Baldur's Gate 3 - Unravel the Enigmatic Sluice Gate Puzzle in the Abandoned Cistern

Underneath the Sword Coast, the caves and sewers are just as bustling as the forests and towns on the surface. In Baldur's Gate 3, players can explore the various locations, such as the Underdark, Whispering Caverns, and the Hag's underground stronghold, to witness this diversity.

The urban landscape of Act 3 continues this trend. Baldur's Gate boasts a sprawling city with an extensive sewer system. Even in the previous Baldur's Gate games, the city streets concealed both repulsive and valuable secrets. Among these enigmas in BG3 is the Sluice-Gate Puzzle. Solving this puzzle not only grants access to the Cistern and another route to the surface but is also necessary to complete a quest and recruit a legacy character.

The City Sewers

Players have the option to access the sewers through various locations, namely the Sluice-Gate and Cistern. The comprehensive map of the sewers beneath Baldur's Gate encompasses the Lower City sewers, the Temple of Bhaal, and the Undercity Ruins.

For quick transportation within the sewers, players can utilize three Waypoints: The Temple of Bhaal, the Undercity Ruins, and the City Sewers. Among these, the City Sewers is the most conveniently situated and provides the closest proximity to the Sluice-Gate Puzzle.

Access Points

The Graveyard: Either pick the locks or loot the keys to get into any of the various tombs and crypts in the graveyard. Some of them also lead into the sewers.

Thieves Guildhall offers the advantage of sewer access to any character who enters Nine Fingers' lair and forms a partnership with her.

When players are aligned with the Harpers and have permission to enter their sanctuary located in the basement of Danthelon's Dancing Axe, they can utilize a hatch in the cellar to gain entry into the sewer.

The Manhole Cover: There's one just south of the Janneth Estate that players can use to enter the sewers just north of the City Sewer Waypoint.

The Abandoned Cistern

The abandoned Cistern can be found in the western corner of the Lower City sewers. To reach it, players must navigate through a winding path along a pipe, which involves engaging in a battle with both goblins and Bhaal cultists. Eventually, they will arrive at a room where two large valves are situated. On the left side, there is the Water Level Valve, while on the right side is the Water Temperature Valve.

The Note

In order to successfully enlist Minsc, players should activate the Sluice-Gate, granting them entrance to the Cistern. Additionally, it is essential to have Jaheira as a part of their party and to adopt non-lethal tactics when engaging Minsc in combat.

There's a Note To Sanitation workers situated next to the Temperature Valve. It provides the player with a clue regarding the solution to the puzzle. The note states that the water and heat must be at "optimum" levels, signifying the most ideal temperature, rather than the highest. Therefore, it is important to bear this in mind if the valves indicate temperatures that are too low or too high. Additionally, it is crucial to note that this puzzle operates on a time-sensitive basis, and the water levels will decrease if not attended to within a certain timeframe.

Turning The Valves

Interacting with the valves will cause the cursor to transform into a small gear, enabling the player to interact with them. If the player wants to reset both mechanisms and begin again, they can use the release valve located next to the Temperature Valve.

Start by interacting with the Water Valve positioned on the left. Rotate it until the desired water level is indicated as "Perfect." However, be aware that this state is temporary, so promptly move on to manipulate the gear located on the right.

Interact with the Temperature Valve located on the right side. Once it displays "Perfect Warmth," the gate beneath the scaffold will automatically open, provided that the Water Level on the left side remains at the "perfect" mark.

Once the gate has been opened, it cannot be closed again, even if attempted from the opposite side. It may appear inconvenient, but it guarantees that being trapped in the Cistern is impossible.

Watch out for puddles of acid and brine on the ground in the Sluice Gate and the nearby Cistern. Make sure to avoid any AoE damage caused by these corrosive substances while the party is walking through the oversized pipe to reach the Cistern.