Everburn Blade is an early-game weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 that gives you bragging rights for defeating a formidable foe, Commander Zhalk. It is a two-handed greatsword that is always on fire. Due to this property, you can’t sheathe this weapon.
In this guide, we will tell you how to defeat Commander Zhalk easily or even obtain Everburn Blade without killing him.
Everburn Blade location in BG3
During the prologue on the Nautiloid, once you reach the end to gain control of the ship, you will be confronted by Commander Zhalk. He is a level 8 cambion with 150HP in possession of this weapon.
To obtain Everburn Blade in Baldur’s Gate 3, all you need to do is kill him. However, this is easier said than done. You get only 15 turns to reach the console and destroy the ship. We recommend you find the small brain and recruit it as a familiar. Shadowheart is also in a Mind Flayer pod on the Nautiloid. Free her so she can join you and Lae’zel.
Fight and Kill Commander Zhalk
The easiest way to defeat Commander Zhalk is to carry an Illithid tank from where you first met Shadowheart. Once you reach the control room, the Mind Flayer will fight with Commander Zhalk. There are two more Illithid tanks in the same room. Place the tanks one by one near Commander Zhalk. Send your brain familiar to keep him occupied.
Meanwhile, keep moving and attacking him from a distance until you reach the stairs. Please don’t cross the area where they are fighting; this will trigger a cutscene, ruining your chance to obtain the blade. Once his health is down to 30-40, destroy all the Illithid tanks. This will kill Commander Zhalk. Loot his body to obtain Everburn Blade. If you don’t, there is no way to get it after Nautiloid’s crash.
This fight is manageable in easy and normal difficulties. However, in Tactician mode, Commander Zhalk has 195HP with 18AC. It is nearly impossible to land a hit on him, especially in Honor Mode. There is a minor hope of defeating him in those modes. The Mind Flayer fighting him also gets souped up and takes his health down rapidly. Make sure to support him as much as you can.
Get Everburn Blade without Fighting
To get this blade without engaging in a fight with Commander Zhalk, you need to free and recruit Shadowheart. She is a cleric who has access to Command spell. Save the game before the fight starts, and make Shadowheart prepare the spell. If Commander Zhalk somehow manages to save himself from the spell, reload and try again.
This spell will make him drop his weapon, which you can collect easily. However, you will end up missing out on his armor.
Everburn Stats and Uses
Everburn Blade deals 2d6+1 slashing and 1d6 Fire Damage to the enemies. This weapon is best suited for Lae’zel and Karlach builds.
It is like a normal greatsword that is permanently dipped in fire. With the nerf, the sword is no longer useful past the Goblin Camp. You can replace it with a lot better +1 and +2 weapons which you can dip in fire and even sheathe to stop threatening the creatures around you.
Everburn Blade can be carried into the Underdark and can be used to find Harper’s Stash. It can be used to burn the webs and illuminate dark places. You can even use it during Act 2 to ward off the Shadow Curse in selected areas.
