Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Get The Owlbear Cub?

In Baldur’s Gate 3, players have the unique opportunity to interact with one of the most intriguing creatures of Dungeons & Dragons: the Owlbear Cub. Originating from the Greyhawk supplementary rulebook, it has found its way into the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. Surprisingly, if you pick all the right choices, you can add it to your camp!

Owlbear Nest Location In Baldur’s Gate 3

The Owlbear Nest is positioned to the North of the Bridge, West of Silvanus Grove, and East of the Blighted Village, precisely at coordinates X:85, Y:444. 

• Once crossing the bridge and spotting the village’s entrance, adventurers should turn North into the forest, heading down to the riverbank where the cave’s entrance awaits discovery. 
• The Owlbear Nest is relatively small, basically comprising the Nest itself and a little puzzle involving Baldur’s Gate 3 Selune chest.

Encountering The Owlbear

Upon finding the cave located between the Druid Grove and the Blighted Village, adventurers will notice tracks leading into it. Following these tracks will lead to an encounter with a fearsome owlbear, initiating a cutscene where different choices can be made.

Option 1: Understanding The Owlbear

Using Animal Handling to study the creature’s behavior or passing a Survival check to back away gives the option to approach it without hostility. Showing no harm or moving toward it cautiously without attacking can expose the owlbear cub, which is being protected. Failure to handle the situation properly or showing aggression will lead to an attack.

Option 2: Combat With The Owlbear

Should the dialogue check fail, combat with both the Mother Owlbear and the Owlbear Cub will commence instantly. Spells like Speak with Animals and Animal Friendship can assist in calming the owlbear, but if caught approaching too closely, combat will ensue. Killing the mother ends the combat, leaving the cub non-hostile.

Consequences of Interaction

• If Mother Survives: If the mother owlbear is left alive, it eventually dies at the hands of local goblins, with the cub ending up under their control.
• If Mother Dies: If the violent route is taken and the mother owlbear is killed, interaction with the cub without killing it is vital. The cub may consume its mother’s body, and a choice can be made whether to put it down humanely or let it live.

Adding the Owlbear Cub to Your Camp

The main attraction of the Owlbear Nest is the ability to add the Owlbear Cub to your camp. The process is challenging and requires time, but having this fearsome and adorable creature by your side is a rewarding experience.

Locating The Owlbear Cub In The Goblin Camp

After your initial encounter with the Owlbears in their cave, the Goblin Camp, situated west of the Druid Grove and Blighted Village, becomes the next point of interest. 

• A young Owlbear Cub finds its way here and can be spotted surrounded by goblins on one side of the camp. 
• Upon locating it, a dialogue with a goblin named Krolla will unfold, introducing you to a peculiar and cruel game known as Chicken-Chasing.

While Krolla begins explaining BG3, she will soon direct your attention to Volo the Bard, captured and stationed on a pedestal within the camp. 

• After speaking with him, you may return to Krolla for further details about Chicken-Chasing or to interact with the Owlbear Cub, assuring it that you mean no harm by successfully passing two Animal Handling checks.

Acquiring The Owlbear Cub

Within the Goblin Camp, you have a variety of routes to acquire the owlbear cub:

1. Condemn Chicken-Chasing: 
   • You may openly denounce BG3 as cruel, end the conversation with Krolla, and then demand that the cub come with you. 
   • A range of options then opens up, including intimidation, persuasion, or buying the cub with gold. 
   • Utilizing your Illithid wisdom is often the most effective way to secure the cub.
2. Participate in Chicken-Chasing: 
   • If you prefer, you may play a round of Chicken-Chasing for gold. 
   • Interact with the owlbear cub to encourage or persuade it, then partake in BG3, being mindful of obstacles. 
   • Winning allows you to confront Krolla, claim your earnings, and negotiate for the cub similarly to the first option.
3. Fight the Goblins: 
   • A more confrontational path involves battling all the goblins in the camp, which can be quite a challenge. 
   • If successful, the cub will be free to leave.

Regardless of the approach taken, the owlbear cub will vanish, reappearing at your camp later.

Finding the Owlbear Cub at Your Campsite

Upon securing the owlbear cub, you will find it observing your campsite warily some days later. To gain its trust, you’ll need to:

1. Pass an Animal Handling Check (DC 10).
2. Offer food from your bag, tossed to the Owlbear.
3. Patiently allow it to retreat, knowing it will return.

The Owlbear Cub will reappear randomly, seemingly in search of more sustenance.

• Though not an active ally, the Owlbear Cub’s presence is an intriguing addition to the early game of Baldur’s Gate 3. 
• Its base statistics suggest potential as a respectable companion, raising the possibility that it might return at a later stage. 
• For now, it remains an enigmatic creature, capturing the interest of those exploring BG3’s diverse world.

My Thoughts On The Owlbear Cub

Owlbears are a classic staple of the Dungeons and Dragons universe, and there is a very small minority that dislikes their company in Baldur’s Gate 3. Unfortunately, I had to deal with the Mother Owlbear in a rather grim way but nonetheless, I got the cub. Afterall, the Cub and Spark make for good company while fighting off the forces of the Absolute.

Coincidentally, If you find Spark in Act 1 and allow him into your camp, the friendship between him and the Owlbear is extremely wholesome. Plus, playing with it between large fights and after long rests is something that’s crucial for the BG3 experience.

With that, you know all about how to get the Owlbear Cub. It is quite a journey, from first encountering the Owlbear to then having to free it from the Goblins. But if you can get through all of it, having it at your own camp is a nice addition!

Next:

• Baldur’s Gate 3: Paladin Build
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Stone Disc Puzzle
• BG3 Pact Of The Blade
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Ranger Gloom Stalker Build
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Cleric Class Guide
• Baldur’s Gate 3: Character Creator