Are you venturing through Baldur’s Gate 3 and wondering about that oddly helpful, sentient shovel you’ve encountered? Perhaps you’ve seen it in action, or heard whispers of its existence, and now you’re eager to get your hands on this unique companion.

The good news is, summoning Shovel, also known as the ‘Investigator’s Friend’, is entirely possible and can significantly aid your adventures. We’ll walk you through the precise steps needed to bring this surprisingly capable item to your party. No more digging through forums; this guide has everything you need.

Unearthing the Secrets: How to Summon Shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 is brimming with secrets, and one of the most delightful discoveries for many players is the sentient shovel, affectionately nicknamed ‘Shovel’ by the community. This isn’t just any mundane tool; Shovel is a magical construct with its own personality and surprisingly useful combat and utility capabilities. Learning how to summon Shovel is a rewarding experience that adds a unique flair and practical advantage to your playthrough.

The journey to Shovel’s summoning involves a specific questline that begins with a rather grim discovery. You’ll need to be observant and willing to engage with the game’s darker elements to find this loyal, albeit inanimate, companion. Don’t worry, we’ll guide you through each step, ensuring you don’t miss any crucial details. The process is straightforward once you know where to look and what to do.

The “find the Sussur Tree” Quest and the Necromancy of Thay

The primary method for acquiring and subsequently summoning Shovel is tied to the questline that begins with finding the Sussur Tree and, more importantly, delving into the secrets of the Necromancy of Thay. This questline offers valuable rewards, and Shovel is arguably one of the most memorable.

Locating the Necromancy of Thay Book

The first hurdle is finding the actual book, ‘Necromancy of Thay’. This tome is located in the Blighted Village, specifically within the cellar of the house belonging to the goblin leader, Gut. However, Gut is not always the most cooperative individual, and accessing her private chambers requires a bit of finesse.

Steps to access the Necromancy of Thay book:

1. Reach the Blighted Village: This area is accessible early in Act 1.
2. Find Auntie Ethel’s Teahouse: Navigate through the village until you find Auntie Ethel’s Teahouse.
3. Enter the Goblin Camp: From the teahouse, you’ll need to find a way into the Goblin Camp. There are multiple entrances, but the most direct often involves dealing with the guards at the main gate or finding a hidden path.
4. Locate Priestess Gut’s Hut: Within the Goblin Camp, you need to find Priestess Gut’s hut. She’s usually found in a central location.
5. Access Gut’s Cellar: Gut has a private cellar. You can either pickpocket the key from her or find a way to bypass locked doors. Sometimes, a successful persuasion check can lead you to her chambers without immediate conflict.
6. Find the Necromancy of Thay: Once inside her cellar, search thoroughly. The ‘Necromancy of Thay’ book is often found on a table or a shelf. Be prepared for potential traps or enemies guarding the area.

Interacting with the Necromancy of Thay Book

Once you have the book, the next crucial step is to interact with it. The book contains powerful, forbidden knowledge, and attempting to read it will initiate a series of checks. You don’t necessarily need to be a spellcaster or have high Intelligence to progress, but succeeding in these checks is key.

Reading the book and its consequences: (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)

• Attempt to Read: Interact with the book in your inventory.
• Wisdom/Intelligence Checks: You’ll be presented with a series of skill checks (usually Wisdom or Intelligence). Failing these checks can lead to negative consequences, such as taking damage or gaining a temporary debuff.
• Success Unlocks the Ritual: Successfully passing the checks will reveal a hidden ritual within the book. This ritual is what allows you to summon Shovel.

The Ritual and Shovel’s Origin

The ritual described in the Necromancy of Thay is not for the faint of heart. It involves channeling dark energy and, in essence, animating an object to serve you. This is where Shovel comes into play.

Performing the summoning ritual:

1. Find the Ritual Components: The ritual requires specific components. The most important of these is a body. This doesn’t have to be a specific type of body; any humanoid corpse will generally suffice.
2. Locate a Suitable Corpse: You’ll need to find a corpse to use for the ritual. These can be found throughout the world, sometimes from defeated enemies or in more morbid locations. Ensure the corpse is still intact and can be interacted with.
3. Initiate the Ritual: With the Necromancy of Thay book open to the correct page and a corpse nearby, you can initiate the ritual. This will present you with a new set of skill checks.
4. Channeling the Energy: Similar to reading the book, you’ll need to succeed in these checks to channel the necromantic energy into the corpse.
5. Shovel’s Awakening: Upon successful completion of the ritual, the corpse will animate, but not in the way you might expect. Instead of a zombie or undead minion, the energy coalesces into a sentient shovel. This is Shovel!

Summoning Shovel as a Companion

Once you have successfully performed the ritual and Shovel has been ‘born’, it will become an active companion that you can summon and dismiss. It doesn’t take up a party slot in the traditional sense, but rather functions as an additional ally you can call upon when needed.

The Summoning Spell/ability

After completing the ritual, you will gain a new ability or spell that allows you to summon Shovel. This is often found in your character’s spellbook or hotbar.

How to summon Shovel:

• Locate the Summon Shovel Ability: Check your character’s spell list or abilities. It’s usually a distinct icon.
• Use the Ability: Select the ability and target a nearby area. Shovel will then manifest from the ground.
• Dismissing Shovel: You can also dismiss Shovel using the same ability or by simply leaving the area.

Shovel’s Capabilities and Uses

Don’t underestimate Shovel! Despite its humble appearance, it’s a surprisingly effective ally.

What Shovel can do:

• Combat: Shovel can attack enemies, dealing decent damage. It has its own set of abilities and can contribute to the party’s offensive power.
• Utility: Shovel is particularly adept at digging. If you have items or secrets buried in the ground, Shovel can unearth them with ease. This is where its name truly shines!
• Interaction: Shovel has a unique personality and can even engage in dialogue, offering commentary on your adventures.
• Carry Capacity: While not a traditional party member, Shovel can sometimes assist in carrying items, though this is less its primary function.

Alternative Methods and Considerations

While the Necromancy of Thay is the primary and most reliable way to acquire Shovel, some players might wonder if there are other methods or if specific character builds are required. (See Also: how much to shovel a driveway)

Can Any Class Summon Shovel?

Yes, absolutely! The ability to summon Shovel is not tied to any specific class. The Necromancy of Thay ritual is a universal mechanic that any character can perform, provided they have the necessary skill checks and find the book and a corpse.

What If I Missed the Book?

If you’ve progressed past Act 1 without acquiring the Necromancy of Thay book, or if you somehow missed the opportunity to perform the ritual, you might be wondering if you can still get Shovel later.

Important Note: The Necromancy of Thay book is generally considered an Act 1 item. While it’s possible to bring items between acts, the specific quest progression and location of the book are heavily tied to Act 1. If you miss it in Act 1, it becomes significantly harder, if not impossible, to acquire in later acts through the intended questline. Always be thorough in your exploration of the Blighted Village and the Goblin Camp!

Can I Use a Different Corpse?

Yes, you can use various humanoid corpses. The game is generally flexible on this. However, using a corpse that is part of an important quest or a unique NPC might have unforeseen consequences or prevent you from completing other objectives. It’s generally safer to use corpses from defeated enemies or generic NPCs you encounter.

What If I Fail the Skill Checks?

Failing the skill checks when reading the book or performing the ritual can have negative outcomes. You might take damage, suffer debuffs, or the ritual might simply fail, requiring you to find another corpse or try again if possible. Save your game before attempting these checks to mitigate the risk of losing progress.

Shovel’s Role in Different Playthroughs

Shovel can be a valuable asset in any playthrough, regardless of your party composition or combat style. Its ability to dig can reveal hidden treasures and lore that might otherwise be missed. In combat, it acts as an extra body to draw aggro and deal damage, freeing up your main party members to focus on their roles.

Example Scenarios:

• Exploration: You’re in an area with suspicious patches of disturbed earth. Summon Shovel, and it can dig up hidden stashes, lore items, or even quest-related objects.
• Combat: Facing a tough boss? Shovel can provide an additional attack and absorb some hits, giving your party more breathing room.
• Roleplaying: Shovel’s quirky personality adds a unique narrative element to your journey. Its commentary can be amusing and add depth to your interactions with the world.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with clear instructions, players can sometimes encounter minor roadblocks. Here are a few common issues and their solutions regarding Shovel. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)

Issue: Shovel Won’t Appear After the Ritual.

Solution: Ensure you have successfully completed all stages of the Necromancy of Thay ritual. Double-check that you used a valid corpse and succeeded in the final skill checks. Sometimes, reloading a save before the ritual and trying again can resolve minor glitches.

Issue: I Can’t Find the ‘summon Shovel’ Ability.

Solution: The ability should be automatically added to your character’s hotbar or spellbook upon successful completion of the ritual. If it’s not immediately visible, try closing and reopening your spellbook or inventory. If it persists, check your character’s ‘Abilities’ tab.

Issue: Shovel Is Stuck or Won’t Move.

Solution: Shovel, like other summoned creatures, can sometimes get stuck on terrain. Try dismissing and resummoning it in a different location. If it’s a persistent pathfinding issue, it might be a minor bug that could be addressed in future patches.

Issue: I Killed Priestess Gut Before Getting the Book.

Solution: If you killed Gut before acquiring the book, you should still be able to loot it from her. If it’s not on her body, it might have been missed in her chambers. Thoroughly search her private cellar.

Issue: I Can’t Interact with the Corpse.

Solution: Ensure the corpse is not too damaged or bugged. Some corpses might not be interactable. Try finding a different corpse. Also, make sure you don’t have any active combat or dialogue that prevents interaction.

By following these steps and understanding Shovel’s unique mechanics, you’ll be well-equipped to bring this loyal and helpful companion into your Baldur’s Gate 3 adventures. Happy digging!

Conclusion

Summoning Shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a unique and rewarding process, primarily achieved through the Necromancy of Thay quest in Act 1. By finding the book, successfully navigating its skill checks, and performing the ritual with a suitable corpse, you’ll gain a sentient shovel companion. Shovel offers valuable combat support and incredible utility, especially for uncovering hidden secrets through digging. Don’t miss out on this delightful addition to your party!

Recommended Products

No products found.