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While exploring the Goblin Camp, you might have come across the Defiled Temple and decided to check it out, only to be stumped by a fairly difficult puzzle. The solution isn’t that obvious, but once you know how to do it, you’ll be through in no time. One of the perks of solving the Defiled Temple puzzle is that you’ll get access to the Underdark from a fairly safe spot.
How to solve the moon puzzle in the Defiled Temple in Baldur’s Gate 3
Inside the Defiled Temple, you’ll eventually come across a puzzle on the ground, showing various different phases of the moon inside four circles. The solution to this puzzle involves moving them around so that certain phases of the moon are in the right circles, but it’s not immediately obvious where each should be.
If you explore the Goblin Camp, you’ll come across various graffiti on the walls, as well as some old markings. Among them are bright lunar symbols – those actually show you the correct alignment for the moon puzzle inside the Defiled Temple. You can find one such symbol right above the doorway to the chamber where the puzzle is located.
First things first, move all of the new moons (the fully black moons) into the circle that is lit up (it has markings around the centre). Next place the full moons (the fully white moons) into the circle directly opposite. Now, there should be two places left on the circles to either side, where you should move the half-moon circles to. Essentially, your goal is to have white moons arranged towards the north, west, and east (as the cardinal directions are marked on the minimap), with the south circle housing all the black moons. We have before and after images below that show the initial and final state to solve the puzzle.
This is what you’ll find when you come upon the puzzle. Captured by VideoGamer
Position the blank moons so they cluster on in the south circle. Captured by VideoGamer
Click on the large circle to move them clockwise. They will “carry” the smaller moons along with them. By clicking them, you can guide the moons towards the correct order. Essentially, try to move them in such a way as to bring all of the black moons down to the southern circle.
If you follow this solution, a passage will open up leading you to a new area called the Underdark. This is an important location in the Find the Nightsong quest and to progress out of Act 1. You’ll also have to fight some tough enemies, so prepare yourself.
Alternatively, if you really can’t be bothered with this puzzle, you can actually skip it by lockpicking a nearby lever. Move your party near the lever to trigger a perception check, which, if successful, will reveal the lever. However, if you fail this check, you’ll have to make do with the moon puzzle.
That’s everything you need to know about the Baldur’s Gate 3 Defiled Temple puzzle solution. If you’re wondering how to move the scuffed rock, we’ve got a guide for that. And if you’re not happy with how you look and are wondering can you change appearance in Baldur’s Gate 3, we’ve got you covered there, too.
About the Author
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
