How to Beat Auntie Ethel: The Hag Boss Fight

Auntie Ethel is the Hag boss in Save Mayrina Side Quest in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). Learn how to beat Auntie Ethel and see the results of killing and sparing her!

How to Beat the Hag: Auntie Ethel

Don't Sacrifice Your Eye

Do not trade in one of your eyes if you get the Find a Cure quest update during the Save Mayrina Side Quest. It will put you at a disadvantage against Hags, like Auntie Ethel, making the boss fight more difficult against her.

Auntie Ethel Quest Guide: How to Save Mayrina

Position the Team Near the Torch

Positioning your team near the torch in the area will allow you to get a bit more close to Auntie Ethel and her illuisions. You can go there without triggering the cutscene by hiding. Just be careful not to touch the red flower-looking trap nearby!

Apply Wet Status on the Cage Before Starting the Battle

Auntie Ethel will ignite the cage of Mayrina once the battle start. You can prevent that from happening by throwing water on the cage before the fight. You won't be able to lose one turn just to put it out, and you can focus on the battle better.

Throwing a Water Bottle or using Create Water on the cage should do the trick here!

Destroy the Mirror Images First

Auntie Ethel can summon copies of herself in battle. Those copies can cast spells on your character so it's best if you take them out first before attacking the original.

At the start of battle, the original will teleport on a rock near the torch. After that, she will randomly teleport to one of the high grounds far away from your party. She also sometimes use Potion of Invisibilty to make herself hidden.

Choose the Farthest Mayrina to attack

Auntie Ethel will free Mayrina after a few turns, or once her HP drops to around 50-60%. However, she will also shapeshift into Mayrina to confuse you. The Real Hag is the Hag that's farthest from your team! Alternatively, you can also use melee attacks and enable non-lethal attacks passive to only incapacitate Maynira if you're unsure which one is which.

How to Use Non-Lethal Attacks

Consider Playing on Explorer Difficulty

You might want to consider changing to Explorer Difficulty if your team is underleveled and can't defeat Auntie Ethel. You can do this by going to the menu and selecting Difficulty.

Should You Kill Auntie Ethel?

Kill Her if you want Extra Gold and Other Items

Auntie Ethel drops a lot of potions, scrolls, gold, a weapon, and an equipment if you kill her. These items will help you greatly in your journey in the Act 1 of the game, especially the gold and gear.

Don't Kill Her if you want a Bonus Ability Score

If you care more on a bonus Ability Score, you should spare her but don't give Mayrina as it will lose the purpose of "saving her" in the quest. You still have the decision whether to give Mayrina or not and finish the quest however you like!

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

List of All Bosses

Act 1 Bosses

Act 2 Bosses

Act 3 Bosses