In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Fabricated Arbalest is a unique and powerful heavy crossbow, and you can get it by defeating Gortash in Act 3 (BG3).

In Baldur’s Gate 3, powerful ranged weapons can make all the difference in a tough encounter, and the Fabricated Arbalest is no exception. This unique crossbow isn’t just a tool of destruction; it’s a finely crafted piece of arcane engineering, offering both style and substance for characters who prefer to strike from a distance. In this guide, we’ll explore the Fabricated Arbalest, how to acquire it, and tips for using it effectively in Baldur’s Gate 3.
What is the Fabricated Arbalest in BG3?

In Baldur’s Gate 3, The Fabricated Arbalest stands out as the top-tier Heavy Crossbow in the game. With it, you can use Dazzling Ray, a renamed version of Sunbeam. This level 6 spell deals area damage in a line and blinds targets. Blinding is a powerful method to weaken enemies and make it less likely for them to hit you.
Additionally, the Illuminate Shot Weapon Action is a handy debuff tool. Using a bonus action, this skill inflicts 1d4 damage and debuffs targets with Radiating Orb. Radiant Orb reduces the attack roll, providing multiple ways to decrease the chance of an enemy hitting its target. Combining Dazzling Ray and Illuminate Shot in one turn makes it significantly harder for the enemy to land an attack while also taking damage.



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Fabricated Arbalest Abilities and Effects
Below are all the features, abilities, and effects of Fabricated Arbalest in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Heavy Crossbow, Two-Handed
- Damage: 1D10+7 Piercing, +2 Piercing, +1d4 Psychic
- Range: 18m
- Requirements: Ranged Martial Weapon proficiency
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Location: Can be looted from Gortash in Wyrm’s Rock Fortress (X: -21 Y: 203) during Act 3.
- Weight: 8.1 kg
- Value: 960
- Weapon Enchantment +2
- Illuminating Shot: Fire a shimmering bolt that inflicts 1 turn of Radiating Orb upon the target. Deals 1d4 damage piercing.
- Dazzling Ray: Unleash a beam of brilliant light that Blinds all creatures in its path. Until the spell ends, you can recast the spell. Casting it again may possibly burn you each time you recast it. 10 turns. On Save: Targets still take half damage. Deals 2d10 Radiant Damage
- Classes with Martial Weapons Proficiency: Cleric(Tempest Domain, War Domain), Fighter, Ranger, Paladin, Barbarian, Bard (College of Valour)
- Companions Who Can Use This Weapon: Lae’zel, Minthara, Karlach, Minsc
How to Get Fabricated Arbalest in BG3? Explained
You can get Fabricated Arbalest from Gortash in Act 3 and find him in his office atop the Wyrm’s Rock Fortress (X: -21 Y: 203). Defeating Enver Gortash is a part of the Get Gortash’s Netherstone main quest in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Wyrm’s Rock Fortress is a stronghold north of the Rivington area, where you start Act 3. It’s the only Baldur’s Gate City entrance, so that you won’t miss it. Also, that’s where you meet Gortash in person for the first time. During your first meeting, you will probably not be able to get the crossbow yet. You can attack everyone, including the Steel Watchers, but it will be a hard fight, and we advise you to deactivate the constructs before you attempt to defeat Gortash and get his nethersone and Fabricated Arbalest. Completing the Disable the Watchers Quests will also grant you Legendary Gontr Mael, the best bow in the game.
How to Find Gortash’s Office
After you disable the Steel Watchers to find Gortash, enter the Wyrm’s Rock Fortress Audience Hall (X: 25 Y: 212). As soon as you step inside the stronghold, all guards will attack you, but without the constructs, they shouldn’t be much of a problem to defeat. Use crowd control abilities to make the task even more manageable, such as the command or sleep spell and ice arrows, to name a few.

After defeating everyone, look for the passageway behind the door in the northwest corner of the Audience Hall (X: -15 Y: 229). There are more entrances to the top of the Wyrm’s Rock Fortress, but this one is the easiest to find. Gortash’s office is the only room on the top.
Defeat Gortash To Get Fabricated Arbalest Crossbow
You will find Gortash, four guards, and a room filled with traps on the walls in both rooms. If you can, preemptively shoot the traps with the bow. Traps have low hit points. Grenade Impeller will drop grenades on the ground around your team, and the other two will buff and recharge Gortash. So destroy as many as you can as fast as possible.

Gortash has over 350 hit points and resistance or immunity to almost everything, so don’t attack him in the first turn. Instead, take the potion of speed or cast a haste spell on your characters to get the most out of the first turn and kill or stun all guards accompanying him.
He will also apply special shields to himself and other enemies that reflect projectiles, so avoid direct attacks when that happens. However, you can safely cast AoE spells around them. Gortash will be the most challenging enemy to defeat. He has few special attacks, but if you successfully destroy all traps and kill guards, now focus all your team’s strengths to take him down.

After you kill him, you can finally get Fabricated Arbalest crossbow and Gortash Netherstone from his body in Baldur’s Gate 3!
How to Use the Fabricated Arbalest in BG3?
The Fabricated Arbalest is excellent for Fighters, Barbarians, or Paladins looking for a powerful ranged option in BG3. While it may not surpass the Gontr Mael Legendary bow, it remains a strong choice for any other character in the team.
You can equip it to your character’s main hand weapon slot in the inventory, providing additional bonuses and buffs. The user needs Martial Weapon proficiency or suffers penalties while wearing the weapon.
Tips and Tricks for Fabricated Arbalest in BG3
These are the best tips and tricks for finding and using Fabricated Arbalest in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Illuminating Shot is a bonus action, making it possible to use both it and Dazzling Ray on the same turn.
- The Radiating Orb created by Illuminating Shot causes affected entities to have a -1 to Attack Rolls for one turn.
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FAQs about Fabricated Arbalest in BG3
Where can I find Fabricated Arbalest in Baldur’s Gate 3?
You can find the Fabricated Arbalest at the top of the Wyrm’s Rock Fortress by defeating Enver Gortash in Act 3 of BG3.
Which classes or builds benefit most from Fabricated Arbalest?
Barbarians, Fighters, and Paladins would benefit the most from using the Fabricated Arbalest as a back-up ranged weapon in BG3.
Can you pickpocket the Fabricated Arbalest off of Gortash in BG3?
No, you cannot pickpocket and steal the Fabricated Arbalest from Gortash in BG3, you must kill him.
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