Baldur's Gate 3 Strange Ox: What is the Strange Ox in BG3?
You may want to know more about the Baldur's Gate 3 Strange Ox creature that appears in the Emerald Grove, as there's something more to it than meets the eye.
The Strange Ox of Baldur's Gate 3 may sound like a fun name for a tavern, but it's in fact something much more strange. Baldur's Gate 3 has its fair share of oddball characters - your own companions included - making this bovine brute less strange than its name suggests.
The Strange Ox can be met in each act of the game, and provided you help it (and don't kill it), it can become an ally. Here is everything you need to know about the Strange Ox in Baldur's Gate 3.
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SPOILER WARNING Light spoilers for Act 2 and Act 3.
What is the Strange Ox in Baldur's Gate 3?
The Baldur's Gate 3 Strange Ox is a creature you can find throughout the game, starting at the Emerald Grove in Act 1.
There's not much of a hint toward something more unless you walk past the group of three oxen, as you'll suddenly run Insight checks. From here, you'll want to use the Speak to Animals spell or potion to be able to talk to the ox, which gives you a few options.
You can pass an Arcana check during dialogue, which allows you to then ask the ox to explain himself. He'll refuse initially, but then you can roll a Persuasion, Intimidation, or Deception check to learn more.
Passing one of the above checks will cause the Strange Ox to admit they are on their way to Baldur's Gate. After this, you'll need to wait until the second act to continue the story of the Strange Ox.
Over in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3, the Strange Ox can be found at the Last Light Inn, located to the north of the Shadowlands.
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Your interactions with the beast here are pretty much the same as in the Emerald Grove, with the Strange Ox avoiding revealing what exactly it is and what nefarious stuff it's up to.
For Act 3 of the game, the Baldur's Gate 3 Strange Ox can be found in a stable on the eastside of Rivington.
You can once again ask what the Ox's deal is, but you'll need to pass a Persuasion or Nature check to pry further. This will allow you to press your heads together, and the Strange Ox will show you visions of dead bodies.
After this, you can threaten the Ox which begins a fight with the creature, or you can listen to its request for you to help sneak it into the city of Baldur's Gate.
If you opt to help it into Baldur's Gate, the Strange Ox will transform into an apple, allowing you to sneak it into the Lower City. Once you arrive in the city, the quest will finish, and you will be rewarded the Shapeshifter's Boon Ring. The Strange Ox will also join you as an ally for the final battle of the game.
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What happens if you kill the Strange Ox in BG3?
If you don't feel like waiting for the whole Strange Ox, you can initiate combat in Act 1 and kill the ox to gain the Shapeshifter's Boon Ring, which adds a 1d4 bonus to checks when Shapeshifted or Disguised.
Later on in further acts, killing the Strange Ox will reward you with the same ring, along with the Hat of Fire Acuity and two Diamonds.
So that's everything you need to know about the Strange Ox in Baldur's Gate 3.
For more news and guides on everything relating to Larian Studios' newest RPG, check out our Baldur's Gate 3 homepage, or check out the best Sorcerer build in Baldur's Gate 3, the best Wizard build in Baldur's Gate 3, or the best Cleric build in Baldur's Gate 3 for more tips.
About The Author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
