Summary of "Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 11 - Along Came A Spider..."
Baldur’s Gate 3 - Part 11 - Along Came A Spider…
By Many A True Nerd (John)
Storyline Outline
The party explores the Underdark, a dangerous cavern filled with spiders, monsters, and corpses. Key events include:
- Encountering a high elf who transformed herself into a spider, suspected to be the spider matriarch.
- Resting outside the spider cave in a goblin village camp to avoid the dangers inside.
- Several companion interactions revealing personal backstories and needs:
- Aarian (a vampire elf) discusses his unusual craving to drink the blood of thinking creatures and muses about the taste of companions.
- Gail reveals he has a magical condition requiring him to consume enchanted items periodically to stay stable.
- Shadow Heart remains secretive, especially about her religious beliefs and dislike of the sun.
- Welcoming a dog named Scratch at the camp.
- Preparing for a challenging fight against spiders, particularly the spider matriarch.
Gameplay Highlights
-
Resting Strategy: Avoid resting inside dangerous areas; retreat to safer camps for long rests.
-
Companion Management:
- Equip Gail with magical items he can consume.
- Use Aarian’s vampire bite ability to heal and manage blood loss.
- Shadow Heart serves as the party healer with buffs and poison healing.
-
Weapon and Item Management:
- Found blueprints for masterwork weapons requiring a special ingredient called “suspark” (a type of wood or tray).
- Discovered smoke powder barrels usable as explosive traps.
- Gathered iron and infernal iron, the latter requiring a hotter forge for crafting.
-
Lockpicking and Exploration:
- Used thieves’ tools to disarm traps and unlock chests.
- Found alternate routes through the forge and spider catacombs.
-
Summoning:
- Gail can summon various animals (cat, crab, frog, rat, raven, spider).
- Summoned a raven for blinding enemies and a quaset familiar for invisibility and scaring foes.
-
Combat Tactics:
- Use the environment to advantage, such as burning spiderweb bridges to drop enemies into pits.
- Start fights with surprise attacks from high ground for extra turns and advantage.
- Use fire damage (chromatic orb, scorching ray) to exploit spider weaknesses.
- Use summons as distractions and blockades.
- Utilize party positioning to avoid webbing and maximize ranged attacks.
-
Reading the Cursed Book:
- Inserted a mysterious gem into a locked ancient book.
- Resisted the book’s corrupting influence by performing a performance check (singing a limerick).
- Gained +1 to Wisdom saving throws and partial forbidden knowledge.
-
The spider matriarch was defeated with minimal damage to the party by smart use of positioning, fire, and environment.
Key Tips & Strategies
- Always rest in safe locations outside dangerous dungeons to avoid ambushes.
- Manage companions’ unique needs (e.g., Gail’s artifact consumption, Aarian’s blood requirement) by equipping appropriate items.
- Use fire attacks against spiders to double damage and burn webs.
- Use summons strategically to distract and control enemy movement.
- Take advantage of high ground for better attack rolls and tactical positioning.
- Explore thoroughly for hidden passages, keys, and crafting materials.
- When dealing with cursed or magical artifacts, use skill checks (like performance) to resist negative effects.
- Use environmental hazards (like burning webs) to deal massive damage to groups of enemies.
- Keep an eye on party loadouts and swap weapons/spells to fit the upcoming challenge.
Companions and Sources Featured
- John (Many A True Nerd) – Main player and commentator
- Aarian – Vampire elf companion with blood-related mechanics
- Gail – Wizard companion with a magical affliction requiring artifact consumption
- Shadow Heart – Healer with a secretive background and anti-sun religion
- Lazelle – Melee fighter with a greatsword and high mobility
- Scratch – Dog companion living in camp (non-combatant)
- Summoned Familiars: Raven and Quaset (named “Baskets”)
This episode focuses heavily on preparation, exploration, and strategic combat against spider enemies in the Underdark, culminating in the defeat of a powerful spider matriarch and the discovery of a cursed magical book.
Category
Gaming