All through your adventures in Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll encounter a personality generally known as the Unusual Ox. Speaking to it ends in a number of “moos” initially, however there’s extra to this mysterious creature than you’d anticipate.

Whereas this thriller received’t fairly unravel till the sport’s last act, there’s some data you’ll be able to glean ranging from Act One, with extra particulars surfacing as you progress. Let’s study extra in regards to the Unusual Ox, together with its conduct, dialogue, and potential rewards in all three acts. Simply watch out, as there are some minor Act Two and Act Three spoilers arising.

What’s the Unusual ox in Baldur’s Gate 3?

At first, Baldur’s Gate 3’s Unusual Ox is an odd cow you’ll spot throughout Act One. Except for some bizarre actions, it received’t present any apparent indicators of being uncommon, even when you converse to it. Nonetheless, utilizing Converse With Animals and following its actions all through the sport will reveal its true nature, with Act Three turning it right into a aspect quest.

Act one location and dialogue

You’ll first encounter the Unusual Ox within the Emerald Grove throughout Act One at coordinates (X: 221, Y: 540). The ox will stand beside two different oxen inconspicuously, and talking to it repeatedly received’t lead you far. Nonetheless, there are a number of fascinating methods to disclose some data.

The primary is utilizing Converse With Animals to speak to the ox instantly. It’ll keep the looks of an ox and try to reply your inquiries to the perfect of its skills, albeit with some suspicious hesitance. Relying on whether or not your character catches on to this, you’ll be able to persuade, deceive, or intimidate it into revealing extra data, prompting the ox to let you know it’ll finally make its strategy to Baldur’s Gate. In different phrases, you received’t get your full reply till Act Three.

One other strategy to take care of the ox is by attacking it. Upon inflicting injury to it, some peculiar ooze will spurt out and hit anybody, together with NPCs, in vary. Killing it ends in a goop explosion, killing anybody and something close by. Whereas this received’t destroy the whole camp, it might probably positively wipe out a few get together members in the event that they’re too shut.

Usually talking, I wouldn’t advocate killing the Unusual Ox but. Not solely will the opposite oxen change into aggressive, however any close by NPCs can even be a part of the combat. On the plus aspect, you’ll get a particular ring from it, which we’ll get into later.

Act two location and dialogue

In case you preserve the Unusual Ox alive throughout Act One, you’ll spot it once more at Final Gentle Inn at coordinates (X: -28, Y: 168). Any character who succeeds in an Perception Verify will touch upon this ox, saying they acknowledge it and nonetheless discover it very unusual.

Like earlier than, it’ll initially make ox noises when you discuss to it with out Converse With Animals energetic. You possibly can try an Animal Dealing with (Knowledge) Verify, however not a lot will come from it. As a substitute, you’ll want Converse With Animals to study extra in regards to the ox.

Keep in mind once I talked about you’ll be able to assault the Unusual Ox in Act One? Now could be one other alternative, nevertheless it could be barely difficult when you’re simply beginning your time within the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Ready till Act Three will open up some fascinating dialogue choices with the ox, however attacking it reveals one thing notably particular.

For the primary time, we formally study that it isn’t an ox in any respect, however the truth is, a bizarre ooze monster. Attacking the ox will trigger it to show right into a stage 5 ooze with resistance to slashing and lightning, alongside acid immunity. Quite than close by NPCs combating towards you, they’ll change into hostile towards the ooze. Like earlier than, you’ll get the Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring, alongside a number of different goodies for the difficulty.

Act three location and dialogue

The ultimate location for the Unusual Ox is at the start of Act Three in Rivington. It spawns in a barn at coordinates (X: 41, Y: -143). Nonetheless, whereas the Requisitioned Barn is right here, we’re not on the lookout for this location; as an alternative, you’ll wish to go to the opposite close by barn on a small hill. Opening its shabby doorways reveals the ox alone within the barn, prepared to speak.

Ready till Act Three to work together with the Unusual Ox is the place issues begin to diverge. By this level, when you didn’t assault the ox, your get together received’t know its true secret and as an alternative acknowledge it as soon as extra in the event that they achieve one other Perception Verify. Like earlier than, making an attempt to pet the ox received’t do something. You’ll want Converse With Animals one final time.

Speaking to the Unusual Ox with Converse With Animals energetic begins off weird. It’ll nonetheless attempt to conceal its identification at first, however with a profitable Persuasion Verify, it’ll share some reasonably horrifying imagery with you. I received’t spoil precisely what you’ll discover, however let’s simply say even your character is dumbfounded by it.

From this level onward, you might have two selections: threaten it and defeat the ox or assist it. In case you attempt to go away the dialog, it’ll ask to your assist moving into town. Accepting the request will result in it turning into an apple, introducing you to the Assist the Devilish Ox quest. Upon getting into the Decrease Metropolis, he’ll provide the Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring, permitting you to say this prize with out shedding any blood or ooze. After finishing the Collect Your Allies quest, you’ll additionally achieve the “An Apple a Day” means, providing you with another pal that can assist you later in Act Three’s story.

What does the Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring do in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring is a surprisingly useful ring that offers you a +1d4 bonus to all Checks when you’re shapeshifting or disguised. This is applicable to quite a few conditions, from notion and survival checks throughout your travels to dialog checks.

Its essential makes use of are for buffing a Druid shapeshifter or a rogue who typically disguises themselves, however anybody with both of those skills will profit. It’s particularly highly effective on any character with the Masks of the Shapeshifter, which you’ll routinely have in your camp’s chests in case you have the Digital Deluxe Improve model of BG3.