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Baldur's Gate 3 is full of mysteries and treasures waiting to be discovered. While exploring the beautiful world of this game, you will come across many different items. Among these, you have probably come across a strange item called Iron Flask.
When you look at this item in your inventory, there will be a few options to choose from. However, the outcome of all of these is unknown, and the nature of Baldur's Gate 3 is cruel, so it's important to know what it does. Keep reading for more on where to find the Iron Flask, what it does, and how you should use it.
Updated by Abigail Angell on August 22nd, 2023: To help thoroughly answer questions regarding the Iron Flask, a section on where to find it has been added. There is also now information included in the article on where to find the Missing Shipment Quest.
Where To Find The Iron Flask
The Iron Flask is part of the shipment guarded by Rugan and a couple of other survivors in a Tunnel near where you Recruit Karlach. The group is currently being harried by Gnolls, but they will offer to let you meet their associates, the Zhentarim, for your help in getting rid of them. You can get ahold of the shipment by Persuading them to let you deliver it or robbing them of it.
What Are The Uses For Iron Flask
There are three uses for the Iron Flask in Baldur's Gate 3: Opening it, giving it to Zarys, and throwing it. It's worth noting that this item is related to a quest called Missing Shipment, where it plays a crucial role in the outcome.
Opening It
If you want to open the Iron Flask, you can do so by checking via intelligence. This will let you know it's a magical container with a beast inside. You can release the beast by using this flask, and it will attack nearby creatures, including both enemies and your party. But you shouldn't rush to that since there are two other uses.
Giving It To Zarys
Another use for the Iron Flask is for completing the Missing Shipment Side Quest. The Iron Flask is given to Zarys in this quest, and in return, she will give you a unique bow called Harold. This path will also improve the merchant stock at the Zhentarim hideout. That said, if you peeked or checked the flask before handing it over, Zarys and other NPCs in the hideout will become hostile.
Throwing It
Lastly, you can throw the Iron Flask at enemies. This will damage them a little, and the beast from the container will come out to fight. This can be used to weaken powerful enemies before fighting them yourself, as a sneaky character can often throw the flask from the high ground onto a group of enemies without being detected. Throwing the flask also reduces the probability that the beast will attack your party, as it prioritizes targets based on proximity.
How To Start & Complete The Missing Shipment Quest
As mentioned, Iron Flask is part of the Missing Shipment quest, which can be picked up by reading the Shipping Orders document on the dead Caravan Agent the Gnoll-infested Hyenas were eating or by speaking with Rugan. These people are both located in the Risen Road region, which is North of the Goblin Camp in Act One. If you'd like to complete this side quest, you need to recover the Shipment containing the Iron Flask and give it to Zarys. Do not check or take the flask out of the chest, or you will not be able to successfully hand in the shipment.