In Baldur’s Gate 3, certain items do more than just offer stats – they actually teach you how to play the game. The Everburn Blade is a great example of this. Getting it from Commander Zhalk isn’t simply about acquiring a powerful, flaming sword. It’s your first introduction to the game’s central idea: thinking outside the box and taking risks will help you succeed. The game doesn’t make things easy; it pushes you to use your surroundings, your companions, and your intelligence to solve difficult challenges. This guide will show you how to obtain the blade and, more importantly, how to embrace the clever thinking it encourages.
Key Takeaways
- Secure the Blade in the Prologue: You can get this powerful sword right at the start by either focusing all your attacks on Commander Zhalk or by cleverly using Shadowheart’s “Command: Drop” spell to make him drop it without a prolonged fight.
- Leverage Consistent Fire Damage: The blade’s main advantage is the free 1d4 fire damage on every hit. Give it to a Strength-based character like a Paladin or Fighter to easily defeat enemies throughout Act 1 and ignite environmental surfaces.
- Upgrade When Accuracy Matters More: The Everburn Blade has no attack roll bonus (+1, +2). Once you find enchanted weapons that hit more reliably, it’s time to make the switch, as accuracy is more valuable than the extra fire damage against tougher enemies.
What is the Everburn Blade?
The Everburn Blade is a powerful weapon you can find very early in Baldur’s Gate 3, right at the beginning of the game. It’s a large, flaming sword used by Commander Zhalk, a devil you encounter during the opening battle on the Nautiloid. This sword significantly boosts your damage output with both physical attacks and fire. While it takes effort to obtain, it’s a fantastic weapon for your main combat character, keeping them effective throughout the first part of the game. It’s not just powerful, it also shows you’ve overcome a tough early challenge.
What Makes It Special?
Why is the Everburn Blade so good? It’s a powerful early weapon, but more importantly, getting it teaches you a key lesson in Baldur’s Gate 3: the game rewards players who think outside the box and take risks. It’s not easy to obtain – you’ll need to plan carefully, use your surroundings, and have a bit of luck to defeat Commander Zhalk before the ship goes down. Successfully claiming the blade feels like a real accomplishment, and it sets the stage for how you’ll tackle future challenges. It shows you that finding unique solutions and taking bold chances are often the most rewarding parts of the game.
How Its Fire Damage Works
Let’s break down the damage this blade deals. The Everburn Blade is really powerful when it comes to numbers. With each hit, it deals 2d6 slashing damage, plus an additional 1d4 fire damage. For those unfamiliar with D&D, this means you roll two six-sided dice to determine the main damage, and one four-sided die for extra fire damage. The best part is that fire damage happens every time you hit, without needing any special abilities or resources. This is especially useful early in the game, when enemies don’t have much health. That consistent extra damage can let you defeat enemies in one hit instead of two, significantly speeding up combat.
The Blade’s Fiery Design
The Everburn Blade isn’t just powerful – it looks amazing. This greatsword is always ablaze, and the flames are a permanent feature, giving your character a truly impressive appearance whenever they use it. Because of its striking design, it’s a popular item from the beginning of the game. Though officially classified as “uncommon,” it stands out far more than most early weapons. It serves as a constant reminder of your first major victory – defeating the Nautiloid. You can find a complete list of its stats on the Baldur’s Gate 3 Wiki.
How to Get the Everburn Blade
Let’s get you the Everburn Blade! It’s a fantastic weapon to find early in Baldur’s Gate 3 and can really help you out. You get it by defeating Commander Zhalk, a powerful devil you encounter on the Nautiloid ship at the beginning of the game. It might seem tough, especially with the ship falling apart, but it’s definitely possible with a good plan.
You’re in a hurry to get a powerful greatsword that adds extra fire damage to every attack. It’s perfect for strong characters like Lae’zel, or if you’re playing a Fighter or Paladin who favors powerful weapons. You can either fight Zhalk directly, or use a few sneaky tactics to get the sword quickly. We’ll show you the best strategies to claim this weapon, giving you a strong start to your adventure and making early battles much easier. Getting this sword early is a great way to demonstrate your resourcefulness and set the stage for a successful playthrough.
Your Game Plan for Commander Zhalk
Defeating Commander Zhalk requires teamwork. When you find him, he’ll already be battling a Mind Flayer, which you can use to your benefit. Lae’zel should be your primary attacker, so send her in right away. Have your main character support her, while Shadowheart casts spells from a safe spot. Shadowheart’s Guiding Bolt can help improve your attacks, and her healing spells are essential for keeping the team healthy. Don’t ignore the Intellect Devourer—every bit of damage counts! While there are many ways to approach this fight, the most important thing is to focus all your attacks on Zhalk before more enemies arrive and overwhelm you.
Other Ways to Snag the Blade
If you’d rather avoid a direct fight with a devil, there’s a clever way to obtain the Everburn Blade. It relies on a bit of chance, but it’s much easier than battling. Have Shadowheart use the Command spell on Commander Zhalk and tell him to “Drop” the blade. If the spell works, he’ll drop it, allowing one of your characters to quickly grab it and head for the transponder – all without a fight! You might need to try a few times to succeed, but this is a well-known strategy for getting this powerful weapon with very little risk.
Obstacles You Might Face
The main difficulty in this situation is the limited time – the Nautiloid will crash after a certain number of turns, and you’ll also have to fight two Cambions. This can be stressful, especially for those new to the game. Some players feel the Everburn Blade isn’t worth the effort, as a fire-enhanced greatsword can achieve similar results. While the blade is strong early on, you’ll eventually find better weapons, so deciding whether to pursue it depends on if you want a quick boost to your power.
How to Dominate in Combat with the Everburn Blade
The Everburn Blade is exciting to find, but mastering it is even better. It’s not a simple weapon – its special abilities let you develop really effective combat tactics. With some practice, you can make this early-game find a powerful tool throughout the game. The key is understanding what it does best and adapting it to how you like to play. Let’s explore how to use this fiery greatsword to defeat your enemies!
Breaking Down Its Damage Output
What makes the Everburn Blade so good is its consistent extra damage. Each hit deals normal slashing damage, plus a reliable 1d4 fire damage. This fire damage is always active, unlike spells or weapon coatings, so you don’t need to spend any extra resources to use it. That makes it a very dependable two-handed weapon early in the game. The extra fire damage quickly adds up, letting you defeat enemies faster and remain a constant danger in combat without wasting your spell slots.
Positioning for the Perfect Strike
The Everburn Blade, like other greatswords, works best with a strong character. Your Strength score directly affects how accurate and powerful your attacks are – the higher your Strength, the better your chances of hitting. However, strength isn’t the only thing that matters. Positioning is also crucial. Try to get an advantage by attacking from higher ground, hitting an enemy who’s fallen, or attacking them from the side or behind. Having an advantage lets you roll two dice and choose the better result, greatly increasing your chances of hitting with a fiery strike and winning the fight.
Exploiting Enemy Weaknesses
The Everburn Blade is a great way to learn how to fight effectively. Its constant fire damage makes you consider what your enemies are weak to. For example, creatures made of wood or plants will take extra damage from the blade’s flames. You can also use it to set things like oil or alcohol on fire, creating dangerous areas for your enemies. However, remember some creatures, like certain devils, are resistant to fire. Understanding and exploiting enemy weaknesses is key to success in Baldur’s Gate 3, and this sword helps you master that skill.
Managing Your Resources in a Fight
As a player, I’m really loving the Everburn Blade! It just consistently adds extra damage, which means I don’t have to use up all my best stuff on every single fight. I play a Paladin, and it lets me just use my regular attacks for most enemies, knowing I’ll still do good damage. Then, when a really tough enemy shows up, I can unleash my Divine Smite and Action Surge without worrying I’ll run out of steam. It’s awesome not feeling like I have to use a spell slot just to take down a nearly-dead monster. It makes those long adventures so much easier, because I know I’ll have plenty of power reserved for the big boss fights!
Best Character Builds for the Blade
You’ve just obtained the Everburn Blade from Commander Zhalk – a powerful weapon early in the game! Now, deciding who should use it is key. The right character can become much stronger, making battles significantly easier. While the blade consistently deals fire damage, it’s most effective when combined with specific classes, skills, and strategies. Let’s explore how to create the perfect Everburn Blade user.
Which Classes Wield It Best?
The Everburn Blade is a large, two-handed sword, making it perfect for characters who prefer close combat. It’s best suited for strong, frontline fighters who can both withstand attacks and dish out significant damage.
Paladins are excellent damage dealers, combining weapon attacks with powerful divine magic for huge bursts of damage. Fighters, particularly Battle Masters, excel at controlling the flow of combat with special maneuvers. Barbarians add extra damage to every hit while raging. However, a Warlock using the Pact of the Blade can also be a surprisingly strong melee fighter, using their charisma to power their attacks. This versatile magical greatsword ability allows many classes to be effective in close combat.
Must-Have Abilities and Skills
When building your character, prioritize Strength for most classes. It directly affects how often your attacks hit and how much damage you deal with weapons like the Everburn Blade, making each swing more effective. Once you’ve boosted Strength, focus on Constitution to increase your health – this is especially important if you plan on fighting directly in combat.
Warlocks are a notable exception to typical character builds. If you select the Pact of the Blade at level 3, you can use your Charisma instead of Strength when making attacks and damage rolls. This allows you to create a strong, charismatic fighter who’s skilled in both social interactions and battles. When it comes to skills, Athletics is essential for pushing enemies or avoiding being pushed yourself.
Creating Powerful Skill Combos
To truly excel with the Everburn Blade, combine its steady damage output with your character’s special skills. Just like defeating Commander Zhalk required a solid plan, mastering his sword demands clever combinations and well-timed attacks.
Paladins can deal a large amount of extra radiant damage with their Divine Smite ability, quickly defeating enemies with a lot of health. Battle Master Fighters can use Menacing Attack to scare their opponents, making it harder for them to hit. Barbarians can enter a Rage and then use Reckless Attack to improve their chances of landing hits and maximizing damage. Warlocks can cast Hex on an enemy to add extra necrotic damage with every attack.
The Ultimate Gear and Spell Pairings
The Everburn Blade is incredibly powerful from the start, but to get the most out of it, you need to consider how it fits with your overall character build. Like all top-tier equipment, it really shines when combined with the right armor, accessories, and spells. It’s not enough to just equip the best-looking items – you need to create a coordinated build where everything works together to maximize its fiery power.
Focus on your weapon as the core of your character. Now, let’s choose the best armor and abilities to complement it, turning each swing into something powerful. We’ll go over everything you need to create a strong character that will excel throughout the game. Finding the right combination of gear and skills is the key to truly unforgettable gameplay.
Finding the Right Armor and Gear
If you’re using a large, two-handed sword, you’ll likely be right in the thick of battle, so staying alive should be your main focus. The Everburn Blade is a powerful early-game weapon, but you’ll need good armor to go with it. If your character class allows, heavy armor is ideal – it gives you a high Armor Class, helping you withstand attacks while dealing damage. If you can’t wear heavy armor, prioritize the best medium armor available and consider teaming up with a companion who can use a shield to attract enemy attention.
Essential Rings and Amulets
The right accessories can significantly boost your character’s power. The Everburn Blade, for example, isn’t just a strong weapon – it shows how well different items can work together. That’s where rings and amulets come in handy. Look for gear that improves your close-combat attacks or fire damage – even small improvements make a difference over time. Items that let you move faster, take an extra action, or resist certain types of damage can also be incredibly useful, helping you stay in the best position to attack. Don’t just focus on the rarest items; read the descriptions carefully and choose the ones that best suit your fire-based fighting style.
Spells That Complement the Blade
Your magic-using allies are the key to getting the most out of the Everburn Blade. The sword’s steady fire damage creates lots of tactical options. Because the blade already deals extra fire damage, spells can set enemies up for even bigger attacks. For example, a wizard could use Grease to cover a group of enemies, then your sword user can ignite them all with one swing. Spells like Bless are also great for making sure your attacks hit, so you don’t waste their power. The blade’s fire damage is really important, and combining it with spells that boost its effect or control the battlefield will make fights much easier.
Is the Everburn Blade Worth It Long-Term?
The Everburn Blade has quickly become a popular weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3, and it’s easy to see why. Finding this flaming greatsword early in the game, while escaping the Nautiloid, feels like a major accomplishment and gives you a significant boost. However, players are wondering if that early advantage remains useful as they progress through the game and face tougher challenges.
Yes, the Everburn Blade is great, but it won’t stay effective forever. It’s perfect for starting out – it’s stylish, dependable, and will carry you through the early stages of the game with ease. However, as you encounter harder challenges, you’ll need to upgrade to a more powerful weapon. It’s incredibly useful at the beginning, but its power diminishes as you find better enchanted weapons. Let’s look at how it goes from being a key weapon to something you might keep as a reminder of your early adventures.
Your Early Game Powerhouse
Early in the game, the Everburn Blade is incredibly powerful. You get it by defeating Commander Zhalk during the Nautiloid crash, and it quickly makes you much stronger than your allies. While they’re using simple weapons like shortswords and daggers, you’ll be fighting with a greatsword that consistently deals 2d6 slashing damage, plus an additional 1d4 fire damage with every attack.
The additional fire damage is what makes this weapon stand out at the beginning of the game. It provides free, consistent damage without needing any special abilities, resources, or conditions. Against the weaker enemies you’ll encounter early on – like goblins and gnolls – this blade allows you to defeat them quickly, often in a single hit. It’s a significant boost in power that can make the first, usually difficult, fights much easier.
How It Holds Up Mid-Game
Once you move beyond the early parts of the game, the Everburn Blade doesn’t seem quite as powerful. While it still does a good amount of damage, you’ll start discovering weapons that have a special bonus: a “+1” enchantment. This bonus increases both your damage and, crucially, your chances of successfully hitting enemies.
The Everburn Blade doesn’t have a special advantage over other options. While it does fire damage, you can easily add that to any weapon yourself with a quick dip in a flame. A regular +1 greatsword coated in fire will actually work just as well, or even better, because of the extra accuracy from its magical bonus. The Everburn Blade is still good, but it’s no longer the absolute best weapon available.
When It’s Time to Upgrade
It’s time to replace the Everburn Blade when you discover weapons with more powerful features or stronger magical enhancements. Generally, a weapon with a special ability and a +1 bonus is either a similar replacement or a small improvement, depending on how you’ve built your character. But as soon as you find a +2 weapon, you should definitely switch to it.
A standard +2 greatsword is generally better than the Everburn Blade because it hits more consistently and deals more dependable damage, particularly against heavily armored foes. Plus, you’ll discover special weapons with strong effects, such as granting spells or adding elemental damage. Don’t hesitate to replace the Everburn Blade – thank it for what it’s done and choose a weapon that fits your character’s strengths better.
How the Blade Scales with Your Level
The Everburn Blade is unique because it doesn’t get stronger as you level up. Its damage – 2d6 slashing and 1d4 fire – stays the same no matter how powerful your character becomes. While you improve your skills and stats, the blade’s damage remains fixed, meaning it feels less effective against tougher enemies as the game progresses. What seemed like a lot of damage early on doesn’t scale with the increasing health of later opponents.
The main problem with the Everburn Blade is that it doesn’t help you hit enemies more easily. Later in the game, enemies get tougher armor, making them harder to strike. Without a bonus to your attack rolls, like a +1 or +2, you’ll miss more often with this blade compared to other magical weapons. It’s a great reward from your first big fight, but it’s most effective early on.
Advanced Fighting Tactics
Okay, so getting the Everburn Blade is where things really get exciting! It’s not just about running up and hitting stuff – this weapon makes you actually think. To get the most out of its fire power, you need to plan ahead and use everything to your advantage. It’s about where you stand, how well you work with your party, and just generally being smarter than your enemies. I’m going to walk you through some advanced strategies that will turn you from someone who just swings a sword into a real battlefield commander, making every hit with this flaming blade truly count. Trust me, these tactics will help you crush encounters long after you’ve escaped the Nautiloid!
How to Land More Critical Hits
The Everburn Blade is known for its steady fire damage, but it also quietly boosts your chances of landing powerful critical hits. It works best against enemies vulnerable to fire – hitting them doesn’t just add damage, it sets them up for bigger attacks. You can make this even more effective if a teammate creates flammable surfaces like oil or webs, which the blade can then ignite. This combination of weapon damage and environmental effects makes it easier to defeat enemies and trigger those satisfying critical hits.
Perfecting Your Special Attack Timing
In battle, knowing when to strike is just as important as how. Your character’s abilities, like Charisma for classes such as Paladins and Warlocks, greatly affect your chances of hitting. A high Charisma means a better chance of landing even your most powerful attacks. Don’t waste special moves! Save them for when you have the upper hand – like when an enemy is vulnerable, or after a teammate has knocked them down – to make sure your attack connects.
Using the Battlefield to Your Advantage
The battle with Commander Zhalk highlights a key strategy: use your surroundings to your advantage. This is especially true when using the Everburn Blade. Try to fight from higher ground to improve your attack accuracy. The blade’s fire can ignite things like barrels, oil spills, or flammable areas, letting you control the battlefield and damage multiple enemies at once. By making enemies move through fire or around obstacles, you gain a tactical edge and make them easier to defeat – both for you and your teammates. Remember, where you stand is often as important as the weapon you wield.
Making the Blade Work with Your Party
The Everburn Blade is a strong weapon to start with, but it really shines when your team works together. It’s not just about dealing damage with the sword itself; it’s about learning how to combine your abilities. For example, a wizard can slow enemies with Grease, making them easier to hit and creating a surface you can set on fire. A cleric can use Guiding Bolt to boost your next attack. When you coordinate like this, you can turn a single swing of the Everburn Blade into a massive, coordinated attack that truly devastates your opponents.
How It Stacks Up to Other Weapons
As a huge Baldur’s Gate 3 player, I can tell you the Everburn Blade gets a lot of hype, and for good reason! It’s seriously strong early on and can make those first battles much easier. But honestly? It’s not the ultimate greatsword. As you explore more of the game, you’ll find tons of other awesome weapons. Knowing when the Everburn Blade is best, and when it starts to lose its edge compared to other options, is super important for building a strong character. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up against the competition.
Top Alternatives to the Everburn Blade
The Everburn Blade is a great weapon early in the game, especially on the Nautiloid, but it won’t stay the best for long. As you find more specialized magical weapons, its power will start to decrease. Generally, if a +1 weapon has a helpful extra effect, it’s worth considering as an alternative. And any regular +2 weapon is a clear improvement. For instance, the Sword of Justice can be better for a tank because it boosts defense. As you develop stronger characters, you’ll discover weapons whose abilities work even better with your skills.
What Makes This Sword Stand Out
What makes the Everburn Blade so good? It’s all about reliable damage. It consistently deals 2d6 slashing damage plus an extra 1d4 fire damage with every hit. This extra fire damage is especially powerful early in the game when enemies don’t have much health. Unlike some abilities that trigger randomly or have limited uses, the Everburn Blade’s fire damage happens with every attack. This consistent power lets you defeat enemies quickly. Plus, getting this sword early on teaches you a key strategy in Baldur’s Gate 3: don’t be afraid to face difficult challenges right away.
Knowing When to Wield It
The Everburn Blade is one of the best weapons you can get early in the game. If you get it from Commander Zhalk, equip it on your main character who uses greatswords – someone like Lae’zel or a custom Fighter. It’s incredibly effective against the goblins and gnolls you’ll face in the first act. You can confidently use this sword until around level 4 or 5. After that, as you explore areas like the Underdark, start looking for weapons with stronger magical effects and special abilities to help with the more challenging enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Okay, so is restarting the prologue for the Everburn Blade worth it? Honestly, it depends on how I play. I’m the type of gamer who likes to get a leg up early, and that blade really helps with the first few levels. Makes things way easier. But if you mess up and don’t get it? Don’t sweat it! There are tons of awesome weapons throughout the game, and you’ll catch up quickly. I see it as a nice boost to get started, not something you need to have to enjoy the game.
When you first get the sword, Lae’zel is the best character to equip it. She’s naturally suited for fighting up close and already skilled with greatswords. If you created a character focused on Strength – like a Paladin, Fighter, or Barbarian – they’re a great option too. Basically, give the sword to whichever character you intend to be your main damage dealer in close combat.
How long will the Everburn Blade be useful? You’ll probably use it throughout most of Act 1, generally up to level 4 or 5. Start looking for a new weapon when you find one with a “+1” bonus – that extra accuracy becomes more valuable than the blade’s fire damage as enemies get harder to hit.
You absolutely can ignite a normal greatsword to get a similar result! That’s a useful strategy to keep in mind. The Everburn Blade’s main advantage is how easy it is to use. It constantly deals fire damage without needing a fire source or any extra effort. While a standard +1 greatsword that you’ve set on fire will eventually be more powerful, the Everburn Blade’s reliable, consistent damage is what makes it especially helpful in the beginning.
If you’re having trouble defeating Commander Zhalk, the easiest way to get the blade is to use Shadowheart’s Command spell. Tell Zhalk to ‘Drop’ the sword – if successful, it will fall to the ground. Then, have another character quickly grab it and escape. You might need to try this a few times, but it’s a much safer strategy than continuing the fight.
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2025-10-23 15:51