Chest of the Mundane in Baldur’s Gate 3: Location, Uses and Patch Updates

Key Takeaways:

1. The Chest of the Mundane can be found in the Arcane Tower in the Underdark and transforms items into mundane objects.
2. Originally used to reduce item weight, the chest now only transforms items without changing their actual weight after Patch 1 updates.
3. Proper inventory management is crucial in Baldur’s Gate 3, and although it’s less effective after the update, the Chest of the Mundane still offers benefits for item organization.

Overview of the Chest of the Mundane in Baldur’s Gate 3

In the vast world of Baldur’s Gate 3, inventory management plays a critical role, especially with the treasure trove of items, weapons, and magical artifacts scattered across its sprawling world. Among these items is the intriguingly named Chest of the Mundane a once-valuable asset to adventurers needing to carry more without sacrificing speed or agility. Originally functioning as a magical Bag of Holding that transformed heavy items into lighter, common ones, the chest underwent significant changes in recent game updates. Now, understanding its function, location, and limitations can help players maximize its utility even post-Patch 1.

Finding the Chest of the Mundane

To acquire the Chest of the Mundane, players need to journey to the depths of the Underdark, a dangerous area filled with challenging enemies and hidden rewards. Here’s a step-by-step guide to locating the chest:

1. Prepare Your Party: Before setting out, it’s recommended to bring a party of adventurers at least Level 4 to ensure you’re ready for the challenging environment of the Underdark.
2. Reaching the Arcane Tower: Once in the Underdark, head toward the western side of the map. The Arcane Tower stands there, heavily guarded by sentry turrets that will attack any intruders.
3. Navigating Past Sentry Turrets: To safely navigate past these turrets, players can either enter turn-based mode or throw a Sussur flower (found growing on the Sussur tree nearby) to temporarily deactivate the turrets.
4. Finding the Chest: Once at the tower, look for an open window to enter and move toward the balcony to the right of the main entrance. The Chest of the Mundane will be on the railing.

Players may need to pass an Arcana check to fully identify the chest’s properties, though it can still be used without this successful check.

Using the Chest of the Mundane

The Chest of the Mundane originally transformed items into mundane objects like spoons, bowls, or glasses and decreased their weight, making it an invaluable tool for carrying heavy items without becoming overburdened. Here’s how it works:

1. Adding Items to the Chest: To use the chest, open it in your inventory and drag any desired items inside. The chest will automatically transform these items into common-looking objects without changing their function or value.
2. Retrieving Items: When you remove items from the chest, they revert to their original form, which means you can use them just as you would if they hadn’t been transformed.
3. Avoid Storing Valuables Before Chapter 3: When players transition from Chapter 2 to Chapter 3, any items still inside the chest will permanently remain in their transformed state, so remove anything valuable beforehand.
4. Sussur Blossom Interaction: If you have a Sussur blossom, placing it inside the chest temporarily negates the magical effects, allowing items to appear normally even when stored.

Changes to the Chest Post-Patch 1

As of the August 25, 2023, update, followed by Patch 1 on November 13, 2024, the Chest of the Mundane experienced major alterations that make it less effective as a weight-reducing container:

• Increased Weight: The chest’s own weight was increased significantly, from 20kg to a hefty 100kg. This change prevents players from easily carrying it around as a storage option.
• No Weight Reduction for Stored Items: Items placed within the chest no longer benefit from weight reduction. Though they still transform into mundane objects visually, they retain their actual weight, limiting the chest’s usefulness for reducing carry load.

Despite these updates, the Chest of the Mundane still holds some value for organizing and managing inventory, especially when needing a place to stow items temporarily without risk of losing them.

Additional Items Found with the Chest of the Mundane

Upon initially discovering the chest, it also contains several valuable items:

• Mystra’s Grace Boots: Grants the Level 1 Feather Fall spell, allowing wearers to safely descend without taking fall damage.
• Scroll of Mage Armor: Provides a protective barrier, enhancing the caster’s armor.
• Scroll of Protection from Evil and Good: Adds protection against certain enemy types, boosting defenses.
• Gold Ingot: Useful for trade or crafting purposes.
• Hearthlight Bomb: An explosive useful for dealing damage to enemies in a pinch.

These items can be valuable assets to adventurers, making the journey to the Arcane Tower and securing the Chest of the Mundane a worthwhile venture.

Inventory Management Tips in Baldur’s Gate 3

Managing inventory efficiently can make a big difference in Baldur’s Gate 3. Here are some tips to ensure you’re always ready for what the game throws at you:

1. Prioritize Key Items: Keep essential items, such as health potions, scrolls, and crucial quest-related items, within easy reach.
2. Use Containers: Take advantage of any containers (like pouches or bags) within your inventory to sort and organize items by type, making it easier to find what you need.
3. Be Strategic with Weight: Allocate heavier items to characters with higher strength or use spells like Feather Fall to reduce burden temporarily.
4. Plan Ahead for Chapter Changes: Knowing when you’re about to transition chapters, such as between Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, is essential for avoiding issues with item loss or transformation glitches.

Though the Chest of the Mundane may no longer be the powerhouse it once was, it still holds its charm and limited utility for adventurers in Baldur’s Gate 3. Proper item management remains key, and while this chest may now be less of a “Bag of Holding” and more of an organizer, it remains a unique item for collectors or those who enjoy keeping their inventory tidy.

FAQ

Q1: Can the Chest of the Mundane still reduce item weight after Patch 1? No, the August 25 update and subsequent Patch 1 have removed the weight reduction effect of the Chest of the Mundane. Items stored inside it retain their actual weight.

Q2: Where can I find the Chest of the Mundane in Baldur’s Gate 3? The Chest of the Mundane is located in the Arcane Tower in the Underdark. Head to the balcony on the right side of the main entrance to find it.

Q3: Do items inside the Chest of the Mundane stay transformed? Items inside the chest transform into mundane objects but revert to their original form when removed. However, after entering Chapter 3, any items still in the chest remain permanently transformed.

Q4: What other items come with the Chest of the Mundane? The chest includes Mystra’s Grace boots, two scrolls (Mage Armor and Protection from Evil and Good), a gold ingot, and a Hearthlight bomb.

Q5: Is the Chest of the Mundane still worth using? While the chest no longer reduces item weight, it can still be useful for organizing and managing items, especially during early stages of the game.