Baldur’s Gate 3, a sprawling and immersive RPG from Larian Studios, is a game defined by choices. Every dialogue, every action, and every step forward presents players with meaningful decisions that shape the narrative and their character’s destiny. One of the earliest and most impactful choices comes relatively early in Act I: which path will you take to reach the next stage of your journey? Will you delve into the mystical depths via the Temple of Selûne and the Underdark, or will you brave the treacherous heights of the Mountain Pass?
This crucial decision point can significantly alter your experience, influencing the quests you encounter, the companions you interact with, and even the overall tone of your playthrough. This article aims to be your guide, carefully comparing and contrasting the two routes, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your playstyle and your party’s goals. Ultimately, both paths offer unique experiences, but understanding their differences is key to making the most of your adventure in Baldur’s Gate 3. Each offers unique challenges, valuable rewards, and important story moments. Choosing carefully will dramatically influence your adventure
The Whispers of Selûne: Exploring the Underdark Path
The Temple of Selûne and the Underdark offer a path steeped in mystery and intrigue. This route is characterized by its depth, both literally and figuratively, leading players through a complex network of underground tunnels, fungal forests, and forgotten ruins. You might begin this route by aiding refugees at the Emerald Grove, or by facing off with goblins in their camp. Eventually, your adventure might lead you down into the Underdark, a sprawling subterranean realm filled with strange creatures, hidden dangers, and ancient secrets. The Underdark is a dangerous but rewarding locale.
Advantages of Embracing the Shadows
The primary appeal of this route lies in its rich story and deep lore. The Temple of Selûne, with its connection to the moon goddess, offers fascinating insights into the world’s religions and ancient history. Further exploring the Underdark provides a unique perspective on the tadpole affliction plaguing your party, as well as potential clues and solutions hidden within its depths.
Furthermore, the Underdark route often aligns favorably with certain companions’ storylines. Characters with ties to the oppressed or the marginalized, or those with a penchant for exploration and uncovering secrets, will often find their stories enriched by this path. This path provides opportunities for these companions to grow and evolve, offering unique dialogue options and personal quests that may be missed on the Mountain Pass.
Choosing this route will certainly provide plenty of combat encounters. The Underdark is crawling with challenging enemies, from monstrous spiders and duergar slavers to the terrifying creatures of the deep. Overcoming these challenges requires strategic thinking, careful planning, and effective use of your party’s abilities, making for a satisfying and rewarding combat experience. Players can approach most fights in different ways, from stealth, brute force, or a combination of the two.
Navigating the Perils of the Deep
The Temple of Selûne and Underdark path is not without its challenges. The Underdark itself can be quite difficult, especially for players who are unprepared or under-leveled. The enemies are tough, the terrain is treacherous, and the overall atmosphere can be oppressive.
This route also tends to be longer and more complex than the Mountain Pass. Exploring the Underdark thoroughly requires time and dedication, as there are many hidden areas, optional quests, and side paths to discover. Players seeking a quicker, more streamlined experience may find this route overwhelming.
Navigating this route might mean challenging your moral compass. Many of the characters and factions you encounter in the Underdark operate outside the bounds of conventional morality, forcing players to make difficult choices with significant consequences. Some quests may require you to side with morally ambiguous characters or engage in questionable activities.
Key Moments in the Depths
The Underdark route is filled with memorable quests and encounters. Saving the tieflings and potentially establishing a refugee settlement offers a chance to make a real difference in the lives of others. Dealing with the Duergar and Nere in Grymforge presents a morally complex situation with far-reaching implications. These moments, among others, contribute to the richness and depth of this path.
The Call of the Peaks: Scaling the Mountain Pass
In stark contrast to the subterranean depths, the Mountain Pass offers a more direct, albeit perilous, route. This path takes players through a rugged and unforgiving mountain range, characterized by towering peaks, treacherous cliffs, and hidden strongholds. You might find this route after getting involved in some dealings with the Zhentarim, or upon finding a hidden path up the mountain near the goblin camp.
The Advantages of a Direct Assault
The primary advantage of the Mountain Pass is its streamlined nature. This route offers a more direct path to Act II, allowing players to progress the main story with greater speed and efficiency. Players may find some lucrative loot here.
The Mountain Pass also presents unique opportunities for character development. Characters with a focus on combat, survival, or exploration will find plenty of challenges and rewards along this path.
Combat is central to the Mountain Pass experience. The route is populated by various enemies, including Githyanki patrols, monstrous creatures, and hostile mercenaries. These encounters are often challenging, requiring careful planning, strategic positioning, and effective use of your party’s abilities.
The Dangers of the Ascent
Choosing to scale the Mountain Pass also has its drawbacks. The most significant is the potential to miss out on significant story elements and lore found in the Underdark. Skipping the Underdark means bypassing key quests, interactions with important characters, and valuable insights into the tadpole affliction.
This route may also challenge your sense of morality. Many of the characters you encounter on the Mountain Pass operate in a gray area, and some quests may require you to make difficult choices with ethical consequences. For instance, becoming involved with the Githyanki may come at a cost.
The Mountain Pass can leave certain questlines unexplored and NPCs never encountered. Skipping the Underdark might mean missing out on unique rewards, allies, and opportunities for character development.
Critical Encounters on the Peaks
The Mountain Pass offers its own set of memorable quests and encounters. Uncovering the secrets of the Rosymorn Monastery, including a stained glass puzzle, will certainly provide players with challenges. Confronting Voss, a formidable Githyanki warrior, presents a tense and potentially dangerous situation with significant implications for the main story.
Comparing the Paths: A Comprehensive Overview
| Feature | Temple of Selûne/Underdark | Mountain Pass |
| —————— | ——————————————- | ————————————————- |
| Difficulty | Higher (especially early on) | Moderate |
| Length | Longer | Shorter |
| Story Importance | Deeper lore, tadpole focus | More direct path |
| Companion Impact | Significant, especially for certain characters | Moderate, some companion-specific quests |
| Loot/Experience | Abundant, with unique items | Moderate, focused on combat-oriented gear |
| Atmosphere | Mystical, subterranean, mysterious | Rugged, mountainous, perilous |
Making the Right Choice: Which Path Suits You?
Ultimately, the best route for you depends on your individual playstyle, party composition, and overall goals in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Considerations
If you’re a completionist who loves exploring every nook and cranny, uncovering hidden secrets, and immersing yourself in the lore of the world, the Temple of Selûne and Underdark path is likely the better choice. This route offers a wealth of content, challenging encounters, and opportunities for character development that are not found on the Mountain Pass.
If you prefer a faster, more streamlined experience, focusing on the main story and combat, the Mountain Pass might be a better fit. This route allows you to progress to Act II more quickly, while still offering plenty of challenges and rewards along the way.
If you are building your party with characters who have a specific alignment, one route or another might better suit them.
For newcomers to Baldur’s Gate 3, diving into the Underdark can feel overwhelming. The Mountain Pass provides a less complicated introduction to the world and mechanics, allowing players to gain experience before tackling more challenging content. Experienced players looking for a greater challenge and a more rewarding exploration experience will find the Underdark more to their liking.
The Freedom to Choose, The Adventure to Embrace
Whether you choose to follow the whispers of Selûne into the depths of the Underdark or brave the treacherous heights of the Mountain Pass, both routes offer unique and memorable experiences. Each path presents its own challenges, rewards, and opportunities for character development, shaping your adventure in significant ways. Consider your own preferences, your party’s strengths, and your overall goals when making your decision. Remember, there is no “right” or “wrong” choice – only the path that best suits your individual playstyle and desires. And, of course, you can always experience the other route in a future playthrough, uncovering even more of the rich and rewarding world of Baldur’s Gate 3. So, embrace the freedom of choice, embark on your adventure, and forge your own destiny in this captivating RPG.
