In Baldur’s Gate 3, acquiring Infernal Iron is essential for players looking to enhance their gameplay, particularly during Karlach’s compelling companion quest, “The Hellion’s Heart.” This rare metal not only serves as a crucial resource for forging powerful weapons and armor but also plays a pivotal role in repairing the overheating infernal engine embedded within Karlach. As players traverse the treacherous landscapes of the Sword Coast, they must uncover hidden caches and navigate explosive traps to gather this elusive material. Join us as we explore the various locations where you can find Infernal Iron and learn how to wield its power effectively in your journey through this enchanting RPG.
Where to find Karlach?
To find Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, you must progress through the game until you reach her companion quest, The Hellion’s Heart. Karlach can be found in the Wilderness area, where she is initially encountered during a pivotal moment in the storyline. Once she joins your party, she becomes essential for utilizing Infernal Iron, which is required to repair the overheating infernal engine within her body. Make sure to keep her in your party as you gather this rare material, as it is crucial for her quest and enhances your gameplay experience.
You’ll find Karlarch in Act 1 of BG3, at The Risen Road. You’ll encounter her during the Hunt the Devil quest, given to you by Wyll (another origin character). Upon entering the area, you’ll face a group of gnolls (probably your first encounter with this species in BG3). After the fight you should find a toll house, where you’ll meet paladins hunting for Karlach. Anders will ask you to help him search for her. Karlach is near the house – leave and head down the river. You’ll soon find her by the river.
How to recruit Karlach?
To recruit Karlach in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must first locate her during the “Hunt the Devil” quest in Act 1. After defeating a group of gnolls near a toll house, you will encounter paladins searching for her. Follow the river to find Karlach, who is situated nearby. Engage in conversation with her, and she will explain her predicament involving an Infernal Engine implanted in her chest, which is malfunctioning. Once you agree to help her, she will join your party, initiating her companion quest titled “The Hellion’s Heart.” This quest requires players to gather Infernal Iron to repair her engine, making it essential to have her in your party for the subsequent challenges ahead.
Although she looks menacing, Karlach will turn out to be very sweet, her version of events wildly differing from Wyll’s and the paladins’. She’ll ask you to help her kill the paladins, who she claims actually serve demons. You can add her to your party and go kill Anders together. This might be a difficult fight, since Anders is a Level 5 Paladin equipped with a really good greatsword, but if you start the battle by entering the toll house through the upper floor, you’ll gain a crucial height advantage. After defeating the paladins, return to your camp, where Wyll will likely confront you all. You can convince him not to kill Karlach.
Who can help Karlach fix the Infernal Engine?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Karlach’s quest, The Hellion’s Heart, revolves around repairing her malfunctioning Infernal Engine, which is crucial for her survival. To assist her, players need to seek out Dammon, a Tiefling blacksmith located in the Emerald Grove. Dammon has the expertise to fix the engine but requires Infernal Iron as a key component for the repair. Players must gather this rare material from various locations throughout the game, ensuring they have enough on hand to facilitate the repair process and help Karlach regain control over her fiery heart.
Dammon, the blacksmith from the Druid Grove, can help Karlach fix her Infernal Engine.
Talk to Karlach – she’ll tell you she has an Infernal Engine for a heart, implanted into her at the hellish realm of Avernus. The engine is malfunctioning and overheating. This begins the quest The Hellion’s Heart. Karlach will ask you to help her repair the engine. You can mention a fellow tiefling, Dammon, a blacksmith at the Druid Grove who could possibly help her. Go to the Druid Grove and talk to Dammon (his post is in the middle of the refugee camp). Dammon can indeed help Karlach, but he’ll need Infernal Iron to fix the engine.
Where to find Infernal Iron?
Infernal Iron can be found in several key locations throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, making it essential for players looking to progress in specific quests, particularly those involving the character Karlach. The Blighted Village is often the first place to discover this rare metal, located in a basement chest that requires careful navigation due to traps. Other notable locations include the Gauntlet of Shar Dungeon, where players must unlock a chest guarded by a necromancer, and the Shattered Sanctum within the Goblin Camp, accessible by defeating Dror Ragzlin. Additionally, players can acquire Infernal Iron in the Underdark Grymforge during a quest with Stonemason Kith and at the Zhentarim Hideout, which involves completing a quest to find a missing shipment. Collecting Infernal Iron from these sites will be crucial for repairing Karlach’s infernal engine and crafting powerful items later in the game.
Related map marker: Infernal Iron in Grymforge @ Act 1
Related map marker: Infernal Iron in Blighted Village @ Act 1
Related map marker: Infernal Iron in Goblin Camp @ Act 1
Location of the first Infernal Iron. The red arrow points to the building in the Blighted Village hiding the Infernal Iron. The yellow one points to the beginning of the game (Nautiloid shipwreck) and the green one to the Druid Grove.
Infernal Iron in the Blighted Village
Aside from the above, there are several places where you can come across Infernal Iron in BG3. Act 1 of BG3 is home to at least three pieces of Infernal Iron. The first one is the easiest to find – just reach the Blighted Village. You can do so soon after visiting the Druid Grove. The Blighted Village is a large location holding many goblins (and a gnome tied to a windmill). One of the buildings here is an abandoned forge (the same building through which you’ll reach the Phase Spider caves). You’ll surely notice a chest above a ladder (watch out for the trap). The Infernal Iron is within this chest (pictured below). If the ladder breaks, you’ll need to jump up there.
The ladder is trapped. If it breaks, you’ll need to jump up.
Infernal Iron in the Goblin Camp
You can also find it next to the Goblin Camp, in the Shattered Sanctum, in a room guarded by Dror Ragzlin (level 5 character). This goblin is one of the three leaders. You can kill him (the battle may be problematic if you are on a lower level of experience than him) and loot the key from the body. The goblin guarded a treasury – open it and thats where you’ll find Infernal Iron. Alternatively, you can steal the key, albeit this won’t be easy.
A treasury with this item is behind Dror Ragzlin. To access it, you need the key – you can kill him and loot it from this dead body or steal it.
Infernal Iron in the Underdark, Duergar Camp.
You can also find Infernal Iron a bit later on, in the Underdark (we’ve described how to get there on the How to enter the Underdark? page), specifically in Grymforge – a Duergar camp. You’ll need to complete a quest for Stonemason Kith, who’ll ask you to keep watch for him. If you pass three checks (History, Investigation and Perception) he’ll give you some Infernal Iron. Give the item to Dammon the next time you see him, and he’ll fix Karlach’s engine.
What are the best strategies to avoid traps when finding Infernal Iron
To effectively avoid traps while searching for Infernal Iron in Baldur’s Gate 3, consider these strategies:
Preparation
- Bring Trap Disarm Kits: Always carry a few Trap Disarm Kits in your inventory. These kits are essential for disarming traps found in chests and other locations where Infernal Iron is stored.
Stealth and Observation
- Use Stealth: Approach areas with traps quietly to avoid triggering them. Characters with high stealth abilities can scout ahead and identify traps before they become a problem.
- Look for Visual Cues: Traps often have visual indicators, such as suspicious-looking floors or strange markings. Pay attention to your surroundings to spot potential dangers early.
Tactical Approaches
- Set Off Traps from a Distance: If you encounter proximity mines or explosive traps, use ranged attacks or spells to trigger them from a safe distance. This can clear the area without putting your party at risk.
- Use Spells Wisely: Spells like Mage Hand can be used to interact with objects from a distance, allowing you to disarm traps or open chests without putting yourself in harm’s way.
Team Coordination
- Assign Roles: Designate a character with high sleight of hand or lockpicking skills to handle chests and traps. Characters like Astarion can be particularly effective in these situations.
- Communicate and Plan: Before entering areas known for traps, discuss strategies with your party members. Decide who will take the lead and how to approach each situation collectively.
By employing these strategies, players can navigate the treacherous environments of Baldur’s Gate 3 more safely while hunting for the valuable Infernal Iron.
What are the most common traps found in the locations with Infernal Iron
In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can encounter several types of traps while searching for Infernal Iron. Here are the most common traps found in key locations:
Common Traps
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Explosive Traps:
- Location: Found in the Blighted Village and Zhentarim Hideout.
- Description: These traps explode when triggered, causing damage to nearby characters. In the Blighted Village, the trap is located in front of a chest that contains Infernal Iron.
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Locked Chests with Traps:
- Location: Present in the Shattered Sanctum and Balthazar’s Vault.
- Description: These chests are not only locked but also rigged to explode or activate a harmful effect when an attempt is made to pick the lock or open them without disarming the trap first.
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Pitfall Traps:
- Location: Commonly found in various dungeons, including the Gauntlet of Shar.
- Description: These traps can cause characters to fall into a pit, leading to damage or difficult positioning during combat.
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Poison Gas Traps:
- Location: Occasionally encountered in areas like the Zhentarim Hideout.
- Description: Triggering these traps releases a cloud of poison that can incapacitate or damage characters over time.
Strategies for Avoidance
- Always scout ahead using stealth characters to identify traps before triggering them.
- Utilize spells like Mage Hand to interact with objects from a safe distance.
- Carry Trap Disarm Kits to disable traps before attempting to open chests or doors.
By being aware of these traps and employing careful strategies, players can safely navigate the treacherous areas while hunting for Infernal Iron.