Baldur's Gate 3: Raphael boss fight in BG3 Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough
Having trouble fighting the Raphael boss in BG3? Check out our guide on how to defeat the devil - Hope, Yurgir, Pillars.
Last update: 04 October 2023
If you decided to break your word and sneaked into the House of Hope in BG3, you'll have to face the consequences. After crossing the return portal, Raphael, one of the hardest bosses in the game, will be waiting for you. On this page you can find tips on how to prepare for the encounter and a breakdown of the battle against the boss and his aides.
How to set Hope free?
When you meet Raphael in Act 3 of BG3, you can make a pact with him. Regardless of whether you choose to do so and received the hammer in return or completely avoided getting friendly, you can sneak into his house. To learn more about how to finish the ritual in Devil's Fee, visit the How to enter House of Hope? page of our guide.
Hope will greet you as soon as you enter House of Hope. This is a potential ally that can help you fight Raphael, so we recommend freeing her from imprisonment before you leave via the portal.
To free Hope, you'll need the Orphic Hammer, and if you haven't got it from Raphael, you can steal it. If you made a pact with Raphael and already have the Hammer, you'll need to steal your contract.
Go to the Archive and talk to the archivist. You can tell that you are Verillius Receptor or get into his mind. With the skill check successful, you'll receive an invitation to the Boudoir. Enter the Boudoir and click on the magic curtain at the door. You can now enter the room.
You'll meet Haarlep. Either you fight him and his aides or avoid the battle by completing skill checks during the conversation. Either way, you'll receive the key to the safe and now you need to press the button below Raphael's painting. Take everything from the safe and read the obtained notes. You now know the password to the magic barrier that protect the hammer or the contract. Return to the Archive and collect what you need.
Don't forget to take Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength and Amulet of Greater Health. To collect them, you'll need to disarm the traps on the pillars.
Proceed to the prison hatch at the end of the corridor and eliminate any hostile target along the way. In the prison, you'll have to defeat 2 Spectators and a few Imps. At the location, equip the Orphic Hammer and destroy 2 crystals imprisoning Hope.
The woman will temporarily join your active party and you will be able to control her during the battle against Raphael.
How to convince Yurgir to betray Raphael?
Vurgir is first enocuntered in Act 2 during your journey through Gauntlet of Shar. Even if then you've convinced him to commit suicide, Yurgir will appear at Raphael's side. At that moment, you can convince him to betray the devil.
To successfully convince Yurgir, you need to complete a Charisma check. This check is very difficult, as you need at least 30 Charisma points. If your Charisma is low and you don't have any available bonuses to apply to the dice throw, save the game and try the check until you roll 20. Rolling 20 on the dice means critical success, allowing you to complete the check.
How to defeat Raphael?
Before you begin the fight, save your game, and make sure that your heroes have their hit points fully replenished. If you saved Hope and managed to convince Yurgir to help during the fight, the ensuing battle should be quite easy.
Korilla, Hope's sister will join the battle on Raphael's side. You can try to persuade her to betray Raphael, or knock her unconscious during the battle to avoid killing her.
Here are some tips on how to quickly defeat Raphael:
- You should have at least one Barbarian and Fighter in your active party. This is because Raphael and his aides are resistant to almost every element. Melee attacks deal the most damage.
- Do not equip a Paladin or a Cleric for the fight, as all radiant damage is deflected by Raphael, and as the attacks return, they may kill the given hero instantly.
- Good tip for this fight is to destroy all pillars from which Raphael channels energy at the very beginning of the battle. Every pillar has 99 hit points, but it will only take 2 blunt weapon attacks to destroy each one.
- Start with eliminating Raphael's aides.
- Once Raphael summons a new ally and it appears next to one of your heroes, get away from them and attack with ranged damage. After depriving an aide of health points, they will explode, with a new monster appearing in its place.
- Use Hope's spells to heal the entire party. Aside from healing spells, Hope has useful skills like Bless.
- Block Raphael's attacks with Illithid Powers like Psionic Backlash or other passive abilities.
- Raphael is vulnerable to Necrotic, Psychic and Force damage.
If Hope survives the battle, you'll receive Gloves of Soul Catching from her. Loot Raphael's body to receive Helldusk Armor and his journals.