The Faith-Leap Trial in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the more unusual and tricky challenges players will encounter during their journey through the game’s complex narrative and puzzle-laden world. This trial takes place in the Gauntlet of Shar, a key location tied to Shadowheart’s storyline and the larger lore of Shar, the goddess of darkness and loss. Successfully completing the Faith-Leap Trial requires a combination of patience, awareness, and clever use of game mechanics. It also offers valuable rewards and progression for players willing to test their faith literally.
Where to Find the Faith-Leap Trial
Entering the Gauntlet of Shar
To access the Faith-Leap Trial, you must first reach the Gauntlet of Shar, located in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. This area becomes available during Act 2 and is tied closely to Shadowheart’s personal quest, Daughter of Darkness. Inside the gauntlet, you will find a series of trials that test different values held by Shar: pain, loss, and faith. The Faith-Leap Trial is one of these and can be found in the eastern chamber of the temple ruins.
Prerequisites Before Starting
Before you can take the trial, ensure that you’ve explored enough of the Gauntlet and interacted with the Silent Library or completed the Soft-Step Trial and the Self-Same Trial. Some doors may only open once you’ve progressed through other parts of the temple, so take your time and investigate everything thoroughly.
Understanding the Trial’s Concept
The Faith-Leap Trial is unique because it doesn’t challenge your combat ability or puzzle-solving skills in the traditional sense. Instead, it asks you to put your trust in Shar and walk blindly across an invisible path over a deep chasm. The entire concept centers around faith: can you step forward into the void without being able to see where you’re going?
Unlike many other challenges in Baldur’s Gate 3, there are no physical tiles, levers, or enemies involved. Success in this trial requires you to move carefully across an unseen walkway, which is only visible with the right approach or abilities.
How to Prepare for the Faith-Leap Trial
Use Perception or Magic
One of the easiest ways to gain an advantage in the Faith-Leap Trial is to use a spell or ability that can reveal the path. The most effective option is the See Invisibility spell or casting Faerie Fire on the ground to outline objects. However, these aren’t always accessible depending on your party setup. An alternative is to use the spell Detect Thoughts earlier in the temple to gather clues, or a party member with high Perception may occasionally spot parts of the path during movement.
Switch to Turn-Based Mode
Before beginning the leap across the chasm, toggle Turn-Based Mode. This allows you to control your movement square by square, dramatically reducing the risk of falling into the abyss. It also gives you time to think about your next move and align your character with the invisible platform’s layout. Do not rush this segment timing and precision matter.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Complete the Faith-Leap Trial
1. Activate the Trial
Interact with the altar or plaque in the trial chamber. This will begin the Faith-Leap Trial. The game may give a hint about moving forward with trust, reinforcing the idea of stepping into the unknown.
2. Begin Moving Forward Slowly
Once the trial starts, the invisible path stretches ahead. You won’t be able to see it under normal circumstances, so use Turn-Based Mode to inch forward slowly. If you move off the invisible path, your character will fall, taking significant damage and potentially dying. Quick saves are highly recommended before and during the trial.
3. Use Guidance Spell
The Guidance cantrip is helpful during this section. Cast it on the character doing the trial to boost their Perception. This doesn’t reveal the whole path, but it might help you identify partial clues or detect certain invisible cues scattered along the route. If you have a cleric or druid, this is an easy way to boost your odds.
4. Follow a Known Path if Needed
For those who want to avoid risk, the invisible path can be mapped out through trial and error or found via community-discovered routes. However, for immersion and roleplay purposes, many players prefer to figure it out themselves. Just know that the path zigzags slightly and turns toward the glowing platform at the far end of the chasm.
5. Reach the Altar at the End
When you reach the end of the invisible walkway, you’ll find a small platform with a glowing symbol. Interact with the altar to complete the Faith-Leap Trial. This unlocks a valuable Umbral Gem, which is essential for progressing through the Gauntlet of Shar and accessing Shadowheart’s deeper storyline.
What You Gain from the Faith-Leap Trial
Umbral Gem
The primary reward for completing the Faith-Leap Trial is one of the Umbral Gems. These are used to power the ancient mechanisms within the Gauntlet of Shar, especially the platform that leads deeper into the sanctum. Collecting all the Umbral Gems is necessary if you want to complete the temple and move forward with Shadowheart’s questline.
Progress in Shadowheart’s Quest
Completing this trial is a symbolic act that strengthens Shadowheart’s bond with Shar. Whether you’re supporting her transformation or steering her toward redemption, finishing the Faith-Leap Trial plays a key role in how her story unfolds. It also grants new dialogue options and possible influences on Act 3’s events.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- Always use Turn-Based Mode trying to sprint across the trial in real-time is risky and often ends in failure.
- Save frequently make manual saves before and during the trial to avoid repeating large sections if you fall.
- Bring a perception-heavy character characters like rogues or rangers often have better chances of detecting elements of the invisible path.
- Mark your route use dropped items like torches or tools to track where you’ve successfully walked.
- Don’t bring the whole party it’s safer to attempt the trial with one character at a time to minimize risks.
The Faith-Leap Trial in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the game’s most symbolic and atmospheric challenges. It rewards patience, observation, and a willingness to trust in the unknown qualities that align closely with the themes of Shar and the trials of faith. With the right preparation, clever use of spells or perception, and a cautious approach, players can conquer the invisible path and claim their Umbral Gem. Whether you’re roleplaying a devout follower of darkness or simply exploring every inch of the Gauntlet of Shar, mastering this trial brings you closer to uncovering one of the most mysterious and rewarding questlines in the game.