Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Use the Mind-Archive Interface

Having a permanent advantage on Intelligence Saving Throws is hard to argue against, and you never know when it could make the difference on a roll. Your opportunity to grab this buff comes at the end of Act 2, but it’s easy to miss. This guide will run you through how to use the Mind-Archive Interface in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to Use the Mind-Archive Interface in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Mind-Archive Interface is located in the Necrotic Laboratory in the Mindflayer Colony. However, its purpose isn’t clear at first glance.

Mind-Archive Interface Location

As you explore the Mindflayer Colony, you’ll find brains in jars with names like True Mind. These can be used with the Mind-Archive Interface, which you find in the Necrotic Laboratory after defeating the Death Shepard and his minions. But it doesn’t seem like there’s a purpose to this feature aside from getting a bit of information about victims of the Absolute.

Using the Mind-Archive Interface

To use the Mind-Archive Interface, pick up a mind and interact with the interface to insert it. Then, interact with the Slack-Skinned Head to enter a conversation about that mind. But the real key is to find one specific brain: the Waking Mind.

Getting the Waking Mind

The Waking Mind is behind the door locked by the brain puzzle to the east of the Mind-Archive Interface. You solve this puzzle by connecting each trait (Emotion, Memory, etc.) with its match on the other side without crossing lines for different traits. When you finish, head inside and grab the Waking Mind before returning to the interface.

The Waking Mind offers to give you knowledge in exchange for withering, purging, or consuming the mind afterwards. Select to purge the mind, and you’ll receive the Githzerai Mind Barrier buff as a reward. This gives you an advantage on Intelligence Saving Throws.

And that covers how to use the Mind-Archive Interface in Baldur’s Gate 3, and how to benefit most from it. For more hidden buffs that you can grab, check out our BG3 guides hub for topics like how to get Volo’s Ersatz Eye or how to prevent the Zaith’isk debuff, which gives you a buff instead.