Unravel the secrets of the Overgrown Ruins in Baldur’s Gate 3, where danger lurks behind every vine and ancient stone. This guide will navigate you through treacherous bandit encounters, intricate puzzles, and hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. Whether you choose to brawl your way through or employ cunning deception, every decision shapes your adventure in this mysterious locale. Prepare to delve deep into the heart of the ruins and emerge victorious with invaluable loot and powerful artifacts!
Map of all entrances to Overgrown Ruins
The Overgrown Ruins in Baldur’s Gate 3 feature four distinct entrances that players can explore to access the Dank Crypt, an essential part of the game’s early narrative. These entrances include: 1) The Beach Door, which requires a successful lockpicking attempt; 2) The Chapel Door, where players can interact with a guard or use Thieves Tools; 3) The Hatch, located east of the chapel and also needing lockpicking; and 4) A Hole in the Chapel Floor, which is revealed through environmental interaction. Each entrance offers unique challenges and opportunities for players to navigate as they delve deeper into the ruins’ mysteries and confront the dangers within.
The Overgrown Ruins are located to the north of the beach and to the east of the Nautiloid ship ruins. Consult the above map to view 4 main entrances to the underground part of the ruins. These are:
- The beach door – Entrance 1 on our map.
- The Chapel door – Entrance 2 on our map.
- Hatch east of the ruins – Entrance 3 on our map.
- Hole in Chapel floor (initially not accessible) – Entrance 4 on our map.
Entrance 1 – Beach
To access Entrance 1 – Beach of the Overgrown Ruins in Baldur’s Gate 3, players should navigate to the southern path that leads through the ruins. This entrance is particularly notable as it provides a shortcut back to the game’s starting area, featuring a fast travel point for easier navigation. Upon entering, players will encounter various challenges, including potential confrontations with bandits. Successfully dealing with these foes can be achieved through combat or clever persuasion tactics, allowing players to explore deeper into the ruins and uncover hidden treasures and secrets. The beach entrance serves not only as a gateway to adventure but also as a strategic point for future explorations within the game.
- Start by reaching Overgrown Ruins fast travel point. It is encountered shortly after starting Act 1 and embarking north. In this area, you may encounter Shadowheart if you haven’t freed her from her pod during Prologue (if you recruited her there, she will wake up on the beach next to the protagonist).
- This door to the ruins is locked and attacking them won’t help with anything. You must have Thieves Tools and additionally choose a hero with developed Sleight of Hand for this task. The ideal candidate for this is Astarion, who can be recruited west from the ruins and crashed airship.
- The door leads straight to Dank Crypt.
More on lockpicking can be found on a dedicated page (Lockpicking).
Entrance 2 – Chapel
To access Entrance 2 – Chapel in Baldur’s Gate 3, players must navigate through a series of environmental puzzles that test their problem-solving skills. This entrance serves as a gateway to the Overgrown Ruins, where players encounter various challenges and enemies. Successfully entering the chapel requires careful observation of the surroundings and interaction with specific elements within the game. Players should pay attention to clues and patterns that will help them unlock the path forward, ensuring they are well-prepared for the encounters that lie ahead.
The ruins of a Chapel are north from the fast travel point but to reach them, you need to approach from the west. In the same location, you’ll encounter a group of looters, and you can:
- Attack the bandits. We recommend surprising the opponents so the team gets to land a few strikes outside of turn order. You can also drop a hanging object on the enemies (more on this in the Entrance 4 description).
- Convince the looters to leave. You can perform this through a few different Skill Checks (Persuasion, Intimidation, Deception, or Fighter check). Choose the Check that the led hero has a lot of points in.
After the battle or successful persuasion, reach the northern door of the ruined Chapel. Interacting with the door will initiate a conversation with a looter on the other side of it. You can:
- Pass a Skill Check (by default Performance and Deception are available) Successful passing of the check will make the guard unlock the door.
- Use Thieves Tools – successful passing of the related check will unlock the door.
- Once inside the chapel, you’re going to need to defeat the guard. Moreover, in the Chapel’s basement there is another group of looters.
- Now you can focus on finding the secret lever (screenshot) – it is hidden behind the statue lit by sunlight, to discover it you need to complete a Perception check. Pulling the lever will unlock a pathway which leads to Dank Crypt.
Entrance 3 – Hatch
To access the Overgrown Ruins in Baldur’s Gate 3, players can utilize the Hatch, which serves as an alternative entrance. Located east of the Chapel Entrance, this wooden hatch leads directly into the back of the Dank Crypt. While it allows players to bypass some of the initial bandit encounters, it ultimately presents similar challenges in reverse order. Entering through this route may not significantly ease the journey, but it offers a chance to explore different areas and loot hidden treasures. Players should be prepared for combat and traps as they navigate this path, ensuring they are equipped to handle whatever dangers lie ahead.
- For this entrance you have to follow the path east from the Chapel ruins that follows the edge of the cliff. Along the way you’ll have to climb down to a lower level.
- Finally you should reach a hatch shown in the screenshot above. The hatch is locked – you need to use Thieves Tools and successfully complete a Check.
- The hatch, now open, will allow you to access Dank Crypt.
Entrance 4 – Hole in the chapel’s ruins
To access the Overgrown Ruins in Baldur’s Gate 3, players can utilize Entrance 4, which involves a strategic approach to a hole in the chapel’s ruins. This entrance is created by shooting down a large stone block suspended from a crane, which crashes through the cracked stone floor below, forming a new passage into the depths of the ruins. While this method allows for a quick descent, players should be cautious as it leads directly into a confrontation with bandits lurking in the area. Jumping down without proper preparation may result in taking damage, so it’s advisable to have healing items ready or use spells like Feather Fall to mitigate potential harm. Once inside, players can explore further and engage with the various challenges and treasures that await them in the dank crypt below.
- This the only entrance to the Crypt that isn’t visible from the very begininng. Reach the ruins of the chapel that we described for Entrance 2.
- You can notice a hanging stone block above the looters – we mark it in the screenshot above. Use any ranged attack to hit the block.
- The struck block will detach and fall down killing both looters and create a large hole in the floor.
- Defeat all remaining looters in the area and after the successful battle, interact with the hole. This is another possible entrance to the Dank Crypt.
What are the best strategies to avoid traps in the Overgrown Ruins
To effectively avoid traps in the Overgrown Ruins of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can employ several strategic approaches:
1. Utilize Perception Checks
Before entering trap-laden areas, ensure that characters with high perception are at the forefront. Successful perception checks can reveal the locations of traps, allowing players to navigate around them or prepare for disarming them.
2. Disarm Traps
If you have a trap-disarming kit, bring a character with sufficient dexterity to disable traps safely. This is particularly useful in areas like the Dank Crypt, where traps can cause significant damage.
3. Use Environmental Objects
Players can manipulate the environment to their advantage. For instance, dragging barrels over oil vents can block traps and prevent them from activating. This tactic allows for safer exploration and loot collection.
4. Split the Party
When entering particularly dangerous rooms, consider splitting your party. Send in your most dexterous character to trigger traps while the rest remain outside. This minimizes the risk of multiple characters getting caught in trap effects simultaneously.
5. Save Frequently
Since traps can lead to instant deaths or severe setbacks, make frequent saves before entering new areas or interacting with suspicious objects. This allows players to reload if things go awry.
6. Turn-Based Mode Activation
Upon triggering traps, quickly switch to turn-based mode to give your characters a chance to react and escape before the traps activate fully. This can be crucial for avoiding damage from sudden trap activations.
By combining these strategies, players can navigate the Overgrown Ruins more safely and effectively, enhancing their chances of survival and success in their adventures.
What are the best ways to sneak past the looters in the Overgrown Ruins
To sneak past the looters in the Overgrown Ruins of Baldur’s Gate 3, players can employ several effective strategies:
1. Use Deception and Persuasion
Engage the looters in conversation and attempt to persuade, intimidate, or deceive them into leaving. Characters like Gale or Shadowheart can enhance your chances of success with their dialogue skills. If you succeed, you can avoid combat entirely and proceed deeper into the ruins without a fight.
2. Take Advantage of Environmental Hazards
If stealth fails, consider using the environment to your advantage. For example, shoot down the coiled rope over a cracked floor to drop a heavy object on unsuspecting looters below, potentially eliminating them before they notice you. Additionally, look for explosive barrels in the vicinity; shooting these while enemies are nearby can create chaos and give you an edge in combat.
3. Enter Through Alternative Routes
Instead of confronting the looters directly, explore alternative entrances to the ruins. For instance, you can climb down vines or use hidden hatches that bypass the main group of bandits altogether, allowing you to enter from a less guarded position.
4. Utilize Stealth Mechanics
Make use of stealth mechanics by having characters with high stealth skills lead the way. Move slowly and avoid detection by sticking to shadows and avoiding noisy terrain. If you need to pass by a group of looters, consider using distractions like throwing objects to draw their attention away from your path.
5. Prepare for Quick Escapes
If negotiations fail and combat ensues, be ready to retreat strategically. Position your party near exits or choke points where you can funnel enemies and control the fight. This allows for quick escapes if necessary, minimizing damage taken during encounters with multiple foes.
By combining these tactics, players can navigate the Overgrown Ruins more stealthily and effectively, enhancing their overall gameplay experience while minimizing unnecessary confrontations.
