Constructed in tribute to Lady Shar and her Dark Justiciars, the Gauntlet of Shar is a pivotal dungeon featured in the second act of Baldur’s Gate 3. This game section is predominantly centered around the challenges of the gauntlet, particularly its intricate puzzles.
Beyond its role as a game element, the Gauntlet of Shar significantly progresses Shadowheart’s narrative, transforming her into a formidable dark law enforcer. Upon successfully navigating the puzzles, players gain access to the rewards and effectively reach the border of the Shadowfell.
This guide aims to comprehensively cover all the activities available in the Gauntlet of Shar area within Baldur’s Gate 3. These activities include discovering relics, participating in the Trials of Shar to acquire Umbral Gems, engaging in battles against villains, and ultimately unlocking access to an entirely new area.
Read on for an in-depth exploration of the Gauntlet of Shar and its associated activities. This guide will provide insights into the various facets of this intriguing gameplay segment, enhancing your overall gaming experience.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Gauntlet of Shar location
The Gauntlet of Shar is situated in the northern region of the Shadow Cursed Lands, but its entry is exclusive to the Thorm Mausoleum at coordinates X: 190 Y: 110. Upon entering the Thorm Mausoleum, you’ll need to solve the painting puzzle to activate the portal leading to the Gauntlet of Shar.
At this juncture, it is advisable to wrap up all quests and enlist Shadowheart into your party. She plays a crucial role in accessing and solving a particular puzzle within the Gauntlet, yielding a rare weapon.
Upon stepping into the Gauntlet, expect encounters with a few adversaries, followed by an interaction with Balthazar. It is recommended to align with him initially to gain valuable insights into his relic. However, the optimal strategy involves defeating him after venturing into the Shadowfell.
Navigate through these steps to make the most of your journey through the Gauntlet of Shar, ensuring you are well-prepared and equipped for the challenges.
How to complete Gauntlet of Shar in Baldur’s Gate 3
The activities you can do in Gauntlet of Shar in BG3 are listed below.
The Faith Leap Process
The Leap of Faith Trial constitutes one of the three Sharran Trials within the Gauntlet of Shar, granting participants a Shadow Gem upon successful completion. These Shadow Gems are essential for unlocking the pathway to the Shadowfell Empire. This trial unfolds north of the Gauntlet of Shar waypoint in BG3.
Embark on the Faith Leap Trial to secure the coveted Shadow Gem, a crucial element for progressing further and accessing the Shadowfell Empire. Head north from the Gauntlet of Shar waypoint in BG3 to partake in this significant trial and advance your journey through the gauntlet.
During this trial, follow the steps outlined below to reveal glowing stones on the ground. There are three recommended approaches to completing this examination. The first is to utilize Fly or Misty Step to cover the entire route in one go. Alternatively, the Daylight spell can be employed to make the glowing path visibly discernible.
Self-Same Trial
The second Sharran process on the list is the Self-Same Trial, located west of the Gauntlet of Shar waypoint. Successful completion of this trial rewards you with an Umbral Gem.
Engage in combat with replicas of your party members during this trial. Disbanding the group and undertaking this trial with only one character is advisable. This significantly enhances your chances of successfully navigating the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar within BG3.
Soft Step Trial
The third and concluding phase of the Sharran process is the Soft Step process, which is essential for obtaining the third Shadow Stone. This particular trial is situated to the south of the Self-Seed process.
The objective of the Soft Step trial is to maintain a covert presence and evade detection at all costs. Once more, disband the group and select a character proficient in hiding and lock-picking. Navigate around the guards, activate the lever to access a new area, and utilize the lockpick to unlock the secured gate. Successfully execute the Soft Step test within the Gauntlet of Shar area in BG3 by staying undetected and navigating through the challenges presented.
Kill or save Yugir
With three Umbral Gems in hand, there’s a crucial need for the fourth gem to unlock the mechanism and gain entry into the Shadowfell. This final gem is held by Yugir in the eastern section of the Gauntlet of Shar in BG3, opposite the room where you initially encountered Balthazar.
Yugir poses a significant challenge as a boss, summoning Nessa and Merregons for assistance during the fight. For those with high Persuasion skills, it’s possible to compel Yugir to eliminate his minions and then take his own life.
However, failing this Persuasion check sets the stage for a formidable battle that will test your combat prowess and strategic abilities. Be well-prepared for an intense confrontation if the diplomatic approach falls short.
Find the Spear of Night in the Silent Library
An optional step in your journey involves acquiring the Spear of Night, a potent weapon unlocked by solving the Silent Library puzzle. Notably, if Shadowheart is part of your team, she will insist on obtaining this weapon before venturing into the Shadowfell.
Situated on the ground floor of the Gauntlet of Shar area in BG3, east of the Soft Step Trial, the Silent Library holds the key to the Spear of Night. The puzzle, the Puzzle of the Night, awaits careful exploration within the Silent Library. Successfully navigating this puzzle rewards you with the Dark Justiciar armor set and, crucially, the Spear of Night.
For those accompanying Shadowheart, solving the Silent Library puzzle becomes integral to progressing her companion quest and obtaining a powerful weapon for your arsenal. Take on this optional challenge and reap the rewards hidden within the Silent Library.
Save Nightsong or kill her.
If you spare Balthazar in the initial encounter, the two sequences unfold concurrently. Upon entering the Shadowfell realm, you’ll discover Nightsong is a sentient being. At this point, you can listen to her story and make a pivotal decision.
While the choice to end Nightsong’s life is available, doing so triggers a significant shift in Shadowheart’s narrative.
However, It is strongly advised to refrain from choosing this path and, instead, to rescue Nightsong. This decision carries enduring consequences that will shape the course of your journey in the long term. Be mindful of your choices as they intricately influence the unfolding events within the Shadowfell realm and beyond.
Balthazar boss fight
If you heed our counsel and spare Balthazar in the initial encounter, he becomes a presence in the Shadowfell region after completing the Gauntlet of Shar in BG3. This marks the final step, representing an irreversible point of departure from this area.
In the Shadowfell, Balthazar will approach you, urging you to eliminate Nightsong. Opting to defy this request and siding with Nightsong triggers Balthazar’s hostility, initiating a boss fight. Defeating Balthazar in the Shadowfell becomes a manageable task when following our guide.
This marks the conclusion of the Gauntlet of Shar and its trials in BG3. Should you keep Nightsong alive, she becomes an ally in the battle against Kethric Thorm, culminating in the reward of the legendary weapon, Selune’s Spear of the Night. Be mindful of the choices made, as they carry lasting implications for the outcomes in this intricate narrative arc.