Baldur's Gate 3: Ultimate Treasure Guide - Unveiling the Secrets of the Enigmatic Overgrown Ruins!

In Baldur's Gate 3, players have the opportunity to venture into various non-essential locations, with the Overgrown Ruins near the Nautiloid Crash Site serving as an early example. These ruins, situated on the beach, cannot be accessed directly; instead, players must thoroughly explore the surrounding area to discover an alternative entry point above.

Exploring the Overgrown Ruins in Baldur's Gate 3 is not obligatory, but it proves to be highly rewarding. Players can acquire valuable loot, obtain a magical weapon, and even encounter a new ally who will join them at Camp. This guide aims to assist players in locating all the essentials within this area and offers recommendations regarding which companions to bring along for the excursion.

Getting Into the Overgrown Ruin

To access the interior of the Overgrown Ruin, players must navigate to the upper floor by circling around and ascending the path that weaves through the wreckage of the Nautiloid. The entrance to this location is clearly marked on the map provided above. Upon entering through the balcony, players will swiftly encounter a group of looters who have set out to explore the ruin and potentially locate the crashed Nautiloid. These looters, however, will impede the party from progressing further. Players have the option to use their persuasion, intimidation, or deceit skills to convince the looters to retreat without engaging in combat. Should the attempt fail, players will be forced to engage in a battle with them.

After dealing with the looters, players can proceed towards the rear of the building where a locked door grants access to the Ruins. By interacting with the door, players can engage in conversation with the guard stationed on the other side. Utilizing deception or performance skills, players can either deceive the guard into unlocking the door or inform them that the other looters have fled. If successful, the door will be unlocked, enabling the party to enter directly. However, if the guard is not deceived, players will need to pick the lock, while the guard alerts the other inhabitants of the party's impending arrival. In such cases, being a rogue or bringing Astarion, the rogue character, proves advantageous in bypassing the door if negotiations fail.

Alternatively, players have the option to target the coiled rope suspended over a crack in the floor. By striking the rope from outside the enemy's detection range, players can cause an object to fall, triggering a one-way drop into the ruins from a different location. As a result, any looters positioned beneath the rope will be instantly eliminated.

Inside the Ruins - Floor 1

Once inside the room, in case the guard fell for the deceit, an encounter with the guard awaits the players. The odds will be in their favor if they have managed to recruit allies from the surrounding area near the Nautiloid, as it will be a four-on-one situation. Hence, dealing with the guard should not pose much of a challenge. However, if the guard wasn't tricked, the first room will remain empty while the guard and their comrades prepare for a further attack.

Prior to moving forward, players are advised to unlock the container resting upon the large dining table to acquire valuable loot. It is also highly recommended to collect all available food items as they can serve as essential camping supplies, with a particular emphasis on the cheese wheels due to their substantial supply point benefits. Following this, locate the entrance on the left-hand side of the room (as viewed from the table) which features a lever that will grant access. Alternatively, if a rogue character is present, they possess the ability to pick the lock.

If the players fail to deceive the guard at the entrance, they will encounter a group of looters ready to attack on the other side of the door. To strategize, players should use the door as a bottleneck and prioritize eliminating the enemy spellcasters to avoid potential area-of-effect damage. Additionally, there is an explosive barrel in the hallway further ahead, which can be detonated with fire damage when enemies are nearby, causing significant harm.

However, if the players succeed in fooling the guard or enter through the hole, they will only encounter one relatively weak looter in this hallway. This individual can be dispatched easily, especially for players who accessed the hallway via the ceiling hole and arrived from a bedroom. To maximize damage, players should attempt a sneak attack on the enemies in the hallway, resulting in substantial harm. The remaining looters can be found in the chapel at the end of the hallway. Therefore, players should explore and collect loot from the other rooms before proceeding. Once the looting is complete, players can open the door leading to the chapel.

In this room, there are three additional looters. Among them, one is a Barbarian with a significantly large amount of health. Prioritize eliminating the spellcasters and concentrate your attacks on the Barbarian (easiest accomplished through sneak attacks from Astarion or a Rogue Player Character). Afterward, explore the rear section of the chapel to locate a switch that opens the locked door in the hallway. Proceed through that door to uncover a path leading further into the ruins.

Inside the Ruins - Floor 2

In this section of the ruins, there is a crossroads. Heading south will take you back to the locked door that leads to the beach. This path allows players to create a shortcut back to the starting point of the game. Additionally, there is a fast travel point there to make it more convenient to return to the Overgrown Ruins later if needed.

However, it is important to exercise caution when passing through the south path as it goes through a large burial area. In the center of this area, there is a massive sarcophagus. It is advised not to rush in and open it due to the presence of numerous traps within the room. These traps consist of gas and grease emitters, as well as fireball launchers mounted on the walls. They are activated upon opening the central sarcophagus.

Assuming players possess exceptional perception and fortunate dice rolls, they can identify and deactivate the traps using a trap-disabling kit and a rogue, making Astarion a valuable addition to the team for this specific endeavor. Alternatively, if this option is unavailable, players should separate the character with the highest dexterity from the rest of the party, while the remaining party members wait outside. The designated character should position themselves between the sarcophagus and the exit door, save the game, and proceed to open it.

Subsequently, the character can swiftly seize the treasure and immediately shift the game into turn-based mode to trigger the traps. The character should then hastily make their way toward the door, hoping their superior dexterity prevents them from slipping on the greased surface. If this attempt proves unsuccessful, players should reload and repeat the process until it becomes effective. Another strategy entails rushing towards the button located on one of the pillars in the center of the room, which also disables the traps.

A potential solution involves obstructing the vents by moving barrels onto them. The same action can be repeated with the launchers. By doing so, the trap will be effectively incapacitated, enabling players to acquire the valuable items without endangering themselves. These items include "The Watcher's Guide," a spear that bestows the ability to execute a true strike at no cost whenever the wielder's attack misses.

After dealing with that, players can backtrack to the crossroads. From there, they can enter a room to the north, which houses a massive statue of Nergal and a multitude of deceased scribes. On the statue's left side, within the alcove, players can discover a button by successfully passing a perception check. Pushing this button will reveal a concealed room behind the statue, causing the dead scribes to rise and launch an attack. These scribes comprise sword-wielding warriors and powerful spellcasters. Players can utilize the alcove to their advantage, reducing visibility and protecting their more vulnerable allies from the spellcasters' attacks.

Defeat the Scribes and explore the hidden room to discover their guarded treasure: a sarcophagus housing a chatty undead who raises a thought-provoking question about the worth of life. Once you provide an answer, he pledges to reunite with the group before departing. Later, find him at the camp where he offers to revive fallen Party Members at a price.

Don't forget to investigate the adjacent room connected to the area with the Nergal Statue. Inside, locate the intriguing "Book of Dead Gods," an item that rewards Shadowheart with inspiration if she successfully unlocks and deciphers its secrets. Opposite this room, there's a hole in the wall leading to a lever that activates an escape ladder. Utilize this ladder to return to the upper part of the ruins from the outside.

Baldur's Gate 3 launches on the 3rd of August 2023 for PC and Mac and on the 6th of September 2023 for PS5.