If you intend to beat Balthazar in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), you better have a good strategy in mind. This formidable character is not just a powerful opponent; he also has a knack for summoning allies, making him a challenge to face solo. Fortunately, this guide will equip you with the essential tactics and strategies to take him down effectively.
The two main locations where you can confront Balthazar are both found in Act 2. The first encounter occurs in a secluded room near Shar’s trials within the Mausoleum. Here, he is accompanied by a group of powerful undead, making this initial confrontation quite challenging. It’s advisable to take out his brother, Flesh, first to make the battle more manageable.
If you decide to face him in this room, consider using strategies like kiting him and his minions through doorways to bottleneck them. This will allow you to utilize area-of-effect spells like twisting vines or cloud of daggers effectively, maximizing damage while controlling the battlefield. The more common setting for this battle occurs after Shar’s trials, near Nightsong, where you can choose to either let Balthazar transport Nightsong or engage him in a fight.
In this latter confrontation, expect Balthazar to summon a multitude of minions—around twenty skeletal allies—who will swarm the battlefield. While most of these minions are relatively weak, their sheer numbers can overwhelm you if you’re not careful. Position your fighters towards the center of the floating island to avoid being knocked off, and if Shadowheart is in your party, make sure to use her Turn Undead ability as soon as you’re in the thick of the action.
When facing Balthazar, applying radiant damage can be very effective. Your primary objective should be to silence him quickly, as he poses a greater threat when he can cast spells. Focus on getting your melee fighters close to him to exploit his weakness in close combat. Balthazar might seem intimidating with his magical capabilities, but he is far less dangerous when he cannot utter a spell.
Once you emerge victorious over Balthazar in BG3, you can claim several valuable items as your reward. These include:
Item | Type | Effect |
---|---|---|
Circle of Bones | Rare Headgear | Grants resistance to physical damage for nearby undead allies and allows the wearer to cast Animate Dead once per Long Rest |
Warped Headband of Intellect | Uncommon Headgear | Raises the wearer’s Intelligence to 17 |
Animate Dead | Level 3 Necromancy Spell | Allows the caster to animate a corpse to create an undead servant |
Another strategy involves shoving Balthazar off the edge if you encounter him near Nightsong. While this tactic is effective, it will prevent you from looting him afterward. To execute this successfully, you need to position your character properly. A strong character can physically push him off the edge, or you can use spells like Gale’s Thunderwave or a well-placed Gust of Wind to send him tumbling into the abyss.
Just be aware that using these methods will not allow you to loot Balthazar post-fight, so weigh your options carefully. This strategy can be a fun alternative if you’re looking for a quick way to deal with him without engaging in a lengthy battle.
Balthazar is a mysterious undead necromancer in BG3, serving General Ketheric Thorm, a crucial character in the narrative. His primary objective is to retrieve the Nightsong, a vital artifact for Ketheric's immortality. Not much is known about Balthazar’s backstory, but it is clear that his allegiance with Ketheric predates the Cult of the Absolute.
His deep commitment to Ketheric and mastery of necromancy reveal his role as a champion of Myrkul, the god of necromancy. Understanding his character and motivations might provide additional context that could aid players in their encounters with him, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
That wraps up the essential strategies to beat Balthazar in BG3. If you’re eager for more insights on the game, be sure to check out our guide on all the romance options available in BG3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
The above article was updated on 5/6/2024 by Davi Braid to clarify information about beating Balthazar in BG3.
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