How do I access the hidden area in the House of Healing in Baldur's Gate 3?

To access the hidden area in the House of Healing in Baldur's Gate 3, you need to navigate a series of steps that involve exploration, dialogue, and sometimes combat. The House of Healing is located in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, and it is a key location tied to the main story and several side quests. The hidden area within the House of Healing contains valuable loot, story-related items, and potentially important NPCs. Here is a detailed guide on how to access this hidden area.

First, you need to reach the House of Healing itself. This is part of the main questline in Act 2, so you will naturally come across it as you progress through the story. Once you arrive, you will notice that the building is heavily guarded by shadow-cursed creatures and other enemies. It is advisable to prepare your party for combat before entering, as you may face multiple encounters. Ensure your party is well-rested, and consider bringing characters with high Perception to spot hidden items or traps.

Upon entering the House of Healing, you will encounter Sister Lidwin, a key NPC who is involved in the quest related to the area. She will ask you to help her with a task, which involves dealing with a patient named Malus Thorm. This is where the hidden area comes into play. To access it, you need to explore the building thoroughly. The hidden area is located behind a locked door in the western part of the building. This door requires a key to open, and the key is held by Malus Thorm.

To obtain the key, you need to confront Malus Thorm. He is located in the main hall of the House of Healing, surrounded by his followers. There are several ways to deal with Malus Thorm. You can engage in combat, which will be challenging due to the number of enemies and Malus's abilities. Alternatively, you can use dialogue options to persuade or deceive him. If you succeed in convincing him, he will give you the key without a fight. This is often the preferred method, as it conserves resources and avoids unnecessary combat.

Once you have the key, return to the locked door in the western part of the building. Use the key to unlock the door and enter the hidden area. Inside, you will find a variety of valuable items, including potions, scrolls, and unique equipment. There may also be additional enemies or traps, so proceed with caution. Use your Perception skill to detect traps and disarm them if necessary.

One important tip is to ensure your party is well-balanced before attempting to access the hidden area. Characters with high Charisma, such as Bards or Paladins, can be very useful for persuading Malus Thorm. Additionally, having a Rogue or Ranger with high Perception can help you spot hidden traps or items. If you choose to fight Malus Thorm, make sure your party has strong damage dealers and healers to handle the combat effectively.

A common mistake is rushing into the House of Healing without proper preparation. The area is filled with powerful enemies and traps, so taking your time to explore and prepare is crucial. Another mistake is ignoring the dialogue options with Malus Thorm. Even if you are confident in your combat abilities, using dialogue to avoid a fight can save valuable resources and make the encounter easier.

Advanced techniques include using stealth to bypass enemies or using spells like Invisibility to avoid detection. If you have a character with the Knock spell, you can bypass the need for the key entirely, though this may alert nearby enemies. Additionally, using area-of-effect spells like Fireball can be effective in dealing with groups of enemies if combat is unavoidable.

In terms of D&D rules, the mechanics of persuasion and deception are based on your character's Charisma modifier and proficiency in relevant skills. Combat encounters follow standard D&D 5E rules, with turn-based combat and the use of abilities, spells, and items. Traps and hidden items are governed by the Perception skill, which is based on Wisdom.

In summary, accessing the hidden area in the House of Healing involves careful exploration, strategic dialogue, and potentially challenging combat. By preparing your party, using dialogue effectively, and being mindful of traps and enemies, you can successfully uncover the secrets of this hidden area and reap the rewards it offers.