How to Get the Despair of Athkatla in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Despair of Athkatla is a powerful Quarterstaff in Baldur’s Gate 3, and you can get it from Lorroakan in Act 3.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, powerful gear can mean the difference between victory and defeat, and few items are as coveted or elusive as the Despair of Athkatla. This legendary weapon not only boasts impressive stats but also carries a dark mystique tied to the shadowy alleys of the Forgotten Realms. In this guide, we’ll explore the Despair of Athkatla, how to acquire it, and tips for using it effectively in Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is the Despair of Athkatla in BG3?

In Baldur’s Gate 3, The Despair of Athkatla is the decent Quarterstaff for any spellcaster and is recommended for Wizard and Sorcerer classes. You can equip it to your character’s main hand weapon slot in the inventory, providing additional bonuses and buffs. The user needs Simple weapon proficiency or suffers penalties while wearing the weapon.

The weapon has +1 Bonus to Spell Save DC, so when you cast spells that require targets to make a saving throw, the difficulty class (DC) for these saving throws is increased by 1. In other words, the opponents will need to roll higher on their saving throws to resist the effects of your spells.

Additionally, the +1 Bonus to Spell Attack Rolls increases your accuracy when making attack rolls with spells. It means that when you cast offensive spells that require you to make a spell attack roll to determine whether the spell hits its target (like a magic missile), you gain a +1 bonus to these attack rolls.

The only drawback is that, directly below Lorroakan, a character who wields the staff is safeguarded by an energy field, the most potent legendary Quarterstaff in the game, the Markoheshkir. So, unless you have more than one spellcaster who wields Quarterstaffs in your party, you won’t find much utility in the Despair of Athkatla. However, the Wizard’s staff possesses an exceptionally unique appearance and is ideal for collectors.

Despair of Athkatlar Abilities and Effects

Below are all the features, abilities, and effects of Despair of Athkatlar in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Weapon Type: Quarterstaff, Versatile
• Damage: 1D8 (1d6) + 5 Bludgeoning
• Type: Quarterstaff
• Requirements: Simple Weapons Proficiency
• Weight: 1.8 kg
• Value: 190
• Rarity: Rare
• Location: From Lorroakan in Sorcerous Sundries, Ramazith’s Tower, Act 3
• Arcane Enchantment: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and spell attack rolls.
• Weapon Enchantment +2
• Classes with Simple Weapons Proficiency: Bard, Cleric, Fighter, Ranger, Rogue, Warlock, Paladin
• Companions Who Can Use This Weapon: Astarion, Shadowheart, Lae’zel, Minthara, Wyll, Minsc

How to Get the Despair of Athkatla in BG3? Explained

You can loot the Despair of Athkatla From Lorroakan in Sorcerous Sundries, Ramazith’s Tower, during Act 3. 

Here is how to get the Despair of Athkatla in BG3:

1. Progress until you reach Act 3
2. Enter Baldur’s Gate City.
3. From the Basilisk Gate, head west until you reach Sorcerous Sundries.
4. Go upstairs and enter the blue portal.
5. After a short conversation, depending on your choices, attack Lorroakan or first ask Nightsong to help you.
6. Defeat Lorroakan and his minions.
7. Loot the Despair of Athkatla from Lorroakan.

Go west from the Basilisk Gate until you arrive at Sorcerous Sundries Tower, an impressive structure located in the heart of the lower city. Inside, you’ll find a merchant who offers fantastic items such as Ring of Regeneration, Quickspell Gloves, Harper Secredstriker, Armour of Landfall, Vest of Soul Rejuvenation, and Birthright.

Enter the Ramazith’s Tower

To obtain the Despair of Athkatla, your objective is to infiltrate Ramazith’s Tower and confront Lorroakan. Begin by using the stairs, and once you reach the top level, you’ll come across four portals. Choose the blue portal located on the far left side. This portal will transport you to Ramazith’s Tower, where you will encounter a powerful, high elf wizard searching for Nightsong. Engaging in a dialogue with Lorroakan is a crucial element of the Nightsong questline, so proceed with caution when making choices during your conversation.

Choosing the Nightsong

Assuming the Nighsong lives, you can now side with her or Lorroakan. To get the Despair of Athkatla, you must defeat the wizard and loot it from his body. Any other outcome will not grant you the item. Also, if you choose to defeat the wizard and side with Nightsong, which is the most beneficial path, that will give you the following:

• Despair of Athkatla Quarterstaff
• Shelter of Athkatla Robe
• Nightsong and Isobel (Part of the Gather Allies quest)
• Stopping the Repetition of History (Sage Inspiration)
• How High They Fall (Dark Urge Inspiration)
• Access to Lorroakan projection vendor in Sorcerous Sundries with new items and spells

All dialogue options that side with Nightsong or hide her location from the wizard will gain approval from Gale, Karlach, Wyll, Halsin, and Shadowheart. All choices that reveal Nightsong’s location and suggest cooperation with Lorroakan can hurt your relationship with the daughter of Selune and those companions.

You can defeat Lorroakan immediately or first head to the camp and speak with Nightsong. However, regardless of whether you lie to Lorroakan that Nighsong died or whatever you say to Aylin (Nightsong), she will go straight to face and kill the wizard.

Defeat Lorroakan and loot Despair of Athkatla

Whether you opt to wait for Nightsong to enter the battle or decide to attack Lorroakan immediately, be prepared for a challenging battle. The confrontation involves not only the powerful wizard himself, but also four Myrmidons, Krank, Miklaur, and even Rolan, depending on your choices in the story so far. Lorroakan has resistance and immunity to almost every element and four siphons. Furthermore, he can also bypass any resistance your party holds, making him a formidable opponent. To weaken him, focus on eliminating Myrmidons first to strip the wizard’s defenses.

While your primary attention is on everyone except Lorroakan, be prepared for his area-effect spells, like a fireball. It’s advisable to spread your party out a bit to minimize the damage. Rolan, Krank, and Miklaur typically pose less of a threat, allowing you to concentrate on them once you’ve taken care of the Myrmidons. Finally, once the other enemies are defeated, focus your efforts on defeating the wizard himself and claim the Despair of Athkatla from his body.

Don’t forget about the Legendary Markoheshkir and Robe of the Weave

In the tower two levels below where Lorroakan is, you can also find the legendary Markoheshkir and Robe of the Weave. It’s worth solving the puzzle below and getting one of the most powerful items while you are inside the tower anyway.

How to Use the Despair of Athkatla in BG3?

The best way to use the Despair of Athkatla in BG3 is by equipping it to a spellcasting class such as Sorcerer or Wizard. Furthermore, even a Druid could effectively equip this staff if their build was primarily based around spellcasting. Although this quaterstaff is not best-in-slot for end game, it could be a good weapon for a secondary spellcaster in your party.

Tips and Tricks for Despair of Athkatla in BG3

These are the best tips and tricks for finding and using Despair of Athkatla in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• The only way to get the Despair of Athkatla is by killing Lorroakan. It cannot be stolen from him.
• This quarterstaff can be equipped with one or two hands, and will deal direct Bludgeoning damage if you strike an enemy with it.
• The Topple weapon action allows you the chance to knock an enemy Prone, but the condition will only last for one turn.

FAQs about the Despair of Athkatla in BG3

Where can I find the Despair of Athkatla in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You can find the Despair of Athkatla by killing Lorroakan in Ramazith’s Tower at Sorcerous Sundries during Act 3 of BG3.

Which classes or builds benefit most from the Despair of Athkatla?

A secondary Sorcerer, Wizard or even spellcasting Druid would benefit from equipping the Despair of Athkatla in BG3.

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