In the rich and expansive world ofBaldur’s Gate 3, few objectives capture the imagination of adventurers like the chance to open a portal to Avernus. Avernus, the first layer of the Nine Hells, is a place of constant warfare, infernal contracts, and unimaginable danger. Unlocking a path to this fiery realm is no small feat it requires careful exploration, mastery of arcane rituals, and making tough narrative decisions. For players diving deep into the story and lore, learning how to open a portal to Avernus in BG3 is a thrilling and rewarding experience.
What Is Avernus in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Avernus is the gateway to Hell a place where devils wage endless war against demonic hordes in the Blood War. In the universe of Dungeons & Dragons, it is ruled by powerful entities and governed by infernal contracts. InBaldur’s Gate 3, Avernus is more than just a location it’s a narrative crossroad that intersects with several character arcs, particularly those involving infernal pacts, cursed relics, and the game’s darker themes.
Opening a portal to Avernus is not simply a teleportation event. It often represents a major turning point in the story, particularly for players who follow questlines involving the Hells, such as those tied to Karlach, Raphael, or infernal artifacts. Accessing Avernus can also unlock rare loot, intense battles, and alternate endings.
When Can You Access Avernus?
You won’t be opening any portals to Avernus in the early hours of the game. The opportunity arises in Act 3, when your party reaches the city of Baldur’s Gate. At this point, key story threads converge and decisions made in previous acts start to show their consequences. Several questlines become relevant for those seeking access to the infernal plane.
Key Requirements Before Opening the Portal
- Reach Act 3 and gain access to Lower City.
- Complete major questlines involving Raphael and/or Karlach.
- Obtain infernal items such as the Infernal Iron and Hellion’s Heart.
- Engage in dialogues or make choices that favor dealing with infernal beings.
Opening a portal is not tied to a single quest but to a series of branching paths that must align at the right moment. Understanding how they fit together is the key to success.
Raphael’s Involvement and the House of Hope
One of the most significant connections to Avernus is Raphael, the seductive cambion who has a vested interest in your journey. Raphael is a devil who represents the politics and power structure of the Hells, and his story leads to the infamous House of Hope a stronghold that exists outside the material plane, with direct links to infernal realms.
Steps to Follow Raphael’s Path
- Accept or at least entertain Raphael’s early offers of aid or pacts.
- Advance through his questline in Acts 2 and 3, gathering intel on his ambitions.
- Discover the location of the House of Hope, either through companion dialogue or specific quest interactions.
- Gain access to the House of Hope using a ritual or specific item found in the Devil’s Fee in Baldur’s Gate.
Once inside the House of Hope, you’ll encounter infernal contracts, cursed weapons, and Raphael’s personal vault. The portal to Avernus can be activated or discovered here, depending on your choices and how deeply you’ve explored his lair. It is here that the veil between planes thins, allowing you to witness the raw infernal essence of Avernus.
The Devil’s Fee and Infernal Rituals
Another major location tied to opening the portal is the Devil’s Fee, a mysterious shop found in the Lower City during Act 3. Run by Helsik, a devil cultist with deep infernal knowledge, this shop is a treasure trove of cursed tomes, forbidden rituals, and infernal artifacts.
How to Unlock the Portal Using Helsik
- Enter the Devil’s Fee and speak with Helsik.
- Agree to perform a ritual that opens the path to the House of Hope.
- Gather required items, which typically include candles, skulls, and an infernal tablet.
- Place the items correctly in Helsik’s ritual circle to trigger the portal.
This ritual is one of the most direct methods of opening a portal, though it leads to Raphael’s domain rather than directly to Avernus itself. However, once inside, you may find connections, items, or contracts that allow or compel you to journey deeper into the Nine Hells.
Karlach’s Story and the Infernal Engine
Karlach, one of the game’s most compelling companions, has a literal tie to Avernus through her Infernal Engine a device embedded in her chest that once served Zariel, the archdevil of Avernus. Her character arc reveals more about the layer’s nature, and her fate may depend on whether you can access Avernus to alter her destiny.
Using Infernal Iron and Hellion’s Heart
To keep Karlach alive or alter her trajectory, you’ll need to collect Infernal Iron and eventually Hellion’s Heart. These items tie into side quests and forge recipes that interact with infernal mechanics.
Some paths suggest that entering Avernus might offer a cure or a final decision about Karlach’s fate. Your choices with her may unlock or influence whether a portal opens later in the story. If you follow Karlach’s questline to its final moments, you may face a crucial decision send her back to Avernus, follow her, or defy her destiny entirely.
Alternate Routes to the Portal
Not all paths to Avernus are narrative. Some involve puzzles, exploration, or secret rooms. Larian Studios has designedBG3with multiple outcomes and paths, meaning players who explore thoroughly may stumble upon hidden connections to the Hells.
Possible Alternate Triggers
- Discovering hidden Infernal Tablets in forgotten vaults.
- Reading cursed tomes or forbidden lore found in necromantic libraries.
- Interacting with cursed relics that whisper infernal messages.
These alternate paths don’t always lead to combat they may instead offer insight, brief glimpses, or lore-rich dialogue scenes that explain the nature of Avernus and its influence on the world above.
Combat and Rewards in the Infernal Realm
Opening a portal is not the end it’s only the beginning. If you do step into Avernus or its connected domains, prepare for intense encounters. Demons, devils, and cursed constructs populate these realms. Expect high-level fights, aggressive enemies, and mechanics that challenge both your build and your party composition.
Potential Rewards
- Legendary weapons tied to infernal contracts.
- Devil-forged armor with unique resistances.
- Knowledge of infernal magic or ancient rituals.
- Choices that affect your ending and companion arcs.
Whether you ally with devils or defy them, your time in Avernus will leave a mark. It’s a high-risk, high-reward area that adds depth to the game’s already intricate storylines.
Opening the Portal
Opening a portal to Avernus inBaldur’s Gate 3is one of the most complex and rewarding tasks in the game. It involves not only mechanics and exploration but also choices that shape your character’s legacy. From dealing with Raphael and exploring the House of Hope to completing Karlach’s arc and unraveling infernal mysteries, every step leads you closer to Hell itself. Whether you’re looking for epic loot, rich lore, or dramatic character development, stepping into Avernus is a journey worth taking for any player seeking the full depth of BG3’s dark and fantastical world.