Exploration or completionist principle

[claudius]

Hi I just want some general suggestions rather than specific places or quests.  I put this in the Spoiler Warning section just in case people put a spoiler someone else won't be sad.  But I don't want spoilers of quests and places rather I want general principle.

 

So my question is in light that there is a main quest and side quests and 'tasks'.  I kind of want to do as much content as possible but it would be ok if I missed a few so 90% of content plus.

 

But my question is if I go onward on the main quest will I lose the ability to go back and do side quests or tasks.

 

(SPOILER WARNING) So I will use one specific example even though my question is not specific.  I am just using this specific example as an example.  My question is general rather than specific.  Ok the specific example I just visited Cead Nua and picked up Kana.  I finished lots of side quests and tasks like the Temple in Gilded Vale and I found the blacksmiths supplies.  But I still have to go to a southern small town (forgot name) for the pregnant lady in Gilded Vale and I haven't settled the problem at the Mill in Gilded Vale.  So if I get curious to go in the dungeon of Caed Nua I wonder if I should first go back and finish my tasks.  My idea was to explore the first area of Caed Nua but not go down or up any stairs and then clear those back quests.  So again this is an example to a general question rather than specific and I'm curious if I should generally clear out all tasks/sidequests before advancing on the main quest?  In hack and slash ARPGs I am a sweep and clear every single area type of player but that's a different genre.  For games similar to PoE I think I played BG2 a lot which did not 'punish' you for the order you explored.  Icewind Dale 2 is one I also played and that was pretty linear game so this discussion did not apply.

 

Thank you if you read this far.  Remember I am asking generally and not for specific spoiler examples/details.

[Jaheiras Witness]

You will be fine. Only towards the end of act 3 where you have to “jump” somewhere will you reach a point where you cannot go back.

 

There are also some quests in Act 2 which you cannot do once you complete Act 2. I won’t give any spoilers but before you complete the quest “The Hermit of Hadret House” (which is the last main quest in Act 2) try to finish up any loose sidequests / tasks in Defiance Bay. Not all of them will be completely closed but some might.

[claudius]

Thank you for your recommendation and advice.  Sounds like there is enough flexibility and freedom as I had hoped.  I will watch out for the end of Act 2 for a place to tie up loose ends and make named saved games.