Baldur's Gate 3: How To Defeat Auntie Ethel

The player will meet all manner of individuals during their journey in Baldur's Gate 3, and many of these people/creatures have unique motives. One such individual is Auntie Ethel, who players will meet relatively early on in their adventure, in Emerald Grove, where she acts as a merchant selling various potions and alchemical ingredients.

But, be wary because, despite her grandmotherly demeanor and willingness to fret over the player character, Auntie Ethel is a blatant creature in disguise. Eventually, players very well might draw their swords and do battle with this most heinous of villains!

Updated by Shane Black on December 25, 2023: This guide has been updated to rework the structure of the guide to provide easier reading and give a more thorough explanation of how to beat Auntie Ethel. It also added more links to relevant guides and articles.

How To Get Through Auntie Ethel's Lair

The hag, otherwise known as the Green Witch, is none other than Auntie Ethel. She's a rather formidable boss fight, utilizing summoned minions, duplicates, and her hostage to keep the player on the edge of their seats.

First and foremost, players must deal with the mobs in the first room. By removing these obstacles now, it will make the entire boss fight easier and more manageable. Without them, Ethel cannot summon assistance in the final fight.

Second, players will stumble upon a room filled with noxious fumes. The best method to deal with this trap is to ignore the fumes using a Fire Bolt. The entire area will burn, which can cause damage to the player and their party. However, it will deal with the poison cloud.

Preparing To Fight Auntie Ethel

The combat in Baldur's Gate 3 proves rather difficult at times. Whether you're a newcomer to turn-based combat in role-playing games or not, one wrong move in a boss fight can lead to the entire party's demise. To gain the advantage against Auntie Ethel, players will want to prepare ahead of time. Here are a few tips to beat the witch and her cronies without breaking a sweat:

• Before the fight begins, ensure the party is prepped by equipped with the proper spells. Players will want to have Fire Bolt, Thunderwave, and Create Water.
• Focus on spells that offer long-term debuffs, like Bane. A Cleric, like Shadowheart, can use debuff spells.
• Reduce the party's overall encumbrance by selling off any excess trinkets or unwanted items before the fight, as Ethel will drop plenty of treasures to scoop up.
• Kill off the Redcaps outside the boss arena, as they will join the fight if it goes on for too long.
• Auntie Ethel is a tough boss to defeat, so the recommended party level is level 5 or higher.

How To Beat Auntie Ethel

Lastly, it's time actually to deal with the hag herself. The final stage of the boss fight revolves around juggling the witch and Mayrina. If the player left the masked minions alive in the previous room, Ethel will summon them now. This is why it's recommended to dispose of them upon entering the dungeon, as they prove rather dangerous when bunched up and attacking alongside Ethel. If the player did not kill the mob, then prepare for a tougher fight.

From here on out, it's a matter of attrition. Players will want to strike hard using their melee-focused classes and keep a bit of distance with their spellcasters. The thing is, Ethel hits hard. If the fight takes too long, chances are Ethel will come out victorious. The goal is to take her down quickly, so focus all damage-dealing party members on her, then keep healing from behind.

If players wish to cheese the fight, that's a possibility too. For that, use Thunderwave to toss Ethel over the cliff to her timely death. She can't put up a fight if she's falling into the chasm below! But be warned, in tossing her over the cliff, players will not be able to loot her body of its valuables!

How To Save Mayrina

For whatever reason, Auntie Ethel truly has it out for Mayrina. During the boss fight against Ethel, players will note that the young woman is locked inside a cage nearby. On her first turn, Ethel will toss a firebomb at the cage, igniting the entire surrounding area. Mayrina, locked away tight, will, unfortunately, take damage each turn she remains in the flames. If players want to save Mayrina, they must work quickly. If players take too long, Mayrina and her cage will tumble into the chasm below.

To rescue Mayrina successfully, players must activate the Control Orb nearby to lower the cage or use the Create Water spell to extinguish the flames. Alternatively, if the player has a water bottle in their inventory, it's possible to toss it at the flames and cage.

Should You Spare Auntie Ethel

When the fight is over, Auntie Ethel will try to make one last bargain with you: let her keep Mayrina, and she will give you a special reward. You don't have to go with what she says, however, if you choose the Intimidation option. This will give you a chance to beat a difficulty check of 15, but if you beat it, you can save Mayrina and get the reward.

This reward is the Hag's Hair, which when used, allows you to add a +1 to any Attribute that you choose. Your companions won't be thrilled about leaving Auntie Ethel alive, but they will be content with leaving with Mayrina in-hand, as well as the Hag's Hair.

If you leave Auntie Ethel alive, this will not be the last time you see her, as she will pop up again in Act 3, where you will interact with a group of people who have been haunted by the Hag, including Mayrina. Here, you will have to face her again in the Save Vanra quest and be rid of her once and for all.