Baldur’s Gate 3 guides
Shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3: Location
In a lighthearted moment, players quickly discover that a sturdy shovel can feel more valuable than a healing potion or a spell slot. The shovel is the tool that unearths a buried treasure and leads to meaningful discoveries early in the journey. With careful exploration, this essential item shows up near the start of the game, and this guide explains where to find it and how to use it effectively.
After waking on the beach following the Nautiloid crash, the expedition through Faerûn begins in earnest. Soon the traveler arrives at the Overgrown Ruins and faces a bandit presence that resents intruders. Prospects of resolution include intimidation or trickery, but the risk of a failed test exists, and a direct confrontation can be demanding for a party at level one.
You can head west from the Overgrown Ruins to rescue Laezelle, then recruit Astarion to assemble a full four-person party. With the team formed, return to the Overgrown Ruins and attempt to bargain with the bandits. Defeating them or driving them away clears the surface area and lets you explore more freely. A second foe group awaits deeper inside the ruins, so caution remains essential.
Proceed to the northern part of the ruins, descend to the wooden door, and press Alt. To the door’s right, a shovel is marked. Pick it up with the left mouse button. Mission accomplished. The tool is now ready for its intended use.
If the area around the Overgrown Ruins isn’t explored, a shovel can still appear. By circling the island from the western side, following the path after the illithid ship encounter and meeting Astarion, the player heads north and may spot a mound along with a shovel nearby. A sample route is shown in the accompanying image in the gallery above.
Another shovel can be purchased from a merchant in the Emerald Grove, offering a convenient alternative for players who want a quick access point to the digging tool.
Using a shovel in Baldur’s Gate 3 involves a simple, direct action when a mound is spotted. Sometimes a perception roll or an unexpected hill appears during exploration. If the shovel is not in the inventory, the action remains unavailable and a message indicates as much. The map can be opened with the M key, and an area can be marked with a quick LMB click on the treasure site, creating a reusable waypoint for future visits. When the mark is set, returning to the mound becomes easier, provided the shovel is in possession.
With the tool in hand, approach the hill and use the shovel to begin digging. The action triggers an animation that reveals a chest buried beneath the surface. After the chest appears, opening it reveals its contents. If the party lacks a strong perception stat, focusing on Astarion can help, as his perception is notably high and can improve treasure identification during the dig.
One important reminder: many shovels will be encountered along the journey, but the first one is the true gateway to early treasure discoveries. The act of digging is both practical and rewarding, offering a tangible payoff for careful exploration and team coordination.
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Note: this guide is adapted from coverage provided by VG Times.