Baldur’s Gate 3 How many Acts are there in BG3?

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Considering how long the first act is, players have been wondering about how many more acts are in store for them. Gamers on PlayStation are working their way through the game as PC players had a headstart owing to an earlier release date. Head of Larian, Swen Vincke, noted that Act 2 is the largest part of the game – but is that really the case? We’ll go through all of Baldur’s Gate 3 Acts and their estimated lengths.

All Baldur’s Gate 3 Acts

Baldur's Gate 3 Acts: A Mind Flayer fights Commander Zhalk in the Nautiloid ship during the first act of the game.
Baldur’s Gate 3 has an explosive start. Captured by VideoGamer

There are three acts in Baldur’s Gate 3: the opening act, the middle act, and the final act. This excludes the game’s prologue and epilogue. Here’s what happens in each of BG3 Acts:

  • Prologue – The Prologue introduces you to the plot of Baldur’s Gate 3 right after you’ve been infected by the Illithid tadpole. The mindflayer ship comes under attack by forces of Hell, giving you a chance to escape – but not before meeting a few allies along the way.
  • Act 1 – 20-30 hours. Your first 20 hours or so will focus on you dealing with the Illithid tadpole in your head as you investigate the Cult of the Absolute. You’ll also learn more about the Mind Flayers and their powerful psionic abilities. Think of it as an extended tutorial, an opening act that introduces the main characters you’ll be working with, like Shadowheart and Gale at Druid’s Grove. Don’t hesitate to finish side quests in areas like the Goblin Camp. Later Acts won’t be as forgiving.
  • Act 2 – 15-20 hours. This Act kicks off once you enter the Shadow-cursed lands, either by crossing the Mountain Pass or via the Underdark. This Act takes you to Moonrise Towers, where you’ll learn more about the Absolute, its head figures, and their collective plans. It also involves clearing the Gauntlet of Shar. The second Act is arguably the shortest in the game, with a focused new location while you deal with the Shadow curse – either in Moonrise Towers or the Last Light Inn.
  • Act 3 – 10-40 hours. The dramatic final act is pretty much a showdown between you and your companions against the game’s major antagonists. As you uncover the major threat of the game, you’ll need to find three Netherstones for a chance at success. Brace yourself for some of the toughest BG3 combat sequences. You’ll also learn more about the Guardian. In theory, it can be the shortest Act of the game, taking only a couple of hours if you only follow the main quest. If you get distracted by side quests, however, it can easily become the game’s longest Act.
  • Epilogue – The Epilogue is a final goodbye to your companions that takes place six months after the events of Baldur’s Gate 3, giving you a nice conclusion to your story.
Baldur's Gate 3 Acts: An image of the player and their party in the Shadow lands of the game.
Shadow-cursed lands will pose many new obstacles for your party. Captured by VideoGamer

Baldur’s Gate 3 quests in each Act

If you’re looking to avoid spoilers, I’d suggest skipping over this list. But if you’re wondering what the world of Faerun has in store, read on. The first act introduces you to characters like Karlach and Shadowheart. And if you prefer a rogue, Astarion is a good pick. You can opt for hirelings instead if you want more choices. These are all the quests and main missions in BG3 that you’ll encounter in the main campaign.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Prologue quests

Here’s a list of all the main quests in BG3’s prologue:

  • Escape the Nautiloid
  • Rescue the Illithid’s Captive

Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 1 quests

Here’s a list of all the main Act 1 quests in BG3:

  • Find a Cure
  • Ask the Goblin Priestess for Help
  • Find the Githyanki Crèche
  • Get Help from Auntie Ethel
  • Get Help from Healer Nettie (at the Druid Grove)
  • Help Omeluum Investigate the Parasite
  • Rescue the Druid Halsin (Goblin Camp/Shattered Sanctum)
  • Travel to Moonrise Towers
  • Travel through the Mountain Pass (Githyanki Creche)
  • Travel through the Underdark (Grymforge and the Adamantine Forge)
Baldur's Gate 3 Acts: An image of Ketheric Thorm, Orin the Red, and Gortash, the game's main antagonists.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 2 quests

Here’s a list of all the main Act 2 quests in BG3:

  • Defeat Ketheric Thorm
  • Infiltrate Moonrise Towers
  • Capture Isobel the Selunite Cleric
  • Find Ketheric Thorm’s Relic
  • Follow the Convoy
  • Resolve the Abduction
  • Seek Protection from the Shadow Curse

Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 3 quests

Here are all the main Act 3 quests in BG3:

  • Confront the Elder Brain
  • Control the Elder Brain
  • Destroy the Elder Brain
  • Get Gortash’s Netherstone
  • Consider Gortash’s Bargain
  • Disable the Steel Watch
  • Get Orin’s Netherstone
  • Investigate the Murders
  • Impress the Murder Tribunal
  • Rescue Orin’s Victim
  • Gather Your Allies

That’s everything you need to know about Baldur’s Gate 3 Acts. Set in the D&D Forgotten Realms setting, Baldur’s Gate 3 is ripe with opportunities to roleplay on your own terms. With unique dialogue and combat options that depend on your choices, it’s got an incredible amount of flexibility as well. Companions like Minthara and Wyll can either join or leave your party based on your decisions. You’ll also meet other characters like Cazador who tie into companion quests outside the main story.

✓ Did you know?

There are countless ways that you can interact with the different NPCs of Baldur’s Gate 3. This leads to scenarios that can change and be different each time you play through the main quests. Try out every class, race, and gender to see the differences.

Even if you can weave through challenges like the Dank Crypt puzzle, it’s a pretty long game. And if you’ve started with a class that isn’t to your liking, you can always respec in Baldur’s Gate 3. Baldur’s Gate 3 cheats can come in handy if you’re looking to power through the game. Instead, you could consider our best Sorcerer build guide for some sweet metamagic powers.

About the Author

Antony Terence

Antony Terence is a Guides Writer for VideoGamer. While he is particularly fond of city-builders, shooters, and strategy titles, he won’t turn down a good JRPG or a turn-based roguelike.

Baldur’s Gate 3

  • Platform(s): macOS, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
  • Genre(s): Adventure, RPG, Strategy
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