Baldur’s Gate 3 guide: Defiled Temple moon puzzle solution

In Baldurs Gate 3, your exploration of Faerun will (probably) eventually lead you to the Goblin Camp. You’ll head there for various reasons — to “Ask the Goblin Priestess for Help,” to “Rescue the Druid Halsin,” or even to “Find the Nightsong.” After things don’t go great with Priestess Gut, a little more exploring will bring you to the Defiled Temple below the Goblin Camp. There, you’ll find a puzzle that blocks your path to the Selenite Temple and the Underdark. Solving the sliding floor puzzle will grant you access to the Underdark, which you’ll need to complete your quests for Shadowheart.

Our Baldur’s Gate 3 Defiled Temple puzzle guide will help you solve the spinning disk Moon Puzzle in the Defiled Temple, including clues on hold to solve it as intended and a way to bypass it altogether.

Find the Selunite Journal

After your conversation with Priestess Gut goes sideways, loot her body to grab (among other things) the Priestess’ Key. That will unlock the door in the northwest of Priestess Gut’s chambers. Head through, and you’ll have to deal with her bodyguard, Polma.

Graphic: Jeffrey Parkin | Source images: Larian Studios via Polygon

Behind them, in the bedroom, check the cabinet to the right of the bed where you’ll find a Selunite Journal.

When you read it, you’ll learn:

Thus the interlocking circles will bring the full moons to match the stars, while casting darkness where it belongs at the bottom. That chasm to the Underdark will stay sealed.

Outside of the bedroom, head down the passage to the east to find the Defiled Temple, its puzzle, and the entrance to the Underdark.

Moon puzzle solution

On the floor of the Defiled Temple, you’ll see four spinning stone disks with 12 dots around the outside — 8 filled in and 4 blank. These dots represent the “full moons” and “darkness” mentioned in the journal. Your goal is move all of the blanks to the southernmost disk.

Before you start, spilt your puzzle solver from the party by dragging their portrait on the left side of the screen. You don’t have to do this, but the party will definitely get in your way while you’re trying to solve the puzzle.

Image: Larian Studios via Polygon

To solve the puzzle, spin the disks in the following order:

• Spin the south disk three times
• Spin the west disk once
• Spin the south disk once
• Spin the north disk once
• Spin the west disk three times
• Spin the east disk twice

When all the moons are in the correct position, the door leading to the Selunite Outpost in the Underdark will open.

How to bypass Moon Puzzle

If you don’t want to do all that — or are just feeling particularly sneaky — you can also bypass the puzzle entirely.

Image: Larian Studios via Polygon

Move your party to the north side of the room along the east side of the stairs. With a high enough passive Perception check (which is based on Wisdom), someone will notice a lever in on the wall.

The lever is locked, though. Right-click on it and choose Lockpick. Success will require a DC 15 Sleight of Hand (Dexterity) check. A Rogue like Astarion is great for this.

When you’re successful, the door will open and you can proceed to the Selunite Outpost below.

For more information on the classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, consult our overviews on the Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Monk, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard classes. If you’re stumped by the choice, consult our guide on what class to start with.