How to Keep Shovel Bg3: Essential Tips for Your Baldur’s…

So, you’ve stumbled upon the spectral wonder that is Shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3, and now you’re wondering: how do I keep this little guy around? It’s a question many adventurers ponder as they navigate the treacherous Underdark and beyond.

Shovel, or the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell, is an incredibly useful tool, offering utility, combat support, and even a bit of comic relief. But like many powerful allies in Faerûn, keeping them by your side requires understanding their unique mechanics and limitations.

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ensuring Shovel remains a loyal (if somewhat mischievous) companion throughout your Baldur’s Gate 3 journey.

Mastering the Summon Quasit: Your Guide to Keeping Shovel Bg3

Ah, Shovel. The tiny, fiery, and surprisingly helpful quasit summoned by the Scroll of Summon Quasit. For many players, discovering this little companion is a highlight of their early Baldur’s Gate 3 experience. But the fleeting nature of summoned creatures can leave you wondering, ‘How do I keep Shovel BG3 permanently?’ The short answer is: you can’t, not in the traditional sense of a permanent party member. However, you can absolutely maximize its uptime and ensure its availability whenever you need it.

Let’s break down the mechanics of ‘Summon Quasit’ and explore the best strategies for keeping this spectral ally at your beck and call. Understanding how summons work in Baldur’s Gate 3 is key to unlocking Shovel’s full potential.

Understanding Summon Mechanics in Baldur’s Gate 3

Summoned creatures, like Shovel, are not permanent party members. They exist as temporary allies, bound to your character through a spell or a specific item. Their duration is tied to several factors, and understanding these is crucial for ‘how to keep Shovel BG3’ effectively.

• Spell Duration: The primary way to summon Shovel is through the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell. This spell has a limited duration. Once this duration expires, Shovel will vanish.
• Concentration: Many powerful spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 require Concentration. If the caster takes damage and fails a Constitution saving throw, the spell ends, and any associated summoned creature will disappear. This is a major factor in Shovel’s longevity.
• Combat Encounters: While Shovel can be summoned outside of combat, its true utility shines during fights. However, being in combat also means the risk of taking damage and losing concentration increases.
• Resting: Long rests typically reset spell slots and can end the duration of many spells, including summons. Short rests generally do not end concentration spells.
• Dismissal: You can manually dismiss Shovel at any time by using the ‘Dismiss’ action on the summon’s portrait. This is useful if you want to free up a spell slot or end its duration before it expires naturally.

Obtaining the Scroll of Summon Quasit

Before you can even think about keeping Shovel around, you need to acquire the means to summon it. The most common way to summon Shovel is through the Scroll of Summon Quasit. This scroll is a consumable item, meaning it’s used up upon casting the spell.

Where to find the Scroll of Summon Quasit: (See Also: how to get flimsy shovel animal crossing)

1. Scribbled Spellbook (Act 1): One of the earliest and most reliable places to find a Scroll of Summon Quasit is in the Scribbled Spellbook. This book is located in the Goblin Camp. Specifically, you’ll find it in the room belonging to Maglubiyet’s Chosen, near the main altar area. It’s often on a table or shelf.
2. Traders: Various traders throughout the game may also sell this scroll. Keep an eye on vendors like Grat the Trader in the Blighted Village or Auntie Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands. Their inventories can be somewhat randomized, so it’s worth checking regularly.
3. Loot: While less common, the scroll can also be found as random loot in chests or on defeated enemies.

Important Note: The Scroll of Summon Quasit is a Level 1 Spell Scroll. This means that if you have a character who can learn spells from scrolls (like a Wizard or a Bard), you can potentially learn the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell permanently, rather than relying on consumable scrolls. To do this, you’ll need to have the ‘Learn Spell’ action available and the scroll in your inventory. This is a significant advantage for characters dedicated to spellcasting.

Casting Summon Quasit: Who Should Do It?

The effectiveness and longevity of Shovel are heavily influenced by the character who casts the spell. Since ‘Summon Quasit’ is a concentration spell, the caster’s ability to maintain concentration is paramount.

• The Caster’s Role: The character who casts ‘Summon Quasit’ will be the one maintaining concentration. This means they should ideally be positioned safely away from the front lines to minimize the chances of taking damage.
• Classes Best Suited for Concentration:
  • Wizards: Masters of arcane arts, Wizards have excellent Constitution scores and access to feats that can boost their saving throws, making them ideal for maintaining concentration.
  • Clerics: With their divine connection, Clerics often have good Wisdom and Constitution, allowing them to hold concentration reliably.
  • Druids: Similar to Clerics, Druids possess the necessary stats and spellcasting focus to maintain concentration.
  • Bards: While often more squishy, Bards can gain access to feats that improve their Constitution saving throws, making them viable options.
  • Sorcerers: Sorcerers can leverage Metamagic options like ‘Careful Spell’ to protect themselves and other allies from area-of-effect damage, indirectly helping maintain concentration.
• Multiclassing: Consider multiclassing to gain access to the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell and improve concentration. For instance, a Fighter with a dip into Wizard could have better survivability while still casting Shovel.
• Consumable Scrolls: If your main spellcasters are busy or you don’t have a dedicated one, any character can use the Scroll of Summon Quasit, provided they have an action available. However, the concentration will still be tied to that character.

Strategies for Maximizing Shovel’s Uptime

Keeping Shovel around for as long as possible involves a combination of smart positioning, tactical spellcasting, and understanding the game’s mechanics. Here are our top strategies for ‘how to keep Shovel BG3’:

1. Prioritize the Caster’s Safety: This is the single most important factor. The character who casts ‘Summon Quasit’ should never be on the front lines. Keep them behind your tanks and melee fighters. Use terrain to your advantage – high ground or cover can significantly reduce the chance of them being targeted.
2. Utilize the ‘Ready Action’ Feature: If you anticipate combat, use the ‘Ready Action’ to cast ‘Summon Quasit’ at the start of the turn, before enemies have a chance to act. This ensures Shovel is out and about immediately.
3. Position Shovel Wisely: Shovel itself is a melee combatant and can draw aggro. However, its low hit points mean it can be quickly dispatched. Use Shovel strategically. It excels at applying Vulnerability to enemies with its ‘Scorching Ray’ attack or at delivering a potent Sneak Attack if positioned correctly. However, don’t send it into overwhelming odds.
4. Manage Concentration:
   • Constitution Saving Throws: When the caster takes damage, they must make a Constitution saving throw. The higher their Constitution modifier and proficiency in Constitution saves, the better their chances of succeeding.
   • Feats: Consider taking feats that improve Constitution saving throws, such as War Caster (which grants advantage on Concentration saving throws and allows casting spells as an opportunity attack) or Resilient (Constitution).
   • Spells and Items: Certain spells or magical items might offer bonuses to Constitution saving throws or advantage on Concentration checks. Keep an eye out for these throughout your journey.
   • Avoid Area of Effect (AoE) Damage: If possible, try to mitigate AoE damage that could hit your caster. Spells like ‘Feather Fall’ can prevent fall damage, and positioning can avoid ground effects.
5. Short Rests are Your Friend: Unlike Long Rests, Short Rests do not typically end concentration spells. If you’re in a prolonged skirmish or dungeon crawl, a Short Rest can refresh your spell slots and abilities without losing your summoned allies.
6. Summon Shovel Strategically: Don’t feel obligated to summon Shovel for every single encounter. If you’re facing a trivial group of enemies or a puzzle that doesn’t involve combat, save your spell slot and concentration. Summon Shovel when you anticipate a challenging fight or when its specific abilities (like applying Vulnerability) will be most beneficial.
7. Learn the Spell Permanently: As mentioned earlier, learning the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell from the scroll onto a Wizard, Bard, or other suitable class is the most efficient way to manage Shovel. This removes the reliance on consumable scrolls and allows for more frequent summons.
8. Use Shovel’s Unique Abilities: Shovel isn’t just a meat shield (or rather, a fiendish shield). Its Scorching Ray can deal significant damage and, more importantly, apply Vulnerability, making the target take double damage from subsequent attacks. This is incredibly useful for taking down tough enemies quickly. It also has Invisibility, which can be used for scouting or to gain advantage on its own attacks.
9. Re-summoning: If Shovel does disappear, don’t despair! As long as you have the spell slot (or the scroll), you can simply cast it again. The key is to have the resources available and to be mindful of the concentration mechanic.

Shovel’s Role in Combat and Exploration

Understanding what Shovel brings to the table will help you decide when and how to deploy it. Its utility extends beyond just being an extra attacker.

Combat Utility:

• Vulnerability Application: This is Shovel’s standout ability. Its Scorching Ray attack has a chance to inflict Vulnerability on the target. Vulnerability doubles the damage the target receives from all sources for a short duration. This is a game-changer against bosses and tough elite enemies.
• Melee Damage: Shovel can engage in melee combat, adding extra damage to your party’s offense.
• Distraction: Its presence on the battlefield can draw enemy attention away from your squishier party members.
• Invisibility: Shovel can become invisible, allowing it to reposition, escape danger, or set up a surprise attack.

Exploration Utility:

• Scouting: While not as robust as a dedicated rogue, Shovel’s invisibility can be used for limited scouting of immediate areas to check for traps or hidden enemies.
• Minor Interaction: In some very specific instances, Shovel might be able to interact with small objects or levers, though this is rare.

When to Summon Shovel

The decision to summon Shovel should be tactical. Consider these scenarios: (See Also: how much to shovel a driveway)

• Boss Fights: Absolutely. The Vulnerability effect is invaluable for melting boss health bars.
• Elite Enemies: Encounters with particularly tough or numerous enemies benefit greatly from the extra damage and debuff Shovel provides.
• When Your Party Needs an Edge: If you’re struggling in a fight and need an extra body and a powerful debuff, Shovel is your go-to.
• When the Caster is Safe: Only summon if the caster can maintain concentration.

When NOT to Summon Shovel:

• Trivial Encounters: Don’t waste a spell slot and concentration on a single goblin.
• When the Caster is Exposed: If your caster is likely to take heavy damage, it’s better to hold off.
• During Dialogue or Cutscenes: Summons often disappear when interacting with NPCs or triggering cutscenes, so it’s usually not worth it to summon before these events.

Troubleshooting Shovel Issues

Occasionally, players might encounter unexpected behavior with their summoned creatures. Here are some common issues and how to address them:

Shovel Disappeared Unexpectedly:

• Concentration Lost: The most common culprit. The caster likely took damage and failed a Constitution saving throw. Check the combat log for details.
• Spell Duration Expired: The spell has a set duration. If it’s been a long time since you summoned Shovel, its time might simply be up.
• Long Rest: A Long Rest will end most ongoing spell effects, including summons.
• Area Restrictions: While rare, some specific areas or triggers might cause summons to dissipate.

Shovel Not Attacking:

• AI Behavior: Sometimes summoned creatures can get stuck or have their AI bugged. Try repositioning Shovel or using its ‘Invisibility’ ability to reset its target.
• Target Too Far/Obstructed: Ensure Shovel has a clear line of sight and is within range of its target.
• Passive Mode: Check if Shovel is set to a passive stance (though this is less common for aggressive summons).

Can’t Find the Scroll:

• Thorough Exploration: Go back and meticulously search the Goblin Camp and other locations where traders might have spawned.
• Check Vendor Inventories Again: Vendor inventories can refresh. Visit traders like Grat or Auntie Ethel periodically.
• Level Up and Learn Spell: If you have a Wizard or Bard, focus on getting them to a level where they can learn spells from scrolls. This is the most reliable long-term solution.

The ‘permanent’ Summon Debate

It’s important to reiterate that ‘permanent’ in the context of Baldur’s Gate 3 summons usually means ‘available to summon whenever you have the resources and concentration.’ You won’t have Shovel following you around like a pet all the time unless you’re actively maintaining its summon. The closest you get to permanence is learning the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell and having it readily available in your spellbook, ready to be cast at a moment’s notice.

This distinction is crucial for managing expectations. Shovel is a powerful tool, but it’s a tool that requires active management and resource expenditure. Embracing this mechanic is part of the strategic depth of Baldur’s Gate 3. (See Also: how to keep snow from sticking to your shovel)

Alternative Summons and Their Comparison

While Shovel is unique and incredibly useful, it’s worth noting other summon options available in Baldur’s Gate 3 to put its strengths into perspective.

Comparing Shovel to these others highlights its niche. While a Summon Familiar is always available without concentration and offers great utility, it lacks the offensive punch and the critical debuffing capability of Shovel. Higher-level summons are more powerful but require more significant resource investment. Shovel strikes a fantastic balance for its spell level and accessibility, making it a prime candidate for players looking for an early-to-mid-game combat advantage.

The Roleplay Aspect of Shovel

Beyond its mechanical benefits, Shovel adds a delightful layer of roleplay to Baldur’s Gate 3. This tiny demon, bound to your service, can be a source of amusement and even a strange sort of companionship. Some players develop a fondness for their little quasit, appreciating its fiery personality and its willingness to follow orders, however begrudgingly.

Think about how your character would interact with Shovel. Is your character a stern taskmaster, a cruel manipulator, or perhaps someone who finds a bizarre kinship with this summoned creature? The dialogue options and the very presence of Shovel can enrich your narrative experience. Its unique animations and its often-sarcastic (though usually unspoken) demeanor contribute to the game’s vibrant world.

Advanced Tips for Shovel Enthusiasts

For those who truly want to master ‘how to keep Shovel BG3’ and squeeze every drop of utility from this summon, consider these advanced tactics:

• Pre-Summoning Before Difficult Areas: If you know a boss fight or a tough combat encounter is imminent (e.g., entering a specific room, triggering a certain event), try to summon Shovel *before* the fight officially begins. This can sometimes bypass the need for an action during the initial combat round.
• Using Shovel’s Invisibility for Positioning: Cast Shovel’s Invisibility and then move it into a flanking position or to a spot where it can easily target a priority enemy with its Vulnerability-inducing Scorching Ray.
• Synergy with Other Debuffs: If you have other party members who can apply debuffs (like Stun, Blind, or Prone), Shovel’s Vulnerability debuff amplifies the effectiveness of those attacks as well.
• Multi-Classing for Spell Slots: If you find yourself constantly running out of spell slots for summoning, consider multi-classing a character with a class that provides more spell slots (like a Wizard or Cleric) with a class that has good survivability (like Fighter or Barbarian).
• Exploiting Opportunity Attacks: While Shovel itself doesn’t get many opportunity attacks, it can be positioned to draw enemy movement, potentially setting up your melee characters for their own.

By integrating these strategies, you’re not just summoning an extra body; you’re actively using Shovel as a tactical asset to overcome the many challenges Baldur’s Gate 3 throws at you.

Conclusion

Keeping Shovel around in Baldur’s Gate 3 is all about understanding and managing the game’s summon mechanics, particularly concentration. By prioritizing your caster’s safety, strategically using Short Rests, and learning the ‘Summon Quasit’ spell permanently, you can ensure this powerful little quasit is available for critical moments. Embrace Shovel’s unique abilities, especially its Vulnerability debuff, to turn the tide of even the toughest battles and make it a consistent, valuable ally on your adventures.

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