Summary
Depending on the difficulty or the chosen build, combat inBaldur’s Gate 3can feel daunting for those who have never engaged with the rules ofDungeons & Dragonsor the tactical mechanics of an RPG. With many challenges waiting along the way, the journey through its three acts can be tough.
Yet, the hardest battles inBaldur’s Gate 3are notlimited to its many bosses, since Larian Studios designed other demanding fights along the journey that test any group’s coordination significantly. When those foes emerge in combat, characters must come prepared to spend resources to endure, often on higher difficulties.
10The Iron Throne
A Tough Fight Due To Its Victory Conditions
The Iron Throneis one of the most distinctive sections in Act 3 ofBaldur’s Gate 3, where the group must rescue several prisoners held by Gortash,including Wyll’s father, Duke Ravengard. This mission is hard to finish without spells that improve mobility, since players must free everyone within a short timeframe.
That core mechanic makes it one of the toughest encounters inBaldur’s Gate 3. If the goal were only to defeat the enemies lurking inThe Iron Throne, it might be simple, but needing to save everyone under a turn limit while dealing with the Sahuagins’ attacks creates a harsh scenario.
9Owlbear Mother
This Encounter Is Even Trickier On Honour Mode
Depending on the group’s condition, both inBaldur’s Gate 3and inDungeons & Dragons,running into an owlbearcan be among the hardest encounters faced in quite a while. This fight exists in the RPG created by Larian Studios and may grant a new companion if the correct decisions occur at the right time.
Although the fight against the Owlbear Mother is already tough on standard difficulty, it remains manageable. In Honour Mode, the challenge grows because the mother can summon a second owlbear with a legendary action, forcing players to face two of these creatures at once and ending many unprepared runs at this point.
8Bulette
One Of The Most Perilous Creatures In The Underdark
As many characters note, especially Halsin,the Underdark is one of the most hazardous zones in the Forgotten Realms, and those looking to cross it to avoid the Shadowcurse must prepare for tough battles. The Bulette, for instance, is one foe that requires careful planning to defeat, often under pressure.
This is due to its tough resistances, particularly on Honour Mode, since the party’s items and abilities at that stage might not overcome them. Its Diamond Scales ignore any damage below 15, and its high HP adds to the threat, making thisBaldur’s Gate 3encounter appear randomly in the Underdark and requiring constant vigilance.
7False Paladins Of Tyr
Anders Can Land Some One-Shots On Allies
The first act of this RPG is massive and holds plenty of content, with many of the hardest battles inBaldur’s Gate 3happening there. One such encounter involves the False Paladins of Tyr, found near the spot where Karlach can be recruited from the outskirts of that remote area.
One of the biggest hurdles in this encounter is Anders, the leader of those False Paladins of Tyr pursuing Karlach, who can drop weaker allies with a single swing of his Greatsword. After dealing with him, the rest are simpler to handle, but while Anders stands, the fight remains among the toughest in the game.
6The Gnolls Encounter
This Fight Can Be A Real Nightmare For Players
Upon arriving at the Risen Roads, characters might find a hyena giving birth to Gnolls, which can already be quite a challenge depending on how the group responds. Yet, this situation tends to escalate, because an even tougher fight against those creatures appears not far from that spot, making things complicated early on.
This battle is part of theFind The Missing Shipmentquest and is difficult due to how many attacks each Gnoll can unleash per turn, with their leader, Flind, hitting even harder. However, using Illithid Powers to control him can simplify the encounter, but until then, it stands as one of the hardest inBaldur’s Gate 3.
5Githyanki Patrol
From the moment Lae’Zel appears, shemakes it clear that finding the Githyanki Crècheis one of her top priorities to remove the parasites lodged in each hero’s mind. What few realize, at least during a first run of this RPG, is that this quest also leads to one of the toughest fights inBaldur’s Gate 3.
That is because an encounter between Lae’zel and the Githyanki patrol often ends in battle, with these enemies ranking among the most dangerous in the game. In Act 1, few foes have advanced techniques like multiple attacks each round and high mobility, which increases their odds of knocking down the entire group within a few turns.
4Phase Spider Matriarch
Substantial Preparation Is Needed To Face Them
One of the best aspects inBaldur’s Gate 3is that Larian does not design every encounter to favor players, so occasionally the group runs into a challenge too strong for their level. One such example is the Phase Spider Matriarch, found in the Whispering Depths of Blighted Village, and it often leads to a swift end for many teams.
This is due to thePhase Spider Matriarch being formidable during Act 1, and the entire area favors her because webs cover every spot and hinder movement. If that were not enough, other spiders in the Whispering Depths can teleport, which keeps this fight difficult for any party that ventures there.
3The Invasion Of Moonrise Towers With The Harpers
A Setting That Is Not Very Favorable To Characters
Act 2 ofBaldur’s Gate 3delivers one of the best endings in the RPG, allowing characters to storm the Moonrise Towers and pave the way toward an epic clash with Ketheric Thorm. However, while that fight against Myrkul’s chosen can be challenging, another moment in this section is also remembered for its difficulty.
That is because when the Harpers attack the Moonrise Towers with help from the party, they are met by numerous warriors of the Absolute in a large-scale battle. The limited room to maneuver, the enemies’ area spells, and Jaheira’s struggles to survive make this one of the hardest encounters inBaldur’s Gate 3.
2Spectator In The Underdark
They Remain Formidable Foes Even Without A Beholder’s Abilities
Although no true Beholders appear inBaldur’s Gate 3, the game has asimilar variant called Spectators,and even without powers like Death Ray or Disintegration Ray, they rank among the hardest encounters. This is quite true if players meet them while exploring the Underdark, which can catch many off guard.
What makes facing a Spectator inBaldur’s Gate 3so challenging is its rays, because it can typically fire two of them each turn, causing different effects. They also have plenty of HP, and their bite can deal a notable amount of damage to certain allies, even if it is not mighty.
1Harpies On The Druid Grove Beach
This Fight Can Be Among The Hardest In Baldur’s Gate 3
Right at the start of Act 1 inBaldur’s Gate 3, the party comes across the Druid Grove and learns about its big problem involving the goblin threat, and they may stumble upon a tricky fight in the opening hours. That is because, on the beach in that area, some harpies are trying to charm a tiefling child with their songs.
One mechanic that makes this fight one of the hardest inBaldur’s Gate 3is the harpies’ song, since characters can be charmed and lose their actions, then move toward the enemy, making it easier for them to inflict harm. On the other hand, spells like silence help mitigate the danger, but those who are not ready often face a grim outcome.
