How to wake Art Cullagh and lift the Shadow Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3

Guides

In the shadowy realms of Baldur’s Gate 3, players are beckoned to confront the enigmatic Shadow Curse, a malevolent force that plagues the land. This walkthrough will guide you through the intricate steps required to lift this curse, unveiling hidden secrets and powerful allies along the way. Prepare to navigate treacherous terrains, engage in strategic battles, and make pivotal choices that will shape your journey in this immersive RPG experience. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the Forgotten Realms, our comprehensive guide will ensure you triumph over darkness and restore light to the cursed lands.

How to prepare for the portal defense?

To effectively prepare for the portal defense in Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s crucial to ensure your party is well-equipped and strategically positioned. Start by taking a long rest at your camp to restore spells and abilities. Assemble a balanced team including at least one Cleric, Warrior, and Paladin, as they are essential for both healing and frontline combat. Equip your characters with magical weapons and area damage spells like Fireball and Thunderwave. Before the battle begins, make sure to use items that provide light, such as a Moon Lantern, to counteract the Shadow Curse’s effects. Position your spellcasters at a distance where they can unleash powerful area-of-effect spells while keeping melee fighters close to the portal to intercept enemies. This preparation will help you withstand the waves of foes and protect Halsin’s portal effectively.

Take a long rest and head to the lake, where Halsin is waiting. Have a Cleric in your party, such as Shadowheart – they’ll come in handy in the upcoming fight.

How to defend the portal with Halsin?

To successfully defend the portal with Halsin in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must prepare for a challenging encounter as waves of enemies will attack while he attempts to open a portal to Shadowfell. After meeting Halsin at the lakeshore, you will face multiple waves of foes including Wraiths, Shadows, and Shadow Mastiffs. Utilizing area-of-effect (AOE) spells such as Fireball, Wall of Fire, or Sleet Storm is crucial to manage the large number of enemies effectively. Focus on eliminating stronger enemies like “Mommy” and “Daddy” first, as they can significantly hinder your efforts. If you manage to protect Halsin until he completes the portal activation, he will return to camp and become a valuable ally in your quest to lift the Shadow Curse.

RELATED  Baldur's Gate 3: How to Solve the Chamber of Justice Puzzle

Talk to Halsin and prepare for battle – you must defend the portal for four turns. The enemies attack in waves, but there’s only one way to the portal – through your party. Have your Cleric cast Spirit Guardians and choose Radiant damage – it will be invaluable in this fight.

Place the Cleric in the middle of the path towards the portal and cast Spirit Guardians. As pictured above, warriors and archers spawn in the top left corner – use AoE spells to deal with them, such as Fireball, Wall of Fire or Glyph of Warding.

After the battle, watch the cutscene. Collect the staggering amount of loot dropped by the defeated enemies. Return to camp and talk to Halsin.

After talking with Halsin, you can finally add him to the party. Now you can start searching for Thaniel’s second half. Head to the location pictured below – coordinates X:61 Y:22.

How to defeat Oliver?

To defeat Oliver in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must engage in a unique battle that requires strategy and patience. After locating Oliver, he will encase himself in a protective dome, making him invulnerable to direct attacks. To break this barrier, players need to eliminate the shadow clones he spawns, as well as two significant enemies referred to as “Mommy” and “Daddy.” Each clone defeated contributes to damaging the dome, so focusing on these minions first is crucial. It is important not to attack Oliver directly, as he reflects damage back to the attacker. Once the dome is weakened by defeating these enemies, players can then interact with Oliver to complete the quest and help him reconcile with his counterpart, Thaniel.

RELATED  Where To Find the Underground Passage Location in Baldur's Gate 3

Enter the house and talk to the child.

If Halsin’s in the party, he’ll tell you that’s the child you’re looking for. Tell him you know who he is, then chase him through the portal.

You’ll face Oliver in the central square. Your goal is to destroy the barrier that defends it. This is done by defeating enemies – focus entirely on them.

What is the Shadow Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Shadow Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a formidable, necrotic affliction that drains life and light from the Shadow-Cursed Lands, a region steeped in darkness and danger. This curse was unleashed by Ketheric Thorm, who, in his grief over his daughter’s death, turned to dark powers and ultimately released the curse upon the land, splitting its spirit and transforming it into a twisted, hostile environment.
Adventurers venturing into these cursed areas face severe consequences if they lack adequate light sources; without protection, they suffer continuous damage and risk succumbing to the curse’s effects. Only those equipped with specific items, such as Moonlanterns or blessed by characters like Isobel at the Last Light Inn, can safely navigate deeper into this perilous terrain. The curse not only affects the physical realm but also poses significant challenges to players’ strategies and survival as they seek to lift it and restore balance to the land.

How does the Shadow Curse affect characters in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Shadow Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3 significantly impacts characters who venture into the Shadow-Cursed Lands, primarily through a debilitating debuff that causes continuous damage. Here’s how it affects characters:

  1. Damage Over Time: Characters without a source of light suffer necrotic damage with each turn spent in darkness. This damage accumulates quickly, leading to potential death if they remain unprotected for too long.
  2. Combat Limitations: When carrying a light source like a torch, characters are unable to wield their weapons effectively, which can severely hinder combat capabilities. For example, a Fighter using Two-Weapon Fighting would lose the benefits of that fighting style while holding a torch.
  3. Need for Protection: Players must utilize various methods to shield themselves from the curse. Basic light sources like torches can help in lighter areas, but stronger protection is necessary for deeper regions where darkness prevails. Options include spells like Daylight, blessings from characters like Isobel at the Last Light Inn, or acquiring a Moon Lantern, which grants immunity to the curse’s effects.
  4. Character Abilities: Some characters, such as Shadowheart, possess natural resistance to the Shadow Curse, allowing them to traverse initial layers without needing light sources. This unique ability can be strategically advantageous in navigating cursed areas.
  5. Environmental Challenges: The curse creates hazardous conditions where players must constantly manage their light sources and strategize their movements to avoid taking damage or succumbing to the curse’s effects entirely.
RELATED  Baldur's Gate 3: Hidden Vault and Rune of the Wolf Guide BG3

Overall, the Shadow Curse introduces a layer of strategy and urgency, compelling players to adapt their gameplay and utilize available resources effectively while exploring the treacherous Shadow-Cursed Lands.

Rate
Jason Venter

Jason Venter has been a professional video game writer since 2005. When he’s not immersed in gaming, he’s either reading, crafting engaging stories, or publishing captivating fantasy novels. Occasionally, he even manages to squeeze in some sleep.

Add comments