Baldur's Gate 3: Epic Must-Do List before Nailing Act One!

Baldur's Gate 3 is an extensive and captivating game, packed with numerous characters, unexpected events, and thrilling adventures at every turn. With the ability to interact with almost everything in the game's environment, it can be overwhelming to determine what tasks are essential for progressing the plot. The game is divided into three Acts, with each Act consisting of various tasks that significantly impact the storyline later on. It is crucial for players to complete these tasks before moving on to the next Act, as the areas will become inaccessible thereafter.

The first Act concludes upon reaching Moonrise Tower. Therefore, it is necessary to finish all the tasks before this point. Act One serves as the stage for recruiting the Origins companions, obtaining important spells like Speak with Dead and Speak with Animals, introducing key plot points, and addressing the matter of the parasite. However, it is highly recommended to pursue the side quests, as they contribute to making Baldur's Gate 3 a truly unforgettable experience.

The Essential Tasks in Baldur's Gate 3

The first step is to recruit all the companions in Baldur's Gate 3. Shadowheart, a close companion, cannot be missed. Astarion can be located east of the crash site after defeating the intellect devourers. In the Roadside Cliffs waypoint, Gale can be found just north of the crash. Lae'zel is north of Gale's location and requires rescue from tieflings who have captured her. Wyll can be found in the Emerald Grove and Karlach is part of Wyll's personal quest after recruiting him.

Priority should be given to the spells Speak to Animals and Speak to Dead as they provide access to unique gameplay features. Speak to Animals is a Level 1 spell and is accessible for the following classes:

Barbarian (Wildheart only)

Bard

Druid

Ranger

Paladin (Oath of the Ancients only)

Warlock

Saving the Emerald Grove

Only Wizards have access to the Speak to Dead spell from their spell list. However, Clerics and Paladins can still utilize this ability through dialogue options with characters like Dror Ragzlin at the Shattered Sanctum. In addition to these dialogue options, there are also spell scrolls and the Amulet of Lost Voices, both of which can be discovered in the Dank Crypt. It's worth mentioning that the Dank Crypt is not only home to these items, but also houses a character named Withers who can join the player's camp and provide respeccing services. Meeting Withers in Act One is crucial for progress.

The safety of the Druids' Emerald Grove hangs by a thread as a menacing cult of goblins, devoted to a deity known as the Absolute, looms on the horizon. Within the sacred grounds, a group of tieflings seeks solace, knowing that any attempt to flee would mean certain doom at the merciless hands of the goblin horde. To secure the salvation of the Grove, the esteemed Druid leader, Halsin, must be bravely rescued from the clutches of the goblin camp, only to face the ultimate challenge of vanquishing the malevolent goblins.

Goals of saving the Grove and the tieflings, rescuing Halsin, and finding a cure are all aligned. Once all companions are recruited, infiltration of the goblin camp can be achieved through Persuasion or Deception, or if the player character is a Drow, simply by walking in. Halsin can be located within the Shattered Sanctum, specifically in the Worg Pens towards the rear of the map, where he is trapped in a cage in his bear form. Upon freeing him, he advises eliminating the goblin leaders Minthara, Princess Gut, and Dror Ragzlin. It is important to loot their bodies for valuable items, tadpoles, and the key to the treasure vault, which is situated at the back of Dror Ragzlin's room. The treasure vault contains infernal iron which is essential for assisting Karlach.

To avoid the large group of goblins outside, gamers should then use fast travel to return to the Grove from the Shattered Sanctum, where Halsin will join them. With the defeat of the goblin leaders, the threat to the Grove has been eliminated, and Halsin is now able to accompany the party to Moonrise Tower. Remember to speak to Rath in order to gain access to the Druid vault as a reward for saving the Grove. Returning to camp for a long rest will trigger a party cutscene, initiating the first stage of any romantic relationships with companions.

Getting to Moonrise Tower can be achieved by traveling either through the Underdark or via the Mountain Pass and Shadow-Cursed Lands. Opting for the Mountain Pass not only allows for the progression of Gale's story but also temporarily puts a halt to his habit of consuming expensive gear. Additionally, the Mountain Pass triggers Lae'zel's personal quest involving the Githyanki, featuring some side quests that showcase the dragon-riders. On the other hand, the Underdark should not be overlooked and should be explored once the party has reached level 4 or above, considering its highly combat-oriented nature.

Other Things to Do in Baldur's Gate 3's Opening Act

Defeating the goblin leaders in head-on combat, rather than resorting to espionage or aligning with them, not only ensures access to their Illithids and the unlocking of an exclusive skill tree, but also presents the opportunity to consume the tadpoles. The consumption of tadpoles is entirely voluntary, yet the powers they bestow are significant and greatly enhance one's combat abilities. Any member of the party can partake in this consumption, provided they are persuaded to do so. Moreover, considering the scarcity of these tadpoles, obtaining three of them further establishes the case for choosing the path of righteousness in the Druid's conflict with the Absolute.

In addition to the main storyline, Act One offers a plethora of noteworthy content. While not an exhaustive compilation, the following highlights important aspects that players should pay attention to.

Take in Scratch the dog as your loyal companion.

Rescue an owlbear cub.

Visit any Baldur's Gate 3 villages in the area.

Speak to the animals.

Explore the Underdark.

Rescue Volo from the goblins.

Kill the fake Paladins hunting Karlach.

Explore all romance options with companions.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available for PC and releases on September 6 for PS5. An Xbox Series X/S version is in development.