Baldurs Gate 3: All Acts [Explained]

The narrative of the Baldurs Gate 3 revolves around a band of explorers who fall victim to a parasitic tadpole’s infection, bestowing upon them peculiar abilities while posing the risk of transforming them into mind flayers – malevolent psionic beings. The adventurers embark on a quest to secure their recovery and thwart an evil scheme capable of obliterating the world. The three acts in Baldurs Gate 3 revolve around this plot.

Baldurs Gate 3 is divided into three acts, each with its main quests, side quests, locations, characters, and challenges.

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Key Takeaways

• There are 3 acts in Baldurs Gate 3.
• In Act 1, you will escape a crashed ship near Baldur’s Gate, face tadpole infection, investigate Ketheric Thorm, encounter factions, and reach the Underdark.
• Act 2 is about collecting Netherstones, exploring districts, confronting enemies and allies, and dealing with complex dynamics.
• Act 3 is the showdown, assembling allies and intense battle deciding Faerûn’s fate.

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Act	Description	Main Events and Highlights	Playtime
Act 1	Escape mind flayer ship, investigate Ketheric Thorm, encounter factions, enter Underdark.	Ship escape, Ketheric Thorm, factions, Underdark entry.	Almost 25 hours
Act 2	Seek Netherstones, explore Baldur’s Gate districts, confront factions, build alliances.	Netherstone quest, city districts, factions, alliances.	45-50 Hours
Act 3	Assemble allies, prepare for ultimate battle, face nemesis, conclude the story's climax.	Ally gathering, battle prep, nemesis showdown, climax.	20 Hours approximately

Act 1: The Underdark

Commencing the opening act, the players successfully flee a crashed mind flayer vessel near Baldurs Gate. Their immediate objectives encompass grappling with the effects of their tadpole infections and delving into the enigma surrounding the Ketheric Thorm – a contraption endowed with the power to manipulate mind flayers.

Throughout their journey, they forge alliances and navigate diverse factions, including the druids inhabiting the Emerald Grove, the formidable Githyanki warriors displaced Tiefling communities, and the covert Harpers organization. Culminating the initial act, the adventurers ultimately descend into the expansive labyrinth of the Underdark, situated beneath the world’s surface.

Must-Have Items for Act 1

In the initial act of Baldur’s Gate 3, an array of items holds potential value, although a subset stands out for its significance and utility. Consider securing the following essential items before moving on from Act 1:

Goodberries

Healing conjured items lasting until a long rest. Rangers and Druids cast Conjure Goodberry for health restoration, eliminating potion/spell needs. Cast them on yourself/another to materialize in inventory.

Wyvern Toxin

Potent poison coating boosts weapon damage. Get from Mattie for mercy during mind flayer transformation or chest near Druid Grove.

Soul Coins

Currency for Avernus in Nine Hells. Store souls, empower machinery, and facilitate trades. Found in Druid Grove, Dank Crypt, Risen Road.

Thieves’ Tools

Essential for lock picking and trap disarming. Procure from shops, chests, corpses, or craft using iron scraps and needles.

Smoke Powder Satchel

Snije Powder Satchel is throwable, causing explosive fire damage. Found near Blighted Village entrance or from Zevlor in Druid Grove. Versatile for diversions, destruction, and harming foes.

Netherese Scroll

It is a Rare scroll with a Wish spell, the pinnacle of D&D magic. Offers nearly unlimited wish fulfillment but may forfeit future casting—concealed vault under Abandoned Ruins, access with password from Arcane Tower’s book.

The above items are essential acquisitions for Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3. A list of other helpful or intriguing items exists, inviting exploration and experimentation with diverse combinations.

Act 2: The Sword Coast

The second act unfolds within the influential city of Baldur’s Gate in the Forgotten Realms. Here, your mission revolves around securing three Netherstones, ancient relics that hold the potential to counter the central threat of the game. As you undertake this quest, you navigate through various city districts, including the Lower City, Upper City, and the foreboding Black Pits.

Along your journey, you encounter new allies and adversaries, such as the Flaming Fist mercenaries, secretive Zhentarim smugglers, enigmatic Shadow Thieves assassins, and dedicated Bhaalspawn cultists. This narrative stage is the most expansive and intricate phase of the game’s progression. This is the longest of all the acts in Baldurs Gate 3.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, reaching Act 2 presents you with two distinct avenues: navigating the Mountain Pass or delving into the Underdark.

Mountain Pass

Found northwest of Act 1’s map after Risen Road. Deal with a Githyanki Patrol through diplomacy or combat.  Upon reaching the map’s perimeter, interaction with the Mountain Pass triggers a transition to the new terrain. The ensuing Rosymorn Monastery Trail greets you, complete with the presence of Ghouls and their overseers.

Underdark

Reachable from Act 1 locations like Hag’s lair, Goblin Camp, or Zhentarim Hideout. Explore areas like Underdark Beach, Grymforge, and Mindflayer Colony. As your exploration unfolds, an elevator grants passage to the following map. The resultant destination, the Shadow-Cursed Lands, harbors an enigmatic, malevolent curse to confront.

Secrets from Act 2

Baldur’s Gate 3’s Act 2 harbors concealed treasures and enigmas that enrich gameplay and unveil deeper aspects of the game world’s lore. Notable Act 2 secrets include:

• Blood of Lathander: Legendary mace in Rosymorn Monastery, Mountain Pass. Obtain by placing three ceremonial weapons (longsword, battleaxe, Warhammer) on altars, retrieving Dawnmaster’s Crest from the Githyanki Creche beneath the monastery, and employing it to unveil the hidden vault housing the mace.
• Legendary Items: Act 2 introduces unique legendary items with exceptional traits, such as Crimson Mischief (gold-stealing dagger), Bloodthirst (healing sword), Viconia’s Walking Fortress (Shield of Faith shield), Markoheshkir (earth elemental staff), The Red Knight’s Final Stratagem (Fireball-casting helmet), The Annals of Karsus (Wish-casting book), The Tharciate Codex (Power Word Kill-casting book), Mask of the Shapeshifter (appearance-altering mask).
• Shadow-Cursed Lands: A novel region accessible via the Underdark or the Mountain Pass. This dark, contorted wilderness is tainted by an enigmatic curse, introducing new enemies, allies, and quests like Shadow Druids, Shadowheart Cultists, and a Shadow Dragon. This area elucidates the curse’s origin, nature, and means of dispelling.

These are some of Act 2’s concealed enigmas in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Quest List Act 2

Here’s a more detailed rundown of the main quests and some of the side quests in Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3, according to our experience and some sources on the web:

Main Quests

1. Ritual: Triggered upon entering the Shadow-Cursed Lands, this quest propels you into investigating a potent Mind Flayer ritual. Unveil its purpose and implications for the land.
2. The Abduction: Embark on this quest upon encountering abducted Tieflings held captive by Mind Flayers. Your task is to rescue them and ascertain the reasons behind their capture.
3. The Dark Cleric: Commence this quest by encountering a group of cultists dedicated to a malevolent deity. Dive into the investigation to thwart their ominous plans before they come to fruition.
4. The Knights of Shield: Engage with this quest when you cross paths with knights determined to safeguard the Shadow-Cursed Lands from the encroaching Mind Flayers. Your assistance in their valiant struggle is paramount.
5. The Shadowheart’s Past: Triggered by uncovering more about Shadowheart’s enigmatic past, this quest involves helping her confront her history and decide about her future.

Side Quests

1. Rescue the Survivors: Upon stumbling upon survivors who fell victim to Mind Flayer attacks, your role is to guide them to safety, protecting them from further harm.
2. Find Zevlor: As you learn of Zevlor’s disappearance, a companion from Act 1, your mission involves tracking and reintegrating him into your party.
3. Wake Up Art Cullagh: Art Cullagh, a gnome petrified by Mind Flayers, prompts a quest to reverse his petrification, uncovering more about his story.
4. Find Mol: A note from Mol, a captured goblin, triggers a quest to locate him and thwart the clutches of the Mind Flayers.

These quests, both main and side, enrich your experience within Act 2 by adding depth to the narrative and offering opportunities for character progression.

Act 3: The Final Act

The climax arrives in the third act as the players face off against their archenemy. Rallying their most trusted companions, they ready themselves for a monumental confrontation that balances Faerûn’s destiny. While relatively briefer than its predecessors, this stage pulses with heightened intensity and gripping drama. This is the last of all the acts in Baldurs Gate 3.

How to get to Act 3?

To progress to Act 3 in Baldur’s Gate 3, follow these steps:

1. Complete Act 2: includes finishing the main quest, “The Absolute,” and some side quests.
2. Reach Level 10: Act 3’s adversaries are notably stronger, requiring you to attain Level 10 to ensure survival.
3. Gather Companions: Ensure all your companions accompany you as they are crucial for Act 3 completion.
4. Visit the Moonrise Towers: These towers within the Shadow-Cursed Lands are your gateway to Act 3.

Additional tips for transitioning to Act 3:

• Party Composition: A balanced, diverse party with varied skills is essential for success.
• Prepare for Challenge: Act 3’s enemies are formidable; readiness for a tough battle is crucial.
• Seek Help: Online communities can provide valuable advice and tips.

Quest List Act 3

• Confront the Elder Brain: This quest entails facing the Elder Brain, the mind flayers’ leader orchestrating Faerûn’s invasion. Your choice lies between controlling it, annihilating it, or forming an alliance.
• Retrieve Gortash’s Netherstone: This mission involves acquiring one of the three Netherstones, potent ancient relics to combat the primary threat. Confront the formidable red dragon Gortash in its lair to obtain this Netherstone.
• Obtain Orin’s Netherstone: Pursue another of the three Netherstones through this task. Investigate a string of Baldur’s Gate murders, uncover the culprit, and interact with enigmatic figure Orin, tied to a Netherstone.
• Assemble Allies: Rally your closest allies in preparation for the ultimate battle. Select who joins the final conflict and who remains behind. This quest introduces opportunities for companionship or betrayal.
• Journey to Moonrise Towers: Travel to Moonrise Towers for the climactic showdown, choosing between the Mountain Pass or the Underdark routes, each presenting distinct challenges and rewards.

These quests offer insights into what can be expected in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Baldurs Gate 3 weaves a captivating narrative with its three acts; the game offers a dynamic journey through evolving quests, legendary items, and intense showdowns, delivering an immersive experience for players to unravel. We hope you know all you need to know about the acts. Explore these additional guides to navigate your journey through Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Baldurs Gate 3 Best skills.
• Baldurs Gate 3 Best Druid Build.
• Baldurs Gate 3 Best Items.