TL;DR
- Two main paths exist: Mountain Pass (faster) or Underdark/Grymforge (more content)
- Essential Shadow Curse protection required for both routes – Moonlantern or alternatives
- Overland route requires Spider’s Lute from Minthara for Kar’niss encounter
- Underdark route leads to Last Light Inn and Harper alliance opportunities
- Route choice affects companion quest progression and Act 2 narrative outcomes
Moonrise Towers stands as the central objective in Baldur’s Gate 3’s second act, presenting players with a critical navigation challenge through treacherous Shadow-Cursed Lands. This foreboding region requires careful preparation and strategic path selection to survive its debilitating environmental hazards.
The Shadow-Cursed Lands present immediate survival challenges requiring specific protective measures.
Shadow Curse Survival
The Shadow Curse represents one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s most dangerous environmental threats, rapidly draining character health points with continuous exposure. Successful navigation demands acquiring protective equipment before extensive exploration, with the Moonlantern serving as the most reliable solution. Alternative methods include magical protection spells or specific quest rewards, but the Moonlantern provides consistent area coverage.
Path Selection Strategy
Your route choice significantly impacts companion quest progression, available alliances, and narrative outcomes. While Act 1 areas remain accessible initially, progressing too far into shadow-affected zones may lock out certain quest branches, making strategic planning essential.
The Mountain Pass offers the most direct overland approach to Moonrise Towers, prioritizing speed over content density. This path proves ideal for players focused on main story progression or those who completed extensive Act 1 exploration.
Left: The bridge in the Mountain Pass; Right: Meeting Kar’niss.
Spider’s Lute Acquisition
The Spider’s Lute serves as your key credential for the Mountain Pass route, obtainable exclusively through interactions with Minthara. Players who allied with the drow leader receive it directly, while those who opposed her must loot it from her remains. This item cannot be acquired through merchants or alternative quests.
Kar’niss Encounter
Upon entering the Shadow-Cursed Lands, you’ll encounter Kar’niss, a drider guide carrying the essential Moonlantern. Successfully convincing him requires playing the Spider’s Lute, demonstrating your affiliation regardless of Minthara’s survival status. His protective aura enables safe passage but limits exploration range.
Strategic Considerations
This route provides excellent progression for Lae’zel’s personal quest, as Rosymorn Monastery Trail contains the Githyanki Creche. Additionally, Gale’s Wizard of Waterdeep quest advances through an encounter with Elminster in the northwestern ravine area. The path’s linear nature makes it susceptible to ambushes, requiring tactical positioning.
The Underdark route presents a more content-rich approach to Moonrise Towers, offering substantial side quests and alternative narrative developments. This path suits completionist players seeking maximum world interaction before advancing the main storyline.
Left: You can take a ship to Grymforge; Right: Arrival at Last Light Inn.
Multiple Entry Points
The Underdark features several access methods, including the Selune Moon Puzzle in the Shattered Sanctum and the portal within Auntie Ethel’s lair. Each entry point offers unique narrative moments and potential loot, though all eventually converge on the central boat to Grymforge.
Harpers Alliance
Emerging from the Grymforge elevator deposits you near Harper scouts who escort your party to Last Light Inn. This early introduction to Jaheira and the resistance movement provides strategic advantages for the Moonrise Towers assault later.
Quest Integration
This path seamlessly integrates multiple companion quests, including Karlach’s Infernal Iron collection and the Adamantine Forge confrontation with the Grym boss. These activities provide powerful gear upgrades before facing Act 2’s greater challenges.
Your path selection fundamentally shapes your Act 2 experience, affecting narrative pacing, available allies, and combat encounters. Understanding these differences enables informed decision-making aligned with your playstyle and character development goals.
Left: Kar’niss and the other cultists fight the Harpers; Right: Preparing alongside the Harpers to ambush Kar’niss.
Timing Differences
The Mountain Pass delivers faster main story progression, typically reaching Moonrise Towers within 2-3 hours of gameplay from Act 1 completion. The Underdark route extends to 4-6 hours but provides substantially more character development and loot acquisition opportunities.
Combat Scenarios
Overland travelers encounter Kar’niss’s ambush from the cultist perspective, while Underdark adventurers join the Harpers in planning the assault. This positioning difference significantly impacts combat difficulty and available tactics.
Long-term Consequences
Your chosen path influences later game alliances, particularly regarding Jaheira’s recruitment and available support during the final assault sequences.
Action Checklist
- Acquire Shadow Curse protection – Moonlantern preferred
- Obtain Spider’s Lute from Minthara (ally or loot)
- Choose route based on playstyle: Mountain Pass for speed, Underdark for content
- Complete essential companion quests along chosen route
- Prepare for Kar’niss encounter – combat or deception options available
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » Baldur’s Gate 3 – How To Reach Moonrise Towers Master the two main paths to Moonrise Towers with strategic insights and survival tactics for Act 2