How to fix the broken Moon Lantern in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)

Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3 has you pass through an area called the Shadow-Cursed Lands where the darkness will eat you (or something) unless you have a source of light, such as a simple torch. Get too close to the Moonrise Towers, however, and there are only a couple of ways to protect yourself.

The one we’re discussing in particular, however, is the Moon Lantern. To be more specific, the broken Moon Lantern that you maybe picked up off of True Soul Nere’s corpse (or just pickpocketed).

For clarity, if you’re wondering if you can fix the Broken Moon Lantern: yes, but not for the purpose you might be hoping for. If you’re hoping for a functional Moon Lantern, then fixing it won’t get you one. Instead, you’ll get a Shadow Lantern.

How to get the Shadow Lantern in Baldur’s Gate 3

To create a Shadow Lantern, you first need the Broken Moon Lantern. Then you need to access Balthazar’s room in Moonrise Towers. You’ll also need Gale in your party and a dead pixie. While you can find the Broken Moon Lantern in Nere’s pockets in Grymforge, you can also find them in Balthazar’s room.

When you’re in Balthazar’s Room, take a look at the bookcase. Interact with the top-rightmost book that’s sticking out a bit. Then, take a human heart that is found in the room and insert it into the Ancient Altar. This will grant you access to Balthazar’s hidden lab.

If you then interact with the ritual circle and combine the Broken Moon Lantern and the Dead Pixie. Preferably, you would do this while controlling Gale, because any other character has to overcome a hefty Arcana check.

This creates the Shadow Lantern, which is just a club. By saying “just” a club, what I mean is that it won’t protect you in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. It doesn’t emit light and is simply a weapon.

I’m going to be honest with you: I found this kind of disappointing. However, it is a pretty cool weapon. It only does 1d6 when wielded two-handed but grants the spell Conjure Shadow Lantern Wraith, which is a level 6 necromancy spell. Not bad.