Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 1 is absolutely massive. You can spend 20 or more hours just in this first Wilderness area alone. With the druids versus the goblins, several companions to recruit, and plenty of side quests, it can be quite overwhelming.
Worse, it is easy to miss out on some of the Act 1 side quests and the like. To help you out, here is the complete Act 1 main story quests and side content checklist you need to know about. This will help you ensure you don’t miss out on anything before hopping over to Act 2.
All Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 1 main story quests
Technically, there is only one true main story quest in Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 1. Though the Emerald Grove and all of its problems are central to the events happening in this area, you don’t, technically, have to do it to move on to Act 2.
Here is the sole main story quest “Find a Cure” and all of its potential objectives:
- Ask the Goblin Priestess for Help
- Get Help from Auntie Ethel
- Get Help from Healer Nettie
- Rescue the Druid Halsin
- Help Omeluum Investigate the Parasite
- Find the Githyanki Creche
Oddly enough, you don’t even have to do all of the above objectives to reach Act 2. However, it’s recommended you do so if you want the full story, lore, and possible rewards. Plus, many of the above objectives lead to their own potential side quests.
Act 1 side quests and companions checklist
Here are all of the side quests, companions, and other content we recommend you do before moving on to Act 2. Some of these are time-limited and you’ll permanently lose access to them if you move on too quickly, while others can be returned to down the road:
- Recruit Astarion
- Rescue and permanently recruit Lae’zel
- Rescue and recruit Gale
- Meet Wyll at the Emerald Grove and recruit him
- Rescue Volo at the Goblin Camp to recruit him
- Rescue and recruit Karlach
- Help Karlach defeat the Paladins
- Rescue Halsin to recruit him (locks you out of Minthara)
- Side with Minthara to recruit her (locks you out of Halsin)
- Use Speak with Animals to talk with and recruit the dog Scratch
- Pick a side between the Tieflings, Druids, and Goblin Army
- Defeat the goblin leaders
- Find and possibly fight the owlbear
- Explore the Ruins side quest
- Find the Missing Shipment
- Find the Nightsong
- Free the Artist
- Hunt the Devil
- Rescue the Gnome
- Rescue the Grand Duke
- Rescue the Trapped Man
- Save Mayrina
- Search the Cellar for the Ancient Tome
- Find Doni
- Find Your Belongings
- Investigate the Beach
- Return the Locket
- Save Arabella
- Save the Goblin Sazza
- Steal the Sacred Idol
- The Adamantine Forge
- Complete the Arcane Tower
- Explore Rosymorn Monastery
- Explore the Githyanki Crèche and meet the inquisitor
- Steal a Githyanki Egg
- Find the Blood of Lathander Mace
- Collect and consume parasite specimens
When does Act 2 actually start?
If you need help on when Act 2 actually begins, we have a full guide here.
As a recap: The first way you can reach Act 2 is through the Mountain Pass route. This one is on the far west side of the Act 1 map. There are two routes here: one to the south, which is easier to reach, and another to the north. The other way to reach the Shadow-Cursed Lands and BG3 Act 2 is to head through the Underdark. You can reach this place by heading into the Temple of Selune at the Goblin Camp. Continue from there through the Underdark to the beach area near the dwarves.
The game makes it clear when you start Act 2, which happens right around when you enter the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Fortunately, if you are worried about missing out on stuff in Act 1, you can do most of it even in Act 2.
Fortunately, the game allows you to revisit the locations from Act 1 and complete some of the side content there during the Act 2 storyline. For instance, if you never touched the Auntie Ethel side quest, you can still go back and do that or most of the other side quests. As such, there isn’t too big of a rush when it comes to completing everything in Act 1.
Act 3 is a point of no return for Act 1 activities
What you should keep in mind, though, is Act 3. Once you go into Act 3 and the city of Baldur’s Gate, you’ll permanently miss out on everything you didn’t do in Act 1. So, be careful and try to complete the Act 1 content as soon as possible.
We have a full checklist and rundown on Act 3 here if you need more info.
