The Devilish Ox is a mystery that follows you through most of Baldur’s Gate 3, but in the early parts of Act 3, you can finally get answers.
I can’t be the only one who was driven half mad by the Strange Ox that stands in the Emerald Grove when you first arrive. When I first saw the ox, I was on my first playthrough and foolishly thought I was more clever than the game. I used Wyll to cast Speak with Animals, but the stubborn ox refused to tell what was so strange about him.
I caught up with the ox in Act 2, but it still gave me nothing to work with. Finally when I met up with it in Rivington, the ox was willing to talk to me. The ox needs to be snuck into Baldur’s Gate, and even though it’s clearly up to some shady business, the rewards you get from helping are well worth the minimal work you’ll have to put in.
An apple a day
You can find the ox in a barn just southwest of the Requisitioned Barn in Rivington. This time around, the ox is willing to admit that he’s not your everyday farm animal. He telepathically shows you a terrifying series of images before asking for your help getting into the city. If you agree to sneak him into Baldur’s Gate, he’ll shapeshift into an apple to make the job easier. From there, you really just have to walk into the city. After you’ve made it to the Lower City, the ox will disappear, leaving with you a thankful note and the Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring, which grants the wearer +1d4 to all ability checks while disguised or shapeshifted.
Finishing the quest this way also has an effect on the “Gather Your Allies” quest. When it comes time to finish “Gather Your Allies,” you’ll be able to use an ability called “An Apple a Day” to call on the devilish ox for help.
Putting your foot down
Of course, you don’t have to help the ox. You can threaten him in the barn in Rivington, and he’ll reveal another form. The ox shapeshifts into a Level 9 ooze and attacks your party. Since he’s outnumbered pretty significantly, the fight shouldn’t last long. From his body you can loot a couple of gemstones, the Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring, and the Hat of Fire Acuity, which grants two turns of Arcane Acuity each time you deal fire damage
Whether or not you decide to help the ox, there’s one more thing you should do in the barn. Tucked away in the back corner is an easy to miss buried chest containing some gold and two scrolls of Cloudkill..
