How do I find the hidden entrance to the House of Hope in Baldur's Gate 3?

To find the hidden entrance to the House of Hope in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to navigate a series of steps that involve exploration, dialogue, and sometimes combat. The House of Hope is a secret location tied to the character Raphael, a devil who plays a significant role in the game's story. Accessing this area is not straightforward and requires careful attention to detail. HereÔÇÖs a comprehensive guide to help you uncover this hidden entrance.

First, you need to progress far enough in the story to encounter Raphael. He appears at various points in the game, but the key interaction happens in Act 2. After meeting him and engaging in dialogue, he will mention the House of Hope, hinting at its importance. This is your cue to start looking for ways to access it. The entrance is not marked on the map, so youÔÇÖll need to rely on clues and exploration.

The hidden entrance is located in the Lower City of BaldurÔÇÖs Gate, which becomes accessible in Act 3. To find it, you need to head to the DevilÔÇÖs Fee, a shop run by a tiefling named Helsik. Helsik is a key figure in this quest, as she has the knowledge and items necessary to open the portal to the House of Hope. When you speak to her, she will offer to help you for a price. This involves a ritual that requires specific components, which she can provide for a hefty sum of gold.

The ritual components include a diamond, a skull, an infernal marble, and a ritual book. Helsik will sell these items to you, but they are expensive. If you donÔÇÖt have enough gold, you can try to persuade or deceive her into lowering the price. Alternatively, you can pickpocket the items from her, though this carries the risk of getting caught and facing combat. Once you have all the components, you need to place them in the correct positions on the ritual circle in her shop. This involves interacting with the circle and following the instructions provided by Helsik or the ritual book.

After setting up the ritual, you need to activate it. This will open a portal to the House of Hope. Be prepared for combat, as entering the portal will trigger a fight with some of RaphaelÔÇÖs minions. Make sure your party is well-equipped and rested before proceeding. The House of Hope is a challenging area with powerful enemies and traps, so itÔÇÖs important to be ready.

One common mistake is not having enough gold to buy the ritual components. To avoid this, make sure to save up gold throughout the game or sell valuable items you donÔÇÖt need. Another mistake is not being prepared for the combat that follows. The enemies in the House of Hope are tough, so ensure your party has strong armor, weapons, and spells. ItÔÇÖs also a good idea to have a balanced party with a mix of melee, ranged, and spellcasting abilities.

Advanced techniques include using stealth to avoid combat or using crowd control spells to manage the enemies. For example, a well-placed Hold Person or Hypnotic Pattern can make the fights much easier. Additionally, having a character with high Perception can help you spot traps and hidden items in the House of Hope.

In terms of D&D rules, the ritual to open the portal is similar to casting a high-level spell. It requires specific components and a ritual circle, much like how certain spells in D&D require material components and a focus. The combat in the House of Hope follows standard D&D 5E rules, with enemies using abilities and spells that are consistent with their stat blocks.

In summary, finding the hidden entrance to the House of Hope involves interacting with Helsik at the DevilÔÇÖs Fee, acquiring the necessary ritual components, and performing the ritual to open the portal. Be prepared for combat and make sure your party is well-equipped. With careful planning and execution, you can successfully access this secret location and uncover its mysteries.