Most interesting encounters inBaldur’s Gate 3almost always lead to equally interesting items, whether in the form of quest rewards or just seemingly-random loot lying about. The Iron Flask from Act One is a good example of the latter, and it’s one of those things that can easily shove a party either toward riches or disaster.
BG3players who come across this curious item have a choice to make: bring the item to its rightful owner, or open it up for their own benefit. Each decision leads to a different outcome, so for anyone who’s still undecided about what to do, here’s a guide covering how to get the Iron Flask and what decision leads to which consequencesbefore players reach Act 2 ofBG3.
Updated July 13, 2025: Players that explore every possible nook and cranny ofAct 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3should eventually come across a chest containing theIron Flask. This mysterious item is part of a question and players are instructed not to open the chest or use the flask, and for good reason. While seasoned players should already know where to get this flask and what to do with it, we’ve updated this guide to include an additional section about how to take advantage of the surprise hiding the flask.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Iron Flask Location
The Iron Flask islocated in a cave on Risen Road. Players can get there byjumping over the broken bridge by the Blighted Village, going up the hill with the gnoll pack, and following the trail of blood and paw prints to the northeast.
The cave is surrounded by a huge group ofgnolls led by a Gnoll Warlord, and they’re trying to get the two men who are trapped in the cave. These men will not help the party when combat breaks out, so players will be on their own.
One way to deal with this large pack is by usingthe tadpole’s psychic powersto influence the Gnoll Warlord. you may convince it to fight its kindred, essentially gaining a very powerful ally while removing the biggest threat in the battle. After the fight, the warlord has a chance to consume herself, as it doesn’t tend to go for allies. Players must pass a check to make the warlord devour herself, but if they fail, they will have to go up against it instead.
Once the gnolls are gone, players will run into two men in the cave defending a nearby metal chest. There are three ways to get the Iron Flask in the chest: convince them to hand over the Chest in dialogue checks, kill or knock them out, or lockpick it from under their noses during dialogue. No matter how you get to the chest, to get the Iron Flask out of it, a DC 20 Lockpicking check must be passed. Use a party member with Sleight Of Hand proficiency to get this unlocked faster – just don’t try to return the chest to the Zhentarim after it’s been opened.
How to Use the Iron Flask
To use the flask, simplyright-click on the item and inspect it. Pulling out the stopper will unleash a hostile Spectator that will attack everything in sight. Basically, this will replace the hard fight from earlier with an even harder one.
However, players can use this Spectator to their advantage in the game’s later areas to sow chaos. For example, an invisible party member canwalk up to an enemy campand open the flask in their midst (or throw it at them), forcing all of them to fight the Spectator while the rest of the group watches the show. This will have consequences in the later acts ofBaldur’s Gate 3, though.
Alternatively, players can leave the two men alone. They will tell players the location of their hideout. Go there to receive a reward from their leader as well as the favor of their group. The merchant in the hideout usually has a number of strong items for sale.
How to Control the Spectator
Normally, opening the Spectator flask inBG3leads to unbridled chaos when done in the midst of other people. The monster will attack everyone in sight, but there is a way to control it for a limited time. Doing this involves a popular trick with theOathbreaker Paladinclass in theShadow-Cursed Lands of Act 2.
Basically, you need to turn the Spectator into a zombie so you can useControl Undead on it. Go to a Deep Shadows area in Act 2, then throw or open the Spectator flask. Once it spawns, the Spectator will be afflicted withthe Shadow-Cursed debuff, which will cause it to rise as an Undead when it dies. Once it comes back to life, cast Control Undead until it falls under your control.
Control Undead lasts until your next Long Rest, so try not to use all your spells while fighting the Spectator if you want to save some for the rest of the enemies in the area.
