How to get and use an iron bottle in Baldur's Gate 3

The most interesting meeting in Baldur's Gate 3 they almost always lead to equally interesting items, whether in the form of quest rewards or just seemingly random loot. The Iron Flask from the first act is a good example of the latter, and is one of those things that can easily make a party go from fortune to disaster.

BG3 players who come across this curious item have a choice: bring the item to its rightful owner, or open it for their own benefit. Each decision leads to a different outcome, so for anyone still undecided on what to do, here's how to get the Iron Flask and which decision leads to which consequences before players reach Act 2 BG3.

Updated November 20, 2024: Players who explore every possible nook and cranny Baldur's Gate Act 1 3 should eventually come across a chest containing Iron flask. This mysterious item is part of the question, and players are instructed not to open the chest or use the flask, and for good reason. While experienced players should already know where to get this flask and what to do with it, we've updated this guide to include an additional section on how to take advantage of the surprise hiding flask.

Baldur's Gate 3: Location of the Iron Flask

The iron flask is located in a cave on Risen Road. Players can get there jump across the broken bridge at the Blighted Villagewe climb the hill with the gnoll pack and follow the trail of blood and paw prints to the northeast.

The cave is surrounded by a huge group gnoll leadership by the Gnoll Warlordand trying to get two men who are trapped in a cave. These men won't help the party when a fight breaks out, so players will be on their own.

One way to deal with this large pack is to use the tadpole's psychic powers to affect the Gnoll warrior. You can convince him to fight against his relative, essentially giving you a very powerful ally while removing the biggest threat in the battle. After the fight, the Warlord has a chance to get absorbed, as he doesn't tend to go after allies. Players must pass a check to absorb the warrior, but if they fail, they will have to face him.

Once the gnolls are gone, players will encounter two men in a cave defending a nearby metal chest. There are three ways to get the iron bottle into the chest: convince them to hand over the chest during the dialogue check, kill or knock them out, or take it from under their noses during the dialogue. No matter how you get to the chest, you must pass a DC 20 Lockpicking check to retrieve the Iron Flask. Use a party member with the Sleight Of Hand skill to unlock it faster – just don't try to return the chest to the Zhentari after it's been opened.

How to use an iron flask

To use the flask, simple right click on an item to inspect it. Pulling the plug will release an enemy beholder that will attack everything in sight. It basically replaces the tough fight from before with an even tougher one.

However, players can use this beholder to their advantage in later areas of the game to wreak havoc. For example, an invisible party member can walk into an enemy camp and open a bottle in their midst (or throw it at them), forcing them all to fight the Beholder while the rest of the party watches the show. This will have consequences in later acts Baldur's Gate 3although.

Alternatively, players can leave the two men alone. They will tell the players the location of their hideout. Go there to get a reward from their leader as well as the favor of their group. The hideout merchant usually has a number of powerful items for sale.

How to control the viewer

Open the spectator flask inward normally BG3 it leads to unbridled chaos when it happens in the midst of other people. The monster will attack everyone in sight, but there is a way to control it for a limited time. This includes a popular trick with Oathbreaker Paladin class v Shadow-Curded Lands of Act 2.

You basically have to turn the viewer into a zombie to use it Control Undead on it. Go to the Deep Shadows area in Act 2, then throw or open the spectator's bottle. Once it appears, the Beholder will be affected debuff Shadow-Cursedcausing him to rise as an Undead when he dies. Once it comes back to life, cast Control Undead until it falls under your control.

Undead control lasts until your next Long Rest, so try not to use all your spells when fighting the Seer if you want to save some for the rest of the enemies in the area.