There is a lot of stuff inBaldur’s Gate 3, from gold to gems to magic items, particularly in the game’s busy third act. It takes place in the lower part of the titular city, Baldur’s Gate, and gives players the option to explore many streets and shops as they finish their fight against the Absolute’s forces. With so many interesting locations and trinkets on display,it can become tempting for even the most lawful of players to commit some light thievery.

And while stealing is generally wrong,this is one case where you should absolutely let the temptation of treasure take hold. Looting areas inBaldur’s Gate 3’sfinal map is incredibly rewarding, both in terms of monetary gain and exploration, and more players should take the chance to sneak around the Lower City’s stores.

Githyank fighter Lae’zel smiling next to a glowing treasure chest in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Why Robbery Is So Much Fun In Act 3

Filling Your Pockets And Filling Out Your Map

Completionist players may feel the need to completely fill in the blank sections on theirBaldur’s Gate 3mapof the Lower City, a feat which is impossible without at least a bit of trespassing. Finding each location’s secrets will already involve a good bit of lockpicking, invisibility, and overall skulduggery, so why not go one step further and start taking stuff? Realistically speaking,the city will be in shambles by the game’s end anyway, and taking gear which will help the party limit damage is objectively good.

Stealing objects does not break a paladin player’s oath in most cases, unless doing so injures someone. This is a tacit endorsement from the gods of Faerun that stealing is totally fine and not morally objectionable at all.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Scratch Shadowheart and Malta on an Underdark Background

Plus, it’s just fun to see how much theft one can get away with in the Lower City. There are more guards on patrol, a mix of Flaming Fist and Steel Watchers, sogetting caught has more serious consequences. It requires much more tact and planning to pull off a successful heist, but with spells likegreater invisibilityandseeming,the game provides plenty of tools to make doing so possible.

The Best Ways To Steal In The Lower City Map

Sound Strategies For Getting Away With Crimes

There are a number of good techniques players can use to steal what they want, ranging from mostly harmless to straight-up banditry. First off, any good thief will want a few important things:a character that has expertise in sleight of hand, a good supply of trap disarm kits and thieves' tools, and a wizard with the spellknock. Much of what you’re able to take is behind trapped and locked doors and chests, so these things are essential.

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Next, to limit the number of witnesses to your theft, make sure to pack some scrolls offog cloudandinvisibility. These can keep players out of guards' lines of sight and limit negative interactions with NPCs, though it is worth noting thatcertain guards will react with hostility if spells likefog cloudordarknessare cast on an area they are standing in. Be careful with where spells are positioned, and take advantage of turn-based mode to move your characters as purposefully as possible.

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Having a character with high charisma skills on hand is also useful, since in the case one is caught by guards, they can sometimes be persuaded or lied to in order to get the party out of trouble.

Of course, if all else fails and the party is fine with getting violent,shopkeeps and guards can always be knocked unconscious. This is especially useful for dealing with certain low-health NPCs that inhabit out-of-the-way areas, like Omotola, owner of the Glitter Gala. Her position behind her counter means that no one else will see if players knock her out, which leaves them to ransack her shop carefree.

The Best Places To Sneak Into

Prime Targets For Heists In The Lower City

The Counting House is the most obvious location to steal from, with its open-air docks and complex of magical vaults, but it’s hardly the only target. Shops likeBonecloak’s Apothecary and Beehive General Goods have whole basement complexes to explore, which not only contain thematically-relevant loot, but also fun new areas to check out. The apothecary in particular has a whole fungal garden below it, visually reminiscent of locations fromBG3’s Underdark in Act One.

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Another prized place to pilfer is the vaults below Sorcerous Sundries, where some of the most expensive items in the game can be obtained. This area has many magical defenses, but all can be overcome with high perception and a good locksmith,as well as a Potion of See Invisibility. It runs contrary to the vault behind the Guildhall, which is disappointingly lackluster.

The third act ofBaldur’s Gate 3is a thief’s playground, chock-full of hidden rooms and chests just waiting to be discovered. Next time you enter Act Three, feel free to let out your inner bandit and take whatever you can get your hands on. The party is destined tosave or destroy the city, after all, and with that in mind, a few instances of burglary seem almost inconsequential.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Developed and published by Larian Studios, Baldur’s Gate 3 is an upcoming role-playing game set to release in August of 2023. Players will create a character to embark on a large-scale journey and can do so solo or cooperatively with a friend. Combat is a turn-based style this time around.