WithBaldur’s Gate 3releasing its long-awaited Patch 8, many players are flocking back to the game to start another playthrough. For players hoping to embrace a Warlock Tav or Durge, they should know that not all power comes from mainstream gods or arcane study. Some of it slithers through the void, whispering promises a character was never meant to hear. ForBaldur’s Gate 3players hoping to add a little bit of an edge to their playthrough, the Great Old Ones subclass might just be a spooky match made in the Outer Planes for them. The ancient cosmic entities that make up the proverbial “Old Ones” exist outside the comprehension of most mortals in aDungeons and Dragonssetting, drawing their strength from the very fabric of reality. Their whispers echo in the minds of players who dare to listen, promising unimaginable power to Tavs and Durges in exchange for unspeakable loyalty.
For players causing trouble with aWarlock, one of the most flavorful choices for a subclass is the Great Old One: a Warlock with a mysterious, often unknowable entity as a patron that grants immense power. The Great Old Ones are intriguing entities with a complex, often malign nature. Aligning oneself with one in the Forgotten Realms carries significant implications that players should keep in mind when creating characters with this background.
What or Who Are the Great Old Ones in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The Great Old Ones are powerful, alien entities that exist outside thetypical pantheon ofBG3andDnDgods. Unlike the deities of Faerun, who thrive on worship and weave themselves into the fabric of mortal society, these beings are ancient, unknowable, and uncaring. They are similar to Cthulhu-adjacent horror: creatures so vast and incomprehensible that even acknowledging them risks madness. InDungeons and Dragonslore, these patrons include entities like:
Larian Studios doesn’t assign specific names to Great Old Ones inBaldur’s Gate 3, which is fitting for two reasons. For one, it emphasizes how Warlocks may never fully understand the source of their power. They’re often just dreamers, touched by something ancient and wrong, speaking words or knowing things not suitable for mortal minds. Secondly,Warlocks who adopt a Great Old One patronmay get their power simply by stumbling upon lore or secrets.
Are the Mind Flayers One of the Great Old Ones?
Not quite, but players who ask this question are thinking in the right direction.Mind Flayers (or illithids)are ancient beings from the Far Realm, a plane of existence beyond mortal understanding. They serve their own alien interests, particularly the Elder Brain. While not technically Great Old Ones, or servants of an official Great Old One, they are definitely kindred spirits.
Players whose nextBG3avatar is a Warlock of a Great Old One grappling with a tadpole in their brain must recognize a poetic kind of overlap that allows for maximum roleplaying capabilities. A patron might have sent a character to face these hardships. It could have planned this all along. Potentially, the tadpole and abduction may have been part of a larger plan, a Tav orDurgemay conclude. Playing an eldritch Warlock inBG3will provide an awesome playthrough for any player, any way they want to tell the story.
What Does a Great Old One Warlock Do in BG3?
Mechanically, choosing the Great Old One subclass gives aWarlock a toolkit of psychic powersthat support both crowd control and mind games during roleplay. Here’s what stands out:
1
Mortal Reminder
When landing a Critical Hit, the target and nearby enemies must succeed aWisdom saving throwor becomeFrighteneduntil the end of their next turn.
3
5
6
Entropic Ward (Reaction)
ImposeDisadvantageon an Attack roll against the player. If it misses, gainAdvantageon the next Attack roll against the attacker for 1 turn. (Recharge: Short Rest)
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Thought Shield: Psychic Reflection
When takingPsychic damage, the attacker takes the same amount.
This subclass offers excellent options for players interested in unique, supernatural themes combined with some ofthe most powerful spells inBaldur’s Gate 3. Great Old One Warlocks practically beg for narrative flair, too. If players want a Warlock who doesn’t just bargain with power but flirts with madness, the Great Old One subclass is perfect. It’s eerie. It’s effective. And it pairs beautifully withBaldur’s Gate 3’s dark, tangled narrative themes.
