BG3: How can I get into Arcane Basement when I am not given the Guiding Light Ring?

[Ali_P13]

I have tried saving and reloading but I can't get the ring, despite having given the correct answer. All I got is the XP points. How am I supposed to get to the basement without the ring to show the button. I have gotten frustrated trying to look into it online. Any help will be appreciated.

[Moonbane]

The bot places it on the nearby table, he doesnt give it to you.

[Humpenstilzchen]

Originally posted by Moonbane:

The bot places it on the nearby table, he doesnt give it to you.

No this has been changed in the recent big patch. He now gives the ring directly to you. He doesn´t put it on the table anymore.

Quote: "Changed the way Bernard in the Arcane Tower gives you a reward - instead of him walking to a table and placing a ring on it, you now get a standard Quest Reward window with the ring."

Source: https://baldursgate3.game/news/patch-4-now-live_96

[Moonbane]

Have you tried with a light spell, or simply killing the bot?

[Humpenstilzchen]

I think there might be an optional way to open that door but I´m not 100% sure if it works

What I can say is that the door to the basement was open after I did this but I´m not sure if this was the reason or if the door was bugged.

So on the top level of the tower there is a hidden lever on a wall. Use it. Afterwards push the button at the window somewhere in the middle of the tower and then the door should be open.

[BlackMage]

If I recall correctly, the stairs above where the door opens into the corridor has a way in if you're willing to shove or otherwise displace one of the characters. If you're at the top of the stairs, you can shove someone into the open stairwell a bit behind and they'll fall into the corridor behind the hidden wall. You can then open the door from that side.

My friend and I brute-forced it and found the ring later haha...

[Ali_P13]

I am gonna give your suggestions a go. Plan B is just to attack the bots. Thank you so much for all your help

[breegabrielle03]

killing the bots also gets you a nice weapon for a lightning build:)

[Humpenstilzchen]

Well after finding out what true purpose of this button in the middle of the tower is I can safely say I was wrong.

Maybe it was just the hidden lever on the wall that caused the basement door to open or it was a bug, but you can ignore the beforementioned button, it has nothing to do with anything within the tower.

Spoiler on what the button really does:
The button is tied to a dog collar which you can get from a grave within the underdark and if you wear that collar and press the button you get one piece of meat, that´s it.