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 requires a combination of exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to acquire the Sword of the Eternal, including mechanics, strategies, and tips to ensure success.

To begin your quest for the Sword of the Eternal, you need to first locate the hidden temple of Jergal, the Scribe of the Dead. This temple is situated in the Underdark, a vast and dangerous underground area filled with hostile creatures and environmental hazards. The journey to the temple is perilous, so itÔÇÖs crucial to prepare your party with adequate supplies, healing potions, and spells. Ensure your party is well-balanced, with a mix of melee fighters, ranged attackers, and spellcasters to handle various threats.

Once you reach the Underdark, navigate through the treacherous terrain until you find the entrance to JergalÔÇÖs temple. The entrance is concealed behind a series of illusory walls, which can be revealed by passing a Perception check or using a spell like Detect Magic. Inside the temple, youÔÇÖll encounter a series of puzzles and traps designed to test your wit and resolve. The first puzzle involves aligning a set of ancient runes in the correct order. Each rune corresponds to a different aspect of JergalÔÇÖs domain, such as death, fate, and time. Solving this puzzle requires careful observation and logical thinking. If you fail, the templeÔÇÖs defenses will activate, summoning powerful undead guardians to attack your party.

After successfully solving the rune puzzle, proceed deeper into the temple. YouÔÇÖll come across a large chamber with a central altar. On the altar lies the Sword of the Eternal, but it is protected by a powerful magical barrier. To deactivate the barrier, you must defeat the templeÔÇÖs guardian, a fearsome lich named Maligor the Eternal. Maligor is a high-level spellcaster with a wide array of devastating spells, including Fireball, Counterspell, and Power Word Kill. Engaging Maligor in combat requires careful planning and coordination. Use your spellcasters to disrupt his spellcasting with Counterspell or Silence, while your melee fighters focus on dealing damage. Be prepared to use healing spells and potions liberally, as MaligorÔÇÖs attacks can quickly overwhelm an unprepared party.

Once Maligor is defeated, the magical barrier around the Sword of the Eternal will dissipate, allowing you to claim the weapon. The Sword of the Eternal is a +3 longsword with the following properties: it deals an additional 1d8 radiant damage on a hit, and it grants the wielder advantage on saving throws against necrotic damage. Additionally, once per long rest, the wielder can use the sword to cast the spell Revivify, allowing them to bring a fallen ally back to life. These properties make the Sword of the Eternal an invaluable asset in both combat and role-playing scenarios.

When equipping the Sword of the Eternal, consider your characterÔÇÖs class and build. For example, a Paladin or Fighter will benefit greatly from the swordÔÇÖs high damage output and defensive properties. If your character is not proficient with longswords, you may need to multiclass or take a feat to gain proficiency. Additionally, consider how the sword synergizes with your party composition. For instance, a Cleric with the Revivify spell can use the swordÔÇÖs ability as a backup, ensuring your party always has a way to recover from defeat.

In terms of advanced techniques, you can further optimize the Sword of the Eternal by combining it with other magical items and abilities. For example, pairing the sword with a Ring of Protection or a Cloak of Resistance can enhance your characterÔÇÖs overall survivability. Additionally, using the sword in conjunction with spells like Haste or Divine Smite can maximize your damage output in critical moments.

Common mistakes to avoid include underestimating the templeÔÇÖs puzzles and traps, as well as engaging Maligor without proper preparation. Ensure your party is well-rested and fully equipped before attempting to claim the Sword of the Eternal. Additionally, be mindful of your positioning during combat with Maligor, as his area-of-effect spells can devastate a clustered party.

In conclusion, obtaining the Sword of the Eternal in Baldur's Gate 3 is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By carefully navigating the templeÔÇÖs puzzles, defeating its guardian, and optimizing your characterÔÇÖs build, you can wield one of the most powerful weapons in the game. With its unique abilities and stat boosts, the Sword of the Eternal will serve as a cornerstone of your partyÔÇÖs success in the adventures to come.