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

The Sword of Justice is a powerful greatsword in Baldur's Gate 3 that can be obtained through a specific quest involving the Paladins of Tyr. This weapon is highly sought after due to its unique abilities and stat boosts, making it a valuable addition to any melee-focused character's arsenal. To acquire the Sword of Justice, you will need to navigate a series of interactions and combat encounters, so it's important to be prepared both in terms of character build and strategy.

The quest to obtain the Sword of Justice begins in the Blighted Village, located in the western part of the map. Here, you will encounter a group of Paladins of Tyr who are hunting a devil named Karlach. The leader of this group, Anders, will offer you a quest to kill Karlach, claiming that she is a dangerous threat. However, as you progress through the quest, you will uncover that the situation is more complex than it initially appears.

To start the quest, you need to speak with Anders in the Tollhouse, which is located near the Blighted Village. He will explain that Karlach is a devil who has been terrorizing the area and that she must be stopped. Anders will offer you a reward for bringing him Karlach's head, and this is where the quest to obtain the Sword of Justice begins. However, it's important to note that the Sword of Justice is not given as a direct reward for completing the quest. Instead, it is wielded by Anders himself, and you will need to defeat him in combat to claim it.

Once you accept the quest from Anders, you will need to track down Karlach. She can be found in the Risen Road area, to the east of the Blighted Village. When you approach Karlach, you will have the opportunity to speak with her and learn her side of the story. Karlach will reveal that she is not a devil but a Tiefling who has been wrongfully accused by the Paladins of Tyr. She will explain that Anders and his group are corrupt and that they are the true villains in this situation.

At this point, you have a choice to make. You can either side with Karlach and help her defeat the Paladins of Tyr, or you can side with Anders and kill Karlach. If you choose to side with Karlach, you will need to return to the Tollhouse and confront Anders. This will trigger a combat encounter with Anders and his fellow Paladins. Defeating Anders in combat will allow you to loot the Sword of Justice from his corpse.

Combat with Anders and his Paladins can be challenging, especially if you are not prepared. Anders is a powerful Paladin with high hit points and strong melee attacks. He also has access to spells like Divine Smite, which can deal significant damage to your party. To increase your chances of success, it's important to have a well-balanced party with a mix of melee and ranged damage dealers, as well as a healer or support character. Positioning is also key in this fight. Try to keep your ranged characters at a safe distance while your melee characters engage Anders directly. Using crowd control spells like Hold Person or Sleep can also be effective in neutralizing some of the Paladins and reducing the overall threat.

One common mistake to avoid is underestimating the Paladins' healing abilities. Anders and his companions can use Lay on Hands to heal themselves, so it's important to focus your damage on one target at a time to prevent them from recovering too much health. Additionally, be mindful of the environment during the fight. The Tollhouse has several hazards, such as fire and explosive barrels, that can be used to your advantage. For example, you can lure the Paladins into a trap by positioning them near a barrel and then detonating it with a fire spell or arrow.

If you choose to side with Anders and kill Karlach, you will still be able to obtain the Sword of Justice, but the process will be different. After killing Karlach, you will need to return to Anders to claim your reward. However, Anders will betray you and attack, forcing you to fight him and his Paladins. This outcome is less favorable from a role-playing perspective, as it involves betraying an innocent character, but it is still a viable path to obtaining the Sword of Justice.

In terms of character building, the Sword of Justice is best suited for melee-focused classes like Fighters, Paladins, and Barbarians. Its high damage output and unique abilities make it a strong choice for characters who rely on physical attacks. The sword also has a special ability called Tyr's Protection, which grants the wielder temporary hit points and resistance to damage for a short duration. This ability can be a lifesaver in tough combat situations, so it's important to use it strategically.

From a D&D 5E rules perspective, the Sword of Justice is a +1 greatsword, which means it provides a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. This makes it a significant upgrade over standard weapons, especially in the early to mid-game. The sword's special ability, Tyr's Protection, is not a standard feature in D&D 5E, but it is a unique addition in Baldur's Gate 3 that adds an extra layer of utility to the weapon.

In conclusion, obtaining the Sword of Justice in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful planning and strategic combat. Whether you choose to side with Karlach or Anders, the key to success lies in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of your party and using the environment to your advantage. By following the steps outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can add this powerful weapon to your arsenal and enhance your character's effectiveness in combat.