How to get to the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur's Gate 3
(Image credit: Larian Studios)

The Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3 is somewhere you can go after the goblin camp (or even before if you're so inclined), and there's multiple ways in BG3 to reach the Underdark, with at least four different entrances that you can find around the opening area. A subterranean realm filled with weird threats and perils, the Underdark nevertheless has all sorts of fun to be had, and I'll lay out below all the different ways you can reach it.

Baldur's Gate 3 Underdark entrance locations

Baldur's Gate 3 underdark

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

At time of writing there are four known entrances to the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3, with locations spread around act one of the game. They are as follows:

  • The Defiled Temple. Once you get through the Baldur's Gate 3 Goblin Camp, you'll reach the Shattered Sanctum. Priestess Gut's private room, guarded by an Ogre bodyguard, links to an area called the Defiled Temple, a ruined place of worship to the goddess Shar. If you can complete the Baldur's Gate 3 moon puzzle within, you'll be granted access to a tunnel that leads down to the Underdark.
  • The Ancient Abode of Auntie Ethel. If you go to deal with the Baldur's Gate 3 hag in the woods South of the Blighted Village, you can find her Teahouse. In the tunnels beneath it, at the lowest point, you'll find Mayrina in a cage. The "bottomless" tunnel she's hanging over isn't actually bottomless - cast Feather Fall on your team to prevent fall damage and have them jump into the chasm to drop down into the Underdark.
  • The Whispering Depths. If you found the Necromancy of Thay in Baldur's Gate 3, you might know that the key to unlock it is found in the Whispering Depths, accessible through the well in the middle of the Blighted Village, or through a cracked wall near the forge in the same Village. Following the tunnels in the Depths to their Westernmost point, you'll find a terrifying boss called the Phase Spider Matriarch. You don't have to kill her though - the central pit she circles around can also be jumped into with the Feather Fall spell to reach the Underdark.
  • The Zhentarim Hideout. West of the Risen Road is Waukeen's rest, a burning house surrounded by the Flaming First. At the west side of this area is a little dead end with a dead Ox - but the little shed North of that, the door covered by crates, is actually a secret entrance to a hideout for the criminal faction known as the Zhentarim. You can lie and talk your way in - then when you're in their underground lair, head to the North for your character's perception to reveal an illusory wall guarded by a wolf. Sneaking through reveals an old elevator - use a Lockpick to access it and it'll take you down to the Underdark!

What level should you be for the Underdark?

Baldur's Gate 3 underdark

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

The Underdark is pretty brutal, and a player will want to be level three at the bare minimum before dealing with its perils, and ideally level 5 and up. If you do go at level 3 or lower, you'll have to play incredibly cleverly, and probably depend more on stealth and negotiation, as combat with the minotaurs, duergar and drow that prowl this underground realm will take you to pieces unless you're either incredibly lucky or incredibly clever.

© 12DOVE. Not to be reproduced without permission

Joel Franey
Guides Writer

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.

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