There are many bosses and difficult encounters in Larian’s latest RPG. But I’m serious when I say that the Farslayer of Bhaal in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a top-marks contender for most frustrating encounter in the game. Here’s how to take the ghost down a peg.
How to find Farslayer of Bhaal
You’ll encounter the Farslayer of Bhaal in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3, as you close in on Orin the Red. You’ll likely need to have investigated the murders happening in the city of Baldur’s Gate, as well as fought an old face from Baldur’s Gate‘s history. That’s how we got there, and after presenting the amulet and proceeding inside, you’ll be faced with a test.
Farslayer of Bhaal fight in Baldur’s Gate 3, explained
When you enter this area, you’ll see a distant bridge with castle ramparts sitting all around. The goal here is to get across this bridge and take out the Farslayer of Bhaal Ghislev, the key combatant. The Farslayer is charging up a pretty powerful attack, which is already a problem. But defeating him will end the entire encounter. Basically, you have a straightforward win condition.
The problem is the myriad of dangers sitting between you and the Farslayer. On the highest perch to your right, there are archers that will hit you with attacks and then slink back into invisibility. Further along the left, several enemies will lob Chromatic Orbs at you. Down further at the base of the bridge, a band of mercenaries will attack.
Then, if you get on the bridge, archers with forceful arrows will pelt you, potentially blasting you off the bridge and into certain doom. And then, if you make it across, more enemies and a named fighter who can also easily shove characters into the abyss stand between you and the Farslayer.
It is an absolute nightmare. If there is an honest way of beating this fight, I have not found it. But this is not checkers. We get some tools that let us play a little dirty.
Farslayer of Bhaal tips and tricks
My key strategy, and one I’ve seen others replicate too, is to make at least one party member invisible. De-group them from the party (Shift-G) and cast invisibility on them, then have them run over to the perch where the Farslayer appears, across the bridge and up both ladders. Put them in Hiding and position them well. Maybe even have them take some extra potions, to keep the invisibility up.
Then, move your main force into the line of fire. Once the encounter starts, unleash hell on the Farslayer from your hidden perch. Characters like Lae’zel and Karlach are perfect for this. Lae’zel can whittle away at its Unstoppable charges with her Action Surge, and Karlach can do some big damage once she breaks through.
Your main contingent, on the other side, should focus on staying alive and providing some support. The best way to do so is pelt the highest ledge, where the archers sit, with area-of-effect attacks. Either Misty Step someone with the ability to see invisible units up there, or throw AoEs like Smokepowder bombs and arrows, or Fireball.
The Farslayer can teleport and eventually will, likely down the ladders near the exit of the area. This is where the big, named fighter waits, and you’ll want to be careful. Position your leap down well. Keep some potions on hand, and if it’s Karlach in there, use Rage to mitigate damage while opening up extra attacks. Above all, just keep hitting the Farslayer.
Once he’s down, the entire fight will dissipate and the combat trial will be passed. Quite frankly, I found this to be one of the more difficult encounters in the game, maybe even tougher than the ensuing fight with Orin. But it also felt like a nice reminder that while you can fight honest throughout a lot of Baldur’s Gate 3, you can also fight dirty when it best suits you.
What happens when you beat the Farslayer of Bhaal
Felling the Farslayer of Bhaal unlocks the path to the Undercity Ruins and the Bhall Temple. Unfortunately, the Farlsayer himself does not drop any magical items, which is more than a little disappointing. However, one member of the Farslayer’s entourage, Strangler Luke, drops the Bonespike Gloves, which grant your Unarmed attacks Slashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning damage when equipped.
The Bonespike Gloves are a fantastic item for any martial class, but be warned; they will de-spawn if you kill the Farslayer before you loot Strangler Luke’s body. Fortunately, Luke likes to fight up close and personal, so just make sure you loot his body as soon as you’ve dropped him.
