It’s no exaggeration to state that Baldur’s Gate 3 offers an expansive open-world experience in the form of a CRPG, brimming with intricate narratives. Your adventure kicks off abruptly as you escape from the Nautiloid ship, plummeting into the rich lore of the Forgotten Realms. As you traverse this enthralling landscape, you not only unravel hidden secrets but also engage in numerous quests. Given the interconnectedness of various quests, a strategic approach to quest selection will significantly enrich your gameplay experience.
The following outlines the optimal quest sequence for Act 1, meticulously considering vital areas and NPC interactions to ensure you maximize your journey towards Baldur’s Gate.
While Baldur’s Gate 3 provides remarkable freedom for players to carve their paths, the sheer magnitude of exploration might feel daunting. To ease this experience, segmenting the Forgotten Realms into manageable areas can provide clearer direction as you set off on your adventure.
Recruit Your Companions & Withers
Your path ahead is fraught with challenges, yet assembling a party of capable companions can enhance your chances of survival. Initiate your journey with the primary quest to seek a remedy for your affliction, which unfolds into various side quests as the act progresses. Before venturing further, prioritize recruiting these essential companions:
- Shadowheart: Easily located, she can be found unconscious a little north of your starting point.
- Astarion: Head south from the crash site of the Nautiloid ship to find Astarion.
- Gale: Approach the waypoint north of the Nautiloid to encounter Gale.
- Lae’zel: Rescue Lae’zel from her Tiefling captors to add her to your team.
- Withers: Discover Withers, an undead NPC drowsing in the crypt north of the Nautiloid wreck.
Associated Quests:
- Free Lae’zel
- Find the cure (spanning across several locations and acts)
- Explore the Ruins
Explore The Druid Grove
Once your party is assembled, head north to the Druid Grove. Upon your arrival, you’ll encounter a skirmish between the grove’s defenders and pursuing goblins.
Defeating these goblins will grant you access to the grove. Take your time to interact with various NPCs within, as many opportunities for side quests and main story advancements await. Here’s a recommended order for crucial quests to undertake while in the grove:
- Investigate the Beach
- Save Arabella
- Find the Nightsong (to be continued in other locations and acts)
- Defeat the Goblins (progresses further in Act 1)
- Save the First Druid (linked to the Goblin’s Camp in Act 1)
Consider recruiting Wyll during your time in the grove for a well-rounded party.
Travel The Risen Road
The intel gained at the grove will guide you to the Goblin’s Camp, situated west of the Wilderness. The Risen Road connects the Druid’s Grove and the Goblin’s Camp, presenting the following quests to undertake during your travels:
- Find the Missing Shipment (to be continued in Act 3)
- Our Fiery Friend
- Hunt the Devil
Be cautious with Karlach, as she can be recruited during “Hunt the Devil, ”but that quest could also lead to her demise.
Venture Into The Blighted Village
Located south of the Risen Road is the Blighted Village, a goblin-infested area that grants direct passage to the Goblin’s Camp. Engaging with various goblin NPCs can yield valuable side quests. Be sure to prioritize the following quests while navigating the Blighted Village:
- Rescue the Gnome
- Search the Cellar (to continue in Act 2)
- Finish the Masterwork Weapon (to continue in Act 2)
Infiltrate The Goblin’s Camp
East of the Blighted Village lies the sizable Goblin’s Camp. It’s essential to explore this area thoroughly for valuable loot and secrets. One significant subquest involves speaking with Priestess Gut, a True Soul, as part of your search for the cure.
The Goblin’s Camp also serves as an entrance to the underground area known as the Underdark, which is worth locating for future exploration. Here are the quests to focus on while in the camp:
- Rescue Fly
- Save the Goblin Sazza (if you freed her in the Druid Grove)
- Save the Refugees (linked to the quest to rescue Halsin)
- Find the Nightsong (progress by locating the Underdark entrance)
Explore The Uninviting Putrid Bog
South of the Blighted Village lies a treacherous Putrid Bog, populated by hostile creatures and an enigmatic NPC who may hold clues towards finding a cure for your affliction. Additionally, this location reveals Kagha’s scheme to betray the grove to the Shadow Druids. Although the bog is expansive, it offers a limited number of quests—one new quest and two that can be continued. Here’s the order to follow:
- Save the Refugees
- Save Mayrina
Witness Waukeen’s Rest In Shambles
After your explorations in the Putrid Bog, Goblin’s Camp, and Emerald Grove, continue east along the Risen Road to arrive at Waukeen’s Rest, now in ruins. Here, you will confront the Flaming Fist and discover quests:
- Rescue the Trapped Man
- Rescue the Grand Duke (to progress in Act 3)
Descend Into The Underdark
The Underdark is a dark and sprawling area within the wilderness, accessible through various routes, one being Selune’s temple in the Goblin’s Camp. This perilous cavern is inhabited by distinct NPCs, threats, and quests. The following list highlights key quests to undertake here, along with their recommended progression path:
- Defeat the Duergar Intruders
- Cure the Poisoned Gnome
- Avenge Glut’s Circle
- Find the Mushroom Picker
- Find the Missing Boots
- The Adamantine Forge (continues in other locations and acts)
- Save the Grymforge Gnomes
- Free True Soul Nere
Accompany Lae’zel To The Githyanki Creche
By traveling northwest along the Risen Road, you’ll traverse the Mountain Pass, pass the Rosymorn Monastery, and ultimately reach the Githyanki Crèche. This location is pivotal for advancing Lae’zel’s storyline and provides critical context regarding the artifact associated with Shadowheart. Below are notable quests available in the Crèche and their order:
- Find the Githyanki Creche
- Find the Blood of Lathander
- The Githyanki Warrior (to progress in other acts)
- Discover the History of Prince Orpheus (to continue in other acts)
- Steal a Githyanki Egg (continues elsewhere)
- Discover the Artefact’s Secret (continues in other acts)
Onwards To Moonrise Towers
As you wrap up the first act of Baldur’s Gate 3, your team will stabilize the situation in the Druid’s Grove, rescue Halsin, and gather vital information about Moonrise Towers, marking the next chapter of your journey. You can reach Moonrise Towers by two routes, each leading to different quests:
- Travel through the Mountain Pass
- Travel through the Underdark
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