Myrnath Baldur’s Gate 3: Should you remove or destroy the talking brain?

Myrnath Baldur’s Gate 3: Should you remove or destroy the talking brain?
Images via Larian

Written by 

Dani Cross

Published 

22nd Sep 2023 11:46

Shortly after starting Baldurs Gate 3, you might have found a talking brain and be given the choice of removing or destroying it. It’s not immediately clear what will happen if you choose either option in the game.

If you’re not sure what to pick, keep reading for a full rundown of what happens when you choose to remove or destroy the brain. The outcome can be very different if you don’t try to destroy it, so it’s worth deciding what to do before you just go bashing the brain to bits.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at all the options and outcomes for the brain on the Nautiloid in Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is the talking brain in Baldur’s Gate 3?

An Intellect Devourer, a talking brain from Baldur's Gate 3.
Click to enlarge

The talking brain in Baldur’s Gate 3 is an Intellect Devourer, a creature found on the Nautiloid crashing at the start of the game. It’s stuck inside the head of a character called Myrnath, who doesn’t seem to be having a very good time.

If you speak to Myrnath you’ll end up speaking to the creature inside his brain - or rather, the thing that is his brain. 

Eventually you’ll be offered the choice of destroying, removing or even mutilating the brain. Your choices might end up being easier to make depending on your class.

Should you remove or destroy the brain in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The Nautiloid at the start of Baldur's Gate 3.
Click to enlarge

When you speak to Myrnath in Baldur’s Gate 3 at the start of the game you’ll be presented with the following choices:

  • Remove the brain
  • Destroy the brain
  • Mutilate the brain

If you choose to destroy the brain, your character will attempt to destroy it. This pretty much ends the encounter with Myrnath and doesn’t really result in much.

If you choose to remove the brain, you will have to pass a strength or dexterity check to free it from Myrnath’s head. Or you might get an investigation check and a medicine check, which you can try if your strength or dexterity aren’t as high.

If you succeed, the brain will become a temporary ally. Us the Intellect Devourer will follow you around the Nautiloid and fight alongside you until the end of the tutorial. If you fail the checks it will simply remain where it is.

If you try to mutilate the brain you’ll be given a dexterity check. Fail it and the Intellect Devourer will attack you. It will give you a small bit of XP if you beat it, but there’s not much reason to try this over removing it, as the Intellect Devourer can be a helpful ally during the tutorial.

Don’t worry though, as you’ll soon gain more companions after the Nautiloid section of Baldur’s Gate 3. And Us can actually re-appear near the end of Act 2, so if you're eager to re-unite with your new brain buddy you can do so later in the game.

For more Baldur’s Gate 3 guides, keep reading GGRecon. Additionally, you can check out whether Baldur’s Gate 3 is heading to Xbox here.

Dani Cross
About the author
Dani Cross
Dani is a Guides Writer for GGRecon. She graduated from university with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, then worked as a freelance writer before joining the GGRecon team as a full-time writer in 2023. In her opinion, the best game of all time is Elden Ring – but her favourite is Halo: Reach, a game that created lifelong friendships and somehow started her down the path to a career in media. She’s also way too invested in Pokemon cards, and a big fan of guinea pigs, cats and other cute creatures.
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