Among the many mysterious realms and infernal themes in Baldur’s Gate 3, Avernus stands out as one of the most intriguing and dangerous planes. As the first layer of the Nine Hells, Avernus plays a critical role in the lore and background of certain characters and events. Getting to Avernus in BG3 is not a typical travel option like moving from the Wilderness to the Underdark. Instead, it requires narrative progression, specific character choices, and alignment with certain quests or endings. This guide explores how to go to Avernus in Baldur’s Gate 3, what it means for your journey, and how it affects your companions and the game’s endings.
Understanding Avernus in Baldur’s Gate 3
What Is Avernus?
Avernus is the first layer of the Nine Hells in Dungeons & Dragons lore, a wasteland filled with rivers of blood, infernal fortresses, and a sky choked with fire. It is ruled by archdevils and serves as a battlefield for eternal war between devils and demons. In BG3, Avernus is more than just a setting; it’s tied to infernal pacts, personal redemption, and the fate of souls. Players familiar with Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus will recognize references to this plane throughout the game.
Is Avernus a Playable Area?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Avernus is not an open world zone you can freely travel to during early gameplay. Instead, it becomes a major part of specific endings or story conclusions, particularly those involving the tiefling companion Karlach. The player can make decisions that result in traveling to Avernus, but it’s generally reserved for narrative-driven sequences near the end of the game.
Key Characters and Plotlines Related to Avernus
Karlach and Her Infernal Engine
Karlach is a central figure when it comes to Avernus. Her heart was replaced with an infernal engine while serving under the archdevil Zariel. Her journey involves themes of liberation, identity, and defiance against her infernal past. As you progress through her companion quest, you’ll face key decisions that determine whether she returns to Avernus or finds peace elsewhere.
Raphael and the House of Hope
Raphael is another major character tied to infernal lore. Though his domain is not directly Avernus, his demonic schemes may offer insight or connection to infernal realms. Engaging with Raphael’s storyline opens access to powerful infernal magic, contracts, and the House of Hope a key location that influences your knowledge about devils and their politics.
Steps to Go to Avernus
Progress the Main Story
To even consider traveling to Avernus, you must reach Act 3. During the later stages of the game, the consequences of your earlier decisions begin to crystallize, especially regarding Karlach and any infernal choices you’ve made. This is where you’ll be able to determine if Avernus becomes part of your ending.
Complete Karlach’s Companion Quest
Karlach’s storyline is essential. Her quest involves exploring her past, dealing with enemies from Avernus, and coping with her unstable infernal engine. The steps to follow include:
- Recruit Karlach early in Act 1 by finding her near the Risen Road
- Help her locate infernal iron and work with Dammon, the infernal mechanic
- Assist in improving her condition throughout the game by bringing materials to Dammon in Acts 2 and 3
- In Act 3, make the crucial decision regarding her fate
Make the Choice to Follow Her
At the conclusion of Karlach’s arc, her engine begins to fail, making it impossible for her to survive on the Material Plane. The player will face several choices:
- Let her die a hero’s death
- Let her go to Avernus alone
- Join her and go to Avernus together
If you choose to go with her, your character travels to Avernus in the ending scene. This is currently the primary way players can reach Avernus within Baldur’s Gate 3.
Optional Paths and Infernal Choices
Breaking Contracts and Facing Raphael
If you’ve interacted with Raphael and engaged in infernal deals, these may also influence whether infernal realms like Avernus play a part in your ending. Though not guaranteed to lead you there, these choices reinforce your character’s alignment with devilish powers and open doors to other infernal content, such as the fight in the House of Hope or securing powerful infernal artifacts.
Rejecting or Embracing the Netherbrain
Your ultimate stance on the Netherbrain whether you destroy or control it also affects your ability to shape the world. Choosing freedom and compassion makes it more likely that you’ll accompany Karlach, while power-hungry decisions may close off that route.
What Happens in the Avernus Ending?
The Journey to the Nine Hells
If you choose to join Karlach in Avernus, the final scene shows the two of you leaping through a portal into the blazing sky of the Nine Hells. The game doesn’t show full gameplay within Avernus, but narratively confirms your arrival. The ending is bittersweet: a bold choice to face eternal war side by side, escaping death but entering a never-ending infernal conflict.
Long-Term Impact
This choice defines your legacy. You are remembered as the one who gave up freedom and peace to support a companion. It’s a sacrifice for friendship or love, and it leaves the world forever changed without your presence. Though brief, the ending paints a vivid image of Avernus and its impact on your character’s fate.
Is There a Way to Explore Avernus Freely?
Not Currently in the Base Game
As of now, Baldur’s Gate 3 does not include Avernus as a fully explorable zone like the Underdark or Shadow-Cursed Lands. It is reserved for narrative resolution and thematic closure. That said, future expansions or updates could explore this plane in greater depth, especially given the popularity of infernal themes among players.
Mods and Theoretical Expansions
Some players speculate that future content may introduce Avernus as a quest hub or side zone. Modders may also attempt to build custom campaigns that allow free travel to Avernus. However, in the current official game, it is accessed only through story choices, specifically through Karlach’s ending.
Tips for Players Interested in Infernal Paths
- Focus on building a bond with Karlach early on
- Keep a supply of infernal iron and check in with Dammon frequently
- Pay attention to dialogue options that reflect support, sacrifice, or empathy
- Don’t ignore Raphael’s offers even rejecting them has consequences
- Save before major decisions in Act 3 to explore alternate endings
Going to Avernus in BG3 is a dramatic and emotionally charged decision that ties directly into the heart of the story. Though not an explorable realm in the traditional sense, it plays a powerful role in the game’s endings, especially for those who choose loyalty and self-sacrifice over comfort and safety. Following Karlach to the Nine Hells leaves a lasting impression on the world and offers a glimpse into the infernal chaos of Avernus. For those drawn to darker themes, moral complexity, and unforgettable choices, the road to Avernus is one worth taking.