How to Get Blackguard’s Sword in Baldur’s Gate 3

Blackguard’s Sword can give Paladins the chance to inflict Dazed on a Smite, and you can get it during Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3).

Baldur's Gate 3 That Which Guards screenshot Murder Tribunal

Dark power often comes at a price in Baldur’s Gate 3, and few weapons embody that truth like the Blackguard’s Sword. Steeped in malevolent energy and tailored for those who walk a ruthless path, this weapon is a perfect match for Oathbreakers, warlocks, or any character who embraces shadow over light. In this guide, we’ll explore Blackguard’s Sword, how to acquire it, and tips for using it effectively in Baldur’s Gate 3.

What is Blackguard’s Sword in BG3?

Baldur's Gate 3 Blackguard's Sword BG3

In Baldur’s Gate 3 the Blackguard’s Sword can give Paladins a chance to Daze their enemies whenever they attack with a Smite spell. The Dazing Smite bonus perk means that when you strike with a Smite attack, your enemy must succeed on a Constitution Saving Throw or become Dazed. Consequently, a Dazed target will have Disadvantage on Wisdom Saving throws, can’t take Reactions, and loses the Dexterity bonus to their Armour Class.

Additionally, this weapon can also deal an additional 1-4 Necrotic damage on a successful hit.

Blackguard’s Sword Abilities and Effects

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

  • Weapon Type: Longsword
  • Damage: 1d10 (1d8)+3 Slashing; +1d4 Necrotic
  • Requirements: Martial Weapons or Longswords Proficiency
  • Rarity: Rare
  • Location: Looted from the undead guardian, That Which Guards, in the Murder Tribunal, Act 3.
  • Weight: 1.35 kg
  • Value: 250
  • Bonuses:
    • Dazing Smite: On a hit infused with one of your Smites, the target must succeed a Constitution saving throw or become Dazed.
    • Weapon Enchantment +2
  • Classes with Martial Weapons Proficiency: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, and Ranger
  • Races with Longswords Proficiency: Elf, Githyanki
  • Companions Who Can Use This Weapon: Karlach, Lae’zel, Minthara, Minsc

How to Get Blackguard’s Sword in BG3? Explained

You can only get Blackguard’s Sword in Baldur’s Gate 3 by finding the Murder Tribunal in Act 3 and choosing to fight and kill the guards. Discovering the Murder Tribunal is part of the quest-line you follow in order to confront Orin and gain her Netherstone. Moreover, orin herself also drops some good loot, including Bloodthirst and Crimson Mischief.

However, there are two different ways you can start the search for Orin. The first option is to defeat Gortash and she’ll give you the location and password for the discovering the Tribunal. The second option is to follow and complete a quest called Investigate the Murders. That quest you can start by visiting the Open Hand Temple in Rivington. The end of Investigate the Murders will provide you with the same location and password you need.

Find The Murder Tribunal

The location and password you found will lead you to Candulhallow’s Tombstones armed with the password ‘Sicarius’. Candulhallow’s Tombstones is located to the northeast of Elfsong Tavern, and the front door can be lock picked if needed.

Baldur's Gate 3 Candulhallow's Tombstones map

Go into the room at the far back of the building to find the secret entrance. You should see a ‘Butterfly on Skull’ painting hanging on the wall. Remove it to find a button underneath. Pressing it will reveal a secret door where you can use the password. Keep to the brick path on the right, which will reveal the door to the Murder Tribunal.

Murder Tribunal Antechamber

After arriving in the antechamber you’ll be stopped by guards who ask for proof of your right to be here. You can do this by presenting them with a dismembered hand you likely have picked up along the way.

Significantly, one of these undead figures named That Which Guards is the one who holds the Blackguard’s Sword i Baldur’s Gate 3. If you want this weapon you’re going to have to kill him. Furthermore, it will be much easier to fight him and his three companions out in the antechamber here.

We recommended that you placate the guards by offering them the proof that you’ve killed. Once they stand down, be sure to close the door they are standing in front of, so you don’t aggro anyone inside.

Fighting the Murder Tribunal Guards

Baldur's Gate 3 Murder Tribunal location map Sarevock Anchev Echo of Abazigal

For this fight, move your casters and range dps away from these very tanky guards. Your melee you ideally stand closer to the guards to draw their attacks. However, keep them just far enough away so that you can initiate combat with the guards using range area-of-effect attacks and not incur friendly fire.

The best strategy is one that prioritizes around crowd control. Ice spells and Ice arrows are great for giving you a chance to cause the Prone status. This sends your enemies falling down and takes them out of the action for a turn. Additionally, spells that work well in this scenario include Grovel, Hold Person, and Banishment.

Moreover, with their high AC, the best way to deal with the guards is through spells. If you have a Sorcerer, Wizard or a scroll Disintegrate is a powerful direct hit spell that will take out a good chunk of HP. Melee fighters may not do as much damage, but they can incapacitate the Deathknights by hitting them with a Disarming Attack. If it’s successful, be sure to grab that sword off the ground before they can pick it back up.

Keep the crowd control up and focus them down one by one. When you’re successful, find That Which Guards and the Blackguard’s Sword is yours!

How to Use Blackguard’s Sword in BG3?

The best way to use Blackguard’s Sword in BG3 is by equipping it to a character of the Paladin class. This is because the passive feature Dazing Smite only applies when you use a Smite action in combat. Then, if your target fails a 13 DC Constitution roll they will become Dazed.

This passive can help you with crowd control on the battlefield, which is something that becomes important during the end game as you fight against large groups of mobs.

Tips and Tricks for Blackguard’s Sword in BG3

These are the best tips and tricks for finding and using Blackguard’s Sword in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • The Dazed condition lasts for 2 turns, but can be removed if they are Helped by an ally.
  • However, the Dazing Smite passive will not activate when used with the following smites:
    • Banishing Smite (Melee) when cast at level 6
    • Blinding Smite when cast at level 4, 5, and 6
    • Branding Smite (Ranged) when cast at level 4, 5, and 6
    • Divine Smite (reaction) when cast as an interrupt to a non-smite attack
    • Staggering Smite when cast at level 5 and 6

FAQs about Blackguard’s Sword in BG3

Where can I find Blackguard’s Sword in Baldur’s Gate 3?

You can find Blackguard’s Sword by following the main story quest Get Orin’s Netherstone to the Murder Tribunal and killing That Which Guards during Act 3 in BG3.

Which classes or builds benefit most from Blackguard’s Sword?

A character using the Paladin class with any subclass would benefit the most from equipping Blackguard’s Sword in BG3.

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