How to Hijack Baldur’s Gate 3’s Enchanted Newspaper

Why This Quest Matters

In Baldur’s Gate 3, news spreads fast—and sometimes the pen truly outperforms the sword. The Empêcher l’impression quest hands you control of La Voix de Baldur, the city’s enchanted newspaper. By rewriting its headlines, you can sway public opinion, undo the fallout from siding with Gortash, and unlock exclusive dialogue with merchants, nobles, and street urchins alike. I once saw my renown halved before mastering these tactics—now I breeze through Lower City markets with discounts and respectful nods. Here’s every critical misstep, magical trick, and stealth exploit I’ve distilled for you.

Prerequisites

• Story Progression: Available in Act 2 after reaching Baldur’s Gate and finishing key city quests.
• Save Dolly Dolly Dolly: Free the pixie trapped in Kar’Niss’s lantern before tackling La Voix. Her gratitude grants a quick persuasion boost.
• Recommended Skills: Stealth or Invisibility for sneaking, Persuasion or Deception for dialogue, plus Intimidation as a backup.
• Buffs & Consumables: Stock up on Guidance, Friends, Enhance Ability scrolls, and Invisibility or Spider Climb potions for alternate routes.

Step 1: Locate La Voix de Baldur

Head to the Lower City, just west of the Basilisk Gate teleport waypoint. You’ll spot the newspaper office by its giant enchanted quill sign and the constant chatter of reporters. Skip Ettvard Laiguille’s scripted refusals at the front desk—he’s immune to charm spells here. Instead, circle around to plan your backdoor entry.

Tip: Listen for guard patrol hints. They often mention rotations—timing your sneak between patrols can save multiple reloads.

Step 2: Infiltration Route

• Move to the south side of the building and find stacked crates or barrels leading to a low rooftop.
• Use Misty Step, Spider Climb, or an Invisibility Potion to bypass lookouts.
• Smash through the wooden hatch with any melee weapon—an improvised club works fine.
• Drop into the dumbwaiter shaft and brace for a short fall into the basement.

Pro Tip: Switch to turn-based mode (Shift + Space) and hit C to Hide before each move. This grid-lock approach prevents accidental detection.

Step 3: Sneak Past the Steel Watchers

The basement contains two clockwork sentinels known as Steel Watchers. Their gaze dispels invisibility after a moment, so use shadows and alcoves to slip by.

• Cast Greater Invisibility if you can, or drink an Invisibility potion just before entry.
• If you’re low on resources, hug the walls and time your moves when their backs are turned.
• Utilize side rooms as emergency hideouts—the pantry behind the east corridor has floor-level crates perfect for stashing.

Warning: Bringing your full party ups the chance someone triggers a pressure plate. Send your rogue in solo, then teleport or switch characters over as needed.

Step 4: Persuade the Enchanted Press

Inside the main press room you’ll find the living printing press and a handful of startled journalists. How you handle this moment seals your success.

• Dolly’s Shortcut: If Dolly Dolly Dolly is freed, whisper her name—she’ll charm the press instantly.
• Buff & Chat: Cast Guidance or Enhance Ability on your Charisma hero, then make Persuasion (or Deception) checks. The middle dialogue option usually offers the best odds.
• Last Resort: Fail all checks? Make a Strength or Sleight of Hand roll to yank out the original headline plate and insert your custom message.

Discovery Moment: On my first try, I argued endlessly with Ettvard until a green interact prompt flashed—trust it and press swiftly.

Step 5: Clean Escape

With your headline rewritten, it’s time to vanish.

• Backtrack your rooftop route precisely; avoid front doors or you’ll face reinforcements.
• Keep Invisibility or stealth active until you reach the street—guards will swarm otherwise.
• If spotted, reload your last autosave—it’s often faster than a drawn-out fight.

Optional: Drop caltrops behind you or cast Sleep on a guard to buy extra seconds as you flee.

Step 6: Witness Your Reputation Soar

Return to camp for a Long Rest. At dawn, revisit Baldur’s Gate and find La Voix de Baldur plastered with your new headline. Shopkeepers offer better prices, street urchins tip you off on rumors, and rival factions regard you with newfound respect. It’s incredible how one line of text can alter an entire city’s attitude.

Common Pitfalls

• Skipping Dolly: Missing her rescue means slogging through tougher persuasion checks.
• Crowded Infiltration: Bringing NPCs without stealth skills invites discovery. Infiltrate solo or split your party outside.
• Neglecting Buffs: Forgetting Friends or Guidance can turn a narrow check into failure.
• Camera Blindspots: Rotate your view fully. A tilted camera cost me five minutes finding the dumbwaiter hatch.

Advanced Tips by Build

• Charisma Casters: Bards, Warlocks, and Sorcerers can stack Friends and Suggestion on Ettvard for near-guaranteed compliance.
• Rogues & Rangers: Invest in Sleight of Hand and Pass Without Trace. Honour Mode runs become trivial when you never break stealth.
• Creative Mages: Polymorph into a spider to scale walls or cast Mirror Image in the press room for dialogue leeway.

Conclusion: Shape Your Legend

The Empêcher l’impression quest is one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most rewarding challenges, blending stealth, spells, and social finesse. Whether you’re leaping from rooftops as a shadowy rogue or swaying minds with a silver tongue, these tactics will help you seize control of the narrative. Experiment with different spells, tweak your party setup, and let your legend dominate the pages of La Voix de Baldur. Good luck, and may your headlines always favor you!