Baldur’s Gate 3: How to save hostages in the Iron Throne

One of the most stressful combat scenarios in Baldur’s Gate 3 is rescuing the hostages in the Iron Throne. You’ll probably discover the Iron Throne during the quest to disable the Steel Watch Foundry. The Gondian slaves have families captured in the Iron Throne, a prison deep underwater. Not only that, but you’ll soon find out that the Grand Duke and Omeluum are there as well. This is a timed mission, so let’s dive into how to save the hostages quickly at the Iron Throne in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to rescue hostages fast from the Iron Throne in Baldur’s Gate 3

As you find the Submersible and drive it underwater to the Iron Throne, Gortash radios in and finds out what you’re doing. He’s not happy about it, and declares that the prison is set to self-destruct. How you can save the hostages from the Iron Throne in Baldur’s Gate 3 is by being incredibly fast, having the right party, and taking no detours. Let’s go over some tips I have for anyone trying to tackle this mission in the eight rounds you have before it explodes.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Potions and spells for speed

I tried doing this mission once, and I realized I wouldn’t be able to save everyone in time. This was because my characters couldn’t move fast enough to get to the key characters I wanted to save. If you have the ingredients, craft some Potions of Speed for as many party members as possible. These potions not only allow you to travel long distances in one turn, but they give you an extra action.

You can also use certain spells that help you move faster, such as Expeditious Retreat or Longstrider. The former allows you to dash as a bonus action on all turns before the spell ends, and the latter increases your movement speed by 3m. The Iron Throne isn’t huge, but it’s also not small. You’ll need to get to the cells, open them, and run back fast before time runs out.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Bring the right party members

Before you venture into the Submersible, think about who would help out most. My party consisted of my Druid, Shadowheart, Gale, and Karlach. Karlach can run faster than most people, and I had her focus on taking down the nasty Sahuagins. These are water creatures who perpetually spawn in the Iron Throne.

Then I had my Druid and Shadowheart take Potions of Speed and run east to rescue the Duke and some other hostages. Since Gale is a little squishy, I made sure he took a Potion of Speed, and made himself invisible with Greater Invisibility. This allowed him to run past the enemies, help Omuluum escape, and aid few other hostages as well.

I would also recommend a Rogue like Astarion, who can Dash as a bonus action and action in one turn. You can also bring characters who can cast Misty Step, like Lae’zel. Make sure you’re bringing characters along who can travel far distances in short amounts of time.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Omeluum’s teleportation

As soon as you help Omeluum, the friendly Mind Flayer you meet in Act Two, you can control him on his turns. What I didn’t realize until I had control of him was the fact that he has an incredibly helpful ability.

He and whoever rescues him has the ability to simply teleport back to the Submersible. Not sure why he could do that, but it was very helpful when I realized I only had a few turns for him and Gale to get back. Essentially, don’t worry about Omeluum too much, you can rescue him last and teleport right back to the Submersible.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.