Baldur's Gate 3 Acts
The three acts of Baldur's Gate 3 – the Wilderness, the Shadow-Cursed Lands and the city of Baldur's Gate – with the key areas of each and when to explore.
Baldur's Gate 3's story is split into a short prologue and three acts. Each act is a large, mostly open area with its own hubs, dungeons and quests – and leaving an act usually means you can't go back. Below are the key areas in each act, without major story spoilers.
Every act and its key areas
Prologue and Act 1 – the Wilderness
7 areasThe Nautiloid
Dungeon · The prologue aboard a mind flayer ship. You wake up with a tadpole in your head and escape as the ship crashes.
Ravaged Beach
Region · The crash site where you meet your first companions.
Emerald Grove
Hub / camp · A druid grove sheltering Tiefling refugees – your first big hub and the scene of the goblin conflict.
Blighted Village
Region · An abandoned village held by goblins, with hidden cellars and an old windmill.
Goblin Camp
Dungeon · The ruined Shattered Sanctum where the goblin leaders gather. Where Act 1's biggest choice comes to a head.
The Underdark
Region · A vast underground world with mushroom-lit caves, the Myconid colony and Grymforge.
Read our guide →Mountain Pass and the Githyanki Creche
Region · An alternate route to Act 2 and the place to look for a Githyanki cure. Rosymorn Monastery sits along the way.
Read our guide →
Act 2 – the Shadow-Cursed Lands
5 areasLast Light Inn
Hub / camp · A safe haven protected from the curse – home of the Harpers and Jaheira.
Shadow-Cursed Lands
Region · Darkness that kills anyone who travels without magical light.
Moonrise Towers
Dungeon · The Absolute's stronghold, ruled by Ketheric Thorm.
Gauntlet of Shar
Dungeon · An underground temple of trials – central to Shadowheart's story.
Reithwin Town
Region · A cursed town full of side stories, including the House of Healing.
Act 3 – Baldur's Gate
5 areasRivington
Region · The outskirts south of the river, with refugee camps and a circus.
Wyrm's Crossing
Region · The fortified bridge into the city, guarding Wyrm's Rock.
Lower City
City district · The heart of Baldur's Gate – shops, guilds, temples and most of the late-game quests.
Read our guide →House of Hope
Dungeon · Raphael's personal realm in the Nine Hells, reached through a hidden portal.
Read our guide →Upper City
City district · The wealthy district where the final battle against the Netherbrain begins.
Section images: official Baldur's Gate 3 videos (Larian Studios / YouTube).
Good to know
Points of no returnLeaving an act closes off many of its quests. The game warns you – finish what you care about first.
Two roads to Act 2Through the Underdark or over the Mountain Pass – both lead to the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Bring light in Act 2Without a protective light source the curse slowly kills you.
Act 1 is hugeMany players spend a third of the game here. Take your time – it's packed with secrets.
Our Baldur's Gate 3 articles on this
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How to Get the Helldusk Armour in Baldur's Gate 3: House of Hope Heist and Raphael Fight Guide31 Oct -
How to Get Nyrulna in Baldur's Gate 3: Winning Akabi's Jackpot and the Hidden Jungle Chest30 Oct
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How to Get the Blood of Lathander in Baldur's Gate 3: Dawnmaster's Crest and Rosymorn Monastery Guide28 Oct
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How to Get Phalar Aluve in Baldur's Gate 3: Sword in the Stone Location in the Underdark9 Oct
Sources
Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.