How to Avoid Taking Cursed Damage in the Shadow-Cursed Lands in Baldur

In the shadowy realms of Baldur’s Gate 3, navigating through darkness is not just a challenge—it’s a necessity for survival. As players delve into cursed lands filled with lurking dangers, understanding how to illuminate the abyss becomes crucial. Whether through magical spells like Light and Dancing Lights, or by wielding trusty torches, adventurers must equip themselves with the right tools to pierce the veil of night. This guide explores essential strategies for lighting up your path and reveals which races possess innate abilities to see through the dark, ensuring that no hidden threat goes unnoticed.

Magic

In Baldur’s Gate 3, magic plays a crucial role in illuminating darkness, allowing players to navigate treacherous environments. Spells such as Light and Dancing Lights are essential tools for adventurers, enabling them to create bright auras or summon glowing sparks that illuminate areas within a 12-meter radius. These spells not only enhance visibility but also provide strategic advantages against shadowy foes, ensuring that players can explore and engage in combat without succumbing to the dangers of the dark. Utilizing these magical abilities effectively can turn the tide in encounters where darkness threatens to overwhelm.

Spells that temporarily create light sources can help you in moving in the darkness. Among them are:

1. Light – This spell allows you to infuse an object with a luminous aura.
2. Dancing Lights – You can summon sparks that illuminate the area within a 12-meter radius.

Torch

In Baldur’s Gate 3, using torches is a practical method to illuminate dark environments, allowing players to navigate and avoid potential dangers effectively. These torches are readily available as loot throughout the game and do not consume valuable spell slots, making them a convenient choice. However, placing a torch requires replacing the primary weapon, which can be less ideal for combat situations. Once obtained, players must find a light source to rekindle the torch, enabling them to move with a burning flame and potentially setting enemies ablaze. For optimal usage, consider distributing torches among party members who do not frequently engage in combat, ensuring everyone remains prepared for navigating through dark regions.

1. The main advantages of torches is that they are easily available (you can find them as loot) and that they do not use up spells.
2. The disadvantage of the torch is that you need to place it in the weapon slot. It has to replace the weapon with potentially greater usefulness and higher stats. We recommend passing the torch to those party members who don’t use their weapons that often.
3. After finding an extinguished torch, you mustfind a light source and select the option to dip the torch. This will allow you to travel with a burning torch and optionally set enemies on fire with it.

We described how to use a torch in more detail on the page How to light a torch?.

Cherished Locket

For the subtitle “Cherished Locket” under the article “Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Illuminate Darkness?”, consider the following: “In ‘Baldur’s Gate 3,’ illumination isn’t just about light; it’s about uncovering hidden secrets and navigating treacherous landscapes. Just as a cherished locket holds sentimental value, mastering lighting mechanics in the game reveals new paths and enhances your journey through Faerûn.”

1. In act 1, you can take on the Child’s Trial quest – we described it in our walkthrough and it relates to the imprisoned girl Arabella in the Druid Grove.
2. You must save Arabella, i.e. successfully pass the nature or persuasion check.
3. At the end of the quest, you can receive an amulet from the girl’s parents. After equipping Cherished Locket it can light up the surroundings within a 12 meters radius. It works just like the Dancing Lights spell.

Darkvision as a racial feat

Selected races in Baldur’s Gate 3 possess a unique racial feature known as Darkvision, which allows them to see in darkness up to a distance of 12 meters (approximately 40 feet). This ability eliminates the need for light sources such as torches or spells, making it particularly advantageous in exploring dimly lit environments. Races that benefit from Darkvision include Tieflings, Elves, Gnomes, Dwarves, Half-elves, and Half-orcs. Notably, Drow characters have access to a superior variant called Superior Darkvision, which extends their vision range to 24 meters (about 80 feet), providing them with a significant edge in dark areas. This feature enhances tactical gameplay by allowing characters to engage enemies without the usual disadvantages associated with low visibility conditions.

1. Selected races may have a racial feature called Darkvision. It allows them to see in the dark within a radius of 12 meters, removing the need to use spells or torches.
2. Tieflings, Elves, Gnomes, Dwarves, Half-elves and Half-orcs can use Darkvision.
3. As for Drows, they can use a better version called Superior Darkvision. It doubles the range of vision in the dark to 24 meters.

What are the best spells for illuminating dark areas in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, several spells and items can effectively illuminate dark areas, enhancing visibility and aiding exploration. Here are the best options:

Best Spells for Illuminating Darkness

1. Light
   • This cantrip allows you to imbue an object with a luminous aura, illuminating a 12-meter radius. It lasts for 100 rounds and does not require concentration, making it an ideal choice for providing a constant light source without sacrificing other spellcasting options.
2. Dancing Lights
   • Another cantrip, Dancing Lights creates up to four floating lights that illuminate a 9-meter area. While it requires concentration and lasts only ten turns, it provides flexibility in positioning lights where needed, which can be useful in combat situations.
3. Daylight
   • This spell creates a bright light that dispels darkness, including magical darkness, and is particularly effective against enemies like vampires, dealing radiant damage when they are within its radius.
4. Cherished Locket
   • Obtained during the Child’s Trial quest in Act 1, this item functions similarly to Dancing Lights, illuminating a 12-meter radius when equipped.
5. Torches
   • Though not magical, torches are easily accessible and provide light when equipped. They can also be used strategically in combat, such as throwing them to ignite enemies or dropping them for illumination without using spell slots.
6. Darkvision
   • Certain races (like Elves and Tieflings) have the racial ability Darkvision, allowing them to see in darkness up to 12 meters away. Drow have Superior Darkvision, extending this range to 24 meters, eliminating the need for spells or torches altogether.

These spells and tools not only enhance visibility but also strategically impact gameplay by minimizing disadvantages associated with darkness during encounters.

What are the best spells for illuminating dark areas in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, several spells can effectively illuminate dark areas, enhancing visibility and aiding gameplay. Here are the best spells for this purpose:

Best Spells for Illuminating Darkness

1. Light
   • This cantrip allows you to infuse an object with a luminous aura, illuminating a 12-meter radius. It lasts for 100 rounds and does not require concentration, making it a versatile option for providing constant light without sacrificing other spellcasting abilities.
2. Dancing Lights
   • Another cantrip, Dancing Lights creates up to four floating lights that illuminate a 9-meter area. While it requires concentration and lasts only ten turns, it offers flexibility in positioning lights where needed, which can be advantageous in both exploration and combat situations.
3. Daylight
   • This spell creates bright light that dispels darkness, including magical darkness. In Baldur’s Gate 3, it specifically generates sunlight, which is particularly effective against enemies like vampires, dealing radiant damage when they are within its radius.
4. Cherished Locket
   • Obtained during the Child’s Trial quest in Act 1, this item functions similarly to Dancing Lights, illuminating a 12-meter radius when equipped. It serves as a useful light source without using spell slots.
5. Torches
   • While not magical, torches are easily accessible and provide light when equipped. They can also be thrown or dropped to create light sources strategically during exploration or combat.
6. Darkvision
   • Certain races (like Elves and Tieflings) possess the racial ability Darkvision, allowing them to see in darkness up to 12 meters away. Drow have Superior Darkvision, extending this range to 24 meters, making them less reliant on spells or torches for visibility.

These spells and items not only enhance visibility but also strategically impact gameplay by reducing disadvantages associated with darkness during encounters.