Mind Flayer or Illithid Parasite Specimens are scattered in large quantities across the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. These Illithid Parasites are basically tadpoles that make the creatures True Souls and potential Mind Flayers. Consuming these illithid parasites is necessary if you wish to expand your Illithid Powers.
There are two ways to acquire these parasites. By either killing and looting the corpse of your fellow True soul or by finding unique orange/green bottles containing them. In most cases, whenever you are near a corpse or jar that contains a mind flayer parasite in BG3, the Guardian will tell you telepathically to pick it up. You can do as you are asked or ignore that piece of instruction, depending on whether you want to become a mind flayer or not.
Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen Locations in BG3
To allow you to unlock every Illithid Power in BG3, especially the super cool ones after you let The Emperor evolve you, all you need to do is find the Illithid Parasite Specimens from the locations mentioned below. Once you have all the parasite specimens, you can use them to unlock cool new abilities like transforming into a Displacer Beast in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Keep in mind that unlocking and using Illithid Powers do have their side effects. You will become a mind flayer if you unlock too many Illithid powers. Below are the locations of all 23 Illithid Parasites in Baldur’s Gate 3.
1. Near Drow Corpse in the Emerald Grove
You can find an Illithid Parasite inside a jar on a table within the Enclave Library of Emerald Grove. Look for a dismembered Drow Corpse, and you can find a Mind Flayer Parasite specimen in a jar on a table next to it.
2. From Brynna’s friend in the Druid Grove
The druid grove at the start of Act 1 is home to another Illithid Parasite specimen in Baldur’s Gate 3. You will come across Brynna overlooking the dead body of her friend. Interact with it to obtain the Illithid Parasite.
3. From Edowin’s body near the Owlbear cave
West of the Emerald Grove you will run into a dying Absolute cultist Edowin and his two companions. The companions will go towards the owlbear cave if you convince them to fight the monster. Once they are gone, kill and loot Edowin’s body to pick up an illithid parasite specimen.
4. By killing Flind, the Gnoll Warlord on Risen Road
You can get one of the parasites from Flind the Gnoll Warlord, present on the Risen Road. You can locate this Warlord with several other Gnolls. Either kill them all or possess the Mind Flayer parasite inside Flind’s head by passing an Illithid wisdom check. He will kill all his allies. Now, kill him and loot his body to obtain the next Mind Flayer parasite specimen.
5-7. From the Goblin Leaders in the Shattered Sanctum
The three goblin leaders inside the Shattered Sanctum of Goblin Camp all have Mind Flayer parasites inside their heads courtesy of the Absolute. If you wish to side with Druid Halsin, you can kill these three goblin leaders and then loot their bodies for Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens in BG3.
- Priestess Gut is available at the coordinates (X: -297, Y: -21). Talk to her, and she will take you to her room. Attack her as soon as you get there to kill her and loot her body to get the Mind Flayer parasite specimen.
- Dror Ragzlin can be found inside a hall surrounded by his minions. This is one of the most difficult early-game boss battles. You can loot his body to obtain his Mind Flayer Parasite specimen once he is killed.
- Minthara is the most difficult decision to kill as she is a recruitable companion who can also be romanced. She is present in the deepest section of the Shattered Sanctum. Kill her to obtain the final Illithid Parasite specimen from the Goblin Camp in Baldur’s Gate 3.
8. Rebelling against True Soul Nere in the Grymforge
When you make your way to Grymforge in the Underdark, you can get a parasite from True Soul Nere. You will get two choices to select from. One is to slay True Soul Nere by freeing the Grymforge Gnomes, and the other is to free True Soul Nere. You can take the Mind Flayer Parasite specimen once you kill True Soul Nere.
9. Defeat Marcus in the Last Light Inn
You can get the Mind Flayer Parasite specimen from Flaming Fist Marcus during Act 2. Side with the Harpers and protect Isobel from being abducted by Marcus. Once Marcus is dead, loot his body to get another Illithid Parasite specimen.
10-11. From the docked boat near Moonrise Towers
Being a stronghold of Absolute’s cultists, it makes sense that Moonrise Towers in Baldur’s Gate 3 would be filled with illithid parasites.
You can put your hands on two of the parasites on an anchored boat. This boat can be located when you go northwest from the Rivington waypoint towards the location of Moonrise Towers.
12. By killing the Absolute Cultist Linsella in the Moonrise Towers
Another Mind Flayer parasite specimen can be taken from Linsella, who can be found within the tower in the kitchen. Once you reach there, you can slay her down to get the parasite or break her control from her Gnoll servants. They will gang up and kill her, saving you the effort.
13-16. Kill the cultists during the raid on Moonrise Towers
Most of the other Mind Flayer parasite specimens are acquired if you side with the Harpers. During the assault on Moonrise Towers at the end of Act 2, you will fight numerous True Soul enemies. Each of them drops a parasite on death.
We have listed some of the enemies that, upon being killed, will give you an illithid parasite in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Zealot Malik: Found after freeing Nightsong.
- Adept Merim: Available alongside Zealot Malik.
- Disciple Z’rell: Near Ketheric Thorm.
- Zealot Krizt: Found inside the oubliette of Moonrise Towers prison.
17. From Brine Pool in the Mind Flayer Colony
After crossing through the Oubliette in the Moonrise Towers, you will enter the Mind Flayer Colony. To get the mind flayer parasite specimen, you need to pass a Perception skill check on a pool of brine. This pool can be found in the room containing Zariel’s Asset.
18. From Manip Edenosa in the Lower City
While exploring the Lower City section of Baldur’s Gate during Act 3, you might come across Bloomridge Park. Once you reach there, you will encounter several of the Bhaal cultists. After you have defeated them, you will meet Manip Edenosa, who is a Flaming Fist. She will die after a small conversation, and you can obtain the Mind Flayer Parasite specimen from her body.
19. From Blushing Mermaid in the Lower City
One more Mind Flayer parasite specimen can be found in the Lower City while you are doing the Save Vanra quest. You must go inside the cellar of the Blushing Mermaid, where you will be able to see a jar from which you can get the Parasite. This jar is located beside a wooden platform with several branches.
20. Steal it from Steel Watch Foundry in the Lower City
Another parasite can be acquired from Steel Watch Foundry. Once you are inside the foundry, you must find the chamber before you get into the control room. Once you enter the chamber, you will be able to locate a jar placed on a desk containing the Mind Flayer parasite specimen.
21-23. From the Infirmary of Crèche Y’llek
Crèche Y’llek has three Illithid Parasite specimens, which you can obtain. You can get them from the Infirmary on your way to steal a Githyanki egg for Lady Esther.
