How to Beat Commander Zhalk in Baldur's Gate 3
Commander Zhalk is a tough enemy in Baldur's Gate 3, found on the Nautiloid during the tutorial. He's fighting a mind flayer near the end, and he's carrying the Everburn Blade, a strong magic sword that adds fire damage with each hit. This is a challenging, optional fight because Zhalk is one of the hardest early bosses, and you won’t even be at level 2 yet. However, it’s worth trying, especially if your character uses heavy weapons or if you have Lae'zel or Karlach in your party. Here's how to defeat Commander Zhalk and get the Everburn Blade.
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Who is Commander Zhalk in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Commander Zhalk is an optional boss in Baldur's Gate 3, found near the end of the Prologue while battling a Mind Flayer. Bosses like Zhalk have more health and are tougher to beat. He’s very strong, and without the Mind Flayer’s help, defeating him would be nearly impossible at this stage. Although the game doesn’t expect you to fight him, the reward—his sword, the Everburn Blade—is valuable. It’s a risky battle, but the sword, a two-handed weapon that adds extra fire damage (+2d4), is a great asset for Act 1.Before Fighting Commander Zhalk
Before fighting Commander Zhalk, you must do two things. First, the player should remove the brain from the ship. To do this, they’ll need either high strength or dexterity. If successful, the brain, called Us, will join as a temporary companion.
Next, rescuing Shadowheart is important, as she can help in the fight against Commander Zhalk. More allies increase your chances of winning. Shadowheart can deal very heavy blows, causing the Commander’s health bar to greatly reduce.
Additionally, know that you can’t speak to Commander Zhalk, as he is busy fighting a Mind Flayer when first encountered and will ignore you until the Mind Flayer is dead. Although you can avoid him, it's worth the fight if you have a Fighter or plan to recruit Lae'zel, since Zhalk drops the powerful Everburn Blade.
Keep in mind that once the Mind Flayer is defeated, Commander Zhalk will target your party.
How to Defeat Commander Zhalk in Baldur's Gate 3
When it’s time to fight Commander Zhalk, don’t worry about him attacking your party right away—he’ll be focused on the Mind Flayer. You, along with your companions; Lae’zel and Us, can slowly lower his health. Shadowheart should cast Armor of Faith on the Mind Flayer, as it will deal the most damage.Once that's set, keep Shadowheart close to the console so she can activate it as soon as Zhalk is defeated. Try to beat him quickly before the Cambions arrive, as they are very strong.
After winning, grab the Everburn Blade and use the console for a quick escape.
Tips to Note When Fighting Commander Zhalk
Zhalk and the Mind Flayer will be busy fighting each other at first, and whoever survives will turn on you once one of them dies. Use the initial turns to clear out the minor demons on the bridge and stack nautiloid tanks near Zhalk. When the Mind Flayer is nearly dead, move away and use a fire spell to blow up the tanks.Shadowheart can cast Command: Drop to force Zhalk to drop his flaming greatsword. This will weaken him significantly. Have Lae'zel or a fighter pick up the sword and use it against him.
Keeping the Mind Flayer alive is key to beating Zhalk. You can support the Mind Flayer by buffing him with spells and throwing healing potions.
Be aware that a second group of minor demons will appear after you pass Zhalk. Also, when there are only 11 turns left, two powerful Cambions will spawn. These enemies have over 100 HP and are almost as dangerous as Zhalk, both in melee and at range. If you're playing in balanced or tactician mode, it's best to activate the bridge before they reach you, or they’ll likely overwhelm your party.
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FAQs
How do I Defeat Commander Zhalk in Baldur's Gate 3?
Commander Zhalk is a tough boss, but he initially focuses on fighting the Mind Flayer. Use this time to clear minor demons from the bridge and stack nautiloid tanks near Zhalk. When the Mind Flayer is close to death, step back and use a fire spell to detonate the tanks. Supporting the Mind Flayer with spells and healing potions increases your chances of defeating Zhalk. Shadowheart’s command option can force Zhalk to drop his powerful flaming sword, which a Fighter like Lae'zel can then pick up and use against him.
Should I Fight Commander Zhalk or Avoid Him?
While you can avoid Commander Zhalk, it’s worth fighting him if you have a Fighter or plan to have Lae'zel in your party. He drops the powerful Everburn Blade, which adds extra fire damage to every hit.
What should I do when the Cambions spawn during the Commander Zhalk encounter?
When there are only 11 turns left on the timer, two strong Cambions will spawn, each with over 100 HP. These enemies hit hard both in melee and from a distance. If you're playing on balanced or tactician difficulty, it’s best to activate the bridge before they reach your party, or they could quickly overwhelm you. Focus on defeating Zhalk before the Cambions arrive, and be prepared to escape as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Fighting Commander Zhalk in Baldur’s Gate 3 isn't really a compulsory move. But if you’re a sucker for action and a little reward, why not?In this guide, we have provided everything you need to have to defeat the boss and claim a prize for your effort. So, go for it if you can!