As players explore the Goblin Camp in Baldur's Gate 3, they may encounter an area known as the Defiled Temple. In this area fans will find a puzzle, which centers around moving four circles that depict the phases of the moon. For those players that may be struggling to solve this Defiled Temple puzzle in Baldur's Gate 3, this guide details its solution and explains how it was derived.
Baldur's Gate 3: Moon Circle Puzzle Solution
As many CRPG fans are likely to expect, the key to solving this puzzle is moving the circles so that the moon phases are in specific positions. Specifically, the new moons must be on the illuminated bottom circle, the half moons must be to the left and right of that circle, and the full moons must be on the top circle (across from the one that is illuminated). For full clarity, the following image depicts the solved puzzle, and the movements that can be made to reach that solution on an untouched puzzle are listed below it.
- Turn top circle once.
- Turn left circle three times.
- Turn bottom circle once.
- Turn left circle twice.
- Turn right circle twice.
- Turn bottom circle once.
- Turn right circle twice.
Upon solving the Defiled Temple puzzle, a sealed passage will open, and it leads to the Underdark. This area plays an important role in BG3's Find the Nightsong quest, and players should be prepared to battle some challenging enemies as they explore it.
With respect to how the solution to the moon puzzle is determined, there is a journal in the Defiled Temple that is intended to point BG3 players in the right direction. That journal can be found in a cabinet next to a bed, and it indicates that the full moons are to "match the stars" and darkness "belongs at the bottom." This leaves just the half moons to address, and those take their positions on the left and right sides of the puzzle.
One final thing to say about the moon puzzle is that it is actually possible to open the way to the Underdark without ever solving it. Indeed, there is a lever on a nearby wall that can be lockpicked to clear the path. However, players will need to perform a successful Perception check, which can be triggered by moving their BG3 party near to the sealed passage, in order to reveal that lever. Fortunately, fans can always turn to the circle puzzle if they are unable to put this alternate approach into motion.
Baldur’s Gate 3 releases on August 3 for PC and September 6 for PS5. An Xbox Series X/S version is in development.