Act 2 in Baldur's Gate 3 starts when the player reaches the Shadow-Cursed Lands and unlocks the achievement "The Plot Thickens." The first main location in Act 2 is the Last Light Inn in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. There are two main routes to get to Act 2:
- Through Grymdark by taking an elevator near the Duergar Camp in the Underdark.
- Through the Mountain Pass, which is a more direct but tougher route.
The recommended route is via Grymdark because it offers more content and better leveling opportunities. The Mountain Pass and areas like the creche are still considered part of Act 1 until you enter the Shadow-Cursed Lands. One gets a clear message and the achievement on Steam when Act 2 officially begins. Act 2 officially begins in the darker Shadow-Cursed Lands area and not before, even though some late Act 1 areas might feel like a transition.
