Baldur’s Gate 3 Guide: Choosing Between Iron Throne and Steel Watch Foundry

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers a rich and immersive narrative across its three acts, yet players may inadvertently lock themselves out of certain storylines due to the sequence in which they approach specific areas or fulfill quests. While the game alerts players to crucial points of no return—especially when progressing to the next act—there are subtler traps that can lead to missed opportunities for completing content.

As players enter Act 3, they encounter numerous questlines that both initiate and culminate within this act. With the gameplay largely focused in the bustling city of Baldur’s Gate and its surroundings, the structure becomes less linear, creating potential confusion. Understanding the interconnections among various quests is vital, as the order of completion significantly influences which quests remain available. This non-linear progression can lead to frustrating situations where players find themselves unable to access certain content due to their choices.

Visit the Steel Watch Foundry First

The Roots of Gortash’s Control

Baldur's Gate 3 Party Engaging the Steel Watch Titan Boss

In Act 3, Karlach seeks vengeance on Gortash, the antagonist responsible for her plight in Avernus. Concurrently, Wyll is determined to rescue his father, who is under Gortash’s control, being manipulated to bolster Gortash’s power in the city. The party’s mission to seize Gortash’s Netherstone often leads them into conflict with the Steel Watch—the enforcers of Gortash’s rule—complicating their endeavors.

Successfully completing all three objectives—revenge, rescue, and acquisition—requires players to follow a specific order. Failing to do so might restrict access to key content or lead to irreversible consequences. To safeguard against this, it is advisable to first visit the Steel Watch Foundry without fully engaging or completing the area. The goal here is to interact with the imprisoned Gondians, who reveal their dire circumstances and the threats facing their families.

Upon speaking with the Gondians, players can initiate a quest to aid in the rescue of their family members, which in turn may grant them assistance in deactivating the Steel Watch. Fortunately, the prisoners are held at the Iron Throne, where Wyll’s father is also located. However, progressing too far into the foundry risks making the Iron Throne inaccessible, as Gortash responds aggressively to the Steel Watch’s potential deactivation.

Prioritize the Iron Throne Before Deactivating the Steel Watch

Saving the Gondians and Wyll’s Father

After learning about the Gondians’ plight, players should avoid delving too deeply into the foundry. Engaging further could unnecessarily jeopardize their rescue attempts by triggering the execution of hostages. Maintaining a safe distance is crucial if the party intends to rescue the Gondians or assist in Wyll’s father’s liberation. Moving forward without a strategic plan may effectively lock them out of critical storylines.

Despite the challenging nature of the Iron Throne encounters in Baldur’s Gate 3, players will find the effort rewarding. Saving even a few Gondians opens pathways to assistance in deactivating the Steel Watch and enriches the narrative experience. Although time constraints can hinder the rescue mission, any success contributes valuable narrative depth and concluded story arcs.

Implementing effective strategies, such as utilizing spells that enhance movement and mobility—like Haste, Fly, Dimension Door, and Command— can greatly assist in saving prisoners more efficiently. Additionally, abilities providing enhanced movement—like Dash, Enhanced Leap, and Longstrider—are essential for ensuring Gondians reach safety.

Once the party has successfully cleared the Iron Throne and secured the safety of several Gondians along with Wyll’s father, they can return to the Steel Watch Foundry. At this point, they can deactivate the Steel Watch with confidence, having avoided previous pitfalls. This cooperative effort, reminiscent of the strategy required during the assault on Moonrise Tower, is enhanced by receiving aid from freed Gondians, further enriching the overall gameplay experience.

Approach Gortash with Caution

Gortash and the Iron Throne Threat

Gortash in Black Robe Facing a Female Tiefling Sorcerer in Wyrm's Rock Fortress

Players will frequently encounter Gortash upon entering Act 3, particularly during his ceremonial presentation. However, it is also possible to confront him early in his office. While Karlach’s drive for vengeance may tempt players to engage him immediately, doing so can jeopardize the chance to save Wyll’s father and assist the Gondians. Engaging in an early confrontation comes with significant risk, as Gortash has the potential to obliterate the Iron Throne.

Overall, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an expansive and dynamic adventure filled with intricate quests. Players should be mindful of the order in which they undertake missions, particularly in Act 3, to ensure they unlock as much content as possible within their journey. Although facing the risk of being locked out of certain quests can be disheartening, the option to embark on a new adventure and explore alternate paths is always available, ensuring the game’s vast world can be experienced in multiple ways.

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