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All ofBaldur’s Gate 3’s second act has been building up to this one, defining moment: defeating Ketheric Thorm. This immortal necromancer and oathbreaker will prove a challenge, testing your patience, your restraint, and your ability to plan ahead.
RELATED:Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Complete Shar’s Sanctum
To defeat him, you’ll need to have completed Shar’s Sanctum in one manner or another. Releasing the Nightsong will be the key to your survival and success. With her dead or free, you’ll be able to bring the hurt to Ketheric Thorm and stop him before he’s able to carry out his dastardly plan.
145
22
9m
Medium/75kg (Undead)
18 (+4)
13 (+1)
17 (+3)
12 (+1)
15 (+2)
20 (+5)
Has +1 to spell save DC and spell attack rolls.
Has immunity to disease.
Extra Attack
Ketheric can make two weapon attacks when attacking with one action.
Ketheric cannot be put to sleep by any means.
Immutable Form
Spells that alter his form have no effect, and Ketheric has a +5 bonus on Saving Throws that would remove him from this plane.
All incoming damage is reduced by 2.
Reaper’s Rigidity
Ketheric can’t be moved against his will but has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
Shield Bash
As a reaction to a melee weapon attack, Ketheric can bash with his shield for a chance to knock an enemy Prone on a failed Dexterity saving throw.
Attacks
Spellcasting
Ketheric Thorm can cast the following spells up to third level:
Blinding Smite + War Hammer Weapon Attack
Ketheric enjoys spamming Blinding Smite. +9 to hit; 5ft. Deals 1d8 + 10 Bludgeoning, 4d8 Radiant, and 1d4 Psychic damage. On a failed CON save, the target is also Blinded.
War Hammer - Weapon Attack
+9 to hit; 5ft. Deals 1d8 + 5 Bludgeoning damage and 1d4 Psychic damage.
Ketheric’s first fight is thankfully quite straightforward. There arefour Necromites on either side of the arena, a mage-caster in the center, and Ketheric himselfin the company of an undead dog companion up on the balcony in the back.
If you spared the Nightsong, Dame Aylin will assistyou in this fight and begin in front of the mage, Susdera. you’re able to alsorecruit Jaheira to assist in this fight from downstairsif you spared Nightsong, and we highly recommend bringing her along.
As you enter this fight, we recommend a large area attack spell on each side of the arena.The goal is towipe out most of the Necromites on Turn Oneand definitely before Turn Two.
UsingIce Stormon both sides is a fantastic strategy here as it kills both the Necromites and puts Difficult Terrain on the ground, slowing Ketheric and the dog, Squire. Alternatively, you can use two clerics with Turn Undead or one cleric with Action Surge.
Additionally,a spellcaster withCounterspellis highly recommended.This is becauseSusdera has access to and will liberally useFireball,creating a serious hazard for your party. Arguably, she’s more dangerous than Ketheric in this phase.
Once the Necromites are gone,Susdera should be your highest priority. While she spawns more Necromites with Incubate Death, haveone party member on standby to break the eggs before they hatch.
Squire, the dog, can be saveduntil after Susdera is gone. He’s not too dangerous and can even spend several turns trying to reach you if you’vemade the terrain at the bottom of the stairs into ice.
Once all other enemies are gone, you canteam up on Ketheric.
Ketheric is a unique Undead boss in that he hasno resistance to Turn Undead.He’ssusceptible to spell effects likeHold Person,and he’seasily knocked Pronethanks to his lackluster Dexterity stat.
Team up on him,using Ice spells or Shield Bash attacksto knock him Prone,useHold Person, and generallygo all out against Ketheric.Once his HP is low enough, he’ll flee the scene for you tochase him into an intermission-dungeonand - eventually - the second stage.
How To Beat Ketheric Thorm: Stage Two - Beneath Moonrise Towers
Ketheric Thorm’s Stage Two is truly justStage One but a different map.The rules of the game are only slightly changed.
We highly recommend having at leasttwo characters with one of the followingas they areneeded to reach the two platformson the left and right side of the arena:
This fight isslightly complicated if you’ve saved Dame Aylin or haven’t encountered the Nightsong.In these cases,Dame Aylin will be Soul-Cagedin the far right corner of the map. To deal damage to Ketheric, youmust free her first.
Be conservative with your spells and limited featsfor this stage. You’ll want to save your most powerful and high-leveled spells for the upcoming final stage of the fight.
There area few enemies here to help Kethericfor this fight:
TheIntellect Devourers are easily shut down by area of effect attackslike multiple Cleave melee attacks, Shatter, powered Thunderwave, and other such similar spells. They’re only a hassle if you need to reach Aylin.
On the first turn of the fight,send two of your characters onto the left and right platforms.Theright should be a ranged support characterlike a rogue or a spellcaster. Theleft should be a powerful melee fighter- bonus if they can deal radiant damage.
Spend yourfirst turn or twotaking care of the mob minionson this map.
When the Necromites on the left are defeated,keep your melee fighter up there in preparationfor the third stage of this fight andtake out any incubating Necromitesbefore they hatch.
Free Dame Aylinas soon as possible if you have the option.She’ll be a powerful ally in this fight. Doing so will take one full Help action while standing beside her.
Only once Aylin is free and all the enemies are gone should youfocus on Ketheric.Keeponly one fighter on the center circle area,if you can help it, while fighting him.All other party members should be on the outer platforms.
When Ketheric’s HP has hit zero, he’ll begin thethird and final stageof the fight. Hold on to your butts.
225
19
0m
Medium/200kg (Undead)
22 (+6)
19 (+4)
Feats
Myrkul’s Presence
Myrkul exerts a Bone Chill aura, preventing nearby enemies from healing.
Consume The Faithful
Myrkul can use its reaction to consume a Necromite and gain back HP.
Extra Attack (Not Used)
Myrkul can make two weapon attacks when attacking with one action.
Myrkul cannot be put to sleep by any means.
Spells that alter his form have no effect, and Myrkul has a +5 bonus on Saving Throws that would remove him from this plane.
Gaze of the Dead
Myrkul can look at a target within 30m. Deals 4d8 Necrotic damage and Frightens the target or deals half as much with no bane on a successful CON save.
Reaper’s Scythe
Myrkul can swing his scythe to attack any 25% of the circle around him. Deals 2d12 + 5 Slashing damage and 3d4 Necrotic damage. Creatures hit are knocked back 3m.
The Apostle of Myrkul is especially frightening due to histremendous damage output, attack range,and the featureMyrkul’s Presence - Any character beside Myrkul cannot be healedand must Disengage and leave or be Pushed off the circular platform surrounding Myrkul.
It was for this reason we recommended you keepingall but one melee fighter in the circle at all times.This character will tank his hits.
Dame Aylin, Guardian of Faith, Divine Weapon, and any conjured familiars or elementals can be a great asset for this fight due to this reason.Keeping them in the circle will prevent Myrkul from using Gaze of the Dead on your ranged supports.
When you have multiple beings in the circle, try tokeep them at least one quarter of the circle away from each other.This will cut down on Myrkul being able to hit multiple creatures at once.
Go all out for this fight.The longer you prolong this fight, the more dangerous it will become due to his Bone Chill aura.
Do not worry if Dame Aylin fallsin this battle, as she’s immortal and will return shortly. She will alsopush your low-HP characters off the circular platformto allow you the chance to heal them.
Thankfully,Myrkul does not move.You can continue firing from a ranged distance safely.
However, youmust not forget the Incubate Death eggsthat will appear around the arena. The number Myrkul will spawn per round will increase as his damage falls.
Youmust not let most - if not all - of these eggs to hatch.If they do, do not allow them to live until Myrkul’s next turn.
If you cannot keep up with them, you cantrigger Myrkul’s reaction forcefullyby leaving his area of attack range. In such an instance, he cannot use his Reaction to absorb the health of the Necromites nearby.
Continue hitting Myrkul with everything you have,cutting down his Necromite spawns in the process, until he’s at last defeated.
Upon his defeat, you’ll finally be rid of Ketheric Thorm forevermore. No more stages. Your prize?A Netherstone and all of Ketheric’s unique equipment:
Ketheric’s Warhammer
Rare versatile warhammer.1d10(1d8) + 1 Bludgeoning + 1d4 Psychic damage. (+1 Enchantment)
