As players explore the Goblin Camp inBaldur’s Gate 3, they may encounter an area known as the Defiled Temple. In this area fans will find a puzzle, which centers around moving four circles that depict the phases of the moon. For those players that may be struggling to solve this Defiled Temple puzzle inBaldur’s Gate 3, this guide details its solution and explains how it was derived.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Moon Circle Puzzle Solution
As manyCRPGfans are likely to expect, the key to solving this puzzle is moving the circles so that the moon phases are in specific positions. Specifically, thenew moonsmust be on theilluminatedbottomcircle, thehalf moonsmust be to theleft and rightof that circle, and thefull moonsmust be on thetop circle(across from the one that is illuminated). For full clarity, the following image depicts the solved puzzle, and the movements that can be made to reach that solution on an untouched puzzle are listed below it.
Updated November 7th, 2023: As players make their way through theGoblin Camp, they should eventually come across a strange place known as theDefiled Temple. Those who search every nook and cranny will notice some odd tiles on the floor and a locked door on the other side of the temple itself. This area leads into the Underdark and is important in progressing the story ofBaldur’s Gate 3. Players who are struggling to solve theMoon Circle Puzzle in Baldur’s Gate 3can use the following guide to help them, which now includes a video.
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Upon solving the Defiled Temple puzzle, a sealed passage will open, and it leads to the Underdark. This area plays an important role inBG3’s Find the Nightsong quest, and players should be prepared to battle some challenging enemies as they explore it.
With respect to how the solution to the moon puzzle is determined, there is a journal in the Defiled Temple that is intended to pointBG3playersin the right direction. That journal can be found in a cabinet next to a bed, and it indicates that the full moons are to “match the stars” and darkness “belongs at the bottom.” This leaves just the half moons to address, and those take their positions on the left and right sides of the puzzle.
One final thing to say about the moon puzzle is that it is actually possible to open the way to the Underdark without ever solving it. Indeed, there is a lever on a nearby wall that can be lockpicked to clear the path. However, players will need to perform a successful Perception check, which can be triggered by moving theirBG3partynear to the sealed passage, to reveal that lever. Fortunately, fans can always turn to the circle puzzle if they are unable to put this alternate approach into motion.
Baldur’s Gate 3releases on August 3 for PC and September 6 for PS5. An Xbox Series X/S version is in development.
