Balthazar, a formidable adversary in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), poses a significant challenge for players seeking to progress through the game. To successfully defeat this powerful foe, a well-planned strategy is crucial. Balthazar is consistently accompanied by his minions, making the battle even more daunting.
One opportunity to confront Balthazar arises in Act 2, within his chamber near Shar’s trials in the Mausoleum. However, engaging in combat here can be extremely difficult due to the presence of his powerful undead allies, particularly his brother, Flesh.
If players choose to fight in this location, it is advisable to lure Balthazar and his minions through doorways to create a bottleneck. Utilizing area-of-effect (AoE) spells like twisting vines or cloud of daggers can inflict damage as they pursue the player.
The more frequently encountered battleground is situated near Nightsong, following Shar’s trials. Here, players must decide whether to allow Balthazar to transport Nightsong or engage in combat within the peculiar arena. In this fight, Balthazar summons a substantial number of minions, approximately 20 skeletal creatures.
Although individually weak, their sheer numbers pose a significant threat. It is essential for fighters to remain near the center of the floating island to avoid being knocked off. If Shadowheart is part of the player’s team, employing Turn Undead while in the midst of the enemies is highly recommended.
To effectively defeat Balthazar, quickly silencing him and then focusing on close-range melee attacks is crucial. Despite his intimidating magical abilities, Balthazar’s weakness lies in close combat, and his threat diminishes significantly when unable to cast spells.
An alternative strategy involves pushing Balthazar off the cliff during the Nightsong confrontation. While this method guarantees victory, it prevents players from looting his corpse. Achieving this requires precise positioning and timing, which can be accomplished through various means.
Characters with high strength scores can physically shove Balthazar off the edge, while spells like Thunderwave or Gust of Wind can also send him plummeting into the void. However, players must weigh the trade-off between a swift victory and the potential rewards from looting Balthazar’s remains.