How to Beat Balthazar in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) – Baldur’s Gate 3 is full of challenging encounters, and Balthazar is no exception. This menacing necromancer, encountered in Act 2, is a key figure in the game’s narrative and presents one of the more strategic battles in the Shadow-Cursed Lands. Beating Balthazar requires careful planning, tactical execution, and a deep understanding of his abilities.

This guide will help you prepare for the fight, understand Balthazar’s strengths and weaknesses, and provide strategies to emerge victorious. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to the game, this guide will set you up for success.

Who is Balthazar in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Balthazar is a necromancer serving Ketheric Thorm, one of the main antagonists in Baldur’s Gate 3. You’ll encounter him in the Gauntlet of Shar during Act 2, where his dark magic and army of undead make him a formidable foe. While you may have the option to interact with him diplomatically earlier, confronting him is often inevitable, especially if you choose to oppose Ketheric Thorm’s plans.

Preparing for the Battle

Before diving into the fight, preparation is key. Here’s what you should focus on:

1. Party Composition

Choose a balanced party with a mix of damage dealers, support characters, and crowd control specialists. A good party might include:

• Tank or Frontliner: A Fighter or Barbarian to soak up damage and control enemies.
• Healer: A Cleric or Druid to keep your party alive.
• Ranged Damage Dealer: A Ranger or Warlock to deal consistent damage from a distance.
• Spellcaster: A Wizard or Sorcerer to unleash powerful AoE (area of effect) attacks and control the battlefield.

2. Equipment and Buffs

• Equip weapons and armor that provide resistance to necrotic damage, as Balthazar relies heavily on this type of attack.
• Stock up on healing potions, scrolls, and buffs like Bless or Protection from Evil and Good.
• Use consumables like alchemist’s fire or acid vials to deal extra damage to clustered enemies.

3. Rest and Resource Management

Take a long rest before the fight to restore spell slots, health, and abilities.
Ensure your party is fully equipped with spells and abilities that counter undead enemies.

Balthazar’s Abilities and Weaknesses

Understanding Balthazar’s tactics is critical to defeating him. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:

1. Strengths

• Necrotic Magic: Balthazar deals significant necrotic damage, which can quickly overwhelm unprepared players.
• Summons Undead: He can call upon skeletons and other undead to overwhelm your party.
• Crowd Control: Balthazar uses spells to debilitate your party, such as Hold Person or Fear.

2. Weaknesses

• Vulnerability to Radiant Damage: As a necromancer, Balthazar is particularly weak to radiant damage, making Clerics and Paladins invaluable.
• Concentration Spells: Interrupting his concentration can cancel powerful effects like Shield of Faith or summoned undead.
• Positioning: Balthazar’s reliance on ranged spells makes him vulnerable if you can close the gap and disrupt his positioning.

How to Beat Balthazar: Step-by-Step Strategy

1. Initiate Combat on Your Terms

When entering the encounter, you can often position your party before initiating combat. Use stealth to your advantage and place your party strategically:

• Position ranged attackers on high ground for an accuracy boost.
• Place your tank near Balthazar to engage him directly.
• Set traps or pre-cast spells like Spike Growth or Grease in choke points.

2. Focus on Balthazar

While Balthazar summons undead minions, focusing your damage on him is often the most effective strategy. Once he falls, the fight becomes significantly easier. Use abilities like:

• Guiding Bolt: This deals radiant damage and grants advantage to the next attack against him.
• Hunter’s Mark: A Ranger can use this to deal extra damage each turn.

3. Control the Battlefield

Crowd control is essential to manage the undead horde:

• Use AoE spells like Fireball, Shatter, or Spirit Guardians to thin out enemies.
• Spells like Hold Person or Command can incapacitate Balthazar, giving your party a critical advantage.
• Push undead enemies into environmental hazards if possible, such as pits or fire.

4. Counter Necrotic Damage

Balthazar’s necrotic spells can be devastating, but you can mitigate their effects:

• Cast Protection from Energy to reduce necrotic damage on key party members.
• Equip amulets or items that grant resistance to necrotic damage.

5. Break His Concentration

If Balthazar casts a concentration spell, prioritize disrupting it. Concentration can be broken by dealing significant damage to him or using abilities like Dispel Magic. This can cancel his summoned minions or protective spells.

6. Adapt to His Summons

If Balthazar summons reinforcements:

• Use AoE attacks to quickly clear weaker enemies.
• Target high-priority threats like skeletal mages or archers.
• Use crowd control spells like Sleep or Entangle to neutralize groups.

Post-Battle Rewards and Impact

Defeating Balthazar not only clears a significant obstacle but also rewards you with valuable loot and story progression. After the battle:

• Loot: Collect rare magical items, potions, and necromantic artifacts from Balthazar’s body.
• Narrative Progression: Your victory weakens Ketheric Thorm’s forces and brings you closer to uncovering the secrets of the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
• Experience Points: The battle grants substantial XP, helping your party level up and prepare for future challenges.

Additional Tips for Success

1. Experiment with Tactics

Every player’s experience in Baldur’s Gate 3 is unique. Don’t hesitate to reload the battle and try different approaches if your initial strategy doesn’t work.

2. Leverage Environmental Hazards

The Gauntlet of Shar contains traps, ledges, and hazards that can be used to your advantage. Push enemies into pits or lure them into traps to deal extra damage.

3. Stay Mobile

Avoid clustering your party, as Balthazar’s AoE spells can deal significant damage to grouped characters. Spread out to minimize the impact of his attacks.

4. Keep Your Healer Safe

Protect your healer at all costs. Position them away from the main action and use defensive spells like Sanctuary or Shield of Faith to ensure they can continue supporting the party.

Conclusion

Beating Balthazar in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a challenging yet rewarding experience. By preparing thoroughly, understanding his abilities, and employing smart tactics, you can overcome this formidable foe. The battle not only tests your strategic thinking but also deepens your immersion in the rich, dynamic world of Baldur’s Gate 3. Good luck, adventurer—your journey through the Shadow-Cursed Lands awaits!