How Does Shadow Blade Work in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Shadow Blade is a powerful spell in Baldur’s Gate 3 that creates a finesse weapon dealing Psychic damage with Advantage in darkness.

Shadow Blade is one of the most versatile and devastating weapons available to spellcasters in Baldur’s Gate 3. This shortsword scales with spell slot level and excels in low-light environments, giving the caster a greater chance for critical hits in darker areas. This guide breaks down how the spell works, the methods to obtain it, and ways to make the most of its unique advantages.

Shadow Blade Summary 

• Cost: Level 2 Spell Slot + Bonus Action 
• Damage: (2d8 + Strength/Dexterity modifier) Psychic damage
  • Upcasting with a level 3 or level 4 Spell Slot increases base damage to 3d8 Psychic
  • Upcasting with a level 5 or level 6 Spell Slot increases base damage to 4d8 Psychic

• Duration: Until Long Rest
• Advantage: Attacking a target in dim light or darkness provides Advantage for the attack roll.
  • As long as the Shadow Blade is equipped, its attack roll advantage extends to all attacks made by the wielder, including other weapons or spell attacks.
• Abilities:
  • Piercing Strike has a chance to inflict Gaping Wounds in addition to dealing base weapon damage. Uses an Action and recharges once per short rest.
  • Flourish deals 1d4 damage and possibly inflicts Off-Balance if the target fails a Dexterity saving throw.
• Equip/Unequip: Placed in the character’s inventory when unequipped and can be equipped again
• Category: One-handed shortsword.  
• Finesse: Adds Dexterity modifier instead of Strength if the former is higher. 
• Light: Can be dual-wielded with another one-handed weapon in the main hand or off-hand.

How To Unlock Shadow Blade in Baldur’s Gate 3

Shadow Blade is most commonly available to characters of magic-inclined classes. However, Wizards cannot learn it from a scroll, as no Shadow Blade scrolls exist. Here are all the methods to unlock Shadow Blade:

• Shadow Blade Ring grants access to the Shadow Blade spell once per Short Rest. Obtained as a reward for completing the ‘Find Arabella’s Parents’ quest. 
• Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard classes can choose the Shadow Blade spell at level 3.
• The Arcane Trickster subclass can access Shadow Blade at level 7 and the Eldritch Knight at level 8. 

Best Use of Shadow Blade in Baldur’s Gate 3

In addition to the Shadow Blade’s considerable base damage, very few enemies in the game have resistance to Psychic damage, making it particularly effective. The weapon requires no Concentration and provides Advantage to all attack rolls against targets in dim light or darkness. As long as it is equipped, the advantage also extends to spells or other weapons

The best way to use Shadow Blade is in conjunction with the Resonance Stone. The stone is found during Act 2 in the Mind Flayer Colony and makes everyone around it vulnerable to psychic damage. This means you can upcast Shadow Blade at level 5 and deal 8-64 Psychic damage to enemies with a single attack while in possession of the Resonance Stone. 

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