Steel Watcher

This page is for the Steel Watcher race. For the creature, see Steel Watcher (creature).

A Steel Watcher guardian Wyrm's Rock Fortress

Steel Watchers are a non-playable Construct race in Baldur's Gate 3. Steel Watchers are characterised by their imposing size and ability to self-destruct. They almost exclusively appear in the city of Baldur's Gate.

“

The operations of these huge steel juggernauts are powered by engines of churning hellfire.

„

— In-game racial description

About

Created by Enver Gortash to serve him, Steel Watchers uphold the law in the city of Baldur's Gate. Steel Watchers are formidable foes with large amounts of health and multiple Resistances.

Racial features

Base Racial Speed

9m / 30ft

Size

Large

 Agile Chassis

The lightweight build of this Steel Watcher grants it Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws and an additional 9 m / 30 ft movement speed.

 Darkvision

Can see in the dark up to 12 m / 40 ft.

 Failsafe Protocol

After losing a significant amount of Hit Points, this creature will begin a  Self-Detonation protocol to eliminate all nearby threats. If it dies, it instantly detonates.

 Immutable Form

Spells that alter someone's form have no effect on the affected entity, and it has a +5 bonus to Saving throws against spells that would remove it from this plane.

 Magic Resistance

Has Advantage on Saving Throws against Spells and other magical effects.

 Perfect Sentry

You can't be  Surprised.

Involvement

If exploring the Steel Watch Foundry it will be revealed that the Watchers are not fully mechanical; rather, they are hybrids of technology and necromancy. Each unit is built around a zombie whose brain has been removed, infected with a Mind Flayer Tadpole, and preserved in vats at the Foundry, where Banite cultists can use them to remotely control the corresponding Watcher.

With the exception of Steel Watcher Titan, Steel Watchers will gain the condition  Detonation Impending! when their hit points are low. This is caused by the passive feature Failsafe Protocol. The explosion will deal 4d12+26Fire damage in an area around the Watcher. This attack ignores resistance and immunity to Fire damage. Target will still take half damage on a successful Dexterity saving throw.

If the party defeats Gortash without dealing with the Foundry and hasn't defeated Orin yet, the Steel Watchers will be taken over by the Netherbrain who will make them ignore the party and not assist the Flaming Fist in combat, in order to aid the party in defeating Orin. On top of that, the Netherbrain will blow up the Foundry and the Iron Throne. Once the party also defeats Orin, however, the Netherbrain will turn on the party and all the Steel Watchers will be hostile to the party, which will drag the Flaming Fist into combat as well.

Types of Steel Watchers

See Also: Category:Steel Watchers

• Hellfire Watcher
• Steel Watcher
• Steel Watcher Titan

Related literature

• How to Build a Watcher

Related quests

•  Avenge the Ironhands
•  Disable the Steel Watch
•  Get Gortash's Netherstone
•  Save the Gondians

Related items

• Enriched Infernal Iron
• Gontr Mael, can be looted from the Steel Watcher Titan
• Hellfire Engine Crossbow
• Immiscibility of Fluids
• Infernal Iron
• Steelwatcher Helmet
• Watcher Greatsword

Notes

• Karlach's heart is a prototype engine for the Steel Watchers.
• During the quest Disable the Steel Watch several Hellfire Watchers and a special Steel Watcher Titan can be found in Steel Watch Foundry.