Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Corpses to Cast Speak with Dead On

If you got SWD through scrolls, being a Cleric, or the Amulet of Lost Voices, you might be wondering how best to cast it. I recommend using the spell on some key NPCs below. Here are the best corpses to cast Speak With Dead on in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Best NPC and Companions to Cast Speak With Dead On in Baldur’s Gate 3

Briefly, I have one useful tip before we dive into the list. There will be useful opportunities to cast Speak With Dead, but not if you previously killed that NPC. You can bypass the “Corpse seems willing to speak, but not to its killer” restriction with the Disguise Self spell.

The NPC will register you as a different person and speak to you. You can get this spell through scrolls, the Magic Adept feat, or the Ritual Caster feat. You can also get it via the Mask of Many Faces Eldritch Invocation or the Mask of the Shapeshifter. Further, it’s available to Bards, Sorcerers, and Wizards.

Minthara

If you chose to side with the Druid’s Grove and defend it against the Goblin invasion, chances are you defeated Minthara. Casting Speak With Dead on her provides useful information for your party. Doing so tells you some things about your upcoming trip to the Shadow Cursed lands.

Ask, “Where were the prisoners taken?” and “How can I reach Moonrise Towers safely?” She’ll tell you how to traverse the area safely. Her “Drider Lantern” response will make sense later when you meet Kar’niss the Drider.

Paladins of Tyr: Hunt the Devil Quest Villages Corpses

During your first meeting with Karlach — and Wyll’s first companion quest — you’ll side with the Paladins of Tyr or fight them. I recommend speaking to the corpses around the village. They’ll reveal some interesting and useful information about the Paladins. Remember to recast Speak With Dead for free and talk to multiple dead people. Bind the Recast ability in your Radials to make it easier.

Johl and Demir

While searching for Auntie Ethel and Mayrina, you’ll probably encounter her brothers again. Unfortunately, they’ve met a grim fate. I suggest casting Speak With Dead and talking to them. They’ll reveal some handy, though harrowing, information about Auntie and her swamp. You may have to clear the Redcaps first, though.

Auntie Ethel

Speaking of Auntie Ethel, use Speak With Dead on her before talking to Mayrina. This is one of the most entertaining Speak With Dead scenes in Baldur’s Gate 3. It even has some notable foreshadowing. The scene also has unique dialogue, depending on whether you looted her Tarnished Charm.

Enver Gortash

Those interested in learning more about this devilishly handsome villain should definitely use Speak With Dead on Gortash. The scene is sinister enough by itself, sure. But it gives you the opportunity to learn more about one of the Dead Three deities. There’s no voice acting here, unfortunately, so make sure to read the first line of dialogue when you cast the spell. It sets the tone for the entire encounter.

Helena Anchev

Speaking of the Dead Three, Helena Anchev’s corpse can be found in Orin’s chambers. Casting the spell on her will reveal more about her daughter and the deity Enver serves. It will also reveal a sinister twist.

Open Hand Temple Murders: Logan, Brilgor, and Ffion

I suggest bringing the Speak With Dead spell to the Open Hand Temple Murders. You can learn a lot about the mystery by casting it on Father Lorgan, Brilgor, and Ffion. In fact, the spell is incredible in late Act 2 and late Act 3. There are many quests involving incomplete information that corpses fill in.

Yurgir’s Bed

Yurgir the Orthon can be a difficult battle for any party. That said, I found that you can actually use Speak With Dead on his bed made of Shar worshippers. While the information isn’t crucial for any quest, this genius and horrifying scene should be witnessed by all BG3 players.

Myconid Circle Drow

Once you defeat all the Duergar led by Gekh Coal, thus protecting the Myconid Circle, Spaw will reveal their treasure vault. Among the various goodies, you’ll also find the body of a Drow researcher who studied the Ancient Grymforge and its location. I recommend casting Speak With Dead and asking him about the book looted from his corpse. It will reveal more information about reaching the secret forge later on.

That concludes my list of the best corpses to cast Speak With Dead on in Baldur’s Gate 3. There are plenty more fun and interesting uses for the spell, so don’t worry about casting it as much as you’d like. You never know what you’ll stumble across. For more BG3 guides, check out our best magic items and best early-game spells.