How to get the Staff of Crones in Baldur's Gate 3

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could make your enemies sick with a single touch or spell in Baldur’s Gate 3? Well, there is a way to do that, and you don’t need to expend spell slots to make it happen.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is full of wild artefacts that you can make use of, whether you are a Wizard or a noble Fighter. One such item found early in the game is called the Staff of Crones, a staff specifically designed to help you sicken your opponents.

Let’s break down how to get the Staff of Crones in Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is the Staff of Crones in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The Staff of Crones is an uncommon magic staff in Baldur’s Gate 3 that you can obtain during Act One. Unlike most other items in the game, it does not grant any passive abilities.

Instead, the Staff of Crones grants you access to the spell Ray of Sickness, which can be used once per short rest while you have the staff equipped. This will allow you to cast Ray of Sickness up to three times between each long rest.

The Ray of Sickness spell is a ranged spell attack that deals 2d8 poison damage and has the chance of poisoning the target, giving them disadvantage on future rolls.

This staff is best used by Wizards, Druids, and Sorcerers during Act One, but can be quickly replaced by other weapons, such as Mourning Frost, later on.

Where to Find the Staff of Crones in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3 Staff of Crones Map Location

If you want to find the Staff of Crones in Baldur’s Gate 3, you will need to make your way to the Overgrown Tunnel underneath the Teahouse in the swamp in Act One. This is also known as the Hag’s Abode or Auntie Ethel’s home.

When you reach this area, you will see Auntie Ethel and Mayrina in the house. After a brief conversation, Auntie Ethel will reveal herself to be a hag before escaping to the basement.

Baldur's Gate 3 Staff of Crones Staircase to Overgrown Tunnels

To access the basement of her home, where the Overgrown Tunnel is, you will need to interact with the fireplace, revealing that it is fake, and giving you access to the staircase that leads to the tunnels.

The tunnels are rather straightforward, with a few traps and enemies that block your way. When you reach the end of the area, you will have a confrontation with Auntie Ethel. I recommend completing this section of the game after reaching level 4, since the fights can be pretty difficult.

Baldur's Gate 3 Staff of Crones Staircase Acrid Workshop Door

After the confrontation, you will have the opportunity to loot the Acrid Workshop, also known as the Hag’s Treasure Room. The door to the Acrid Workshop is at the bottom of the area where you fight Auntie Ethel, near where the yellow control orb is located.

Baldur's Gate 3 Staff of Crones Staircase Acrid Workshop Staff Location

The Acrid Workshop is full of many items, such as potions that you probably don’t want to drink, and most importantly, the Staff of Crones. The Staff of Crones can be found leaning next to the tree roots near the mushroom circle.

Once you get the Staff of Crones, you can use the mushroom circle to quickly leave the area and return to the swamp. If you successfully free Mayrina, she can be found near where the mushroom circle teleports you to continue her quest.