You’re deep in the Wyrmway, the air is thick with the smell of old stone and ancient magic, and you’re staring at a floating, shadowy figure that won't stop judging you. This is the Chamber of Justice, often called BG3 the judge puzzle by frustrated players, and honestly? It’s one of those Act 3 moments that feels a lot more complicated than it actually is.
If you're here, you probably tried to click the paintings and got a message about a "shrouded" or "corrupt" judge. Or maybe you're just tired of puzzles and want to get to the dragon already.
Whatever the case, let’s break down how to actually solve this thing without pulling your hair out.
The Problem with the Corrupt Judge
When you walk in, you’ll see a story told in paintings. It’s a classic "Jean Valjean" situation: a guy steals an apple to feed hungry kids, but then things escalate into a heist for a magical artifact. The game wants you to decide his fate.
The catch? A literal shadow of a judge is floating in the center of the room, casting a "Shroud" or "Darkness" over the three paintings you actually need to interact with. Most players waste ten minutes trying to "Examine" the judge or throw grease bottles at him.
Don't do that.
The judge represents corruption. In the context of Balduran’s trials, you can’t make a fair judgment while corruption stands in the way.
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How to Get Rid of Him (The "Right" Way)
The most straightforward way to clear the fog is to cast Remove Curse on the Judge himself.
Wait, you don't have Remove Curse prepared?
It’s fine. If you have Shadowheart in your party, just press 'K' (on PC) or open your spellbook. Clerics can swap spells anytime outside of combat. Just swap out a Guiding Bolt for Remove Curse, cast it on the shadowy figure, and he’ll vanish instantly.
If you don't have a Cleric or a Paladin, check your inventory. This is the part of the game where all those "useless" scrolls you’ve been hoarding actually matter. A Scroll of Remove Curse is the MVP here.
Creative Ways to "Delete" the Judge
Maybe you don't want to use a spell slot. Or maybe you're playing a "no-magic" run (bold choice). The community has found some hilariously effective ways to bypass the intended mechanic.
- Banishment: Just banish the guy. It works.
- Polymorph: Turn the embodiment of legal corruption into a sheep. It’s poetic, really.
- Turn Undead: If you're a Cleric, this usually sends him running so far out of the circle that he just despawns.
- Fog Cloud/Darkness: Surprisingly, casting your own "vision-blocking" spell on top of him can sometimes confuse the AI or force him to move, breaking the shroud.
Basically, any spell that forces a creature to move or changes its state can potentially cheese this puzzle. But honestly, Remove Curse is the cleanest.
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Which Painting is the Correct Choice?
Once the Judge is gone, you’ll see three paintings on the pedestals that were previously covered in shadow. They are:
- The Hanging (Execution)
- Freedom (No punishment)
- The Cell (Imprisonment)
To solve BG3 the judge puzzle, you need to pick up The Cell.
Why? Because Balduran’s idea of "Justice" is about balance. The guy did steal. He shouldn't be executed (too harsh), but he shouldn't go free (too lenient). A stint in a jail cell is the "fair" middle ground.
How to place the painting
Don't just click it. You need to:
- Click the painting called "The Cell" to put it in your inventory (or just drag it).
- Walk over to the Empty Niche (the stone pedestal opposite the three paintings).
- Click the Niche.
- An "Insert Item" window pops up. Drag "The Cell" from your inventory into that slot and hit Combine.
If the statue of Balduran starts glowing blue, you’ve nailed it. If you choose the wrong one, prepare for a fight. A bunch of undead (Fallen Champions and Wizards) will spawn. It’s not the hardest fight in Act 3, but it’s a waste of resources if you’re trying to save your high-level slots for Ansur.
Why People Get Stuck (The "Common" Bugs)
Sometimes, even if you do everything right, the game feels like it's glitching.
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I’ve seen reports where players cast Remove Curse and the judge disappears, but the paintings stay "shrouded." If this happens, try "Examing" the paintings individually. Sometimes the visual effect of the shadow lingers even after the mechanic is gone.
Also, make sure you're looking at the right paintings. There are six paintings on the walls that tell the story of the thief. You can't use those. You only care about the three on the little stands in the middle of the room.
Your Next Steps in the Wyrmway
Now that Justice is served, you still have the other chambers to deal with if you haven't finished them.
- Chamber of Strategy: If you aren't a chess grandmaster, just bring Gale. He’ll literally tell you where to move the pieces. Or, if you’re feeling spicy, just hit the Black King with a Lightning Bolt. It actually works.
- Chamber of Insight: You have to find the "traitor" among three advisors. Hint: Read the flying books. If you’re lazy, the answer is Suelto. Just shoot the ghost of Suelto.
- Chamber of Courage: This isn't a puzzle. It's a "survive for 4 turns while elementals try to throw you off a cliff" trial. High AC and some AoE spells like Spirit Guardians make this a cakewalk.
Once all four statues are glowing, the big door in the main hall will open. Behind it lies Ansur.
Pro-tip: Before you walk through that final door, make sure you have lightning resistance. You're going to need it. Like, a lot of it.
The Wyrmway is one of the coolest hidden areas in the game, and solving the BG3 the judge puzzle is just the first step toward getting two of the best legendary items in the game: the Helm of Balduran and Balduran’s Giantslayer.
Go get 'em.
Actionable Insight: If you're currently in the room and don't have Remove Curse, don't leave the Wyrmway. Check your scrolls. Most players reach Act 3 with at least 3-4 "Remove Curse" or "Banishment" scrolls tucked away in a backpack. Use one of those to save yourself a trip back to camp.