Uncover Epic Side Quests in Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Lengthy Adventures That Demand True Dedication

Many side quests in Baldur's Gate 3 can be time-consuming, spanning multiple acts and requiring significant effort from players. However, the rewards are well worth the extra effort. From Act 1 to the final act, the game offers an abundance of lengthy quests that are sure to entertain players, even if they need to invest multiple gaming sessions to complete them.

10 Explore The Ruins

This Act 1 side quest is one of the initial complex quests that players will undertake. It is located just before the Druid Grove and follows the traditional style of a dungeon crawl. To initiate the quest, players need to first clear the area outside by either battling Gimblebock and his gang or persuading them to leave.

Upon entering the ruins, players will encounter additional enemies to engage in combat with. They will also come across a door that can only be opened by locating a hidden lever, as well as another door that requires a key obtained from a trapped room. Finally, players will face more enemies before reaching their goal. The reward for completing this quest, however, is an early and more concise narrative encounter with the significant NPC, Withers.

9 Save The Refugees

This side quest, which is also an Act 1 quest, has the potential to occupy players throughout the entirety of the first act. To initiate the quest, players can either speak to Zevlor, the leader of the tiefling refugees, or Kagha, the temporary leader of the druids. Kagha intends to evict the refugees from the Grove and seal it off using the Rite of Thorns. It is evident in the game that the tieflings would not survive the journey amidst the chaos caused by the goblins.

There are multiple ways to successfully resolve this quest, including defeating all the goblins, killing Kagha, or uncovering Kagha's hidden secrets. Whichever option players choose, saving the refugees will require significant effort.

8 The Hellion's Heart

Karlach's personal pursuit can be initiated in Act 1, but it typically takes players until Act 2 to fully accomplish. Karlach possesses an infernal engine as her heart and necessitates an infernal mechanic to restore it. This quest is not only lengthy, but also requires players to exert substantial effort in their search.

Initially, players must locate a suitable mechanic for Karlach. Dammon is the one who takes on this responsibility. He can be found in the Druid Camp during Act 1 and then at The Last Light Inn during Act 2. However, in order to mend Karlach's heart, Dammon requires the player to gather infernal iron. Despite the substantial time investment, the emotional reward upon completion makes this quest truly worthwhile.

7 The Chosen Of Shar

The companion quest 'The Chosen Of Shar' with Shadowheart extends across Acts 1 and 2, with the second act demanding the most effort. Shadowheart, an early ally, discloses her devotion to Shar and her ambition to become a Dark Justiciar. This aspiration solidifies in Act 2 upon discovery of the Gauntlet Of Shar.

The party embarks on numerous trials as a tribute to Shar. These trials involve encounters with the orthon devil, Yurgir, and the necromancer, Balthazar. The quest's outcome has the potential to dramatically shape the future of both Shadowheart and the Shadow-Cursed Lands. However, achieving this outcome requires overcoming a series of challenging trials.

6 Deal With The Devil

Beginning at the

In Act 3, players embark on a lengthy quest that transports them to the realm of Avernus. This quest, which deals with retrieving the Crown of Karsus for Raphael, offers additional opportunities for players to take on the challenging tasks of acquiring the Gauntlets for Helsik and saving Hope. While the quest starts with a deal offered by Raphael, it's worth noting that there are alternative methods for obtaining the Orphic Hammer. Players may choose to approach Helsik in the Devil's Fee, granting them access to Raphael's House of Hope. This alternative path opens up a whole new area for exploration, where players may encounter numerous fresh challenges. However, it's important to be aware that Raphael will react unfavorably to any unauthorized intrusion into his home.

5 Lift The Shadow Curse

In Act Two, players must undertake the arduous task of lifting the shadow curse. To begin, they need to interact with Art Cullagh, a member of the Flaming Fist, who is unconscious in The Last Light Inn. Art, in his unconscious state, utters the name 'Thaniel,' which sparks the curiosity of Halsin, prompting him to visit the inn.

To proceed, players must awaken Art by retrieving his lute from Malus Thorm in the House Of Healing. This may involve a challenging battle before obtaining the instrument.

Afterward, Halsin performs a ritual to rescue Thaniel from the Shadowfell, with players tasked with protecting him during the endeavor. Thaniel is eventually brought back, but he is unwell and appears to be missing a part of himself. To restore his well-being, players must locate Thaniel's other half, Oliver, who can be found in the Ruined Battlefield. A confrontation awaits players as they try to persuade Oliver to reunite with Thaniel.

This quest holds great significance as it aligns closely with Halsin's personal objectives but demands a considerable amount of effort and determination from the players.

4 Solve The Open Hand Temple Murders

This Act 3 quest requires considerable time and effort, as well as a significant amount of deduction from players. Navigating through it is particularly challenging, as there are multiple starting points and paths to solving it, creating a genuine investigative experience. The most effective starting point is The Open Hand Temple, where players can delve into the investigation of Father Logan's murder.

Valeria, a fellow investigator and hollyphant, is actively involved in the case, although she appears to place blame on the refugees. While exploring Baldur's Gate, players uncover numerous deaths and discover plans for even more. A serial killer is at large, and the key to unraveling the mystery can be found either in the temple basement, Fraygo's Flophouse, or by successfully intercepting the killer before they strike again after warning their potential victims.

3 The Grand Duke

This quest, tied to Wyll, is intertwined with the main quest. It begins in Act 1 and continues through Act 3, with players likely encountering it while saving Counselor Florrick from Waukeen's Rest. The party's objective is to rescue Grand Duke Ravenguard, who is the father of Wyll. In Act 2, he is taken to Moonrise Towers where The Dead Three infect him with a tadpole, taking control of his mind.

Later on, the Duke is discovered in Baldur's Gate under the control of Gortash. Following this encounter, the Duke may be held captive in The Iron Throne, an underwater prison. While the party can attempt to rescue him, they face a challenging time limit. It is also possible for Mizora to offer Wyll a deal for the Duke's eternal servitude before the rescue attempt. However, it is still possible to save the Duke without submitting to Mizora.

2 Save Mayrina

The quest "Save Mayrina" begins in Act 1 but continues into Act 3, providing players who are truly committed to rescuing the girl with a lengthy and challenging journey. Upon entering the Sunlit Wetlands, players will initiate the quest, which is filled with unexpected twists, difficult battles, and intricate storylines.

Even after defeating the tormenting hag and addressing Mayrina's husband, the quest is not yet complete. In Act 3, players will encounter Mayrina once again, now leading a group of hag survivors. The conflict with Auntie Ethel is far from resolved, and players must thoroughly investigate Baldur's Gate to locate the hag and bring an ultimate end to her sinister plans.

1 Free The Artist

'Free The Artist' commences in Act 1 and resumes in Act 3. Initially, players come across Oskar Fevras, the artist, in the Zhentarim hideout located in Waukeen's Rest. Liberating him from this predicament is quite straightforward, as his freedom can be secured through payment. However, the situation becomes more challenging in Act 3 when Oskar becomes possessed by his former lover, much to the dismay of his recently wedded spouse.

In order to break the possession, players must venture through the haunted mansion, where they will discover correspondence between Oskar and Mystic Carrion. This prompts the players to embark on a whole new quest to locate Carrion's runaway servant, Thrumbo. Additionally, players may choose to undertake another quest to assist Thrumbo. These endeavors are all crucial steps towards performing an exorcism and liberating Oskar. The quest spans across Act 1 until Act 3 and involves intricately complex completion requirements, adding an enjoyable level of challenge to the game.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available on PC and will be released for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.