Baldur's Gate 3 guide image title screen

Image source: Larian Studios

Such a cute wittle birdie.

In the realm of Baldur’s Gate 3, your potential companions aren’t limited to humans; you can also forge bonds with various creatures. Among them is the Owlbear Cub, an endearing companion that requires effort and dedication to win over. This guide outlines how to get the Owlbear Cub in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Locating the Owlbear Cub’s Nest in Baldur’s Gate 3

Your initial encounter with the Owlbear Cub takes place in its nest, alongside its protective mother. To reach this location, head north from the bridge, positioned between Druid Grove and the Blighted Village. For precise navigation, follow the coordinates X: 85, Y: 445, leading you to a small cave housing the Owlbear Nest. Follow the path to your right, guiding you to the designated area.

Upon approaching the nest, a cutscene unfolds, introducing you to the Owlbear Cub’s mother, who exhibits a defensive stance to safeguard her young. There are two different ways to deal with the situation.

  • Peaceful Approach: Employ your Speak with Animals or Animal Friendship spells to soothe the creatures and foster their trust. Nonetheless, getting too close may still trigger a confrontation, necessitating the defeat of the mother Owlbear.
  • Aggressive Approach: Irrespective of your dialogue choices, a skirmish with the mother Owlbear is inevitable. Opting for this route will initiate combat. If you choose not to pacify the creature, you can engage in battle. Remember, sparing the cub’s life is crucial if you intend to interact with and tame it later. The mother Owlbear might fall victim to local goblin hunters if left alive.

After concluding this phase of interaction with the Owlbear Cub, proceed to your camp and utilize a long rest to continue this storyline in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Rescuing the Owlbear Cub

Following one or more periods of rest, you’ll uncover the Owlbear Cub within the goblin camp. Positioned west of the Blighted Village, gaining entry requires navigating past the guards at the entrance. Skillful social manipulation secures your passage into the camp. Upon entering, head left, where the Owlbear Cub is surrounded by goblins. As you approach, a conversation with Krolla is initiated.

During your dialogue, Krolla proposes a local game named Chicken Chaser. Two options await you:

Agree to participate, wagering 30 gold. Success grants you 75 gold. Refuse to partake, citing your opposition to animal cruelty. Regardless of your choice, the outcome remains consistent. Subsequently, return to Krolla for further discussion. In this conversation, express your desire to take the Owlbear Cub under your care. Various methods can be employed to achieve your goal in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Intimidate.
  • Persuading.
  • Use Illithid-mind-control.
  • Bribe her for 500 gold.
  • Kill all the goblins in the camp.

Regardless of your choice, after the conversation, you will have to approach the Owlbear Cub to talk to it and let it smell you so that it can find your camp later.

Taming the Owlbear Cub

Upon successfully liberating the Owlbear Cub from the goblin camp, it dashes into the forest. Fear not, for this is not your final encounter. Subsequently, you’ll have three nighttime rendezvous with the cub near your camp. Here’s your course of action:

First Encounter: The hungry cub requires nourishment. Second Encounter: Nursing a wound, perform a Medicine check to mend it. Third Encounter: Presented with a deceased bird, simulate consumption to strengthen your bond.

Upon completing these steps, the Owlbear Cub officially becomes your companion in Baldur’s Gate 3. Embark on diverse adventures with this formidable ally at your side.

Baldur’s Gate 3 was released on PC on August 3. A PlayStation 5 version is scheduled for release in September, with the Xbox Series X/S version following at a later date.