Most players of Baldur’s Gate 3 would likely concur that Scratch is the most beloved camp companion and familiar in the game, which makes one player’s recent discovery particularly heart-wrenching. Scratch is encountered fairly early in the adventure, and not only does he bring charm to the camp, but he also proves to be a valuable ally with the use of Scratch’s Ball. This item summons Scratch to the player’s side, allowing him to sniff out hidden items, provide the “Help” action, or even alleviate several status conditions such as Prone, Entangled, Burning, Downed, and Ensnared.
In a post on Reddit, user johnnyJAG shared an image revealing that their Scratch met an unfortunate fate: the dog had somehow acquired the status condition Shadow-Cursed Undead.
Although he might not look it, this version of Scratch is effectively a zombie. While the Shadow-Cursed condition grants him an additional 2d4+2 damage per attack, it also reduces his HP and Strength. What’s more disheartening is that he becomes Hostile, implying that johnnyJAG might have to eliminate him to remove the condition, prompting some very somber reactions from other players.
How Does Scratch Become Shadow-Cursed?
A Stroke of Bad Luck
The exact cause of Scratch’s condition remains unclear, but user Lukostrelec17 suggested it might be a glitch, having experienced a similar issue. The fact that Scratch turns hostile broke the hearts of many in the Baldur’s Gate 3 community, with several advising johnnyJAG to reload the game to avoid having to kill the cherished companion. To complicate matters, the user hadn’t summoned Scratch yet, meaning that killing the pet wouldn’t lead to his automatic return to camp or create an opportunity for resurrection.
Having to put down an undead Scratch could be one of the most tragic moments in a Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough. Other than reloading, there’s no effective solution if Scratch hasn’t been summoned as a familiar. It’s advisable that once Tav obtains Scratch’s Ball, they use it promptly to prevent incidents like the aforementioned glitch.
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Since Larian Studios is concluding development on Baldur’s Gate 3, players shouldn’t anticipate a patch or hotfix to address Scratch’s unfortunate condition. Fortunately, the event of Scratch becoming a Shadow-Cursed Undead is exceedingly rare, but players should be cautious when summoning him in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. His penchant for treasure hunting can often lead to an untimely demise and subsequent undead status.
Sources: johnnyJAG/Reddit, Lukostrelec17/Reddit
