Walkthrough - Baldur's Gate III Guide - IGN (2024)

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Looking for a complete Baldur's Gate 3 story Walkthrough? IGN's BG3 guide covers every main quest in the game- looking at everything from puzzle solutions and boss strategies, to critical lore points and even hidden pieces of loot.

There are three Acts in Baldur's Gate 3, and a number of different endings that you can get based on your character and choices throughout the game. The lore tends to skew towards a more lawful good angle, but if you want to play an evil character it's absolutely possible- just pick the options that seem to contradict the story.

Looking for a particular section of the walkthrough hub? Click the links below to jump to a specific section.

  • Things to Do Before Starting the BG3 Walkthrough
  • Complete Baldur’s Gate 3 Walkthrough
  • All BG3 Side Quests

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Things to Consider Before Starting the BG3 Walkthrough

If it's your first time playing the game, make sure to check out our guides on How to Build a Character and our advice for selecting Classes and Subclasses, and Races and Subraces.

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Baldur's Gate 3 is a rich and complex game, so even the character creation screen requires a bit of decoding if you're unfamiliar with the Dungeons and Dragons universe.

With so much to do, you may also be interested in some of our other handy guides:

  • Beginner's Guide - Essential Tips and Tricks
  • Things to Do First in Baldur's Gate 3
  • Things Baldur's Gate 3 Doesn't Tell You
  • Sex and Romance Guides

Complete Baldur’s Gate 3 Walkthrough

Looking for a specific section? Check out the links below to navigate, or start with the Prologue if you're beginning a fresh playthrough.

  • Prologue
  • Act One
  • Act Two
  • Act Three
  • All Endings

Prologue

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There's only one section in the Prologue and it's called Escape the Nautiloid. It's a great introduction to the game, looking at key combat mechanics and introducing important characters. There's also an additional page for a potential party member encounter.

  • Prologue: Escape the Nautiloid
  • How to Rescue Shadowheart

Act One

With the Prologue complete, it's time to start working your way through the first Act.

These quests focus on removing the little parasite passenger from your head and recruiting other adventurers to join your party, along with learning more about the world and the various enemies that you're going to end up battling.

From here onwards, the difficulty will steadily increase, but there will still be plenty of time to learn about the various new mechanics and features that you'll encounter.

  • Finding a Cure
  • Get Help from Healer Nettie
  • Find the Githyanki Creche
  • Rescuing the Druid Halsin
  • Reach Moonrise Towers
  • The Scholar
  • Get Help From Auntie Ethel
  • Tell Omeluum About the Parasite
  • Travel to Moonrise Towers (Underdark Route)
  • Travel to Moonrise Towers (Mountain Pass Route)

As you can see from the last two points, there are multiple ways to get from A to B in Baldur's Gate 3. We'd recommend doing multiple playthroughs with different character types.

Act Two

Now that you're done with Act One, it's time to tangle with Act Two. There are, again, multiple paths to complete this Act, but they do intertwine at points. We're made a note of where this happens so you can experience as much of the story as possible.

With the Infiltrate Moonrise Towers quest, make sure to start with the option that matches the route you took to get to Moonrise Towers.

  • Infiltrate Moonrise Towers (Underdark Route)
  • Infiltrate Moonrise Towers (Mountain Pass Route)
  • Defeat Ketheric Thorm

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Remember, the choices you make throughout the game will affect which ending you get. If there's a companion you like the look of, spend some time working on their companion quests.

Act Three

With that, it's time to get started on the final Act of Baldur's Gate 3. Act 3 is challenging but incredibly fun, and there are some boss battles that are sure to put you through your paces.

  • Get Gortash's Netherstone
  • Get Orin's Netherstone
  • Confront the Elder Brain
  • All Endings

Don't click on the last link until you're ready to see how the story ends- the All Endings page is completely full of spoilers for the main storyline and for some side quests, too.

All BG3 Side Quests

Speaking of side quests, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the vast amount of extra content that Baldur's Gate 3 has on offer. We've also got you covered with a comprehensive Walkthrough for every Side Quest and Activity.

We're separated them into the following categories:

  • Companion Side Quests
  • Side Quests By Location

Companion Quests

Companion Quests will present themselves as ongoing or passive quests to represent your connection with the chosen companion. These quests will automatically appear in your Journal when you meet a character and invite them to your party.

You'll be able to learn a lot more about each character that you encounter, and you'll get the chance to strengthen your bond with them as well.

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All Companion Quests in BG3
Daughter of Darkness - Shadowheart QuestsThe Pale Elf - Astarion QuestsThe Githyanki Warrior - Lae'zel QuestsThe Blade of Frontiers - Wyll Quests
The Wizard of Waterdeep - Gale QuestsOur Fiery Friend - Karlach QuestsThe High Harper - Jaheira Quests

To learn more about Companions, be sure to check out our full guide on Companions and Party Members in BG3.

Daughter of Darkness - Shadowheart Quests

  • Daughter of Darkness

The Pale Elf - Astarion Quests

  • The Pale Elf

The Wizard of Waterdeep - Gale Quests

  • The Wizard of Waterdeep

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The Githyanki Warrior - Lae'zel Quests

  • The Githyanki Warrior

The Blade of Frontiers - Wyll Quests

  • The Blade of Frontiers

Our Fiery Friend - Karlach Quests

  • Our Fiery Friend

The High Harper - Jaheira Quests

  • The High Harper

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Side Quests by Location

Side Quests are tied to a specific location and are very important for getting to the bottom of the lore in each zone. Sometimes, they can help you reach otherwise impossible resolutions to key conflicts and battles in the story.

Side Quests can reward you with gear and weapons, abilities, or even crucial information that can assist with the overarching Main Quest.

All Side Quests By Locations in BG3
Nautiloid Crash Region QuestsDruids’ Grove QuestsUnderdark Quests
Githyanki Crèche QuestsShadow-Cursed LandsBaldur's Gate Quests

Nautiloid Crash Region Quests

  • Free Lae’zel
  • Explore the Ruins
  • Find the Nightsong
  • Save Mayrina
  • Rescue the Gnome
  • Search the Cellar
    • Unlock the Ancient Tome
  • Finish the Masterwork Weapon
  • Hunt the Devil
  • Find the Missing Shipment
  • Rescue the Trapped Man
  • Rescue the Grand Duke

Druids’ Grove Quests

  • Save the Refugees
    • Investigate Kagha
    • Defeat the Goblins
    • Raid the Emerald Grove
  • Save Arabella
  • Save the Goblin Sazza
  • Investigate the Beach
  • Steal the Sacred Idol
  • Rescue Volo

Underdark Quests

  • Find the Mushroom Picker
  • The Adamantine Forge
  • Defeat the Duergar Intruders
  • Cure the Poisoned Gnome
  • Find the Missing Boots
  • Free True Soul Nere
  • Deliver Nere's Head
  • Save the Grymforge Gnomes
  • Avenge Glut's Circle

Githyanki Crèche

  • Steal a Githyanki Egg
  • Find the Blood of Lathander

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Shadow-Cursed Lands

  • Rescue Wulbren
  • Investigate the Selûnite Resistance
  • Rescue the Tieflings
  • Find Zevlor
  • Find Mol
  • Wake Up Art Cullagh
  • Punish the Wicked
  • Find Arabella's Parents
  • Lift the Shadow Curse
  • Kill Raphael's Old Enemy

Baldur's Gate Quests

  • Free the Artist
  • Help the Cursed Monk
  • Help the Devilish Ox
  • Investigate the Suspicious Toys
  • Find Dribbles the Clown
  • Feed the Mind Flayer
  • Investigate Cazador's Palace
  • Avenge the Ironhands
  • Solve the Open Hand Temple Murders
  • Deal with the Gnomes
  • Find a way into Wyrm's Rock fortress
  • Find the 'Stern Librarian' Ffion
  • Free Counsellor Florrick
  • Find the Missing Letters
  • Save Vanra
  • Visit the Emperor's Old Hideout
  • Stop the Presses
  • Help the Hag Survivors
  • Avenge the Hag Survivors
  • Roveer's Storehouse
  • Find Mystic Carrion's Servant
  • Return Rakath's Gold
  • Avenge the Drowned
  • Save the Gondians
  • Retrieve Omeluum

Looking for more Baldur's Gate 3 Guides? Why not check out...

  • Sex and Romance Guides
  • BG3 Build Guides
  • All Unique Rare Weapons & All Unique Rare Armor
  • Classes and Subclasses & Races and Subraces

Up Next: Prologue: Escape the Nautiloid

PreviousBeginner's Guide - Essential Tips and TricksNextPrologue: Escape the Nautiloid

Top Guide Sections

  • Beginner's Guide - Essential Tips and Tricks
  • Walkthrough
  • Things to Do First
  • Things Baldur's Gate 3 Doesn't Tell You

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Walkthrough - Baldur's Gate III Guide - IGN (6)

Baldur's Gate III

Larian Studios

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Related Guides

OverviewBeginner's Guide - Essential Tips and TricksWalkthroughThings to Do First

Walkthrough - Baldur's Gate III Guide - IGN (2024)

FAQs

Can you pass the 99 check in BG3? ›

You still fail as it's not meant to be passable. Which contradicts the rule of nat 20, but it is what it is. There is no way to roll a 99. Really only need to roll a Nat 20 to succeed it.

How many hours does it take to beat Baldur's Gate 3? ›

When focusing on the main objectives, Baldur's Gate 3 is about 66½ Hours in length. If you're a gamer that strives to see all aspects of the game, you are likely to spend around 159 Hours to obtain 100% completion.

What is the best class in Baldur's Gate 3 early access? ›

The best classes in BG3 are Bard, Rogue, Wizard, Cleric, and Paladin, as they are the best at fulfilling their role. All five of these classes are able to accomplish their specialty better than any other, even if just by a small margin.

What happens if Nere dies in BG3? ›

If you accepted Brithvar's offer earlier, you can choose to kill Nere. This will end the quest, but your reward is whatever you can loot from Nere, Thrinn and the other duergar. Nere's body will have an illithid parasite, so this is a good opportunity to strengthen your abilities.

Does a natural 20 always succeed in BG3? ›

Outside of house rules, a Natural 20 does nothing outside of combat. It is not a guaranteed success. Beyond that - the DC could be higher than what is even possible for them to roll without a 20 and other boosts, like guidance.

What happens if you fail to dominate the brain in BG3? ›

The failed domination attempt forces the party to retreat to the Astral Prism, where it's revealed by the Emperor or Orpheus that an enhanced mind flayer intellect will be necessary to fight against the Absolute.

How many endings does BG3 have? ›

BG3 similarly has many combinations of endings. That said, there are even early endings, like getting Wished out of existence by a god, blowing . As revealed by Larian Studios' Associate Writing Lead Chrystal Ding, Baldur's Gate 3 has a total of 17,000 different endings.

What's the highest level in BG3? ›

The level cap in Baldur's Gate 3 is 12, having previously been 5 prior to the full release of the game. It's highly unlikely that we'll see further updates or expansions in the future that raise the cap beyond level 12, due to the complexity it adds when accounting for high-level spells and powers.

Which act is longest in BG3? ›

Having completed the game myself Act 2 is by far the shortest. Act 1 is the longest followed by Act 3. But then that could change depending on what you choose to do in each. However, I did not find much to do in Act 2 even after attempting to find things to do.

What is the most op class in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

The Paladin is the strongest class and subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 due to its damage output, survivability, and versatility. The Paladins can access various weapons and armour types, allowing for diverse playstyles. Combining Extra Attack with Divine Smite results in exceptional raw damage potential.

What is the best solo class in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

Classes. The best overall classes for solo play are the Ranger, Barbarian, and Wizard. The Ranger has high initiative and can be multiclass with the Rogue for extra utility. Barbarians have high health and damage reduction, and with the Half-Orc race, a free revive per long rest.

What is the best fighter subclass in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

The best Baldur's Gate 3 Fighter subclass is Battle Master, which grants you access to seven Manoeuvres - three at Level 3, two at Level 7, and two at Level 10. These are unique combat abilities that you can activate using an action.

Who can you sleep with in BG3? ›

Companions you can romance as in have a relationship with:
  • Shadowheart.
  • Astarion.
  • Wyll.
  • Lae'zel.
  • Gale.
  • Karlach.
  • Halsin (only starts in Act 3)
  • Minthara (least content and you might want to be evil for this one)
Jan 12, 2024

Should I destroy the brain Baldur's Gate 3? ›

Since the talking brain can be used to aid you, you should help the talking brain unless you don't want to for roleplay purposes. Either way, you can continue the story by receiving the quest from someone else if you don't help the brain and receive the quest there.

Can you save Arabella in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

Save Arabella is a side quest in Baldur's Gate 3 where you're tasked with rescuing a child from Kagha, the leader of the druids in Druids' Grove. She attempted to steal a sacred relic, and is being held captive, so you can offer to save her.

What happens if you pass all netherbrain checks? ›

Even if you're successful in all four skill checks when you first face the Netherbrain, including the final difficulty rating 99 one, if you roll a critical success, the brain will always break free and you'll get pulled into the Astral Prism by the Emperor.

Can you actually control the Netherbrain? ›

If you were the one who wielded the Netherstones, you can choose the option to take control of the Netherbrain yourself.

Does the Emperor betray you in BG3? ›

He will make threatening remarks that emphasize the control he seeks to have over his chosen adventurer, and he will even completely betray the party and join the Netherbrain if the player seeks to free Prince Orpheus.

Can you become illithid in BG3? ›

You'll actually be presented with the decision to evolve into a half-illithid, and later, if you play your cards right (or wrong) a full-illithid. Both decisions are unequal, with one having no impact on your playthrough, and the other resulting in an alternative ending.

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