Baldur’s Gate 3 is a rich lore game that also involves complex item mechanics and tactical gameplay.
One of the many items available for adventurers to discover is the Resonance Stone, a strange object that has unique capabilities.
All about the Resonance Stone BG3 that you would ever want to know, from its purpose to how to use and acquire it, is addressed in this guide.
Understanding the Resonance Stone BG3
Resonance Stone is an enchanted item that, upon activation, applies the Steeped in Bliss status to all parties within 9 meters of you.
The status has both positive and negative consequences, so it’s a two-edged sword in your arsenal.
Advantages of the Resonance Stone:
- Improves Physical Exams: Steeped in Bliss characters are provided with a bonus on their Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution check. This is of greatest benefit where melee combat is concerned, along with acrobatics and other body actions.
- Makes Melee Attacks Better: The buff from the stone will mostly assist fighter, barbarian, and rogue players as they will be effective enough to deliver solid hits and dodge physical attacks effectively.
Disadvantages of the Resonance Stone:
- Weakened Mental Defenses: The infected characters have a disadvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws, so they are more vulnerable to spells and effects that target the mind, such as charm or fear.
- Increased Psychic Vulnerability: Psychic damage-dealing foes will do more damage to Steeped in Bliss-infected characters.
- Cannot Be Disarmed Immediately: The Resonance Stone, once activated, cannot be unequipped within a single game hour, leading players to halt and reflect on whether to employ it.
In these characteristics, the Resonance Stone is to be deployed strategically, leading its benefits larger than drawbacks within any circumstance.
Where to Obtain the Resonance Stone BG3
Getting the Resonance Stone is a matter of accessing Act Two of Baldur’s Gate 3 and, more importantly, the deadly corners of the Mind Flayer Colony in the Underdark.
If you favored brute force or physical skill checks during your Goblin Camp encounters, this stone will feel like a natural upgrade to your combat strategy in later acts.
To get your hands on this valuable relic, do the following:
Step 1: Access the Necrotic Laboratory
- The Necrotic Laboratory can be accessed at coordinates X:715 Y:-49.
- Prepare for the brutal fight that ensues from powerful foes, including zombies, flying horrors, and a Death Shepherd.
Step 2: Acquire the Resonance Stone BG3
- Following an enemy route clear, go to a ledge at X:695 Y:-110.
- Jump across the ledge to reach a table upon which the Resonance Stone rests.
- Nearby is also the Slack-Skinned Head, an odd item with mysterious lines of dialogue that will have a possibility of unlocking additional lore.
Alternative Locations
While the Necrotic Laboratory is the most known location, other players reported getting the Resonance Stone through random Mind Flayer mob drops or random Mind Flayer drops in the same area.
Do not overlook the looting of Mind Flayer Colony bodies, chests, and secret stashes to take advantage of all the chances for discovering the stone.
Best Strategies for Using the Resonance Stone BG3
Although Resonance Stone has incredible benefits, its drawbacks have to be tactfully managed. The following are some tactical tips on how to make the most of this relic:
When to Utilize the Resonance Stone BG3?
- In Physical Challenges: When the challenge or puzzle demands high physical skill checks (e.g., shattering things, climbing up, or dodging obstacles), employing the Resonance Stone will prove to be helpful.
- In Melee-Heavy Combat: Combat where using melee combat is pivotal makes the Resonance Stone a reliable gadget, since the Strength and Dexterity check bonus will power attacks and defense.
- Before Going into Combat: Activating the Resonance Stone strategically before battle time guarantees its effectiveness is already obtained, thus boosting your party when the battle is underway.
When Not to Use the Resonance Stone?
- Against Psychic or Psionic Foes: Lower resistance to psychic damage is greatly compounded against Mind Flayers, Githyanki casters, and other mind-focused foes.
- Saving Throw Combat of the Mind: If your party has a reasonable chance of being charmed, scared, or dominated, the penalty on Charisma and Wisdom saving throws can devastate your entire campaign.
- When Fights Humanoid Spellcasters: Wizards and sorcerers that utilize intelligence-based magic will be able to take advantage of the psychic vulnerabilities introduced by Steeped in Bliss, so using the Resonance Stone in combat with them is a bad idea. They will have better odds of falling back on spellcasting for damage.
More Tactical Observations
- The Right Character’s Stone: Use the Resonance Stone on a flesh-based character (barbarians, fighters) rather than spellcasters, who are hanging on by relying on brain-preserving throws.
- Keep Ranged Units and Spellcasters Out of Range: Prevent unnecessary debuffs by keeping ranged units and spellcasters outside the 9-meter activation range.
- Pair with Other Buffs: Use potions, magic spells, or good class abilities that enhance Wisdom, Intelligence, and Charisma saves to counteract the disadvantage of the stone.
Advanced Strategies for Resonance Stone Users
Resonance Stone can be a tool of high-level strategy for experienced players:
- Pair with Crowd Control Spells: When an enemy group is weak to melee, pair the physical boons of the Resonance Stone with crowd control spells like hold person or stun skills to create an unbreakable position.
- Use Resistances: Equip characters with psychic-resistant equipment or cast spells like Mind Blank to counter the added psychic damage weakness.
- Trigger It in Safe Places: In areas that are safe from immediate danger to your brain, voluntarily triggering the Resonance Stone guarantees you its effects without its drawbacks.
Final Words
The Resonance Stone is an interesting item in Baldur’s Gate 3, managing huge boosts to physical attributes and with them terrible mental drawbacks.
The piece is best suited for melee characters with tactical combat but may be problematic when the player is not careful with it.
The players can exploit this unique item and turn the fight around in their favour if they can learn how it works and employ it when it is necessary.
Mastering the Resonance Stone as an artifact further enhances the immersive game of Baldur’s Gate 3, calling for more strategic play.
Whether you utilize it to enhance your warriors or create intricate battlefield strategies, the Resonance Stone is an asset to have in the hands of a wise adventurer. Utilize it effectively, and your adventure in the Forgotten Realms will be a success!
