Baldur’s Gate 3: All Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen locations in BG3

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A dragon with glowing eyes holding its head in pain in Baldur's Gate 3
Image via Larian Studios

There are many Mind Flayer Tadpole locations that will be hidden from you in Baldur’s Gate 3 as the game starts you off with a parasite in your brain. As you continue your adventure, you learn that these parasites possess an untapped power. Will you use them and unlock your true potential? Or will you choose to stay pure? The choice is up to you, but just in case, we have a whole list of the parasite locations.

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In order to optimize your Illithid Powers, you’ll need to get as many of these parasites, formally named “Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen,” as possible, and you need a complete list of where to get them. So here it is, our list of where to get every Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen in Baldur’s Gate 3.  Our gamers are still playing through the game and finding more as we make our way through our respective campaigns, so this piece will be updated as we continue to find more.

BG3 Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen locations

If you interact with a character that has a parasite for the first time, more often than not, there will be dialogue cues that make it clear. Your minds will connect in some way, shape, or form, and usually, the narrator will even tell you that they are also infected.

If you have not already noticed by the complete urgency that the Dream Visitor has for you to eat the parasites, well, they definitely have something to do with it. Their role in eating the parasites is a huge game-changer near the end of your playthrough. It is your choice to trust your Dream Visitor or ignore them.

Act One Mind Flayer Locations in BG3

Companions: One of the first things you realize when you start to speak with Shadowheart, Astarion, Karlach, Wyll, Lae’zel, and Gale is that you are all infected by a Mind Flayer parasite that connects you. If you kill any of them, you’ll be out of a companion permanently. We advise not to kill companions—however, if you’re playing just to enhance your Illithid powers, then friends are not an option. Below are the locations of parasites you can grab off of non-companions in Act One.

Mind Flayer Specimen LocationMind Flayer SourceDetails
Between the Blighted Village and the Emerald Grove: (X:141, Y:443)EdowinThe parasite location is on a nearly dead Edowin. After he dies, you can examine him to get the Parasite.
At Emerald Grove In the druid’s chambers on Nettie’s Table: (X:-442, Y:-6)On Nettie’s TableThe parasite location is the table next to where Nettie was attempting surgery. It’ll be on the desk next to the operating table, and you’ll have manually pick it up while Nettie isn’t looking.
The Risen Road: (X:139, Y:444)Gnoll Warlord FlindFlind can be found during the Find the Missing Shipment quest. Turn her against her allies using Illithid powers, and you’ll be able to kill her to loot the parasite.
Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum: (X:-297, Y:-21)True Soul GutIf you choose to Save Halsin, you’ll be tasked with taking out the Goblin Camp leaders, and True Soul Gut will likely be your first target.
Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum: (X:299, Y:41)Dror RagzlinLike the other goblin camp leaders, Dror Ragzlin will have a parasite for you.
Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum: (X:333, Y:46)MintharaYou’ll have the option to side with her and make her a companion later, but if you don’t, you’ll end up needing to fight her. Taking her on will give you a chance at another parasite.
Grymforge in the Underdark: (X:-624, Y:320)True Soul NereYou’ll almost immediately be made aware that this Drow boss has a tadpole for the taking.

Act Two Mind Flayer Locations in BG3

Many of Act Two’s parasite locations in BG3 will be found in your explorations of Moonrise Towers! Make sure to be battle-ready since a lot of these parasites require a fight!

Mind Flayer Specimen LocationMind Flayer SourceDetails
Last Light Inn: (X:-66, Y:163)Flaming Fist MarcusYou can kill him by interacting with and protecting Isobel.
Creche Y’llek: (X:1293, Y:-812)The InfirmaryUnder the Rosymorn Monastery, the Creche Y’llek will have three specimens in its infirmary next to the Zaith’isk.
Moonrise Towers Docked Ship: (X:-216, Y:137)Talking BarrelsSome players have reported being able to find two parasites on a docked ship. Aboard it, look in the barrels to get the parasites.
Moonrise Towers The Entrance: (X:-153, Y:-124)Zealot Malik and Adept MerimUpon entering the Moonrise Towers, you will find two parasite locations at the guards. Kill them to add the tadpoles to your collection.
Moonrise Towers Disciple Z’rell and Linsella: (X:70, Y:187)Disciple Z’rell and LinsellaWhile launching an attack on Moonrise Towers, you will come across the lieutenants of Ketheric Thorm. These two will grant you a pair of parasites to use as you please.
Moonrise Towers Oubliette: (X:628, Y:-92)Dead BodyWhen exploring the Moonrise Towers, specifically the prison area, a body can be found hosting a parasite. Loot the body to gain another tadpole.
End of Act TwoDream VisitorYour Dream Visitor will simply give you a parasite.

Act Three Mind Flayer Locations in BG3

Mind Flayer Specimen LocationMind Flayer SourceDetails
Abandoned Windmill in Rivington: (X:44, Y:-36)The BasementGo to the basement in the Abandoned Windmill in Rivington, where a parasite can be found.
Northwest Area of Rivington on a Beach: (X:-223, Y:105)A BarrelMake sure to walk past the Stone Lord Thugs, who are in a fight with some Guild Members, to find a barrel holding a parasite.
The Stone Lord Ship: (X:-217, Y:131)Storage UnitThe Stone Lord Thug’s ship has two parasites within the big storage unit. Loot it to gain another pair of parasites.
Lower City – Felogyr’s Fireworks: (X:0, Y:-132)Avery SonshalDefeat Avery Sonshal to loot this parasite off of their body.
Lower City – The Flymm’s house: (X:-30, Y:-116)Parents of Enver GortashTwo parasites can be found on the dead bodies of Enver Gortash’s parents.
Lower City – Sorcerous Sundries: (X-8, Y-91)Sitting on the TableThere are a lot of parasites sitting around on tables and desks, such as this one in Sorcerous Sundries.
Lower City – The Lodge: (X-207, Y-87)Second Floor of The LodgeHead to the second floor of The Lodge
Lower City – Sanguine Laboratory: (X:-92, Y:-91)Sitting on the TableGo to the Sanguine laboratory to find this parasite sitting on a table.
Lower City – In front of the Foundry: (X:-225, Y:-161)Churg ElvekAfter the fight with Churg Elvek, loot the parasite off of his body.
Lower City – Inside the Ship in front of The Foundry: (X:-202 Y:-125)Loot the ShipThere are an astonishing six parasites that you can find on this ship.
Lower City – Inside the Foundry on the Lab Level: (X:-1940, Y:447)A Desk within the Lab LevelGo to the Lab Level within the Foundry to collect the parasite on the desk.
Iron Throne through Flymm Cargo near Omeluum: (X:-45, Y:17)On the table near OmeluumOn the table next to Omeluum, there will be a parasite to be obtained.
Lower City – Bloomridge Park: (X:-100, Y:-11)Manip EdenosaAnother very easy-to-get parasite since Manip Edenosa perishes in front of you, allowing you to loot her body.
Blushing Mermaid:  (X:-2336, Y:-120)The BasementGo to the basement of the Blushing Mermaid to find and add this parasite to your collection.
Within the Mindflayer Colony: (X:679, Y:46)Brine PoolAfter the fight with Ketheric Thorm, make sure to head to the Mindflayer Colony in the Tadpoling Center, where you can interact with the Brine Pool to loot the parasite.

These are all of the mind flayer tadpoles that we have found so far in Baldur’s Gate 3. There will be more parasite locations added if we find more.

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Max Miceli
Senior Staff Writer. Max graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a journalism and political science degree in 2015. He previously worked for The Esports Observer covering the streaming industry before joining Dot where he now helps with Overwatch 2 coverage.
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Dominique' McClain
Dominique' McClain is a passionate writer on anything Esports and video games. She has 4+ years of experience covering games in the industry and enjoys Overwatch 2, Fortnite, and Elden Ring.