Baldur’s Gate 3: Should you insert Volo’s Ersatz Eye in BG3?

Is it worth the trouble?

Volo chatting to a character in Baldur's Gate 3
Screenshot by Dot Esports

One of the potential methods for getting the Mind Flayer tadpole out of your skull in Baldur’s Gate 3 involves Volo, a bard you meet during Act One with a knack for finding trouble. If you rescue Volo, he will join your camp and offer a dangerous method of removing the parasite: crude eye surgery. Should you take him up on his offer?

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How to rescue Volo and unlock eye surgery in Baldur’s Gate 3

During Act One, head west to the Blighted Village until you stumble across the Goblin Camp. Once you’re there, look for Volo in the middle of the campsite and chat with him.

Volo will be escorted back to his cell in the Shattered Sanctum, where you’ll have to free him. To do that:

  1. Head north from the campsite and open the Heavy Oak Door.
  2. Enter it and walk down the corridor.
  3. Eventually, Warrior Trinzas will approach you.

You’ll be faced with a choice—convince her to grant you access by successfully rolling Deception, Detect Thoughts, Illithid Wisdom, or Intimidation dialogue choices, or defeat her and her guards. It’s a tough fight, so the first option is wiser.

Trinzas chatting to a character in Baldur's Gate 3
Warrior Trinzas is a powerful foe, so it’s best to avoid fighting her. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Once you’ve done that: 

  1. Walk ahead to the room with True Soul Gut, then take a right up the stairs. 
  2. Take a left, then your second right into the room with Gribbo and a caged Volo. 
  3. You can use your Illithid power, a Deception check, or an Intimidation check to convince Gribbo to free Volo. You can also offer 250 gold or more to buy Volo from Gribbo. 
  4. After releasing him, speak to Volo and ask him to return to your campsite.
Volo chatting to a character in Baldur's Gate 3
Volo will try to remove the parasite through your eye. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Meet him at the campsite and tell him about the Mind Flayer parasite inside your brain. He’ll start looking at ways to help you. Take a long rest and interact with him again.

Should you let Volo operate on your eye in Baldur’s Gate 3?

After a long rest, Volo will tell you about a “brilliant technique” he’s researched, in which he will attempt to extract the parasite from behind your eye. This can be easy to turn down since nothing Volo says inspires confidence, but you should let him carry out the operation.

You will have several opportunities to stop him while he’s operating, and you might consider it because of how unpleasant it is, but it is worth it in the end.

The NPC Volo holds a needle above the player character in Baldur's Gate 3.
Don’t move and don’t back out. Screenshot by Dot Esports

What happens if you let Volo operate on your eye?

If you let Volo continue and finish the operation, he won’t be able to remove the parasite. Still, he does replace the eye he knocked out with Volo’s Ersatz Eye, which permanently lets you see Invisible creatures. However, many of your companions will disapprove of the operation, likely because it is hazardous.

If you stop Volo while he’s operating, he will leave camp and not return, meaning the upgraded eye will be lost to you forever.

Tip: Know which character has the eye

Remember only the party member with the eye can see invisible units up to nine meters away, so you’ll have to move them around. Still, it’s a handy trick to have up your sleeve.


Now that you know everything you need to know about deciding whether or not you should insert Volo’s Ersatz Eye in BG3, you are free to make your educated decision. Enjoy!

Author
Image of Alex Tsiaoussidis
Alex Tsiaoussidis
Staff Writer for Dot Esports. I am a passionate gamer with years of experience covering all things gaming, esports, and streaming. I have extra love for Dota 2, Pokémon, and Apex Legends.
Author
Image of Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson
VALORANT lead staff writer, also covering CS:GO, FPS games, other titles, and the wider esports industry. Watching and writing esports since 2014. Previously wrote for Dexerto, Upcomer, Splyce, and somehow MySpace. Jack of all games, master of none.