Baldur's Gate 3 walkthrough guide: all acts, quests and endings (2026)

Information is current as of August 2026.

Baldur's Gate 3 from Larian Studios is a benchmark role-playing game, winner of dozens of Game of the Year awards. Three acts, hundreds of forks and combat situations where every decision has consequences. This guide will help you complete the game without missing content: from the coast after the crash of the nautiloid to the final battle over Baldurs Gate.

Character creation: what to choose for a beginner

For the first playthrough, simple and reliable classes are best: champion warrior, life domain priest (Shadowheart is easy to level up) or oath of allegiance paladin. Avoid warlocks and wizards unless you are prepared to understand spells. Race has almost no effect on strength, but half-elves and drow get some nice dialogue lines. Be sure to take the Persuasion skill - half of the conflicts in the game can be resolved without a fight.

Act 1: Coast and Emerald Grove

The main plot of the first act is the conflict between the druids of the grove and the refugee tieflings with the goblins.

Collect a full shipment before leaving the coast: Astarion, Shadowheart, Gale and Lae'zel are in the first two locations, Wyll and Karlach are at the grove.
Rescue the bard Volo in the goblin camp and find the entrance to the Underdark through the well in the grove - there is an adamantine forge and the best weapon of the act.
Don't rush to the mountain pass: the finale of the act (the battle in the goblin camp or the defense of the grove) closes some of the side quests.
The hag and her hiding place is a mandatory quest: it gives early access to rare jewelry.

Act 1.5: Underdark and Grimforge

Don't miss the Underdark - it's actually a full zone with two camps. In Grimforge, free the dwarves and defeat Neri: the easiest way to win the fight is by pushing him into the lava. The Adamantine Forge allows you to forge two items - take a shield and chain mail. The path further lies through the lunar towers, but before that, look into the cursed Rosimorn monastery: there lies a legendary sword, dependent on the Lae'zel quest.

Act 2: Cursed Shadowlands

The second act is darker and more dangerous: the lands are covered with the curse of the shadows, without light or protection the party quickly perishes. Take a lantern from the inventor in the grove or save the pixie. Key points:

The Last Shelter is the main base of the act, a tavern with survivors. Protect her from shadow attacks.
Temple of Shar and Trials Shar is a long dungeon with an important choice for Shadowheart (don't click on her, let her decide).
Ketheric Torm is the final boss of the act. Free Nightsong first, otherwise the boss is immortal.

Act 3: Baldurs Gate

The final act is huge: an entire city with dozens of quests. Be sure to visit the circus in Rivington (Askar’s last hope - buy equipment), deal with the homicidal maniac before he gets to your party, and complete the personal quests of your companions - they give the most powerful equipment and influence the ending. Before the finale, gather your allies: everyone you helped during the game will come to the final battle.

Fighting Tips

Height is king: Archers on high ground receive a bonus to hit.
Push enemies off ledges - falling often kills faster than weapons.
Golodets and barrels of black powder are your best friend in difficult battles.
A long rest does not rush the plot (except for a couple of quests) - rest more often to see the camp scenes.

Endings

The game has dozens of endings. The main choice is what to do with Netheril's Brain and who your character will become. The Emperor or Orpheus is the fateful choice of the third act; To unlock Orpheus' path, save Orpheus' hammer from the quest in the house of hope. Save before the ending - all endings can be viewed from one point.