Stepping into Baldur's Gate for Act 3 is like entering a whole new game! 😱 The city is massive, the stakes are sky-high, and honestly, I was totally overwhelmed at first. There are so many quests, secrets, and companions to juggle—it's easy to get lost or miss something crucial before the epic finale.

I've put together this guide based on my own chaotic (but successful!) playthrough to help you experience everything this incredible act has to offer. Let's make sure you're ready for that final, mind-blowing confrontation! 🧠✨

First Things First: The Camp Celebration

The act kicks off with a well-deserved party at your camp in Rivington. 🎉 This is your last calm before the storm, so don't rush! Talk to EVERYONE—your companions, any NPCs hanging around. These conversations can unlock new dialogue options and deepen relationships. Then, perform a Long Rest. This triggers a wild event where a portal to the Astral Plane appears! Here, you'll face a huge choice about the Emperor and Illithid evolution. It's a major story beat, so think carefully!

Dealing with Devils and Deals in Sharess's Caress

Head north from camp to find Sharess's Caress. On the second floor, you'll meet the charming devil Raphael. 🎻 He'll offer you a classic deal: the Orphic Hammer for the Crown of Karsus. Whether you accept or not is a big decision! Also here, if he's alive, is Kith'rak Voss—talking to him advances the Orpheus storyline. Don't miss the halfling Korrilla for some juicy lore about Raphael.

Key NPCs to chat with here:

• Raphael (The devil himself!)

• Kith'rak Voss (Githyanki drama)

• Korrilla (Lore master)

• Lae'zel (Get her perspective)

Quests to start/progress:

• ❤️‍🔥 Deal with the Devil

• 🔓 Free Orpheus

• ⚔️ Help Kith'rak Voss

Jaheira's Personal Story - Do This Early!

Since Jaheira joined the party late, Act 3 is where her story really shines. I highly recommend pursuing her companion quest, The High Harper, as soon as you can. It adds so much depth to her character and earns you a loyal ally (and her approval! 😉).

A Quick Detour for Gale's Furry Friend 🐈

Want to help Gale reunite with his tressym, Tara? Pop into the Sword Coast Couriers for a sweet little side quest about missing letters. It's a nice, low-stakes mission that adds a touch of heart.

Facing Gortash at Wyrm's Rock

Time to get serious. Head east to Wyrm’s Rock Fortress. Your priority here is to meet Enver Gortash and witness his coronation ceremony. 👑 Bring Karlach with you! She has unique, intense dialogue here that's essential for her personal quest, Our Fiery Friend.

While you're there, check out Wyrm’s Prison. You'll find Counsellor Florrick locked up—rescuing her now pays off big time later. This area is a quest hub!

Key NPCs & Quests at Wyrm's Rock:

Quests: Get Gortash’s Netherstone, Our Fiery Friend, Free Counsellor Florrick, Rescue the Grand Duke.

Unlocking the House of Hope

Now, dive into the sprawling Lower City. Your first stop should be the Devil’s Fee. Up on the second floor, read Helsik's diary to solve a puzzle and open a portal to the House of Hope. 😈 Pro Tip: Make a manual save before entering! You can explore freely, but DO NOT steal the Orphic Hammer yet—that's for much later.

Quests here: Find Mol, Acquire the Gauntlets of Helsik.

Magic & Mayhem at Sorcerous Sundries

If your friend Rolan survived the earlier acts, you'll find him as a merchant here! 🏺 This magical shop is a treasure trove of powerful items. The main event is meeting the wizard Lorroakkan, who's hunting Dame Aylin. Exploring his tower and the vaults beneath is a puzzle-filled adventure crucial for several quests.

Quests at the Sundries: The Wizard of Waterdeep, Find the Nightsong, Unlock the Ancient Tome (if you have the Necromancy of Thay).

The Thieves' Guild & Finding Minsc

With the House of Hope checked off your list, return to Jaheira's quest. Head to the Thieves' Guild. Talking to Jaheira here reveals her determination to find her old friend, Minsc (and his hamster, Boo!). 🐹 This leads you to the Counting House, where you can finally recruit this legendary ranger as your final companion. Bonus: it's also a great place to... liberate some gold. 💰

Quests: The High Harper, Return Rakath’s Gold.

Saving the Guild & The Wyrmway Labyrinth

With Minsc in tow, return to the Thieves' Guild to save Nine-Fingers Keene from the Zhentarim. Success here nets you a powerful ally against the final boss. Then, prepare for a challenge: The Wyrmway. This is a labyrinth of puzzles culminating in a boss fight against Ansur, an undead dragon! 🐉 Defeating him rewards you with a legendary weapon and wraps up a major quest.

Confronting the Murder Tribunal & Orin

By now, you should be a high enough level to tackle the dark storyline involving the murder cult. Investigate the crime at the Open Hand Temple to begin unraveling the mystery of the doppelgangers and ultimately face the deadly Orin. This is how you'll get her Netherstone.

Quests: Investigate the Murders, Impress the Murder Tribunal, Get Orin’s Netherstone.

Companion Quest Finales - The Emotional Heavy-Hitters 💔

This is the time to wrap up your companions' personal journeys. These moments are some of the most impactful in the game.

• Shadowheart: Head to the House of Grief to confront Viconia DeVir and decide the fate of Shadowheart's parents in the Chamber of Loss. (Quests: Daughter of Darkness, The Chosen of Shar).

• Astarion: Journey to Cazador's Palace for the climax of his story. The ritual and your choice here define his entire ending. (Quests: The Pale Elf).

• Gale: His quest for the Crown of Karsus leads back to Sorcerous Sundries. Solving puzzles to find The Annals of Karsus leads to a pivotal choice for him. You can also complete Dame Aylin's quest here for more allies. (Quests: The Wizard of Waterdeep).

The Iron Throne & Steel Watch Rescue

Remember Duke Ravengard? He's been moved to the Iron Throne prison. To rescue him, you must first disable the Steel Watch by progressing either the Save the Gondians or Avenge the Ironhands quests at the Steel Watch Foundry. This leads to a thrilling, timed underwater prison break!

Quests: Retrieve Omeluum, Rescue the Grand Duke, The Blade of Frontiers, Gather Your Allies.

The Point of No Return: Acquiring the Hammer & Facing Raphael

Now it's finally time. Return to the portal at Devil's Fee and enter the House of Hope with the intent to steal the Orphic Hammer. You'll have to fight through the palace. Once you have the hammer, you can't leave without facing the area's final boss: Raphael himself. 🎶 If you made a certain choice in Act 2, you might even get the demon Yurgir to fight on your side temporarily!

Defeating him wraps up: Deal with the Devil, Save Hope, and sets the stage for Free Orpheus.

The Final Preps: Gortash & Gathering Allies

With two Netherstones, it's time to confront Gortash for the last one. Bring Karlach for the full emotional payoff of her quest. Defeating him completes Get Gortash’s Netherstone and Our Fiery Friend.

Before the end, make sure you've spoken to everyone who might join your cause. The Gather Your Allies quest tracks this. Every ally counts in the final battle!

The Grand Finale: Confronting the Elder Brain 🧠⚡

With all three Netherstones, you're ready. The final confrontation is not time-sensitive, so use this to:

• ✅ Double-check all your gear and spells.

• ✅ Ensure your party composition is optimized.

• ✅ Take a deep breath!

You'll have major choices to make about controlling, destroying, or dominating the Brain. How you've played the entire game will shape your options and the fates of your companions.

This order kept my playthrough cohesive and ensured I saw all the incredible content Larian packed into this finale. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so enjoy every twist, turn, and tough choice! Your story in Baldur's Gate is what you make of it. Good luck! 🍀✨

This discussion is informed by coverage from UNESCO Games in Education, whose research on games as complex learning systems helps explain why Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3 can feel overwhelming at first: the dense quest web, consequential choices (like Raphael’s bargain and the Emperor/Orpheus fork), and layered faction conflicts all function as “learning by doing,” rewarding players who pause, explore, and synthesize information before committing to the point-of-no-return beats.