Baldur's Gate 3: 20 Essential Things to Do Before Heading to Act 3

Explore Key Quests, Unlock Hidden Secrets, and Strengthen Your Party Before Entering Baldur's Gate 3's Final Act

As Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 continues to ramp up the drama and stakes, the game’s progression from the open wilds of the Sword Coast to the ominous Shadow-Cursed Lands introduces a deeper, darker narrative. There are plenty of intriguing encounters to explore, and while many are optional, they offer rewarding content that can greatly enhance your experience before you move on to Act 3.

Updated January 31, 2025 by Kristy Ambrose: Act 2 is filled with critical side quests, fascinating exploration, and opportunities to strengthen your party, but it's easy to miss important encounters like the Moonrise Towers and the Monastery. Navigating the challenging, cursed lands requires thorough exploration for those hoping to experience everything before heading to Baldur’s Gate.

1. Start a Romance Early To unlock special cutscenes and dialogue, ensure you begin building a relationship with your companions early on. Some romances can begin later, but starting in Act 2 offers more rewarding moments.

2. Reach Level 8 Level 8 is the minimum recommended level for Act 3, and players are warned if they attempt to progress too early. Act 3's opening encounter is difficult and requires a party that’s ready for combat.

3. Astarion and Raphael’s Conversation Astarion can have a pivotal conversation with the devil Raphael in Act 2. Players can learn important details about Astarion’s backstory, setting up key character developments.

4. Rescue the Gnomes Rescue imprisoned gnomes in Moonrise Towers to progress the “Rescue Wulbren” quest. Completing this mission offers valuable rewards and story developments, important for Act 3.

5. Explore the Mason’s Guild Investigating the Mason’s Guild in Reithwin Town unlocks secret areas and quests, including important lore and items like the Helmet of Arcane Acuity and Infernal Iron.

6. Find the Sharran Sanctuary Solve the puzzle in Reithwin Town to find Shar’s Ritual Dagger and gain access to several powerful items, but beware of the consequences for taking the dagger.

7. Seek The Blood of Lathander If you’re playing as a cleric, retrieving the Blood of Lathander relic is crucial. The powerful weapon is hidden in the ruined Rosymorn Monastery, and finding it is a challenge worth the effort.

8. Solve the Brain Node Puzzle Located in the Mindflayer Colony beneath Moonrise Towers, this puzzle rewards players with the Githzerai Mind Barrier condition, enhancing your party’s saving throws.

9. Find Balthazar’s Experiment In Moonrise Towers, Balthazar’s necromantic experiments can result in either creating a powerful weapon or gaining Mystra’s blessing. Gale’s involvement is key here.

10. Speak to Araj Oblodra An unusual Drow NPC, Araj Oblodra, offers dark quests and insights into forbidden magic. How you interact with her can affect your character’s relationships and story.

11. Explore the Githyanki Creche Discovering the Githyanki creche beneath the Rosymorn Monastery unlocks significant character development for Lae’zel and several side quests related to the Githyanki lore.

12. Find the Last Light Inn As a safe haven in the cursed lands, the Last Light Inn is central to quests like “Wake Up Art Cullagh” and offers various NPCs and resources vital for Act 3.

13. Mend Karlach’s Heart Assist Dammon, the infernal mechanic, in mending Karlach’s heart at the Last Light Inn. Completing this companion quest helps deepen Karlach’s character arc.

14. Help Arabella Find Her Parents Arabella, a companion from Act 1, has a heartwarming quest in Act 2. Helping her reunite with her parents rewards you with a powerful ally and a new spell.

15. Assist He Who Was This hidden encounter in the Shadow-Cursed Lands is tied to the quest “Punish the Wicked.” Interacting with He Who Was can lead to significant character consequences and a fascinating questline.

16. Defeat the Thorms The Thorm family presents several challenging bosses, each with distinct backstories and horrific designs. Confronting them rewards you with deep lore and a sense of satisfaction.

17. Infiltrate Moonrise Towers Before launching an all-out assault on Moonrise Towers, players can sneak in, uncover secrets, and even gain allies among Ketheric’s minions.

18. Recruit Jaheira or Minthara In Act 2, players have the opportunity to recruit two powerful companions: Jaheira, the Harper leader, and Minthara, if they spare her life. Both have important roles to play in Act 3.

19. Rescue Moonrise’s Prisoners Before tackling the mindflayer colony, rescue prisoners like Zevlor and others to complete quests and gain valuable allies for future battles.

20. End the Shadow Curse Ending the Shadow Curse is the dramatic conclusion to Act 2, which allows players to recruit Halsin and prevent the curse from continuing to spread. This event sets the stage for a much-needed respite before heading into Act 3.

By engaging with these side quests and exploration opportunities, players can ensure they’re fully prepared for the trials awaiting them in Act 3.