Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Open the Mind Flayer Pod in BG3

After traveling through enough sphincters in the Nautiloid Ship, you’ll run into one of your first potential companions in Baldur’s Gate 3; however, you will first need to release her from the Mind Flayer Pod in which she is trapped. Continue reading to learn how to open the Mind Flayer Pod and free Shadowheart in BG3.

Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Open the Mind Flayer Pod – Rescue the Illithid’s Captive Quest Guide

When you first interact with the Mind Flayer Pod on the prologue’s Nautiloid Ship, the Illithid Captive inside, Shadowheart, will urge you to free her and point your attention toward the console next to the pod. You can try interacting with the console, but it won’t immediately respond to you. Instead, you’ll have to find a certain key to open the Mind Flayer Pod.

To open the Mind Flayer Pod and free Shadowheart in BG3, you’ll need to find the Eldritch Rune, which can be looted from a Dead Thrall located to the East of the main room. The Dead Thrall is located right behind a console next to a chest at the very back of the room.

The Dead Thrall and Eldritch Rune can be found at the coordinates X:63 and Y: -356.

Once you have acquired the Eldritch Rune, you’ll want to go back to the main room with the Mind Flayer Pod and insert the Eldritch Rune into the console next to the pod and place your hand on the console. You’ll also have the option to investigate the console, and if you succeed a DC10 Arcana check, you’ll be reassured that this console will not turn Shadowheart into a Mind Flayer unlike with the Mind Flayer Pod in the previous room.

Once inserted, the Eldritch Rune will cause you to connect with the console. You’ll then want to choose to will the pod open and pass a DC2 Wisdom check. As long as you don’t roll a natural one critical fail, the Mind Flayer Pod will open, freeing Shadowheart.

When I first did this, I unfortunately rolled a natural one. If this happens, Shadowheart will remain locked in the Mind Flayer Pod with no way to get her out, and you’ll have to move on with the prologue. Fortunately Shadowheart won’t die if you don’t free her from the Mind Flayer Pod. Instead, you’ll find her lying on the Ravaged Beach after you wake up from your escape from the Nautiloid. She may not be as grateful to you as she would if you freed her, but she’s still eager to go with you and join your party.

And that’s it for the Mind Flayer Pod in BG3. You may now talk to Shadowheart and complete the Rescue the Illithid’s Captive Quest. One step closer to romancing her…

If this guide helped you, feel free to check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 section below. There you will find tons of other tips and tricks to help with your playthrough!