How to Open Gilded Chests in Baldur’s Gate 3
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Baldur’s Gate 3
How to Open Gilded Chests in Baldur’s Gate 3
Tips
Gilded Chests in BG3 almost always contain above-average loot — unique weapons, rare spell scrolls, or significant gold. Taking the time to disarm traps and maximize your lockpicking success rate before opening them is always worth it. Keeping Astarion in your active party specifically for his Thieves’ Tools proficiency and high Dexterity pays off consistently throughout all three acts of the game, and if your current setup is badly optimized you can always check how to respec your character in Baldur’s Gate 3.
⚡ Quick Answer
How to Open Gilded Chests in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Gilded Chests in the Defiled Temple and Selûnite Outpost area require solving the moon disc puzzle nearby to unlock — they cannot be lockpicked. The Gilded Chest in the Dank Crypt is trapped — disarm the trap first with a character who has Thieves’ Tools, then lockpick or use the key found on a nearby skeleton. Most other Gilded Chests in the game open with high Sleight of Hand rolls or a key found in the same area, so bringing a stealth specialist like Astarion makes these checks much easier.
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Dank Crypt Gilded Chest — disarm the trap first. The chest near Withers’ sarcophagus is rigged. Switch to a character with high Dexterity (Astarion is ideal) and select Examine on the chest to spot the trap. Then use Thieves’ Tools to disarm it before attempting to open the Gilded Chest. Failing the disarm roll triggers a dart trap that hits your whole party.
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After disarming, lockpick or find the key. The Dank Crypt chest can be opened with Thieves’ Tools via a Sleight of Hand check (DC 15) or with the Ornate Key found on a skeleton in the same crypt room. Search the bodies nearby before spending Thieves’ Tools.
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Defiled Temple Gilded Chest — solve the moon disc puzzle. The puzzle consists of four rotating stone discs with moon phase symbols. Rotate the discs until all black circles are in the outer ring and all lit circles are in the center. This unlocks the passage and the associated chest automatically — no lockpicking needed. This route also connects with the path used in how to get to the Underdark in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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Alternatively, skip the puzzle entirely. A character with high enough Religion or Perception can inspect the puzzle and pass a check to solve it automatically. Alternatively, use the Selûnite Outpost key found on Priestess Gut’s body (if you killed her) to bypass the puzzle door entirely and reach the chest without solving it.
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General Gilded Chests throughout the game — most use a Sleight of Hand DC 20 lockpick check. Always use Astarion or your highest Dexterity character, apply the Guidance cantrip from Shadowheart beforehand for a +1d4 bonus, and consider using an Elixir of Expertise for advantage on the roll before attempting difficult locks. If Astarion is a permanent part of your squad, see how to romance Astarion in Baldur’s Gate 3 for a guide centered on keeping him in your party long-term.
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Always Examine before opening any chest — right-click and select Examine to check for traps before interacting. Trapped chests that trigger deal heavy damage and can down multiple party members at once.
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Guidance + Thievery proficiency is the reliable lockpicking formula — cast Guidance on Astarion before every lock attempt. The d4 bonus frequently makes the difference on DC 20 checks. If you want a party that always covers traps, locks, and dialogue checks, check best party composition in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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Thieves’ Tools are consumed on failed attempts — buy a large stock from Dammon at the Druid Grove or Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum. Always have at least 10 in your inventory.
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Knock spell opens any lock instantly — the level 2 spell Knock automatically opens any locked container or door without a skill check or Thieves’ Tools. Useful for very high DC locks when your Sleight of Hand is too low.