Key Takeaways
- Act 1 in
Baldur’s Gate 3
is the largest act, with many hidden secrets that players may miss. - Players can find an Owlbear Cub as a pet by fighting the Owlbear and then winning or convincing Krolla to give it to them.
- The Necromancy of Thay book can grant unique bonuses if read without failing any dice throws, and it has further rewards in Act Three.
Act 1 in Baldur’s Gate 3 is objectively the largest of the three Acts, and within that first entry into Baldur’s Gate 3, there are bound to be some hidden secrets that first-time, or even veterans of the game, will miss. These secrets aren’t always just about finding a hidden entrance by removing a book from a shelf, they can go deeper than that, like through conversation with a character, theft, and more.
The beauty of Baldur’s Gate 3 is that secrets are bound to almost every area, and as players free themselves from the nautiloid and venture forth into the great expansive lands of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Act 1, they might uncover some hidden secrets that will set them on a path to power, or hilarity.
Updated on September 17, 2024, by Jake Fillery: Secrets are bound to the fantastical adventures awaiting players in Baldur’s Gate 3. Whether it’s a first playthrough or a tenth, there are still countless secrets waiting in Act One alone that players need to be aware of before continuing their adventure. The best secrets in Act One of Baldur’s Gate 3 will aid players going forward as their adventure becomes more dangerous, so look below to find a checklist of the most essential missable interactions before heading into Act Two.
14 Freeing Us
Found In The Nautiloid’s Second Room
When players begin their journey, they will need to escape the Nautiloid. However, there are a few goodies here that players should be aware of before they begin their adventure. Firstly, there is Us, the living brain trapped inside the head of an elf named Myranth inside the second room that players enter upon waking up on the Nautiloid.
While players can indeed mutilate the brain and lobotomize Us, it’s not a good idea, and instead, players should free Us from their entrapment and allow us to become a temporary companion. While players will lose Us later in the game, the brain does make an important appearance after Act 1, so it’s an early investment.
13 Lihala’s Lute
Pass Alfira’s Skill Checks at the Cliff in Emerald Grove
Alfira is a lovely tiefling who joins the band of refugees. She can be located at the Emerald Grove overlooking the cliff as she attempts to compose a song. Players who interact with her can aid her troubles, and pass a few Performance checks to successfully play the lute she provides them with.
To players who are successful in both of those skill checks, she will reward them with Lihala’s Lute, which may not serve much purpose to players who are not the Bard Class, but it’s still a nice gift, especially since it allows players to play any instrument they find from then on.
12 Lump The Enlightened’s Horn
Convince Lump to Become Allies in the Blighted Village
Allying oneself with an ogre isn’t usually the best idea, but there’s something oddly intellectual about Lump when players interact with him at the Blighted Village. Lump is rather intelligent for an ogre, and players can convince him and his friends to join up as long as they pass a Deception Skill Check.
Convincing Lump to join isn’t too hard, so long as players have decent luck with Deception, Persuasion, or even just 500 Gold. Lump gifts the Lump’s War Horn item that can be blown to summon these three in any combat situation in Act One. It can be a lifesaver, but players will have to convince Lump to stick around for another fight. Failing that, they can let Lump go, or kill him for the Warped Headband of Intellect.
11 Brand of the Absolute
Speak to Gut in the Shattered Sanctum
When players are tasked with venturing to the Shattered Sanctum, most will simply follow their instructions to kill the three leaders within and free Halsin. Yet, if players are more tactical about it, they can speak to Gut who is offering irreversible and unseen Brands of the Absolute. This brand can offer permanent bonuses later in the game that synergizes with certain items and NPCs.
With the Brand of the Absolute, players can see further functionality of the Absolute’s set of weapons and armor, as well as specific dialogue with other members of the Absolute. It might earn the disapproval of some companions, but it could be worth it to be a double agent.
10 The Shadow Druids
Locate A Letter In The Putrid Bog (X: 97, Y: 224)
Upon entering the Grove, players might immediately suspect that Kagha isn’t exactly a nice person, since she was all too willing to murder a child for something so minuscule. Upon further investigation, players can locate a letter addressed to her within the Emerald Grove, and begin the Investigate Kagha quest, which sees them travel to the Putrid Bog in search of a note that reveals dark secrets.
This note indicates the interference of the Shadow Druids, manipulative cultists who want to initiate the Rite of Thorns. If players fail to find the original letter addressed to Kagha, or deal with Kagha thanks to Halsin, then the Shadow Druids will never be exposed, and players will miss out on an important story thread that might make them think twice about judging Kagha.
9 Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, Part One: Betrayal
Found In The Fourth Floor Of The Arcane Tower In The Underdark (X: -31, Y: -296)
Whilst it might not be the most powerful secret hidden in Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s still vitally important if players are to further uncover the truth of the Githyanki people and to help Lae’zel see that there is more to the universe than war and combat. Uncovering this chapter of Orpheus, Prince of the Comet, players can decipher it through Lae’zel who will begin to question her queen early on.
There are a few chapters, but players can find the first in the Arcane Tower, a rather tricky area to traverse due to the puzzle elements involved, and the death that is assured by the turrets that defend the secrets within.
8 Loviatar’s Love
Complete Abdirak’s Dialogue 3 Times In The Shattered Sanctum
Loviatar’s Love is a permanent buff that can be provided to the player in Act One, and it will allow them to receive a +2 to attacks and saving throws when they are below 30% health. There is only one way to acquire this, and it’s entirely missable if players fail the necessary dice rolls. To start, players need to venture to the Shattered Sanctum and discuss Loviatar with Abdirak.
Abdirak will hit the player three times, and players must not fail the dialogue options that will see them scream in pain. By completing this section, the buff will be theirs forever, and players can so easily miss it if they fail the dialogue or simply ignore Abdirak due to his strangeness.
7 An Owlbear Pet
Found At The Owlbear Nest (X:86, Y:448)
With so many entrances and secrets to uncover, it’s no surprise that some players may have never taken the path to find the Owlbear Nest. Alternatively, they may have actually found the Owlbear Nest but decided it wise not to tangle with the Owlbear inside. However, if players choose to fight the Owlbear, then the Owlbear Cub will begin feasting on its mother, and this won’t be the last time players see the Owlbear.
After this encounter, players can head to the Goblin Camb and find the Owlbear Cub as the animal being used for the cruel Chicken Run. Players can win the Owlbear Cub or convince Krolla to gift it to them. Players can then tell the Owlbear Cub that he is welcome to Tav’s camp, and thus provide themselves with a pet, as long as they completely help him whenever he turns up.
6 Commander Zhalk’s Everburn Blade
Kill Commander Zhalk On The Nautiloid
When players first begin their journey into Baldur’s Gate 3, they will be placed onto the Nautiloid with the task of escaping. Towards the end of this segment, they will have to help a Mind Flayer battle some devils and reach the helm to get off the ship or crash it. Players should ignore the request to reach the helm, as they have 15 turns to kill Commander Zhalk and reach the helm, and Zhalik should be the priority.
Zhalik is strong, and he’s distracted by the Mind Flayer. Bringing along party members like Lae’zel is a good idea to deal extra damage, loot Zhalk’s Everburn Blade, and escape. This blade deals a considerable amount of damage for Act One, and if they do not loot it on the Nautiloid, it’s lost forever.
5 Necromancy of Thay
Located In The Apothecary’s Cellar Beneath The Blighted Village
Usually, when someone sees a book adorned with dried skin and a literal face, it’s best to leave it on the shelf. Yet, for Baldur’s Gate 3 and Tav, it’s a good idea to pick it up and investigate it. The Necromancy of Thay is a book that players can open once they obtain the Dark Amethyst from the Whispering Depths, and they might want to create a save file before doing so.
Reading the Necromancy of Thay without failing any dice throws will grant them some unique bonuses, but the story doesn’t end there. If players claim the Necromancy of Thay in Act One, then they can see more from this quest in Act Three, and even further rewards.
4 The Festering Cove
Deep In The Underdark (X:70, Y:-239)
The Underdark can be an overwhelming and dangerous place to players unsuspecting, and as such, it’s no surprise that it houses some rare and missable equipment and missions. One such place is the Festering Cove, which is best found next to the mushroom portals after Auntie Ethel’s lair, where players will need to jump over a gap in order to access this hidden cove.
From within the cove, players will discover the Kuo-toa, a strange fish species that worships BOOOAL, a Redcap as the God of Murder. Players can find some neat lore and weapons here, as well as an interesting feature to sacrifice a companion for good for a permanent buff. Yet, is it worth losing a party member forever?
3 Forge The Mourning Frost
3 Pieces Found Across The Underdark
Mourning Frost is a Very Rare Quarterstave that can only be created in Act One. It is by no means a simple weapon, as it features a special perk in which players will deal Cold damage, but also to themselves. This can lead to perks like Chilled, thanks to the combination of Heart of Ice and Insidious Cold as the effects for this weapon.
Players need to traverse the Underdark to discover three items to then craft this weapon, and these pieces and their locations can be found here:
- Icy Helve – Defeat Dhourn, located West of the Selunite Outpost
- Icy Metal – Loot Xargrim the Pale Corpse found inside the Myconid Colony’s secret area, discovered after completing the Defeat the Duergar Intruders quest
- Icy Crystal – Loot Filro the Forgotten, found near the Sussur Tree
2 Noblestalk
Found Northwest Corner of the Underdark, Avoid the Bibberbang
When players adventure through the Underdark, they may come across an area covered in bulbous green mushrooms, ready to explode. Players will need to safely navigate through this area to pick the Noblestalk that is hiding here. It’s a strong medicine, strong enough to bring back lost memories. There are a few characters that players can give this item to in order to restore their memories:
If players want to learn more about Shadowheart and her quest, then perhaps giving her this item is a wise idea, although she might need some persuading.
1 Auntie Ethel’s Hair
Fight Auntie Ethel Until Her Health Is Below 20% In The Sunlit Wetlands
Auntie Ethel may have appeared as just an ordinary and helpful old lady, but if players are to venture to the Sunlit Wetlands and discover her home, they will uncover the truth that she is actually a despicable hag. Auntie Ethel will descend further into her lair when players uncover her dark secret, and they will be tasked with traveling deeper until they begin a boss fight.
Whilst the fight is difficult, it is certainly rewarding thanks to the XP and equipment gained. However, players might not know that they can hold off from killing Auntie Ethel, and can get her health below 20% so that she surrenders in an attempt to barter. Auntie Ethel will trade some of her hair so that she may live, and this grants players a +1 to any Ability Score of their choice as a permanent buff. Auntie Ethel lives to see another day, but that doesn’t mean it’s the last players will see of her.