How do I access the hidden area in the Moonrise Towers in Baldur's Gate 3?

To access the hidden area in Moonrise Towers in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to explore carefully and pay attention to environmental clues. The hidden area is located in the lower levels of the towers, and accessing it requires solving a puzzle and dealing with some enemies. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this.

First, you need to reach Moonrise Towers. This is a key location in Act 2 of the game, and you will naturally progress here as part of the main story. Once you are inside the towers, you need to make your way to the lower levels. The hidden area is located beneath the main hall, and you can access it by finding a secret passage.

To find the secret passage, you need to look for a bookshelf in the library area of the towers. This bookshelf is not immediately obvious, but if you examine it closely, you will notice that it can be moved. Interacting with the bookshelf will reveal a hidden lever. Pulling this lever will open a secret door that leads to the lower levels.

Once you are in the lower levels, you will encounter a series of traps and enemies. The traps are mostly pressure plates and tripwires, so you need to be careful as you move through the area. Use a character with high perception to spot these traps and disarm them. Rogues are particularly good at this, as they have the Sleight of Hand skill which allows them to disarm traps more effectively.

As you progress through the lower levels, you will come across a puzzle that you need to solve to access the hidden area. The puzzle involves aligning a series of rotating statues to match a specific pattern. The pattern is hinted at in a nearby journal or note, so make sure to read any documents you find in the area. The statues can be rotated by interacting with them, and you need to align them so that they face the correct direction. Once the statues are aligned correctly, a hidden door will open, revealing the hidden area.

Inside the hidden area, you will find valuable loot, including rare weapons and armor. There may also be a powerful enemy guarding the treasure, so be prepared for a fight. Make sure your party is well-rested and has all their abilities ready before entering the hidden area. If you have a cleric or paladin in your party, make sure they have healing spells prepared, as the fight can be challenging.

One common mistake to avoid is rushing through the area without checking for traps. The lower levels are filled with traps that can deal significant damage to your party if triggered. Take your time and use a character with high perception to spot and disarm these traps. Another mistake is not reading the documents in the area, as they contain important clues for solving the puzzle. Make sure to read any notes or journals you find, as they will help you solve the puzzle and access the hidden area.

Advanced techniques for this area include using stealth to avoid enemies and traps. If you have a rogue or ranger in your party, you can use their stealth abilities to move through the area without triggering traps or alerting enemies. This can make the area much easier to navigate and reduce the risk of taking damage. Another advanced technique is using spells like Detect Magic to identify magical traps and barriers. This can help you avoid or disarm these traps more effectively.

In terms of D&D rules and mechanics, the traps and puzzles in this area are based on the Perception and Investigation skills. Characters with high Perception will be better at spotting traps, while characters with high Investigation will be better at solving puzzles. The combat in the hidden area is based on standard D&D combat rules, so make sure your party is well-prepared with spells, abilities, and equipment.

Specific examples and scenarios include using a rogue to disarm traps and solve the puzzle, or using a wizard to cast Detect Magic and identify magical traps. In combat, using a fighter or barbarian to tank damage while a cleric heals and a wizard or sorcerer deals damage from range can be an effective strategy. Make sure to use your party's abilities and spells strategically to overcome the challenges in the hidden area.

In summary, accessing the hidden area in Moonrise Towers requires careful exploration, solving a puzzle, and dealing with traps and enemies. Use characters with high Perception and Investigation skills, read any documents you find, and be prepared for combat. Avoid common mistakes like rushing through the area or ignoring clues, and use advanced techniques like stealth and Detect Magic to make the area easier to navigate. With the right strategy and preparation, you can successfully access the hidden area and claim the valuable loot inside.