If you’re fired up about the new Patch 8 subclasses and are ready to dive into another playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3, there’s one secret area you need to put on your list of places to visit in Act 3 called The Jungle. You’ll be able to access this area once you enter the Circus of the Last Days in Rivington and first enter Act 3. There’s some extremely valuable loot here, and it’s the only area you can face off against unique dinosaur enemies, though you’ll have to do it with just one character, so be careful.

The Jungle is a secret area only accessible by beating the djinni named Akabi at his own game in “Circus of the Last Days.” There’s a “trick” to getting Akabi to send you to the Jungle, and it helps to know what to do here lest you want to get turned into a block of cheese. You’ll also want to be mindful of who speaks with Akabi, as you’ll go in solo. Further, you won’t be able to return to The Jungle after leaving, and if you miss either of the two key items, there’s no going back.

How To Beat The Djinni At His Own Game

Steal The Djinni Ring To Win The Wheel Of Wonders

Before you can access The Jungle, you’ll need to make your way into the Circus of the Last Days, which can be done in a number of ways. If you want to get in through the front gate, you’ll need to talk with Klaus, who can be persuaded or deceived to allow you access. Alternatively, there are three different entry points that you can break through without the need to speak with Klaus or the circus’ “sniffer” ghoul, Benji.

“Winning the jackpot is impossible unless you figure out how Akabi is manipulating the wheel.”

Once you get inside the Circus of the Last Days in Rivington, you’ll find a red djinni at the carnival who will ask you to spin the Wheel of Wonders. While this game appears to offer a chance at a jackpot worth 500 Gold, it’s totally rigged, and winning the jackpot is impossible unless you figure out how Akabi is manipulating the wheel. If your character has high Wisdom, they can pass a check to uncover that he’s cheating using a magical Djinni Ring hidden in his beard.

If you end up passing the check and calling out Akabi for cheating, and you end up provoking him, he’ll turn you into a literal wheel of cheese for 20 turns, so be mindful what you choose here. Regardless, you’ll have to pickpocket the ring to actually win the Wheel of Wonders, and winning the jackpot will make Akabi pretty angry. As your “reward,” the character who spoke with Akabi will be separated from the party and teleported to The Jungle.

The Jungle Is A Dangerous Place In BG3

Watch Out For Dinosaurs, Because You’re On Your Own

Once you’ve made it into The Jungle, you’ll be up against some difficult enemies, so plan accordingly. This can be a tough area if you are under-leveled or can’t manage to avoid the various Chult Alioramus dinosaurs in the area. While it’s certainly possible to avoid the Chult Alioramus Colossa and other dinosaurs by sneaking around the den, I’d highly recommend being prepared for a fight just in case. Otherwise, you’ll likely have to save scum if your stealth skills are lacking.

There’s a skeleton at the top of the dinosaur den with a nearby backpack that contains the Band of the Mystic Scoundrel, arguably one of the best rings in the game. You will also be able to grab a journal in the area that explains where you are and provides some interesting lore about this secret location. This is a region known as Chult, described in the Always Hungry journal you can find in the Jungle as “a hellscape of venomous snakes, insects, and scaled monsters that hunt [you], day and night.”

Further into The Jungle, you will eventually come across another incredible item, the Nyrulna Trident in a locked chest near the exit portal. This is easily one of the best legendary weapons in BG3. Just be careful with it, because Nyrulna’s AoE damage is no joke and it doesn’t matter if it’s your allies within the blast radius or a group of enemies, everyone’s getting hit. Nyrulna might be too overpowered for its own good, and its one of the few items that can backfire considerably if you’re not cautious with your aim.

Band Of The Mystic Scoundrel Is A Swords Bard’s Dream In BG3

This Ring Enables Spellcasting As A Bonus Action After An Attack

The Band of the Mystic Scoundrel will forever be my most-recommended item in all of Baldur’s Gate 3. This ring allows you to cast enchantment or illusion spells as a bonus action after hitting an enemy with a ranged or melee attack. Importantly, this means you can cast control spells such as Hold Monster or Hold Person as a bonus action after attacking. It’s an essential piece of gear for any Swords Bard build, and it has an incredible synergy with the Helmet of Arcane Acuity . These two items will allow you to take on tough groups of enemies easily.

You can use Arrow Of Many Targets with the Swords Bard’s Slashing Flourish, accruing up to 8 stacks of Arcane Acuity per arrow, then immediately upcast a control spell such as Hold Person, Hold Monster, Confusion, Command, etc., to essentially freeze the entire battlefield on your first turn. This is an extreme example of how the Band of the Mystic Scoundrel can be used to great effect, but it can also be used in a variety of other builds that benefit from specific Illusion or Enchantment spells.

It’s also worth noting that there are some hilarious Easter eggs in The Jungle. Specifically, take a look at the skeletons lying around, which bear a striking resemblance to iconic characters such as Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, as well what appears to be a Vault Dweller from the Fallout series.

Overall, though, while the Nyrulna Trident is an incredible weapon that can be used to deal ridiculous damage, I would argue the Band of the Mystic Scoundrel is the main reason you should venture into The Jungle. Even if it means fighting off some nasty dinosaurs and stealing from a shifty djinni, it’s well worth the trouble for the best ring in Baldur’s Gate 3.