Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Use the Mind-Archive Interface in BG3

The Mind Flayer Colony in Baldur’s Gate 3 has much to explore, including an encounter with an interface next to a peculiar head that will reveal interesting information and grant a permanent buff. To learn more, continue reading to discover how to use the Mind-Archive interface in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Where is the Mind-Archive Interface in BG3?

You’ll find the Mind-Archive Interface in the Necrotic Laboratory in the Mind Flayer Colony beneath Moonrise Towers. You’ll need to progress nearly to the end of Act 2 and confront Ketheric Thorm atop Moonrise Towers, then follow him as he makes his way down into the gooey underbelly of the tower.

Once in the Mind Flayer Colony, you’ll want to make your way to a large room located south-most in the Colony. You’ll find a Death Shepard here which you’ll first need to take out along with its minions. When you’re clear of enemies, you’ll find the Mind-Archive Interface in a southwest section of the laboratory.

How to Use the Mind-Archive Interface in BG3

To use the Mind-Archive interface, you must gather Mind items such as the Waking, Fresh, Dark, or True Mind and insert them into the console. Doing this lets you talk to the nearby Slack-Skinned Head, allowing you to speak to the mind’s owners and peer into their thoughts. Once you’re done with your conversation, swap out the mind with another and repeat the process until you’re ready to move on to the next area.

Just be careful, as there is a chance you’ll encounter a bug upon using the Mind-Archive Interface. After placing a Mind item into it, you may be unable to speak with the Slack-Skinned Head, preventing you from talking to it. Fortunately, closing and reopening the game usually fixes this issue.

You’ll find Mind items as early as the prologue on the Nautiloid ship, with others scattered around the Mind Flayer Colony. You can even find an important one near the Blade of Oppressed Souls after completing the Necrotic Laboratory puzzle that gives you a buff after talking to the Slack-Skinned Head.

How to Get the Githzerai Mind Barrier Buff

If you use the Waking Mind item on the Mind-Archive interface, you’ll interact with a monk who offers to give you their knowledge in exchange for consuming or purging their mind. Choose to purge it to receive the Githzerai Mind Barrier buff, giving you an Advantage on Intelligence Saving Throws.

You’ll find the Waking Mind behind a locked door in the Necrotic Laboratory, east of the Mind-Archive Interface. Just solve the Necrotic Laboratory puzzle to open the door and grab the Waking Mind off the ground left of the immediate entrance.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on PC and soon on Mac, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. To learn more about the game, check out the best beginner classes in BG3, or click the game tag below to explore our growing article collection.