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The Underdark is a huge part of Baldur’s Gate 3. There are plenty of NPCs, new enemies, and items within it that you won’t find anywhere else. Ever wanted to meet a friendly Ilithid, unlike the one that dropped a parasite in your brain? Well, in the Underdark, you can do just that. Getting there can be a little tricky since it isn’t exactly straightforward.
That said, there are definitely a few ways to get there that are available in the first act. Still, you shouldn’t head there until you’re at least level 4 or 5, as the creatures can be quite powerful. If you think you’re ready, here’s how to get into the Underdark in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Option #1: Using Feather Fall and Jumping Into a Really Deep Hole Underneath the Blighted Village
If you met the Phase Spiders and lived to tell the tale, you can use the deep pit in the center of the matriarch’s lair to enter the Underdark. Just be sure to cast Feather Fall beforehand; otherwise, you’ll quickly meet an abrupt end. Also, be sure to jump into the chasm that doesn’t say “death” near your mouse. The chasm that leads to the Underdark is in the center of the lair, and your character should say something like “I feel a breeze. I wonder what’s down there” when you hover over it.
To get to the Phase Spider Lair, you’ll want to head to the Blighted Village and use the well in the middle, right next to the Ancient Sigil that you teleport to. Once in the lair, you’ll have to deal with a handful of Phase Spiders, the Matriarch, who is fairly powerful, and her babies that she spawns throughout the fight. You can knock her down the hole, killing her instantly, if you’re looking for an easy way to beat her.
Once you’ve defeated her, simply cast Feather Fall on yourself and your allies and jump into the Underdark. A small cutscene will play before you land. Just be cautious, as there are two minotaurs very close by.
Option #2: Using the Elevator in the Zhentarim Hideout Inside Waukeen’s Rest
In Waukeen’s Rest, you’ll encounter a Zhentarim agent guarding a secret entrance to their hideout, ready to blast you away unless you can smooth talk your way or mention the password. Using Detect Thoughts is an easy way to find out the passphrase, or you can just kill him if you really want to. Head through the hatch inside the house to get to the basement. Once you’re in the basement, there are some hidden stairs in a corner of the room that will take you to the hideout.
Inside the hideout, you’ll have to deal with some traps and angry Zhentarims, or you can agree to help find their missing shipment. Just do whatever you need to do to get access to the hideout and make your way to the far side of the cave, as seen in the above image. Once there, your character will hopefully succeed on a perception check and notice that one wall is an illusion. Behind it lies a locked elevator that can easily be unlocked with a lock pick and take you to the Underdark.
Option #3: Using the Mushroom Circle in the Overgrown Tunnel Under the Riverside Teahouse
Hopefully, you’ve dealt with the hag in the Sunlit Wetlands to the south of the Blighted Village, but if you haven’t, then you’re going to want to get ready for a fight.
Head to the Sunlit Wetlands, where you’ll hopefully succeed on a perception check to discover that the peaceful wetlands are actually a nasty swamp with some deadly Redcaps and a Hag. Deal with the redcaps, chase the hag inside, extinguish the fireplace inside the Riverside Teahouse that the hag calls home, and head down the staircase behind it.
Once inside, progress through the cave by walking through the illusionary tree wall, managing the masked attackers the hag is controlling, and finally killing the hag herself and saving Mayrina from the cage (or not). Once you’ve dealt with the hag, you can safely wear one of the wooden masks you find in the cave or on the mind-controlled followers. If you end up not killing the hag, be sure to cast Protection from Good and Evil on whoever you decide should wear the mask.
The mask is used to get through another wooden tree door, similar to the first one you entered. After jumping through the waterfall and avoiding a bunch of traps, head to the circled door in the above image. You can also look at the map below if you’re having trouble locating the door. You’ll have to jump to the ledge or use one of the best spells in the game—Misty Step. Only one party member needs to wear a mask for all of your party members to go through the door. Once inside, you’ll find the mushroom circle and can teleport to the Underdark.
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Option #4: Going Down a Ladder Inside a Secret Area of the Defiled Temple
If you’ve cleared the Goblin Camp or somehow made friends with them, you’ll have access to the fourth and final method of entering the Underdark. You’ll want to enter the Shattered Sanctum and head to the Defiled Temple of Selûne. Here, you’ll find a puzzle with four stone disks. You’ll want to rotate the stone disks so that the black orbs on each disc are in the illuminated circle.
Alternatively, on the north side of the room, there is a lever on the wall. If you roll a high enough perception check, someone in your party will point it out. Succeed on a lockpick skill check with a DC of 15, and you’ll bypass the puzzle. Either way will open a secret door on the far end of the room that leads to the Selûnite Outpost in the Underdark.
