Act 1 ofBaldur’s Gate 3is filled to the brim with choices, but there’s one junction point that happens on a uniquely large scale. After finishing up the party’s business in the Emerald Grove and nearby Goblin Camp, the time eventually comes to move on to a new area, and two paths offer divergent methods of kicking off the journey toward the city of Baldur’s Gate. The Mountain Pass and the Underdark both sound threatening in their own ways, but boththe hazards and rewards of taking either approach are ultimately radically different.
The Mountain Pass, true to its name, is an overland approach that brings the party through winding hills that can be found to the east of the Goblin Camp. The Underdark, on the other hand, plunges the journey into a dangerous subterranean environment that can be accessed through the Goblin Camp’s Defiled Temple or several other entry points. Although there’s nothing wrong with just picking whichever path is the most convenient, careful consideration can reveal a lot more about the nature of the decision.
Benefits Of Taking The Mountain Pass In Baldur’s Gate 3
The Quick & Easy Way, Comparatively
The number one reason to considertaking the Mountain Passcomes from what it adds to the story of Lae’zel, the irritable githyanki companion who can be saved from militant tieflings and recruited to the party. Lae’zel spends a good chunk of time in Act 1 talking about how the solution to the parasite problem can likely be found in a nearby githyanki crèche, and as it turns out, that base of operations is found along the Mountain Pass. Getting rid of the Illithid worms ultimately isn’t that simple, butthe crèche is a key location for her personal story.
Devora Wilde Wants Players To “Give Lae’zel A Chance” In Baldur’s Gate 3
Devora Wilde discusses playing githyanki companion Lae’zel, the complexity of Baldur’s Gate 3’s narrative and githyanki culture clashes.
Even if the party doesn’t have Lae’zel on hand,the Mountain Pass still plays host to some interesting areas and helpful loot. The abandoned Rosymorn Monastery found along the way contains several mighty weapons, most notably theThe Blood of Lathander, which imbues its wielder with some holy powers and the level six spellSunbeam. Although obtaining the Blood of Lathander isn’t a quick process, it should be fun for those who enjoy solving puzzles.
The Mountain Pass is a good option for those who don’t want any more trouble than necessary, as it’s ultimately a more minor affair than the Underdark. Overland perils don’t quite match the troubles of the deep, and it’s easier to make it through the area with minimal confrontation, even if avoiding too much combat could come back to bite the party later.
Benefits Of Going Through The Underdark In BG3
Underdark Civilizations Have Serious Problems
The journey through the Underdark doesn’t relate quite as directly to any one party member as the Mountain Pass does to Lae’zel’s story, but it offers a lot of narrative material in a more general sense.It’s the bigger of the two options in terms of content, and deciding to permanently skip it could make the party miss out on some of the most interesting parts ofBaldur’s Gate 3Act 1. Like the Mountain Pass, it also offers an apparent chance at solving the parasite problem, although things are once again not as simple as they might seem.
How To Get To The Underdark In Baldur’s Gate 3
To reach the Underdark in Baldur’s Gate 3, navigate through one of four efficient routes, and do your best to bypass the dangers along the way.
The Underdark contains significant quest lines relating to both a colony of fungal Myconid creatures and a facility called Grymforge that’s currently controlled by the forces of the Absolute.Taking a side in a Myconid squabbleoffers worthwhile rewards regardless of the choice, andGrymforge contains the Adamantine Forge, a location that allows the party to craft some of the best early-game weapons and armor if they defeat a challenging boss.
The Adamantine Forge boss, Grym, can seem insurmountable at first, but it’s a fight where knowing the right strategy makes a world of difference.
Grymforge also houses a number of captive deep gnomes, and choosing to save them or side with their duergar overlords can have implications for side content in the rest of the game. Any fans of the hapless gnome Barcus Wroot should make sure to help out the gnomes, as skipping this content will spell the end of his involvement in the story. Aside from the primary destinations, there’s also a defense-laden Arcane Tower that contains some spoils for parties intrepid enough to brave it.
You Should Go Through The Underdark First In BG3
The Longer Path Is The More Significant One
Thankfully,taking one path to Act 2 ofBaldur’s Gate 3doesn’t actually exclude the other. It’s possible to double back before reaching the end of either route or simply revisit the areas after entering Act 2, and anyone looking for a reasonably complete experience would do best to knock both options out.Act 2 features a distinct point of no returnthat can lock out content from the first act, but it’s not something to worry about immediately after entering the area.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Act 2 Checklist (Everything You Don’t Want To Miss)
Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3 sends the party to the Shadow-Cursed Lands: a region shrouded in darkness that’s filled with secrets and quests to complete.
Ultimately,the more important area for any campaign that isn’t centered around Lae’zel is the Underdark, and it’s the better one to tackle first overall. After traveling through the Underdark, it’s then easy to enter Act 2 through the Underdark, find where the Mountain Pass crosses into the lands of Act 2, and enter from that exit point. As a smaller area without the same scale of progression, going the wrong way into the Mountain Pass works just fine. It’s also possible to stop short of the Underdark’s ending and cover the Mountain Pass before entering Act 2.
Doing things in the other order is also acceptable, especially for those who aren’t quite ready for the Underdark’s challenge, but visiting the Underdark after reaching Act 2 will feel more like doubling back.For anyone who doesn’t want to cover both areas, it’s better to stick with the Underdark and skip the Mountain Pass. The sacrifice to Lae’zel’s story is significant, but the overall amount of gameplay missed doesn’t match how much is lost by avoiding the Underdark inBaldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Developed and published by Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an upcoming role-playing game set to release in August of 2023. Players will create a character to embark on a large-scale journey and can do so solo or cooperatively with a friend. Combat is a turn-based style this time around.
