After you’ve finished exploring the Wilderness in Baldur’s Gate 3, you need to decide if you’re going through the Mountain Pass or the Underdark to get to Moonrise Towers. There are benefits to each, and you can go back and visit both once you reach the Moonrise Towers area. But what is the best way to get to Moonrise Towers in Baldur’s Gate 3? Mountain Pass or Underdark?
Should you choose Mountain Pass or Underdark in Baldur’s Gate 3?
In my experience and research, the Mountain Pass is easier and shorter while the Underdark has more sidequests, tougher enemies, and is longer.
If you need help getting to the Underdark, visit our guide. If you need help getting to the Mountain Pass, I recommend fast traveling to Waukeen’s Rest and using Fly or Misty Step to sneak past the Githyanki and through to the Mountain Pass.
Why choose Mountain Pass in BG3
Screenshot: PC Invasion
Though I’ve never chosen the Mountain Pass in Baldur’s Gate 3, in my research I’ve discovered that this is the optimal path if you sided with Minthara and the goblins. Though there will still be a few tough fights and extra puzzles to solve, the Mountain Pass isn’t as dense and dangerous as the Underdark.
The good thing about the Mountain Pass is that you’re placed on a more direct path to get a Moonlantern. You’ll definitely want a Moonlantern for the journey ahead, and the Mountain Pass is an easy way to get one (but don’t worry, it’s not the only way).
Why choose Underdark in BG3
In my campaign, I chose to go through the Underdark. Here, I encountered extremely tough enemies that forced me to load my quicksaves often, really interesting and fun sidequests like the Arcane Tower, Icy pieces that make one of the best early weapons in the game, and a really tough boss named Grym guarding a forge that makes some of the best weapons and armor in the game.
I highly recommend going through the Underdark if you’re up for a challenge. While the enemies are tough, the puzzles are a lot of fun—you’ll level up your characters more which prepares you for what’s ahead, and you’ll earn great weapons and armor—I found the Underdark depressing and dangerous; I bolted out of there as soon as I could which means I most likely missed some cool stuff.
If you’ve completed the Underdark in one playthrough, I recommend trying the Mountain Pass on your next playthrough, and vice versa. Once you get to the Shadowland, you can also turn back and experience the section you missed, but it will be slightly different than running through it from the start.
Either way, you’ll end up in the Shadowlands. If you choose to side with Isobel, you’ll need to defend Isobel and defeat Fist Marcus. After that, you’ll need to traverse to Moonrise Towers with the help of a Moonlantern, or avoid a softlock and get through the Shadow Curse without a Moonlantern. The choices, like always, are nearly endless.
