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.

What's the Absolute Best Class in Baldur's Gate 3?

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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In This Guide

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

Baldur's Gate III

Larian Studios

ESRB: Mature
PlayStation 5Xbox Series X|SPCMacintoshStadia

Related Guides

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

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

FAQs

What should I do first in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

Things to Do First
  • Things to Do First in Baldur's Gate 3.
  • Rescue Shadowheart from the Nautiloid.
  • Defeat the Commander to Loot the Everburn Blade.
  • Loot Everything on the Beach.
  • Find a Shovel to Keep in Your Inventory.
  • Recruit All the Companions.
  • Find Withers' Sarcophagus.
Jul 29, 2023

What is the best way to play Baldur's Gate 3? ›

Tips I Wish I Knew First – Baldur's Gate 3 Beginner Guide
  1. Pick the Right Character, class, race, and subclass.
  2. Understand Leveling and the max level.
  3. Companions Augment Your Build. ...
  4. Understand the Action and Bonus Actions to utilize them to the maximum.
  5. Character movement and positioning is the key to success in combat.
Sep 5, 2023

Is Baldur's Gate 3 easy for beginners? ›

If you don't have experience with D&D or Baldur's Gate (and, hell, even if you do), BG3 can be intimidating as hell. There are so many races and classes and subclasses with domains and archetypes and spells to choose from that it can get overwhelming.

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

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.

How many hours does it take to beat baldurs gate 3? ›

When focusing on the main objectives, Baldur's Gate 3 is about 67 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 race to pick baldurs in gate 3? ›

Best playable races in Baldur's Gate 3

Forest Gnome: Gnomes' resilience to effectively half of all magic attacks is a very powerful bonus, but while the Deep Gnome is probably a little better purely mechanically, I like the Forest Gnome more, as speaking to animals as a default power can open up all kind of options.

Is there a wrong way to play Baldur's Gate 3? ›

There isn't really a wrong way to play this game, despite what some might say. However, there are some unique ways to enjoy the open and immersive world of Baldur's Gate 3 that might not be everyone's cup of tea.

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.

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

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.

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

Fighter is one of the most versatile classes in both DnD and Baldur's Gate 3. They are able to use all varieties of weapons and armor, making them the perfect Baldur's Gate 3 class for beginners. They are also tons of fun to play as, with several of their abilities such as Action Surge adding to the enjoyment.

What is the easiest character to play in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

The best classes for beginners are Fighter, Wizard, Rogue, Ranger, Druid, Barbarian, Cleric, and Bard.

Who is the most romanced character in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

But let's talk romance: while Baldur's Gate 3 has a number of intriguing romance paths, Shadowheart's is easily the most popular, with 51.3% players completing her romance arc (which you can find a walkthrough of here). It turns out she really is God's favorite princess and the most interesting girl in the world.

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

Paladin is the most popular class in Baldur's Gate 3, surpassing other classes like Sorcerer by a significant margin. The Half-Elf is the most popular race, followed by Human and Elf, with these three accounting for a large majority of character creations.

Should you multiclass in Baldur's Gate 3? ›

Choosing to multiclass in Baldur's Gate 3 is an extremely powerful tool that allows you to gain access to abilities from multiple classes at once. But, like in Dungeons and Dragons, multiclassing can also limit your character's ultimate potential.

Where to go first in BG3? ›

Emerald Grove is considered the main path to go for the start. Getting Withers is good but he's not needed to start. You can find companions all around that general area. After the grove you can head to the goblin camp as a ally or enemy depending on choices you can make.

What to do in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3? ›

All Things to Complete in Act 1 of Baldur's Gate 3
  • Ravaged Beach: Companion recruiting.
  • Dank Crypt: Unlock Withers.
  • Emerald Grove: Vendors and the main story.
  • Blighted Village: Apothecary entrance, side quest.
  • Whispering Depths: Spider boss, entrance to Underdark.
  • Goblin Camp: Main story, vendor, and gear.
Apr 4, 2024

Should I start over Baldur's Gate 3? ›

if you feel the urge to restart then yeah go ahead. it's a long game. you would still have a whole lot of the game to see after the goblin camp. You most likely want to kill the goblins eventually anyways, so that's probably fine.

What to do before going to lower city in BG3? ›

With dozens of quests and encounters, keeping track of everything can be tricky.
  1. 10 Check Out The Well.
  2. 9 Find A Sharran Lookout.
  3. 8 Return The Missing Letters.
  4. 7 Enter The Abandoned Windmill.
  5. 6 Speak To The Ironhand Gnomes.
  6. 5 Meet The Harpers.
  7. 4 Deal With The Squatters.
  8. 3 Visit Raphael.
Feb 17, 2024

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