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Baldurs Gate 3 has a number of quests and encounters that are time sensitive. This guide will help you to navigate through the game without setting off triggers that can significantly impact your playthrough.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Time Sensitive Quests and Encounters
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DISCLAIMER:
As of right now, this guide is mostly complete. However, there are several triggers that have not been conclusively established and there still may be errors.
Only quests or encounters with time dependent triggers and significant impact are included in this guide. More expansive lists can be found elsewhere such as the Reddit thread below.
Progressing into the next act will impact just about every unfinished quest. Don’t do it until you have done everything you can in your current act.
CREDIT:
Much of this information comes from my playthroughs of the game. However, the following were important sources in helping acquire more information and thus deserve credit:
The Baldurs Gate 3 Wiki – https://baldursgate3.wiki.fextralife.com/Baldur’s+Gate+3+Wiki
u/Neville_Lynwood – https://www.reddit.com/r/BaldursGate3/comments/15q1o77/list_of_time_sensitive_quests/
HELP AND FEEDBACK:
Please comment below if you have noticed anything regarding this topic and have thoroughly tested it. Specific triggers that start and end the quest or encounter as well as alternative permutations are very helpful to know. If you have feedback for this guide, please comment below as well.
FORMAT:
Each entry will be formatted in this way:
Quest or Encounter Name
Description
ST: Start Trigger
ET: End Trigger
THANKS
I also want to thank the community for the support and feedback I have received for my work on this guide!
ACT I
COMPANION QUESTS
Gale is a Lil Hungry
Gale will tell you he needs to consume magic items or he will be forced to do some shady stuff.
ST: Two long rests or his approval increases to “Fair”
ET: Gale stops asking after being fed three times, or, will resort to other methods after enough long rests
Karlach
Karlach will leave the party if you do not kill her pursuers.
ST: Karlach joins party
ET: Unknown amount of long rests
WILDERNESS
True Souls Edowin, Andrick, and Brynna
Andrick and Brynna will be gone after a long rest.
ST: Encounter triggered by proximity
ET: A long rest will eliminate encounter
Owlbear Momma
Owlbear mother will be killed by goblins if you did not kill it.
ST: Owlbear cave is entered
ET: Owlbear is dead after a long rest
DRUID GROVE
Bugbear Assasin
The bugbear assassin will kill the Tiefling girl by telescope if you do not intervene.
ST: Encounter is triggered by proximity
ET: Girl is killed after in-game timer
Investigate the Beach
Child Tiefling on the beach will die if you do not intervene.
ST: Quest is initiated
ET: Child will die, trigger is unknown
Save Arabella
Kagha will kill Arabella.
ST: Quest is initiated
ET: Child will die, trigger is unknown. Also killed after attacking goblin camp.
Save the Goblin Sazza
Sazza will die if you break out Halsin or attack the druid grove.
ST: Initate quest
ET: Break out Halsin, or the attack on the druid grove begins
Druid Grove Ritual
The ritual will complete, the grove will be closed off, and the Tieflings will be driven out and die. The only certain way to stop it is to deal with Kagha.
ST: Entering the druid grove
ET: The exact time that the druid grove is closed off at is uncertain, ranging from 3-10+ long rests. There may be another trigger that accelerates the completing of the ritual.
BLIGHTED VILLAGE:
The Gnome on the Windmill
The Gnome will disappear.
ST: Proximity trigger
ET: Trigger is unknown
RISEN ROAD:
Find the Missing Shipment
The caravan guards will be killed by Kobolds if left for too long. Quest will still be completable.
ST: Proximity Trigger
ET: The guards will die after a long rest
Rescue the Trapped Man & Rescue the Grand Duke
Everyone in the burning inn will die if not rescued.
ST: Quest is initiated
ET: In-game timer
MOUNTAIN PASS:
Lae’Zel Confronts the Githyanki
Lae’Zel will die if she has left the party to talk to the patrol and you do not join her.
ST: Lae’Zel leaves party
ET: Triggered if you leave the general area
UNDERDARK:
Cure the Poisoned Gnome
Thulla will die if not healed or given an antidote.
ST: Initiate Quest
ET: Triggered by unknown amount of long rests or by completing the quest to deal with Nere
GRYMFORGE:
Free True Soul Nere
Nere and a few gnomes will die if you do not clear the rubble in time.
ST: Quest is initiated
ET: In-game timer, or a long rest, or 2 camp visits
ACT II
Shadow-Cursed Lands
Don’t Let Rolan Die
Rolan will be found on by the southern most bridge in the Shadowfell after leaving the Last Light Inn. He will die if not saved from the shadows that attack him.
ST: Proximity trigger
ET: In-game timer
The Harpers Ambush Kar’niss
The ambush won’t trigger properly if you delay too long after the harpers leave the Last Light Inn. This will result in being unable to obtain the moonlantern from Kar’niss.
ST: Harpers leave for the ambush
ET: Unclear if long rest or in-game timer
Lift the Shadow Curse
You should play hide and seek with Oliver before Halsin rescues Thaniel from the Shadowfell. This will avoid bugs in this quest.
Halsin will die if you leave while he enters the Shadowfell.
ST: Halsin enters the Shadowfell
ET: A long rest
Moonrise Towers
Rescue Wulbren & Rescue the Tieflings
You must rescue everyone in the prison by the time you complete the area, otherwise they will die.
ST: Quests are initiated
ET: It appears that entering the Shadowfell to find the Nightsong is the trigger.
ACT III
Companion Quests
Rescue Orin’s Victim
A companion will be kidnapped by Orin and will be killed if you do not save them.
ST: Entering the sewers
ET: Unknown amount of long rests
Rivington
Help the Devilish Ox
The Strange Ox will disappear after some time if you have not agreed to help him.
ST: Entering Rivington
ET: Unknown amount of long rests or entering the Lower City
Wyrm’s Rock
Save Counsellor Florrick
Counsellor Florrick will be executed if you do not save her.
ST: Unsure, possibly Gortash’s coronation
ET: 5 long rests
Lower City:
Stop the Presses
Your reputation will be tarnished if you do not stop the Baldur’s Mouth from publishing their story.
ST: Quest is initiated
ET: A long rest
Investigate the Murders
Cora will be dead at the wine festival unless you warn her.
ST: Quest is initiated, or potentially entering the lower city
ET: Unknown amount of long rests
Save Duke Ravengard
Duke Ravengard will be dead if you kill Gortash before rescuing him.
The prison will be blown up by Gortash after you dock. Be prepared to rescue the prisoners.
ST: Docking at the prison
ET: In-game timer, 5-8 turns
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