Olly and the Gnolls - solved

[Bandit]

Is it actually possible to save Olly in the fight with Rugan against the Gnolls? He always gets one shotted at the start of the fight by an acid arrow. Is there any benefit to saving him?

[Invictus]

I've fought this battle a few times and neither of them have ever taken damage or been in combat, they throw a fire bomb and retreat into cave start of combat every time, maybe direction you are entering fight from?

[Tr0w]

Yes but it really hard because he only has 12 HP, the AI for Olly and the other guy in this fight is some of the worst i've seen in gaming. Every time i do this fight the other guy throws fire flasks at his own feet and just runs around in the flames burning to death.

@Invictus, i've done the fight numerous times and not once have they retreated. Olly always climbs up on the rocks on the right, just stands there and either gets killed in two hits by the Gnoll archers or gets incinerated by his buddy who is just throwing flasks at his own feet and running around like a headless chicken.

[Madjar]

Originally posted by Gio:

Is it actually possible to save Olly in the fight with Rugan against the Gnolls? He always gets one shotted at the start of the fight by an acid arrow. Is there any benefit to saving him?

Yes.
And no
he dies off screen anyway

[Invictus]

Originally posted by Tr0w:

Yes but it really hard because he only has 12 HP, the AI for Olly and the other guy in this fight is some of the worst i've seen in gaming. Every time i do this fight the other guy throws fire flasks at his own feet and just runs around in the flames burning to death.

@Invictus, i've done the fight numerous times and not once have they retreated. Olly always climbs up on the rocks on the right, just stands there and either gets killed in two hits by the Gnoll archers or gets incinerated by his buddy who is just throwing flasks at his own feet and running around like a headless chicken.

Weird, for me they both run back into cave, Rugan throws fire flask down and they chill around the big chest eveyrtime (probs 5 diff runs always same thing) i always go up the path that leads me to the Leader (Flind?) and sneak attack it to start combat all gnolls and hyenas rush straight for my posse everytime.

Seen this issue mentioned a few times but i have legit never had an issue with it so either bug or direction of starting combat mebe

[Bandit]

Originally posted by Invictus:

I've fought this battle a few times and neither of them have ever taken damage or been in combat, they throw a fire bomb and retreat into cave start of combat every time, maybe direction you are entering fight from?

I've tackled them from every direction. Every time I go from the same side as them, Olly takes a few steps back into the cave and gets hit by that acid arrow. I've now tried from the rear of the Gnolls and the only difference is if I took the Gnoll flesh gnawer up on the rock first, Olly and Rugan both climb up the ladder, and die there anyways.

I have Astarion, Gale and Lae'zel in my party unless theres someone else you'd suggest trying?

[BigJ]

You can fireball the 2 gnolls by to save them, additionally having a low ac player character will avoid it.

[Invictus]

Might be difficulty related also, I've been playing Explorer lmao

[EricHVela]

Benefit? I'd have to give a spoiler about that. Read on if you dare.

No. He'll never be encountered alive again afterward even if he survived. You'd have to go to a specific place and you'd find him dead for reasons. Otherwise, you'll never see him again.

[ash0787]

I've only done that fight once, it was tough ! I think I was level 3, putting it off for level 4 on my current playthrough I think. Might open the reward item this time rather than give it to Gale.

[Bandit]

Nevermind, I got them now. :)

[Invictus]

Originally posted by Gio:

Originally posted by Invictus:

I've fought this battle a few times and neither of them have ever taken damage or been in combat, they throw a fire bomb and retreat into cave start of combat every time, maybe direction you are entering fight from?

I've tackled them from every direction. Every time I go from the same side as them, Olly takes a few steps back into the cave and gets hit by that acid arrow. I've now tried from the rear of the Gnolls and the only difference is if I took the Gnoll flesh gnawer up on the rock first, Olly and Rugan both climb up the ladder, and die there anyways.

I have Astarion, Gale and Lae'zel in my party unless theres someone else you'd suggest trying?

I attack from the direction of the Gnoll infested Hyenas and Gnoll pack next to it after following the paw prints, i think i'm heading north so id be coming up south of the Gnoll leader (sandwiching the Gnolls between my party and Rugan/Olly at cave mouth)

My parties have mostly been Astarion, Shadowheart and Lae'zel and have been playing Explorer, any combo should be fine

[Invictus]

Originally posted by Gio:

Nevermind, I got them now. :)

noice

[Jet]

they both got killed for me what can i do with the chest? is my only option to open it now??? what if i fail the lockpick check?

If i told them about the other way would they have been able to jump across the bridge and escape through the area with traps? So many questions regarding these two. And to think... i was gonna stealth kill them before i saw those damn wolfdog gnolls...

[Eijiken]

Originally posted by EricHVela:

Benefit? I'd have to give a spoiler about that. Read on if you dare.

No. He'll never be encountered alive again afterward even if he survived. You'd have to go to a specific place and you'd find him dead for reasons. Otherwise, you'll never see him again.

Thank god for this, I kept resetting to save him because he keeps on doing dumb crap like running to the front of the line

[Don Ravello]

The information above is incorret. Actually there is a way to save both Rugan and Olly:

1. You enter the Zentharim Hideout BEFORE engaging the gnolls near the cave, as follows:
- head towards Waukeen's Rest north-west of the Blighted Village
- enter the barn where the wizard Salazon is hiding (westmost building)
- interact with someone who can read mind (e.g. Shadowheart)
- do so to obtain the passphrase and mention it to Salazon, he'll let you pass
- talk your way through to Zarys and offer your help to get the quest.

2. Take out the gnolls without getting near Rugan and Olly:
- head down the road with the dead gnolls to the bridge and approach them from south
- stop as soon you can see their boss
- engage from afar and he'll call all his minions south
- kill the gnolls (there is an option to convince the boss to side with you, but I never tried it)

3. Choose the right dialog option:
- When talking to Rugan after the fight choose the last option: You were sent by Zarys to help
- you can press for some additional money afterwards, but DON'T take the chest or attempt to pick it.
- They tell you that they'll take it to Zarys

4. Go back to the Zentharim and claim your reward
- fast travel to the Zentharim hideout, Rugan and Olly will not be there
- have a long rest, they appear near Zarys
- talk to Zarys, claim your reward (crossbow Harold + gold). Everyone is happy.

Hope it helps. :)