Can I go back to the Underdark in Act 2?

You can indeed go back to the Underdark in Act 2, as it is still considered part of Act 1, with the exception of a certain elevator that leads to Act 2, which gives fair warnings before proceeding. This means you can explore the Underdark without fear of missing out on other Act 1 quests, and you can even return to Act 1 locations from Act 2, but be aware that some quests may no longer be accessible, and some places may have changed.

Understanding Act Progression

To better understand the progression between acts, it’s essential to know that Act 2 starts proper when you enter the Shadowcursed Lands, but you can still go back to complete any missed quests or exploration in Act 1 areas, including the Underdark and the Mountain Pass.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Can you return to Underdark after Act 2? – Yes, you can return to both Ust Natha and the Underdark, but entering the former will cause hostile Drow to attack you.
2. What ends Act 2 in BG3? – The act concludes once you have defeated Ketheric Thorm and started on the Road to Baldur’s Gate, which begins Act Three.
3. Is the Gauntlet of Shar the end of Act 2? – Regardless of the path players are on, they’ll need to run the Gauntlet of Shar to complete Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3.
4. How long is Act 2 in BG3? – Act 2 is estimated to take around 70 hours to complete, depending on the content you decide to do.
5. What triggers Act 2 in BG3? – Act 2 starts proper when you enter the Shadowcursed Lands, but you can go back to Act 1 areas at any point.

Act Transition and Exploration

6. Can I go back to Act 1 locations from Act 2? – Yes, you can go back to Act 1 locations from Act 2, but be aware that some quests may no longer be accessible, and some places may have changed.
7. Can you go from Act 2 to Act 1 in BG3? – You can return to the first map from Act II, but some quests will be no longer accessible, and some places will change.
8. Should I do the Underdark before Act 2? – Underdark is still a part of Act 1, so you can explore it without fear of missing out on other Act 1 quests.

Character Progression and Choices

9. What happens if you give the hag your eye in BG3? – If you give the Hag your eye, she realizes that yours is special and refuses to work with it, and unfortunately, at this point, your eye is already gone and replaced with a magical green eye.
10. What happens if you let Astarion bite you? – If Astarion bites you, he will get the “Happy” buff, and you’ll walk away with the “Bloodless” debuff.
11. Should I help the emperor in BG3? – You need the Emperor alive, as he’s actually the only one who’s preventing you from being completely corrupted by the Absolute.

Game Mechanics and Romance

12. Can you romance everyone in BG3? – You can have polyamorous relationships in Baldur’s Gate 3, but only with certain characters, as some companions are open to polyamory, some are closed to it, and some will only accept it with certain characters.
13. Do I need to play BG2 before BG3? – No, you absolutely don’t need to play the first two Baldur’s Gate games to play Baldur’s Gate 3.
14. How many years after BG2 is BG3? – Baldur’s Gate 3 takes place roughly 124 years after the events of Baldur’s Gate 2.
15. What level should I be for Act 2 in BG3? – It’s recommended for all party members to be at Level 5 before progressing to the Act 2 map, as enemies are more challenging there.