Baldur's Gate 3: Abandoned Cistern: Sluice Gate Puzzle Answer

The abandoned cistern puzzle is one of those easy-to-miss pieces of content in Baldur's Gate 3, but anyone who's following the Jaheira/Minsc storyline or has encountered the Stone Lord in the Counting House will find themselves in Baldur's Gate's damp and dank underbelly eventually. In order to progress both Jaheira's companion quest and the quest to investigate the Stone Lord, you'll need to follow Minsc's trail down into the sewers after you confront him at the Counting House. Once here, you'll find yourself faced with a few fights as well as a tricky puzzle.

Jaheira and Minsc are both characters from the previous Baldur's Gate games. Their questline and position as companions seem to be a bit of a nod to veteran players. To get started, make sure you recruit Jaheira in Act 2, as having her along will provide a bit of flavor to your experience and also unlock what many consider to be the sluice-gate puzzle quest's true ending.

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How to Start the Abandoned Cistern Puzzle in Baldur's Gate 3

After you've confronted the Stone Lord in the Counting House and been charged with returning the vault's lost valuables, you should investigate the vault. On a successful investigation check, one of your party members will mention the city's sewers. Head underground using any of the following locations:

The Thieves Guildhall: If you agree to help Nine-Fingers, you can access the sewers from here.

If you agree to help Nine-Fingers, you can access the sewers from here. Danthelon's Dancing Axe: If you helped the Harpers in the basement here, which is necessary to recruit Minsc, you can access the sewers from their base.

If you helped the Harpers in the basement here, which is necessary to recruit Minsc, you can access the sewers from their base. The Manhole Cover: Just south of the Janneth Estate, there's a manhole cover you can interact with to be taken to the sewers.

No matter which entrance you use, you'll need to make your way to the northwestern part of the sewers, defeating any Bhallists or other enemies you encounter on the way. After this fight, you'll enter a room with two large valves and a huge round door that is locked. To complete the puzzle, you'll need to use the valves to equalize the water temperature and pressure so that the door can open.

Finding the Note to Sanitation Workers

Next to the Temperature Valve on the right, you can find a note pinned to the machine. It explains that the water heat level and pressure level have to be at "optimum" levels in order for the gate to be opened. Until both levels are in their optimal states at the same time, that huge round door will remain sealed.

This puzzle is one of timing, as the levels that each valve controls will change over time. The note reads that the valves need to be at optimal levels, not the highest levels, so making sure the pressure and temperature are where they need to be at the same time can be tricky. Put your party somewhere they won't be in the way (or not, if you're running solo with one of these crazy builds) and get ready to move quickly.

How to Complete the Sluice-Gate Puzzle in the Abandoned Cistern

If you interact with each valve, you'll notice a small status at the top of the screen reading "X level rising". Next to this, you'll also see the status of the water temperature or pressure. Starting with the temperature valve, interact with it and wait until it reads "Perfectly Warm" at the top of the screen, then shut it off. Quickly do the same with the pressure valve until both valves read that they're perfect.

Once a valve has been turned off, its level will slowly start to decrease. This means you have to move quickly to ensure that both valves are at the perfect level at the same time. If you miss it the first time, allow the valves to reset and try again!

Once this is done, the Abandoned Cistern gate will open, and you'll have completed Baldur's Gate 3's sluice-gate puzzle! Head forward to confront the Stone Lord and get the Counting House's money back. If you're interested in recruiting Minsc, make sure you have Jaheira with you and that you have non-lethal strikes toggled on so that you don't kill everyone's favorite ranger.