Ad placeholder
Help the Devilish Ox
Help the Devilish Ox is a Quest in Act Three of Baldur's Gate 3. It can be started by speaking with the Strange Ox in Rivington.
Objectives[edit | edit source]
Walkthrough[edit | edit source]
In order to receive this quest, the Strange Ox must have survived both the Grove and Last Light Inn, and must not have been attacked by the party at Last Light Inn. There also seems to be a cutoff point to the quest, either failed interactions with the Ox, crossing into the main area of the city after the fortress, or progressing the main storyline too far - a recommendation would be to trigger the quest in the earliest stages of Act Three.
The Strange Ox can be found in Rivington inside a stable near the Requisitioned Barn X: 41 Y: -143. An Arcana check indicates that the Ox is indeed the strange Ox from past encounters. Using 
allows its quest to be undertaken. The Ox says that it is delighted to see the party. It then further elaborates that it is trying to get into the city proper. After this, the following options appear:
- Not until you tell me exactly what you are.
- I suppose so. What form will you take?
- [DARK URGE] Charge, charge through the city streets with me, leaving virgin hearts as smear-stains.
- Maybe some kind soul might. But not me.
Smuggle the ox[edit | edit source]
If the dialogue option "I suppose so. What form will you take?" is chosen, the Ox transforms into a Strange Apple, which the party should pick up, if intended. This strange apple spawns on the ground. From here it is easy to miss, since none of the conversation indicates that this happens, possibly suggesting the apple goes into the party inventory on its own. Forgetting the apple results in bricking the quest when entering the Lower City, along with its possible reward, and killing the Ox is also forfeit. The journal reads, "We decided not to bring the strange creature into the city", even though the party can go back, retrieve the apple and bring it there; the quest is locked-out and remains (un)completed.
If properly brought to the Lower City upon entering for the first time, the Ox declares, "Oh-ho! Thank you for the lift, my friend. Thank you very much indeed. Ta-ta!" The quest then ends and it disappears, leaving behind its 
Shapeshifter's Boon Ring and a 
Slightly Slimy Note.
Attack the strange creature[edit | edit source]
If the dialogue option "Not until you tell me exactly what you are," is chosen, the Ox tells the party they do not want to go down that road. The following choices appear:
- I assure you I do. Tell me what you really are, or I'll strike you down myself.
- Fine. I'll help you. Let us leave it at that.
- Then you go your way, and I'll go mine.
If the dialogue option "I assure you I do. Tell me what you really are, or I'll strike you down myself." is chosen, the Ox transforms into a level 9 ooze and attacks. Once defeated (200 xp), it drops the 
Hat of Fire Acuity, the Shapeshifter's Boon Ring, and two random high-quality gems (e.g., Diamond, Jade).
Quest rewards[edit | edit source]
If smuggling the Strange Ox and safely delivering it to the Lower City:
- Shapeshifter's Boon Ring - if the ring was obtained earlier, the Ox leaves a random potion of moderate value in place of the ring.
- The Strange Ox also becomes an ally as part of
, and can be summoned with 
during the final battle against the Elder Brain. - Because the Strange Ox remains alive, the party cannot receive the Hat of Fire Acuity.