In Baldur’s Gate 3, players encounter a significant challenge during Act 2 as the Shadow Curse envelops certain regions, hampering progress. Attempting to traverse these cursed areas without proper protection will result in severe damage. The key to navigating this treacherous terrain lies in harnessing sources of light and employing specific spells.
Initially, you can fend off the Shadow Curse with a simple torch, but as you delve deeper into the darkened areas, its effectiveness wanes. This predicament is further complicated for party members whose combat styles may not allow for a torch’s use. Early aids against the curse include ambient light and advanced spells, yet these solutions will become insufficient as the curse intensifies.
Strategies to Navigate the Shadow Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3
Utilizing Moonlanterns and the Pixie Blessing
Upon reaching the Last Light Inn, players will encounter Isobel, a Cleric who can cast Selûne’s Blessing. This blessing allows your party to traverse less densely afflicted areas of the Shadow Curse without requiring torches or ambient light, but it offers no protection in thicker regions. To safely navigate these perilous spots, consider obtaining a Moonlantern or the Pixie’s Blessing.
As you explore the Shadow Cursed lands in Act 2, you will encounter a group of Fist warriors attempting to confront the curse directly, setting up an ambush against a Drider and cultists. Regardless of your approach, you will ultimately come across Kar’niss, a Drider possessing the valuable Moonlantern. If you took the time to explore Grymforge, you may have even encountered a broken Moonlantern previously.
Your companion, Shadowheart, exhibits a natural resistance to the Shadow Curse, allowing her to navigate the initial blight layers without a light source. However, as with other party members, this resistance does not extend to the thicker curse areas.
Utilizing the Moonlantern is crucial for traversing the denser parts of the Shadow Curse, though it may become a tedious task since the broken lantern from Grymforge is irreparable. Fortunately, the Moonlantern held by Kar’niss is operational, thanks to a pixie named Dolly Dolly Dolly who powers it.
If you choose to confront the ambush, you will be escorted by Kar’niss to Moonrise Towers, where you might find Dolly Dolly Dolly deceased inside the lantern. Alternatively, if you decide to engage in the ambush, you will obtain the lantern from Kar’niss either during the skirmish or later from Isobel upon returning to the Last Light Inn.
The quest “Lift The Shadow Curse”becomes available once you enter the afflicted area, but it will only reach resolution at the conclusion of Act 2, after defeating the primary antagonist of that chapter. Therefore, do not assume you can complete Halsin’s quest and stroll through Act 2 without consequence; you will require either the Moonlantern or the Pixie’s Blessing for protection.
Once you possess a functional Moonlantern, you’ll have two choices: use it as is, or free Dolly Dolly Dolly from its confines. The superior approach is to liberate her since, as a reward, she will grant your party the Pixie Blessing, allowing unhindered movement through all Shadow Curse areas without incurring damage.
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