What's the point of the Underdark? Seems aimless and offtrack.

[Hari]

As a player, I can surely google some solution to figure out how to gain the most XP and Loot in the Underdark, but as a character worried about this COVILLITHID-19, why would I put myself through the hassle of going through an extra maze?

Okay, so all my motivation in Act1 seems to be "go to Baldur's Gate because nobody here in ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ shores is able to deal with this tadpole thingy."

Then I talk to Halsin who says it's probably better to go through the Underdark.

Let's go through Willy Wonka's Mushroom Grove then. Beholder, check. Keep working my way west. Arcane tower, check. But a lake keeps me from proceeding west.

Er, so now what? Backtrack to the locked minataur-frying gate at the Selune basement? What a waste of time and energy.

[anon77777]

because its an iconic location/environment in the Forgotten Realms, plus there is a boat that will take you across the lake.

[Actalo]

Think of it this way: in order to reach Moonrise you have two paths.

Through the Mountains, in which there's some stuff to do along the way - or through part of the Underdark, in which there's also stuff to do along the way.

[anon77777]

Originally posted by Actalo:

Think of it this way: in order to reach Moonrise you have two paths.

Through the Mountains, in which there's some stuff to do along the way - or through part of the Underdark, in which there's also stuff to do along the way.

these two paths are not mutually exclusive either - you can do both

[KingofApples]

Lore, Loot, it's on the way to Grymforge, for more lore, loot, and BiS gear

[Hari]

Originally posted by anon77777:

these two paths are not mutually exclusive either - you can do both

Yeah, that's just the thing... that doesn't explain the character's motivation. A squirm sperm is inside our skulls, let's just make all the unnecessary detours we can, and hope there's a trinket hidden in a basket somewhere. The story motivation is really weak.

[Ubik Valis]

Originally posted by Hari:

squirm sperm

That is both hilarious and disgusting. Hilgusting? Dislarious?

[M'igo Kazan]

The game's reasoning is that Halsin sez the shadow curse is quite deadly, and that going through the Underdark will get you farther ahead in the shadow-cursed lands, so you'll have less of it to experience, so Underdark vs Mountain Pass ends up being a "longer but safer route" vs "shorter but riskier" situation

[MeyerX]

Originally posted by Hari:

But a lake keeps me from proceeding west.

Take the boat