Baldur's Gate 3 has become one of the most popular RPGs of the year, and the plethora of equipment options it offers the player is a major aspect of its appeal. Act 1 contains many powerful weapons from early on, with one even available during the prologue. A greatsword with an additional 1d4 of fire damage, Commander Zhalk's Everburn Blade can be taken from him on the Nautiloid Ship and used by any character capable of wielding a two-handed weapon. Strong enough to carry a party through early encounters (and later) in Baldur's Gate 3, the Everburn Blade is just one early item that can border on overpowered. For players that venture into the northern part of Act 1’s map, however, the area of Waukeen’s Rest can offer an even more enticing reward for evil players.

Acquiring the Everburn Blade requires taking down a commander of the Nine Hells who is already hostile to the player, a reward for a great challenge that essentially offers no moral conflict. The prologue is quite straightforward, but as soon as the player enters the proper game world, they are capable of pillaging whatever items they wish from its inhabitants. Anyone can get the Everburn Blade, but to get Svartlevee's Woundseeker, they have to be evil - a challenge for many players in this type of game.

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BG3: Svartlebee's Woundseeker

The greatsword known as Svartlebee's Woundseeker is an underrated item that many players are bound to miss out on. Held by one of the Flaming Fist soldiers at the burning inn Waukeen’s Rest, it’s a weapon that has to be taken rather than given or earned. For players disregarding morality, it’s a great piece of equipment due to its decent stats and special effects.

• 2d6 + 1 (3-13) points of slashing damage per hit
• As a Greatsword, Svartlebee’s Woundseeker also adds the player’s Strength modifier to its damage
• Deepen the Wound adds an extra 1d4 of damage against all creatures that have already taken damage

Svartlebee’s Woundseeker offers extra damage on enemies that have lost even a single point of health while also still being able to be buffed with additional damage. If the player has a source of fire like a candle, it can even be dipped and gain its own 1d4 of fire damage to surpass the effect of the Everburn Blade for three turns. It can offer a serious advantage to players at even the earliest levels of Baldur’s Gate 3, but acquiring the strength of Svartlebee’s Woundseeker also ultimately requires taking a morally problematic path.

The Moral Cost of Killing of the Flaming Fist at Waukeen's Rest

Many players are likely to be familiar with Waukeen’s Rest as a location in need, as victims of its fire wait to be rescued or left behind. The Flaming Fist of Baldur’s Gate ended up in a dire situation at the inn, and BG3's companion Wyll has a personal connection to the people who need to be saved. Players on an evil path, however, may just murder the Flaming Fist who are attempting to help people escape the fire and obtain Svartlebee’s Woundseeker from Gauntlet Yeva. The decision is not necessarily black and white, however, as the Flaming Fist is a questionable organization of mercenaries that are not exactly known for being paragons of virtue.

Regardless of the reputation that their group may have, attacking people in need of help during a tragic time like the fire at Waukeen’s Rest is definitely not a good action to take in terms of moral alignment. Containing weapon that can remain effective throughout practically all of Act 1 and for a while beyond, the situation around Svartlebee’s Woundseeker is just one example of the ethical conflicts in Baldur’s Gate 3 that can make even its side content highly compelling.

Baldur's Gate 3 is available now for PC, Mac, and PS5, with Xbox Series X/S versions also in development.

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