Where the puzzle is (and when you can do it)
You’ll reach the puzzle during Act 2 in the Gauntlet of Shar. It sits behind the door marked Chamber of Justice off the large circular hub. Shadowheart’s quest naturally points you here, but you can complete it even if she isn’t in your party.
- Enter the Gauntlet hub → find the door labeled Chamber of Justice.
- Inside: a central Shar statue with three flanking statues holding invisible weapons (the slots are empty).
- Your objective: locate the Ceremonial Longsword, Ceremonial Warhammer, and Ceremonial Mace, then socket them in the correct statues.
All BG3 ceremonial weapons – map-friendly summary
Each ceremonial weapon hides in a different room of the Gauntlet. Expect a small fight, a lock, or a stealth moment. Use this quick table to plan an efficient loop, then read the step-by-step below if you want clearer breadcrumbs.
| Weapon | Room / Direction | How to get it | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial Longsword | NW side room (near Thorm Mausoleum approach) | Defeat a Justiciar; loot the sword from the Shar statue/plinth afterward | Easy to overlook on the ground amid rubble |
| Ceremonial Warhammer | Small chamber east of the hub | Open a chest (simple lock) and take the hammer | Grab it early if you explore clockwise |
| Ceremonial Mace | Southern corridor beyond a short gate | Take it from a skeletal guardian near shelves | Steal or pick it up; no mandatory combat |
Step-by-step route (one sweep, no backtracking)
- Start at the Gauntlet hub: mark the Chamber of Justice door so you can return quickly.
- Go east first – small side room with a locked chest. Pick or bash it to get the Ceremonial Warhammer.
- Loop south – through the short gate into a corridor. Near the library-like shelves, take the Ceremonial Mace from a skeletal figure.
- Finish northwest – enter the room near the Thorm Mausoleum path. Defeat the Justiciar (or clear the area), then loot the Ceremonial Longsword from the Shar plinth/statue debris.
- Return to the Chamber of Justice with all three items.
Tip: If traps worry you, cast Guidance for checks and toggle party Group Hide in narrow halls to avoid patrols.
How to place the weapons (correct statue order)
Inside the chamber, three side statues surround the main Shar monument. Interact with each pedestal and place the matching item. If you put the wrong one in, simply take it back-there’s no penalty.
- Left statue → Ceremonial Longsword
- Middle statue → Ceremonial Warhammer
- Right statue → Ceremonial Mace
Once all three are slotted correctly, the altar glows with purple light and a mechanism engages-the central platform lowers to reveal a hidden stair down. That’s your progression deeper into the Gauntlet and Shadowheart’s trials.
Rewards and what opens after
Solving the BG3 ceremonial weapons puzzle is primarily about progression. You’ll find minor loot (scrolls, potions, a few containers) in adjacent rooms, but the real prize is the newly opened path into the next trial layers of the Gauntlet of Shar and a key advance in Shadowheart’s story.
You can keep the ceremonial weapons afterward, though they’re mostly souvenirs with basic stats-great for role-play or display in camp.
Missed a weapon? Use these replacements
If you can’t find one of the ceremonial versions-or accidentally sold or destroyed it-you can still complete the puzzle with a standard weapon of the same type. The statues accept basic versions as substitutes.
| Missing ceremonial item | Acceptable substitute | Where to grab one quickly | Works for the puzzle? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceremonial Longsword | Any Longsword | Skeletal drops, nearby vendors, or party stash | Yes |
| Ceremonial Warhammer | Any Warhammer | Lower chambers, enemy loot, companions’ gear | Yes |
| Ceremonial Mace | Any Mace | Cultist drops, chests, vendors | Yes |
Note: Substitutes solve the mechanism, but you’ll miss the flavor text tied to the unique ceremonial pieces.
Common mistakes (and instant fixes)
- Only found two weapons: you likely skipped the small eastern chest or the southern skeleton. Recheck those rooms.
- Statue won’t accept the item: confirm the item type matches (e.g., a dagger won’t replace a longsword). Use the list above.
- Think the quest is bugged: most “bugs” are missing the longsword on the floor after the Justiciar-scan the ground carefully.
- Locked out by a chest: bring Thieves’ Tools or use a knock effect; the warhammer chest is a simple lock.
Quick tips to make it painless
- Brighten the room: carry a light source or cast Light-ceremonial items have a faint sparkle that’s easy to miss.
- Pre-buff skill checks: Guidance and Enhance Ability smooth out locks and traps.
- Save in the hub: the Gauntlet has nasty gotchas; quick saves before each branch keep the run stress-free.
- Stealth helps: toggle Group Hide to ghost past patrols while you fetch the mace and warhammer.
What the puzzle means (Shar’s “justice”)
The BG3 ceremonial weapons aren’t random props. In the Chamber of Justice, Shar’s creed frames punishment as order, not mercy. Each weapon symbolizes an instrument of authority-longsword for judgment, warhammer for execution, mace for enforcement. Slotting them correctly is a quiet nod to Shar’s twisted ideal of “justice without forgiveness,” echoing Shadowheart’s inner conflict.
Don’t leave yet: extra rooms worth checking
With the platform lowered, you can push onward-but it’s worth sweeping the perimeter for secret switches, false walls, and side chests. A couple of hidden buttons in the stonework reveal short passages with consumables and the occasional gear upgrade. If you’re following Shadowheart’s quest, additional exploration also unlocks extra dialogue and context before the next trial.
Speedrun version (30-second checklist)
- Grab Ceremonial Warhammer from the east chest (simple lock).
- Grab Ceremonial Mace from the southern corridor (skeleton near shelves).
- Defeat Justiciar NW → loot Ceremonial Longsword from Shar plinth/ground.
- Return to Chamber of Justice: Left = Longsword, Middle = Warhammer, Right = Mace.
- Ride the platform down and continue the Gauntlet.
FAQ
Do I need Shadowheart in the party to solve it?
No. The mechanism works regardless, though bringing her adds relevant dialogue.
Can I use magical weapons instead?
Only if they’re the correct type (longsword/warhammer/mace). The statues care about type, not rarity.
Is there a penalty for trying the wrong weapon?
No. You can freely remove and replace items until the configuration is correct.
Are the ceremonial weapons good to keep?
They’re basic after the puzzle-nice for RP/display, not endgame combat.
Final thoughts
The BG3 ceremonial weapons puzzle is short, thematic, and easy once you know the three locations and the statue order. Sweep east → south → northwest, slot Longsword (left), Warhammer (middle), Mace (right), and ride the platform down. From there, the Gauntlet of Shar opens up-more secrets, sharper trials, and a pivotal beat in Shadowheart’s story.