute bonus of your choice, and Mayrina will stay by your side.
Of course, the Hag will be angry at you but this won’t make a difference in the story since she will come back to attack you either way.
Related reading: Baldur’s Gate 3 Spell Tier List
Should you Kill or Spare the Hag in BG3?
The best Hag decision in Baldur’s Gate 3 is sparing the Hag by passing the Deception or Intimidation check so as to get the attribute bonus but also keep Mayrina alive.
This way, you’ll get the most bonuses out of this decision without having any disadvantages.
Make sure to save before deciding as you’ll need to restart the game multiple times if you fail to roll the right dice number.
By saving Mayrina, you will get the quest in Act 3 to hunt and kill the Hag. There, you’ll learn that the only way to kill the Hag in BG3 is by destroying three Pearlspore Bell mushrooms first that can be found around her lair.
What did you decide to do? Did you succeed in the dice checks on your first try? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
For more important decision guides, check out our article on the Nightsong choice in BG3 and whether you should kill or save her.
He has a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, which allows him to always come up with a fresh approach to solving in-game puzzles and challenges, but also to create content that’s to the point, clean and easy to follow.
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