Baldur’s Gate 3’s Most Common Item Can Accidentally Kill the Party

It is important to exercise caution when utilizing torches in Baldur’s Gate 3, as they have the potential to unintentionally destroy the party if used in the incorrect location.

In Baldur’s Gate 3 and D&D 5e, certain races possess Darkvision, granting them the ability to see through non-magical darkness. For others, a light source is necessary, particularly when delving into dungeons or venturing into the treacherous Underdark.

Fortunately, the game offers a variety of options for lighting. Torches are a frequently found item in containers and on enemies, and they have their own designated inventory slot, allowing for seamless switching between them and your weapons with just one button press.

In the event that a torch cannot be found, there are numerous magical Cantrips in Baldur’s Gate 3 that can provide light. These will be necessary, as members of the Baldur’s Gate 3 Reddit community have shared stories of their party’s demise after relying on torches.

A sorcerer using fire magic in Baldur's Gate 3 — Larian Studios

The OP wrote that the incident almost caused them to lose their honour run and be locked out of the Titanstring. They had entered the Zhentarim hideout with their shillelagh torch and caused it to explode.

This story is about the Zhentarim base in Act I, which is coated in flammable oil. The Zhentarim is known for their wicked ways and disregard for fire safety measures, making it dangerous to carry a torch in the base which could potentially destroy it. As a result, players may miss out on obtaining the Titanstring bow, which is a quest reward found within the base.

One user expressed their confusion, stating, “I was curious as to why everything instantly exploded when I loaded into my honor run down there.”Another user commented, “When I saw the title, I immediately thought, ‘it must be torch.’ I ended up losing Titanstring and my entire honor mode team, with only Laezel surviving with 8 hp.”

The Everburn Blade, featured in the tutorial, also exhibits this characteristic. According to one user, they experienced a similar issue while using the Everburn Blade. They casually entered the main area, followed the usual steps and engaged in dialogue, but their time in the base was cut short.

The torch proves to be quite valuable in Baldur’s Gate 3, particularly when you find yourself needing to light an explosive without any other tools. However, it is crucial to exercise caution when using it and it may be wise to have a spellcaster learn the Light Cantrip as an alternative.