If you're already bored with your party in Baldur's Gate 3, have no fear − there's another pawsome companion itching to join your camp: Scratch the dog. You can stumble upon a dog in the game and with the right skillset, you can recruit him to join your camp.
Dogs are everyone's best friend, but Scratch is useful for reasons other than just being a cutie pie. Whether you are looking for an extra helping hand or just love dogs, this guide will detail how you find Scratch and get him to come home with you.
Updated July 28, 2023, By Sharnelle Earle: Everyone loves a good boy and Scratch is the best. We've updated this guide with some new images to help you find him as easily as possible.
Where To Find Scratch
Scratch can be found right by the Blighted Village. North of the bridge linking the village to the Grove. The Owlbear cave is just below this area.
Right before entering the village, take a right towards the woods where you will find a dog and a dead body.
As with most interactions in Baldur's Gate 3, you'll want to save before you approach Scratch, since one bad roll can send him running.
You will have multiple options here. You can:
- Try to convince the dog that his owner is dead,
- Pretend the owner is okay but welcome the dog anyway
- Disregard him.
The dog thinks his owner is sleeping and is trying to protect him from strangers like you.
You can do a Perception check to read his collar, an Intimidation check to make him less aggressive, or a Persuasion check to convince him you are not the enemy.
To find out the name written on his collar, you'll need to pass a Perception check. After that, you can tell him that you won't hurt him, and you will be able to pet him. You will then be able to tell him to follow you and provide him with your scent, so he can follow you back to camp.
If you have a potion of Animal Speaking or the spell to do so, this interaction will be easier but result in the same outcome.
If you choose to pass the Animal Handling check, you can either take a closer look at Scratch, shake your head and show him that his master is gone, or pet him. After petting him, you can eventually allow him to follow your scent back to camp.
After Scratch has smelled your scent, he will disappear and reappear at your camp two nights later.
Throwing A Ball Around & Finding Hidden Items
There are all kinds of benefits to having Scratch at your camp. The first and clearly most important reason is that you can pet and play with him at any time. When you retreat to camp, you can interact with Scratch to pet him.
Petting him will also lead to several companions' approval, which shows you who the animal lovers in your party really are (and no, Lae'zel unfortunately isn't one of them).
Scratch will eventually provide you with a ball, which you can carry in your inventory and throw around for him at camp whenever you want. You need to pass skill checks for either Strength, Sleight of Hand, or Animal Handling to get the ball away from him. He will then drop the ball.
You can pick it up and place it in your hotbar so that you can throw it. Scratch will chase it and bring it back to you. When he brings it back it will go straight into your inventory again.
Make sure to interact with him every time you are at camp, so that you don't miss out on finding a ball or pouch in his mouth.
Scratch also has a nose for finding items. Occasionally, you will notice that he's carrying a pouch in his mouth. Interact with him and ask if he can let it go. As per usual dog activity, you will have to play tug-o-war to get it out of his mouth. This requires a Strength check.
These items range from useless objects like bones to handy items such as healing potions.