Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Help Tips & Tricks Saving the Gondians

Does anyone have a strategy for saving all of the Gondians in Act 3? I swear, these guys are just desperate to die.

This is my most consistent strategy so far, but it's a bit cheesy since it involves pre-casting haste


Really annoying complications:

-They resist banish
-They don't try to stay inside of invulnerability spheres. When enemies move into the invulnerability sphere, they'll even exit it so that they can catch more of the now invulnerable enemies in their AoE spells
-They constantly run by enemies, eating as many attacks of opportunities as possible
-I can't target allies with command, preventing me from ordering them to flee
-They never disarm detonators, I have to do it
-Mage Hand can't disarm the detonators, so I *have* to use someone's full action each time.
-They completely ignore Steel Watcher detonations, and in fact run into the AoE in an attempt to hit them more while they're in the middle of detonating

I was actually writing an almost identical post then saw yours. This fight drives me nuts. The NPC AI is terrible and often ridiculous. I've had several occasions when NPCs cast or throw an AOE on the ground, JUMP INTO THE MIDDLE OF IT, then run out again.

The Gondians on the lower floor have an absolute deathwish. I had a rage quit moment last night and have decided I can't save them all, so as long as I keep Toobin alive, I've decided not to care.

I'd love to see any strategies that work well.

Also, do the neural switchboard things do anything? I've had a go at destroying them but can't tell if they have an effect.

That reminds me of when I saved those fishermen from the fish monsters. The man thanks me, then walks into a moonlight beam, getting incinerated.

Proper lols - yes, I've had npcs do that as well. That's particularly funny though.

Also, I've just finished the Gondian lower floor fight. Had one Gondian left with a primed watcher about to explode, everyone safely under a invulnerability dome, and on the very last move, he ran out from under it and got himself blown to smithereens.

Honestly, screw them. I didn't bring Toobin with me, so there's one of them left, and if they are that stupid, it's just improving the gnome gene pool. I'm beginning to think Wulbren has a point.

I have managed to save everyone and get my team back with three rounds still on the clock, so it's not that bad. But. It does happen where the Gnomes just stand about and 'forget' to take their turn. That's a reload situation, really.

As for strategy. Before going through the hatch and triggering the turn-based countdown, prepare.
Speed and actions is the obvious choice, so Haste preferably as a twinned spell, bloodlust elixer is a prize here. Action Surge should be ready to go.
Also, have some lightning or cold damage spells or weapons ready in favor of fire as all the enemies will all be wet. A well placed lightning bolt will tear through the Sahuagin like there's no tomorrow. Mirror Image, Spirit Guardians are super handy to have. Also, bring your familiar if you have one. Just for occupying the enemy for a turn. Items that prevent getting restrained, typically boots, help a ton. Also, Misty Step and/or Dimension Door.

A potion of Speed works for haste, but you'll loose a turn to Lethargic, so keep that in mind. Also, never break the concentration of the caster who hasted.

Alright, through the hatch we go.
Step one, murder that guy by the door. The Sahuagin are total pushovers, but they have nets that will lock your people in place. Summon a mage hand on either Gale or Lae'zel or something. That mage hand has two roles: Pull the levers on the nearby doors, and, if that's done, tank a reaction by triggering an AOO. That will likely not happen, but you'll be glad to have it ready if you do need it.

You'll notice there's three rooms with captives, apart from the one you start in. Two have water on the floor, one has not. Enemies spawn from the water. That means in the 'dry room', no reinforcements will spawn. The character that has the most trouble with numbers or actions should go there. I send one person in each direction, keeping one near the ladder. I tend to pick Shadowheart for that, because I never invest in her speed; she's there to put down Guardians of Faith, Spiritual Weapons and CC anything that runs after the prisoners. I tend to cast Healing Word on hurt Gnomes and Dukes, too, but it's not really necessary.

Then. Take your time, and make sure everyone's rounds are as efficient as can be. You're in turn-based mode, time doesn't fly for you, treat it as such. Hope/plan to trigger Polearm Master/Sentinel if you can.
Some enemies will patrol in real time, wait for them to reach your character before ending a turn, and not using your action, for instance. If your character didn't rescue someone or kill a Sahuagin, you're doing it wrong. Keep an eye on the Initiative order. Always take out those that go before the captives first.

Tank reactions. It's better to have them AOO you than the 12HP Gnomes, so just take one for the team and move to where you need to be.

Then. Don't pick locks. I was a moron the first time around, picking the locks on the doors, casting Knock and breaking them with Disintegrate. That costs an action. Use the levers instead, they're free to use. There is one captive on a dentist's chair or somesuch, that one *does* take an action.

Be the last man out. More enemies will spawn in the water and will come for the captives. It's better if they come for you. If the Dry Room guy is done, rush him back towards the stairs and help there, snipe the monsters or something.

lastly, if all else fails - your guys can be resurrected. IF only one man makes it back, you can still save everyone. For a matter of coin, of course.

Ah - this is such a good strat for the underwater prison, but the fight we're talking about is after that in the Steelwatch Foundry. Sorry for the confusion.I feel bad though because you've taken the time to write such a good plan, so thank you for that!

Just finished this one long, tough, complex, fun, sequential fight(s)
Sry if its scetchy description but it was complicated to get through it all . ha ha Have fun. Be patient. Good luck.

I guess I wasn't clear. This was for the steel watcher foundry fight, not the iron throne.

I managed to save three of them on the first level. I used area effect heals and made sure I deactivated the device as soon as it showed up.

I noticed a good way to get friendly npcs out of harms way is to throw them. Since throwing counts as attack, a fighter can throw 3 people each turn. (or even 6 with double action)

Using throw is a good idea. Though I always feel bad tossing gnomes or dwarfs. ha ha

My solution using a Bard with Gale, Karlach and Shadowheart,