Addled Frog Encounter: Baldur’s Gate 3 Honour Mode Survival Guide
The Addled Frog in Baldur’s Gate 3 serves as a surprising and deadly end to many Honour Mode runs. While there are a million ways to fail, ranging from telling the wrong lie to giving an NPC a look they didn’t appreciate, this specific encounter is particularly soul-crushing.
Among the list of potential run-enders, which usually includes massive dragons or terrible pacts, the Addled Frog stands out as an unassuming threat. You might wonder what damage a small amphibian could do to a hardened party of adventurers. As it turns out, attempting to chat with the Addled Frog at the wrong moment can send your gaming dreams hopping off a cliff, something several players on Reddit learned the hard way.
What’s the Deal with the Addled Frog in Baldur’s Gate 3?
So, who is this notorious little creature? The Addled Frog is an NPC you can find in the Sunlit Wetlands during Act One. This area, spoiler alert, isn’t as sunny and cheerful as it first appears. It’s actually the Putrid Bog, a swampy mess under the nasty influence of a certain green-skinned menace, Auntie Ethel.
You’ll find the Addled Frog hopping around near the water’s edge, seemingly minding its own business. If you’ve got the “Speak with Animals” spell or a potion handy, you can strike up a conversation. You’ll quickly realize something is very wrong with this little guy. The Addled Frog seems distressed, muttering things like, “Green Leaves, Shallow Water,” and getting more irritated as you press for details. Keep pushing, and its dialogue takes a dark turn to, “Burn. Bleed. Kill.” Take this as your cue to back off, because continuing the conversation will trigger a fight, and trust me, you don’t want this smoke.
One unlucky Redditor, onyxdk69, discovered this firsthand, posting a screenshot of their party’s demise at the hands of this deceptively powerful amphibian. Their Honour Mode run? Over. Kaput. If you get into combat with the Addled Frog, you’ll face a surprisingly tough opponent with a nasty acid attack and an infuriatingly high dodge chance. You might be able to grind out a win, but it’s a risky gamble that could easily wipe out your low-level party.
How to Avoid a Croak-tastrophe with the Addled Frog
The key to a peaceful interaction with the Addled Frog lies with Auntie Ethel. She’s the source of all the misery in the bog, tormenting not just the poor girl Mayrina, but all the woodland creatures, including our froggy friend. Before you start chatting up the local wildlife, you need to deal with the hag.
Head south from where you find the Addled Frog and make your way to the Gnarled Teahouse. Once you confront Auntie Ethel and either defeat her or force her to flee, you’ll lift the curse from the bog. With the hag gone, the wetlands revert to their true, less-sunny form, and the creatures within are freed from her influence.
Now, you can return to the Addled Frog. With Auntie Ethel out of the picture, the frog will be in a much better mood. It will be grateful for your help and, instead of trying to melt your face off, will offer you a gift. Follow the happy little amphibian, and it will lead you to a hidden pouch filled with goodies. The rewards include a “Scroll of Misty Step,” a “Scroll of False Life,” and a bit of gold for your trouble.
It’s a classic Larian Studios move, hiding a fun little secret behind a potential party-wipe. They definitely had a good laugh designing this one, adding another absurd way for yourBaldur’s Gate 3 Honour Mode run to come to an end. So, remember the golden rule of the swamp: deal with the hag before you talk to the frog.
