In Baldur's Gate 3, players will encounter several kinds of characters and creatures. This includes a Strange Ox that is found early on in the game. If you're curious about the Strange Ox's role in-game, you've come to the right place with our guide on what the Strange Ox does in Baldur's Gate 3.
The Strange Ox lives up to its name in the game. You won't know what it has for you until you interact with it. Baldur's Gate 3 has a lot of content for players to enjoy and secrets to uncover, and the Strange Ox is no exception!
For more on the game, check out our Baldur's Gate 3 race tier list and class tier list. We've also got some tips on how to level up fast in Baldur's Gate 3, as well as how to use rope.
What does the Strange Ox do in Baldur's Gate 3?
Early on in Baldur's Gate 3, you'll encounter the Strange Ox after defeating some goblins in the Druid's Emerald Grove. There isn't much of a clue on what to do when you'll see a group of three oxen, until you run an Insight check. At that point, you'll have to use the Speak to Animals spell or potion to be able to interact with the ox.
When speaking with the Strange Ox, you'll find out that he isn't a regular ox. There is a specific response you can choose if you have a high enough Arcana level:
- [Arcana] The ox makes you uneasy. Try to discern why.
- A fine-looking beast you are.
- Ugh. Hideous cow.
- Leave.
If you choose the Arcana option of a response, you'll be able to get an Arcana Intelligence Check. Here, you must win the Arcana roll and then ask the ox to explain what's happening, or he will keep his secrets. Upon asking the ox to explain, he will decline your request. However, you'll then get the option to roll a Persuasion, Intimidation, or Deception to get another response.
- Read more: Can you play Baldur's Gate 3 solo?
It helps if you choose Persuasion, since the ox would tell you that he'll be going to Baldur's Gate "with or without the rest of these poor sods," which could refer to the tieflings in the game. In line with that, perhaps you may see the ox again later as the story progresses in-game.
What if you kill the ox in Baldur's Gate 3?
There is also the option to make the ox reveal its true self. Some of the dialogue options include the following:
- Those are the least bovine thoughts I’ve ever seen. What are you really?
- Yes. Thank you.
- What the hells was that?
- How does an ox like yourself have such horrifying thoughts?
When you choose the first option, the ox will tell you that its true identity is not for you to know. You'll have to be prepared to fight the ox. Once you force the ox out of hiding, it will reveal itself as a level five Ooze enemy that can shapeshift. Once you kill the Ooze though, you'll gain the Shapeshifter's Boon Ring, which can give you a 1d4 bonus to checks when you also shapeshift.
With that, you now know what the Strange Ox does in Baldur's Gate 3. If you want to see more guides like this, you can check out our other guides such as how to multiclass in Baldur's Gate 3 and how to use waypoints in Baldur's Gate 3.