I’ve tracked Oliver in Baldur’s Gate 3 since 2023, and I’ll tell you exactly how I handle that hide-and-seek in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This is written by a woman who’s run the fight dozens of times; I speak plainly and skip fluff. Read on if you want practical steps and why they work.
Short version: Oliver sits in the Ruined Battlefield near a ruined house. Bring light, perception, and a plan. Sounds simple? It isn’t.
🎮 Where to find him
Oliver appears in the Ruined Battlefield of the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Look southwest from the Last Light Inn. Exact coordinates I used on May 15, 2025: X: -51, Y: 73 (yes, I logged them).
Watch for a small broken house with toys. The air gets colder and the shadows deepen as you approach. Bring a light source that resists the shadow curse—without it your party takes continuous damage. Seriously, don’t wander in blind.
🔍 Gear, spells, and why they matter
In my experience you want items that force the cursed shadows into the open. Why? Because Oliver hides by turning invisible or teleporting—bright, consistent light removes his advantage and reduces enemy surprise.
- Torch or similar light source (multiple characters should carry one)
- Potions of Speed (useful for catching moving targets)
- Scrolls or sustained See Invisibility (find invisible things fast)
- Healing potions (you’ll need them)
Useful spells: Faerie Fire, Daylight, Misty Step, Guidance, Pass Without Trace. Faerie Fire reveals invisible targets; Daylight removes shadow buffs; Misty Step lets you reach a slipping target. That’s why I value those spells—each covers a different problem.
👻 Starting the game with Oliver
I’ve noticed dialogue choices change how the encounter begins. Get him talking and he’ll invite you to play. Fail the checks and you’ll still fight, but the fight gets harder.
| Dialogue | Check | DC | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Want to play?” | Persuasion | 10 | Friendly start |
| “I see dead people” | Insight | 12 | Intrigues Oliver |
| “Show me your friends” | Perception | 15 | Reveals shadows |
Rhetorical question: Why bother with checks? Because Oliver’s tricks are conditional. If you convince him, the searching phase is easier. If you don’t, you get more shadow enemies. It depends on your party.
🔎 Hiding spots (and what I watch for)
Oliver hides in a few repeatable spots. He moves between them, sometimes very quickly. Keep your camera moving; he flashes when he teleports.
- Behind the ruined chimney —
X: -48, Y: 70. Look for disturbed dust. - Inside the collapsed shed —
X: -54, Y: 75. Check tiny footprints. - Near the dead tree —
X: -50, Y: 78. Watch shadows that seem to move on their own.
Tip: split your party to cover ground faster. Controversial? Some players say splitting is reckless; I say it’s efficient if you know each character’s role. That said, it doesn’t always work—if you mess the timing you’ll regret it.
⚔️ Fighting the shadow family
When you find Oliver he summons shadow family members. The fight can turn ugly fast. Positioning matters because these enemies use area and necrotic attacks that punish clumping.
Typical foes you’ll see: Mommy (a Shadow Wraith with life-drain), Daddy (a fast Shadow Mastiff that uses pack tactics), and Oliver himself (teleports and uses support-like spells).
My formation: tank up front to hold the mastiff, healer slightly behind with a light source, two DPS split between the wraith and interrupting Oliver. Focus one enemy at a time—take Mommy down first because her life-drain extends the fight and turns it into a war of attrition. Use radiant spells when possible.
Advice: keep one character concentrating on See Invisibility; it catches Oliver when he tries to hide (this helped me on multiple runs).
💡 Practical tips and things people miss
Save. Then save again. Long rest if you can. Put light on several characters so losing one lamp isn’t the end of the world.
- Use the highlight key (default Alt) often.
- Listen—Oliver giggles when you’re close (audio cues matter).
- Keep your minimap open for movement blips.
- Have someone maintain See Invisibility concentration.
During combat, spread out. Darkness empowers the shadows—removing it lowers enemy damage. Crowd control on Oliver prevents teleport spam. Save big heals for the second phase when damage spikes.
Unexpected insight: letting Oliver stay hidden briefly can sometimes reduce the number of summoned shadows on the first appearance. Oddly enough, patience can be an advantage (this depends on patch and party make-up).
Extras
Quick checklist (copy-paste friendly):
Coordinates: X:-51 Y:73
Bring: light, See Invisibility, healing, a tank
Spells: Faerie Fire, Daylight, Misty Step
Save before you start
One more thing, between us: some forums still argue you can recruit Oliver later. Patch changes in 2025 adjusted dialogue outcomes, so consequences vary. Don’t bank on recruitment unless you’ve tested it in your build.
Final (sort of) thoughts: this encounter blends stealth, perception, and combat in a way I love. It can be frustrating. Honestly, it’s worth the trouble if you enjoy tense moments and little stories hidden in the map. Try different tactics. Tweak and try again… and then—well, you’ll see.
—A player who’s been there, done that (and went back for more).
