Baldur's Gate 3 - Part 109 - They Mess You Up, Your Mum And Dad

Summary

With the Steel Watch factory destroyed and Gortash’s prisoners freed, John turns to confronting Gortash. Before heading to Wyrm’s Rock, the party visits Omeluum, who thanks them for rescuing him and offers a bundle of supplies from the Society of Brilliance. The reward is useful but underwhelming.

The group prepares for the fight with Karlach, who wants revenge on Gortash, and brings along the bodies of Gortash’s parents. Since the fortress is locked down and the drawbridge is raised, they avoid the throne room by climbing around the outside and reaching the upper floors.

The Fight with Gortash

Karlach confronts Gortash over sending her to Avernus and giving her infernal engine to Zariel. Gortash shows no remorse, and the conversation turns into a fight.

The battle is chaotic: the room is rigged with incineration devices, grenades, and other hazards, while Gortash’s guards can reflect projectiles. Gortash also gains protective effects from machinery and summons manifestations of Tyranny. After taking down the devices that bolster him and eliminating his allies, the party focuses its attacks on Gortash. Karlach delivers the final blow by using his mother’s corpse as an improvised weapon.

Combat Lessons and Highlights

• Watch for reflected projectiles. Some guards can send thrown weapons and other projectiles back at the party, so check their status effects before attacking.
• Disable the machinery supporting Gortash. Taking out the devices that grant him defensive bonuses removes his protection.
• Mind the battlefield hazards. Incineration devices, electrical areas, and grenades can damage allies as well as enemies. Spread out and move away from dangerous objects.
• Use control and elemental damage. Grouping enemies together with a black-hole effect creates opportunities for area attacks. Wet enemies can be especially vulnerable to lightning and cold.
• Karlach makes strong use of throwing attacks. She repeatedly throws weapons—and even enemies—during the battle, helping damage and disrupt opponents.

Aftermath and Endgame Setup

Gortash’s death leaves Karlach devastated. She says that killing him hasn’t solved the problem of her failing infernal engine and fears she is still going to die. John offers comfort rather than trying to solve everything immediately; Karlach then leaves the party temporarily to be alone. The party plans to seek help from the Gondians, whose expertise with infernal iron may offer a way to stabilize her engine.

The party collects Gortash’s Netherstone. It triggers a vision pointing to a morphic pool beneath the city, where the Elder Brain is being held. The Emperor warns that entering the brain’s domain will be a point of no return, so the party should finish its remaining business first. With the major Chosen defeated, the group is preparing for the final stretch of the game.

Featured gamer/source: John of Many A True Nerd Game: Baldur’s Gate 3