If you’ve ventured into the Dank Crypt in Baldur’s Gate 3, you may have encountered the notorious sarcophagus trap, a deadly puzzle that can wipe out your party if not approached with caution. This guide will walk you through effective strategies to safely navigate this perilous challenge, ensuring you can loot the sarcophagus without triggering the lethal fire traps. By employing clever tactics such as using Mage Hand or blocking vents, you can outsmart the traps and claim valuable rewards, including the rare Spear, The Watcher’s Guide, and an Engraved Key.
When the fire comes into contact with the grease, a massive explosion occurs, ultimately obliterating your party. So, to avoid that from happening, we’ve put together a quick BG3 guide to show you how easily you can stop the Sarcophagus trap from triggering.
Where To Find the Sarcophagus Trap in Baldur’s Gate III
To locate the Sarcophagus Trap in Baldur’s Gate III, players should head to the Dank Crypt, which is typically one of the first dungeons encountered in the game. Inside, the Sarcophagus is situated in a room filled with various traps that can easily eliminate unprepared adventurers. The trap itself is activated by grease vents on the floor that release flammable grease, followed by fiery bolts shot from gargoyle heads along the walls. To safely interact with the Sarcophagus, players can utilize several strategies, such as using a Trap Disarm Toolkit or covering the vents with objects to prevent the grease from igniting. Additionally, entering turn-based mode allows for more strategic movement and looting without triggering the traps. For those who prefer a more cautious approach, moving all but one party member to a safe distance can help mitigate the risk of triggering the trap while attempting to loot the Sarcophagus.
The room with the Sarcophagus Trap is located in the Dank Crypt, an early dungeon with many entrances. The quickest way to reach the room with the Sarcophagus trap is to open the Ancient Door near the Overgrown Ruins Waypoint in the northern part of the Ravaged Beach.
You can also enter the Dank Crypt by going through the Chapel Entrance above the Overgrown Ruins and opening the door with no lock or handle in the Refectory area.
As the image above shows, we’ve reached the Sarcophagus room through the Ancient Door. How you get here, it’s less important. Let’s see how to disable the trap.
How To Disable the Dank Crypt Sarcophagus Trap in BG3
To disable the Dank Crypt Sarcophagus Trap in Baldur’s Gate III, players can employ several effective strategies. The safest method involves using a Trap Disarm Toolkit, which can be obtained from vendors like Arron in the Emerald Grove. Once equipped, approach the Sarcophagus with a character that has high Dexterity, such as a Rogue or Bard, and select the Disarm option to neutralize the trap completely.
Alternatively, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, players can cover the six grease vents on the floor with nearby objects like crates or vases. This prevents the grease from igniting when the fiery bolts are released from the gargoyle heads. After covering the vents, enter turn-based mode to manage your party’s actions effectively. Have one character loot the Sarcophagus while the others remain at a safe distance, ensuring that they skip their turns to avoid triggering any remaining traps. This method allows for a successful interaction with the Sarcophagus while minimizing the risk of damage from the traps.
If your characters successfully pass perception checks, they will notice the grease vents traps marked in orange throughout the room. Furthermore, they may notice a yellow Button on the eastern pillar, which will require an additional perception check. Now, to disarm the trap, position one of your characters between the Sarcophagus and the yellow button on the eastern pillar.
Then, enter the Turn-Based Mode by pressing (Shift+Space) or clicking the hourglass in the bottom right corner with your cursor. While in the Turn-Based Mode, open the Sarcophagus to trigger the trap, then disarm it by pressing the yellow button marked in the image above.
It is mandatory to trigger the trap before pressing the yellow button to disarm it. After successfully disarming the BG3 Sarcophagus trap, you can safely grab The Watcher’s Guide (Spear) and the Engraved Key, which you can use to open the Heavy Oak Doors leading to the Withers’ Tomb.
What other traps can be found in the Dank Crypt
In the Dank Crypt of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can encounter several traps beyond the infamous sarcophagus trap. Here’s a rundown of the notable traps found in this area:
- Grease Traps: These traps are located around the sarcophagus and are triggered when the sarcophagus is opened. They expel flammable grease onto the ground, which can ignite when hit by fire-based attacks or other fire sources. Players can block these traps using objects like crates or vases to prevent the grease from spreading.
- Fire Arrows: After the grease traps are triggered, fire arrows shoot from the walls, igniting the grease and causing significant damage. Players can deactivate these by pressing a hidden button on a pillar if they successfully pass a perception check.
- Hidden Traps: There are additional traps scattered throughout the crypt, including pressure plates and other mechanisms that can trigger various effects. Players are advised to make perception checks to detect these traps before proceeding.
- Chained Book Trap: In one of the rooms, a chained book called the Book of Dead Gods can be found. Attempting to open this book may trigger a trap, requiring players to pass strength, dexterity, or intelligence checks to avoid negative consequences.
- Environmental Hazards: The crypt also contains areas with collapsing floors or other environmental dangers that can be triggered by player actions, such as shooting ropes that may cause rocks to fall.
By being cautious and employing perception checks, players can navigate these traps effectively and loot the crypt without suffering heavy losses.
What items can be found in the sarcophagi in the Dank Crypt
In the Dank Crypt of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can find several notable items within the sarcophagi. The primary items include:
- The Watcher’s Guide: This is an uncommon spear that deals 1d8 piercing damage. It has the special trait called Death’s Promise, which grants the wielder advantage on their next attack roll against a target they missed previously. Additionally, it allows the user to perform a Rush Attack, enabling them to rush forward and attack the first enemy in their path without provoking attacks of opportunity.
- Engraved Key: This key is essential for unlocking the heavy oak door in the first room of the Dank Crypt. It is stored on the player’s Keychain rather than appearing as a separate item in the inventory.
- Soul Coins: There are also Soul Coins located in some sarcophagi within the crypt, which can be used for various purposes throughout the game.
These items can be acquired by successfully navigating the traps associated with the sarcophagus, which include grease traps and fire arrows, making careful planning essential for safe looting.
