Quick Links
To progress through the main storyline inBaldur’s Gate 3, players will find themselves adventuring through one of two paths: Underdark or Mountain Pass. Both will lead to the same destination; it’s just a matter of the journey.
Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Recruit Every Companion
Are you wondering how to recruit all 10 companions in Baldur’s Gate 3? Well here is how to do it.
But when faced with two unique paths, which one should you choose to reach Moonrise Towers?This guide will delve into the nitty-gritty regarding whether toselect the Underdarkor Mountain Pass to push further into the campaign and reach Act 2!
Updated by Abigail Angell on July 05, 2025:This guide has been updated to include a fuller experience answering this question. The consequences for clearing both routes have been included, as well as which quests are known to be timed. In addition, the formatting of images and links has been updated to reflect Dualshocker’s new standards.
Traveling Through The Mountain Pass
There are numerous reasons why players would opt for the Mountain Pass over the Underdark. For starters, they may feel claustrophobic when traveling underground, or perhaps they’re scared of the dark. Or, more likely, players have traveled through the Underdark previously and want a quicker route. That’s right; despite any faults in scenery and aesthetics,the Mountain Pass is the fastest route.
Players can access the Mountain Pass in one of two ways.They can find the path north of the Goblin Camp through the Risen Road, which is crawling with Gnolls. Optionally, there is a path to the West of the Goblin Camp.It’s an occasionally dangerous route, with high-level enemies awaiting the player’s party, and it’s not recommended unless the entire group is over-leveled. It’s best to opt for the first route to the Mountain Pass.
Regardless of the player’s chosen path, the Mountain Pass is more dangerous because it provides less XP while still leading to the same higher-level enemies of Act 2. But for players who opt to side with the Goblins andromance Minthara, she will accompany the party and can show off her Spider Lute to Kar’niss, who blocks the way.Kar’niss will provide the player with the Moonlantern, which negates the nearby shadow curse debuff.you may also loot the lute and use it yourself.
While you will receive a warning when reaching the Mountain Pass, this does not mean you are leaving Act One. Instead, this warning refers to several quests in the Emerald Grove disappearing, and the goblins attacking the Grove if the leaders are still alive.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Should You Let Abdirak Hit You?
Agreeing to Abdirak’s demands to receive ‘Loviatar’s Love’ are unclear in BG3. This is a guide about the consequences of agreeing to the torture.
Traveling Through The Underdark
Alternatively, players may opt for the Underdark route. This is the one NPCs such as Halsin suggest as being easier — although it will still be a steep learning curve. Vision is paramount here, with many enemies more suited to the dark than your average human. Carry torches if you notice that you are missing attacks. Overall, however, the Underdark is easier because it is longer. This gives the benefit of more resources,secrets to uncover, and a more gradual difficulty increase.
The easiest route to the Underdark is below the Goblin Camp.But first, players need to solve a puzzle, head through the Shattered Sanctum, andtraverse the Defiled Temple. It’s quite a journey! But once in the Underdark,it’s a quick boat trip to Grymforge to continue the main story.
Can You Visit Both Routes In A Single Playthrough?
Players will be able to bounce back and forth between the Mountain Pass and the Underdark if that is truly their wish. While this will sacrifice valuable time, which may cause some quests to time out before completion, you can always retrace your steps or teleport between Fast Travel points to experience as much of the world as possible.
Known timed quests, as well as their trigger for advancing, can be found in the table below. Most quests in the Emerald Grove or Goblin Camp fall into this category.
When It Times Out
Investigate Kagha
This quest must be completed before traveling to Grymforge, entering the Mountain Pass, or Rescuing Halsin.
Kill The Goblin Leaders
If you enter the Mountain Pass, or sail to Grymforge this quest will become unavailable.
Rescue the Druid Halsin
This quest must be completed before the goblins attack the grove, which occurs when you enter Grymforge or the Mountain Pass.
Raid the Grove
If you’ve chosen an evil playthrough, then you’ll want to raid the grove before progressing to Grymforge or the Mountain Pass.
Find Your Belongings
Recovering what the Tiefling children took from you becomes impossible upon their death/leaving the grove. This occurs when you enter either the Mountain Pass or Grymforge.
Save Arabella
If you’ve chosen to leave the area around the Emerald Grove before speaking with Kagha, you won’t be able to save Arabella.
Rescue the Trapped Man
Entering the Mountain Pass or Grymforge will progress the fire in Wyrm’s Crossing, killing the man found there.
Rescue the Grand Duke
While you can pick this quest up later, you won’t be able to participate in the Wyrm’s Crossing section of the Grand Duke quest if you enter the Mountain Pass or Grymforge.
Rescue Volo
If the situation in the Goblin Camp progresses, such as when entering Grymforge or the Mountain Pass, you’ll lose your chance to rescue Volo.
Cure the Poisoned Gnome
Thulla dies if you sail to Grymforge or Long Rest (after speaking with the Myconids) before curing her.
Find the Mushroom Picker
This quest has a timer that begins once you speak with Derryth. Entering the Shadow Cursed Lands will cause the Mushroom Picker to disappear from his location.
Free True Soul Nere
If you long rest twice after speaking with the welcoming party in Grymforge before clearing the cave-in, Nere and the gnomes trapped with him will perish.
Find Explosives
Once you learn of Philomeen from either the Gnomes or the Dreugar, you have a limited time to find her. She leaves Grymforge one Long Rest later, taking the Rune Powder with her.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Chapter 1 Checklist (Things You Don’t Want To Miss In Act 1)
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a massive game, and you’re able to easily miss important things. Here’s a list of everything you don’t want to miss in Act 1.
Which Route To Choose?
So, should the player choose the Underdark or Mountain Pass?
If players want the fastest route to the next set of story missions, then theMountain Pass is the quickest route. However, working throughthe Underdark means more unique opportunitiesfor combat, leveling, secrets, side quests, and stories to uncover.
If you are interested inLa’zael’s quest, then going to Rosymorn Monastery in theMountain Passis a must. ForShadowheart,however,the Underdarkis the better choice because it allows you to learn more about Shar.
Can You Visit The Starting Area After Entering The Shadowlands?
Even though you’re able to readily travel between the Overworld and the Underdark in Act One, Entering the Shadowlands officially begins Act Two of the story. Before taking the elevator into the Shadowlands or entering the cursed zone via the Mountain Pass Route, the player will be warned to tie up any loose ends, but does this mean you can’t go back?
Attempting to leave the Shadow Cursed lands via the paths will result in the Guardian chastising you, and preventing the action.Repeated attempts can even lead to a game over. What you may do, ismove back and forth via fast travel points. This does not appear to anger the Guardian, nor does it have significant consequences for the story.
Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Defeat Auntie Ethel
If you’re having trouble defeating Auntie Ethel in Baldur’s Gate 3, this guide can help you out.
