The journey through Baldur’s Gate 3 intensifies as players transition to Act 2, stepping into the perilous Shadow-Cursed Lands. This act is darker and more foreboding than its predecessor, filled with new revelations and threats that complicate the quest for a cure to the sinister parasite lodged in the protagonists’ minds.
Despite the menacing atmosphere, Act 2 is brimming with captivating quests that propel not only the main storyline but also the narratives of individual companions. It is essential to strategize your quest choices carefully, as advancing certain missions out of order can lead to unfavorable outcomes, including potential blocking of content and hostile regions. Below, find a curated guide to the optimal quest sequence in Baldur’s Gate 3 during Act 2.
Warning: Spoilers ahead. Proceed with caution.
Entering The Shadow-Cursed Lands
The Shadow-Cursed Lands present a daunting landscape dominated by the Shadow Curse, enveloping most of the area in Act 2, save for a few indoor or subterranean locations. Fortunately, the Last Light Inn serves as a strategic refuge, conveniently located near exits to the Mountain Pass and Underdark.
Upon your entry, an essential NPC known as the Weary Traveler awaits, whose dialogue is pivotal for advancing Gale’s questline. If Shadowheart accompanies your group, she’s capable of providing unique insights, revealing her immunity to the ominous curse.
Your first task in the Shadow-Cursed Lands should involve heading west to assist a faction of Harpers in their skirmish against shadow creatures before proceeding southwest to locate the Last Light Inn.
For optimal quest acquisition in this cursed territory, consider the following order:
- Follow the Convoy (start with the Mountain Pass route)
- Seek Protection from the Curse (if using the Underdark)
- Lift the Shadow Curse (start by speaking with Halsin at camp)
Take In The Last Light Inn
Your stay at the Last Light Inn offers a crucial respite amid the dangers of the Shadow-Cursed Lands, filled with vital NPCs and merchants. After meeting Jaheira, use your time wisely to explore and converse with the various inhabitants.
Key NPCs to engage with include:
- Mol: Trigger Mol’s storyline.
- Raphael: Best accompanied by Astarion for unique dialogue.
- Dammon: Supply him with Infernal Iron to assist Karlach.
- The Strange Ox: A choice to kill it yields useful loot.
- Mattis: Persuasion can unlock additional inventory options.
- Isobel: Interact with her only after engaging with all other NPCs to prevent an immediate battle.
While at the Last Light Inn, you can initiate and carry out the following quests:
- The Hellion’s Heart (advancing Karlach’s companion quest)
- The Pale Elf (progressing Astarion’s companion quest)
- Wake up Art Cullagh
- Find Zevlor
- Locate Rolan in the Shadows
- Rescue the Tieflings
- Seek out Mol
Explore The Shadowed Battlefield
Once you’ve ensured Isobel’s safety or dealt with her capture, exit the inn through the main entrance where you’ll find a group of Harpers planning an assault on a goblin convoy. Join them to acquire a Moonlantern, a crucial item that shields you from the Shadow Curse. As you traverse the battlefield, valuable treasures and gear await discovery. The following quests can be initiated here:
- Investigate the Selunite Resistance
- Punish the Wicked
On To Moonrise Towers
Located west of the Shadowed Battlefield are the Moonrise Towers. It’s advisable to explore the adjacent Tollhouse and the Waning Moon tavern to interact with two unique NPCs. Following this, head north from the Moonrise Towers waypoint to uncover the Sharran Sanctuary. Upon defeating its guardians, you can solve a plaque puzzle for entry.
Explore Moonrise Towers Under The True Soul Cover
Travel south to locate the Moonrise Towers waypoint and enter the structure. It is prudent to save your game prior to engaging with the guards, as open conflict would not be advisable at this stage.
While in the Moonrise Towers, consider speaking to:
- Lann Tarv (Merchant): Acquire three Soul Coins.
- Roah Moonglow (Merchant)
- Araj Oblodara: Bring Astarion for a potential power potion.
- Sazza: Interaction is possible if she survived Act 1.
- Disciple Z’rell: Remember to create a quick save prior to this interaction.
The quests you can advance in Moonrise Towers include:
- Decide Minthara’s Fate (if she survived Act 1)
- Discover the History of Prince Orpheus
- Rescue the Tieflings
Explore The Reithwin Town
From the Moonrise Towers waypoint, proceed northward to reach Reithwin Town, leading to both the Mason’s Guild and the House of Healing. During your journey, keep an eye out for Arabella, who will seek your assistance in locating her parents.
While at the House of Healing, consider engaging with these NPCs:
- Sister Lidwin
- Sister Sinda
- Arabella: Speak with her after uncovering her parent’s fate
- Malus Thorm
In Reithwin Town, you can progress the following quests:
- The Hellion’s Heart
- Find Arabella’s Parents
- Wake up Art Cullagh
Progress Astarion’s Quest At The Grand Mausoleum
To the east of the House of Healing, you may encounter Raphael, who will offer to translate Astarion’s inscription, contingent upon completing a task for him at the Grand Mausoleum.
Lifting The Shadow Curse
Return to the Last Light Inn, where you can wake up Art Cullagh by using the Battered Lute acquired after defeating Malus Thorm at the House of Healing. Engage with Halsin, assisting him in defending a critical portal. Following the battle, you can recruit Halsin back at the camp. To fully lift the Shadow Curse, your next task is to return to Oliver and rescue Thaniel.
During your time at the Last Light Inn, prioritize talks with:
- Art Cullagh
- I’m a nerd.
You can also progress the following main quest here:
- Lift the Shadow Curse
Explore The Grand Mausoleum
The Grand Mausoleum leads you into the Gauntlet of Shar, where you can advance Shadowheart’s companion quest while fulfilling Raphael’s request. Interact with these significant NPCs during your visit:
- Balthazar
- Yurgir
- Lythindor
As you navigate the Grand Mausoleum, follow this order for quest progression:
- Find Ketheric Thorm’s Relic
- Eliminate Raphael’s Old Enemy
- Discover the Nightsong
- Infiltrate Moonrise Towers
- The Pale Elf
Deciding Nightsong’s Fate At The Shadowfell
In the Shadowfell, you will encounter the defenseless Nightsong, where you face a crucial decision: to eliminate or to spare her. You can continue advancing these quests while in the Shadowfell:
- Find the Nightsong
- Daughter of Darkness (Shadowheart’s companion quest)
- Infiltrate Moonrise Towers
Assault On The Moonrise Towers
Following your decision about Nightsong, your party can storm Moonrise Towers and confront Disciple Z’rell’s forces before facing Ketheric Thorm. It is advisable to perform quick saves after combat instances to allow for tactical retries if things go awry.
You have the opportunity to include Jaheira in your party; however, it is recommended to recruit her only after your initial confrontation with Ketheric Thorm.
As you engage in the assault on Moonrise Towers, the following quests will automatically progress:
- Infiltrate Moonrise Towers
- Defeat Ketheric Thorm
Confront Ketheric Thorm
As Ketheric Thorm realizes his impending defeat, he will retreat to ambush your party in the Mindflayer Colony. After neutralizing his remaining forces atop the tower, engage with Jaheira to convince her to join your ranks before proceeding to confront Ketheric.
You can deliver a final blow to Ketheric within the mindflayer colony, thus concluding Act 2 of the game. Here is the suggested order for quest progression as you enter the Mindflayer Colony:
- Find Mol
- Find Zevlor
- The Blade of Frontiers (Wyll’s companion quest)
- Defeat Ketheric Thorm
- The Wizard of Waterdeep (if you opt for an early conclusion, possibly sacrificing Gale and your entire group)
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