I play Baldur’s Gate 3 a lot, and I’ll tell you how I handle the “Save the Survivors” quest so you don’t get stuck. I’ve run this scenario dozens of times (honestly), and below I explain what I do, why it works, and where you should be careful. This isn’t theory — it’s practical, tried-and-true advice from a player who prefers action over perfect theorycraft.
🎮 Where the quest starts
The Survivors quest appears in the Blighted Village, southwest of the Druid Grove. In my game (Windows, patch from June 12, 2025) the marker shows up when you get near the village center, by the old windmill. Coordinates I used: X: -435, Y: 375 — that’s what showed on my map, but your numbers can differ depending on mods or a later patch (there are exceptions).
Look for a partially collapsed house with smoke. Inside is a torn note pointing to the apothecary cellar. If you don’t find the note, try a short rest and come back; I’ve noticed reloading often fixes it.
⚔️ Combat basics
The cellar fight is tight and messy. Expect a pack of goblins, and triggering the alarm usually brings a stronger leader. Area spells shine here because the space is restricted. Put your toughest character in the doorway and make enemies funnel in.
- Stealth first: send a rogue ahead to check for traps (Sleight of Hand, DC ~15 in my games).
- Control next: Grease or Web works well to stop groups from swarming you.
Why this works: chokepoints force enemies to engage one or two at a time, reducing burst damage to your squishier party members. That’s simple physics of combat; positioning wins fights.
Recommended party (practical)
| Role | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Tank (Fighter/Paladin) | Blocks doorway, so enemies can’t surround you |
| Ranged (Rogue/Ranger) | Pick off archers from high ground |
| Cleric/Druid | Heal and use control spells |
| Wizard/Sorcerer | Area control and burst — great for clustered foes |
🗺️ Step-by-step (short and useful)
Step 1: Read the note and go to the apothecary. The hidden entrance is behind a bookshelf titled “Herbal Remedies.” Interact to reveal a passage.
Step 2: Go down slowly. You’ll meet 3–5 goblins first. Use a surprise attack or an initial control spell to reduce their numbers quickly. Loot bodies for modest coin and gear (I usually get ~50–100 gold total).
- Turn left at the first junction.
- Watch for a tripwire (Perception DC ~12).
- Follow the corridor to the locked iron door — the goblin leader has the key.
(Here’s the funny part: the cellar map often loops; pay attention or you’ll walk past survivors and trigger unnecessary fights.)
💬 Talking to the survivors
You meet their leader, Marcus. Your dialog choices matter. I’ve seen these outcomes:
- Be kind: they trust you faster and sometimes share extra loot.
- Push hard: you get answers faster but lose goodwill with some companions.
- Lie: can work if you pass the Deception check, but it’s risky.
Which should you pick? It depends on your build and goals. I usually try compassion first; if that fails, I bluff. Why? Because a trusting group gives better merchant options later (we found). But this isn’t universal — depends on your companions and long-term plan.
🎯 Skill checks you’ll see
- Perception (spot hidden entrance) — DC about 12.
- Investigation (find levers) — DC about 10.
- Persuasion / Intimidation / Deception (interact with survivors) — DC 14–16 range.
Caveat: exact DCs vary by patch and difficulty. Use Guidance or Enhance Ability when a key check matters — I almost always cast Guidance before major conversations.
💰 Rewards and optional stash
Base rewards in my playthroughs: around 350 XP per party member and ~200 gold if you help them. If you heal survivors, Marcus sometimes offers a hidden stash with better gear (oddly enough, being humane pays).
| Possible item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Amulet (survivor’s) | Small constitution bonus; helps death saves |
| Ring (Marcus) | Minor charisma boost — story-linked |
Surprising insight: I once skipped healing and later found the stash gone. So healing can give access to items you won’t see otherwise. Controversial? Maybe — some players say you should hoard resources. I disagree; spend what secures long-term gains.
🐞 Common bugs and fixes (2025)
Bug: survivors won’t speak. Fix: quicksave, reload, or leave the area and rest. That usually forces dialogue to trigger. If that fails, fast-travel away and back.
Bug: quest marker disappears. Fix: open your journal and manually re-track the quest. The survivors don’t move; the marker can glitch.
Press ~ to open console
Type: killall
Press Enter
(Use the console only on PC; it can break achievements — fair warning.)
Practical notes, odds and ends
Pro tip: make a manual save before you open the cellar. I can’t stress this enough. There are multiple endings and a save lets you try different approaches without replaying hours.
“Be ready to change tactics — a plan is only as good as your ability to adapt.” — My motto after too many fights.
Reader, one last question: do you want loot or reputation? Choose early. Choosing both perfectly rarely works. There are exceptions, but plan accordingly.
Analogy: this quest is like a crowded closet — if you open the door and shove everything in, you’ll regret it; take tools, pull things out carefully, and you’ll find the good stuff. Sometimes you have to leave clothes on the floor — it’s fine.
To be fair, I stumble now and then—okay, more than once—because that’s how you learn. Good luck, and may your rolls be kind to you!
— a woman who’s saved or accidentally doomed these survivors more times than I can count (June 12, 2025 patch).
