How do I get the Sword of the Eternal in Baldur's Gate 3?

The Sword of the Eternal is one of the most sought-after legendary weapons in Baldur's Gate 3, offering unique abilities and significant stat boosts that can greatly enhance your character's combat effectiveness. Obtaining this weapon involves a series of steps that require careful planning, exploration, and combat strategy. Here is a detailed guide on how to acquire the Sword of the Eternal, including mechanics, strategies, tips, and considerations.

To begin your quest for the Sword of the Eternal, you need to first locate the hidden temple of the Eternal Flame. This temple is situated in a remote area of the game world, often requiring you to traverse through dangerous terrain and defeat powerful enemies. The temple is guarded by a group of elite warriors known as the Eternal Sentinels, who are fiercely protective of the sword. Before attempting to enter the temple, it is crucial to ensure that your party is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

Preparation is key when aiming to obtain the Sword of the Eternal. Your party should be at least level 8 or higher, as the enemies you will face are formidable and require a well-coordinated team to defeat. It is recommended to have a balanced party composition, including a tank, a healer, and damage dealers. Classes like Paladins, Fighters, and Barbarians are particularly effective in this scenario due to their high durability and damage output. Additionally, having a Cleric or Druid in your party can provide essential healing and support during the intense battles.

Once your party is ready, make your way to the temple. The entrance is hidden behind a series of puzzles that require both intelligence and perception to solve. The first puzzle involves aligning a set of ancient runes in the correct order. This can be achieved by interacting with the runes and selecting the appropriate sequence based on clues found in the surrounding environment. Pay close attention to any inscriptions or symbols that may provide hints. If you fail to solve the puzzle correctly, you may trigger traps or summon additional enemies, making the encounter more difficult.

After successfully solving the initial puzzle, you will gain access to the inner sanctum of the temple. Here, you will face the Eternal Sentinels, a group of highly skilled warriors who are immune to most forms of crowd control. The Sentinels are equipped with powerful weapons and armor, making them a formidable opponent. To defeat them, focus on isolating and taking down one Sentinel at a time. Use area-of-effect spells and abilities to deal damage to multiple enemies simultaneously, but be cautious of their counterattacks. It is also important to keep your healer protected, as the Sentinels will prioritize targeting them.

Once the Eternal Sentinels are defeated, you will encounter the final guardian of the Sword of the Eternal, a powerful Lich named Malakar the Eternal. Malakar is a high-level spellcaster with a wide array of devastating spells at his disposal. He is immune to most forms of magic and has a high resistance to physical damage. To defeat Malakar, you will need to employ advanced combat tactics and exploit his weaknesses. One effective strategy is to use anti-magic fields or dispel magic to negate his spells. Additionally, focusing on physical damage with weapons that have magical properties can bypass his resistances.

After a grueling battle, Malakar will be defeated, and you will finally be able to claim the Sword of the Eternal. This legendary weapon grants its wielder a significant boost to attack and damage rolls, as well as the ability to cast the spell "Eternal Flame" once per long rest. This spell deals massive fire damage to all enemies in a large area and can turn the tide of battle in your favor. The sword also provides a bonus to saving throws and resistance to fire damage, making it an invaluable asset in both offensive and defensive scenarios.

When equipping the Sword of the Eternal, it is important to consider your character's build and playstyle. Classes that benefit from high damage output and versatility, such as Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers, will find this weapon particularly useful. Additionally, pairing the sword with armor that enhances your survivability can create a powerful combination that excels in both melee combat and spellcasting.

In terms of D&D 5E rules, the Sword of the Eternal aligns with the mechanics of legendary weapons, offering unique abilities and stat boosts that go beyond standard magical items. The sword's properties, such as the bonus to attack and damage rolls, are consistent with the rules for magical weapons in the Player's Handbook. The "Eternal Flame" spell is a homebrew addition specific to Baldur's Gate 3, providing a unique and powerful ability that can be used strategically in combat.

In conclusion, obtaining the Sword of the Eternal in Baldur's Gate 3 is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By carefully preparing your party, solving intricate puzzles, and employing advanced combat tactics, you can overcome the obstacles and claim this legendary weapon. The Sword of the Eternal is a powerful asset that can significantly enhance your character's effectiveness in combat, making it a valuable addition to any adventurer's arsenal.