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In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Orphic Hammer is significant both in terms of story and stats – this Guide Explains everything you need to know about the Orphic Hammer in BG3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is brimming with powerful weapons and artifacts, but the Orphic Hammer stands out as one of the most coveted tools in the game. This mysterious and potent hammer plays a crucial role in unlocking new story possibilities, enhancing your abilities, and forging your path to victory. Whether you’re looking to uncover hidden secrets or break things, the Orphic Hammer can be an essential asset in your adventure. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to obtain the Orphic Hammer, including where to find it, how to unlock its full potential, and tips to ensure you don’t miss this vital piece of equipment on your journey.
What is Orphic Hammer in BG3?
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Orphic Hammer is an important artifact in the story. In Act 3, you will have to decide whether or not to free an important person. If you wish to do so, or at least have the option in your back pocket for later on, you must acquire the Hammer.
As a functional hammer, it is admittedly not the best of the Legendary weapons. However, there will be times in Act 3 (other than the one specific plot beat) where the Hammer will prove it’s worth. If you need to bludgeon or break anything during a combat encounter to fulfill a certain mechanic or otherwise, this is a sure-fire way to break things down fast.
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Orphic Hammer Abilities and Effects
Here are all the Orphic Hammer features in BG3:
- Weapon Type: Warhammer
- Damage: 1d10 (1d8)+8 Bludgeoning
- Requirements: Martial Weapons Proficiency
- Rarity: Legendary
- Location: In the Archives at the House of Hope, in Act 3
- Weight: 2.7 kg
- Value: 770
- Bonuses:
- Spell Resistance: You have Advantage on Saving Throws against spells.
- Weapon Enchantment +3
- Unshackling Strike: Smite the magical bonds keeping a creature Restrained, Paralysed, and Stunned, freeing it.
- Classes with Martial Weapons Proficiency: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, and Ranger
- Companions Who Can Use This Weapon: Karlach, Lae’zel, Minthara, Minsc
NOTE: Potential spoilers for Act 3 below.
How to Get the Orphic Hammer in BG3? Explained
To get the Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3, you can steal it from the pedestal in the Archives within the House of Hope.
The easiest way to get the Orphic Hammer is to agree to the deal Raphael offers you in Act 3. This will require you to give him the Crown of Karsus after you’ve defeated the Elder Brain. A steep price, and one you may not be willing to accept. But there is another way…
The Orphic Hammer can be found in the Archives at the House of Hope. If you’ve rejected the deal offered by Raphael, your main goal in breaking into his house is to find and successfully steal this legendary Warhammer. You can do this in several different ways – though all of them start by visiting the Devil’s Fee and speaking to Helsik. You can either pay her to open a portal to Hell for you. She’ll charge you a hefty price of 20,000 coin – but may be persuaded to do it for 10,000 coin or in trade for the Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength. The other option is to pickpocket the ritual instructions from her, go upstairs and open the portal yourself.
However you get there, the Hammer can be found in the Archives on the west end of the House of Hope. They will be in the same room as the Amulet of Greater Health and the Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength. Each artifact will be displayed in a different part of the room.
Be aware that taking the Hammer will trigger alarms and send Raphael on his way back to the House of Hope for a confrontation. When you’re ready, you’ll want to grab all three pieces of gear in the Archives at the same time!
Other Notable Loot in the House of Hope:
- Helldusk Helmet
- Helldusk Gloves
- Helldusk Armour
- Staff of Spellpower
- Amulet of Greater Health
- Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength
- Gloves of Soul Catching
The Archives in the House of Hope BG3
Inside the Archives, you will find The Orphic Hammer on the pedestal at the very center, with a gold glowing magical shield protecting it. You can’t steal it without first finding how to bypass the shield. In order to do that you need to know the password – which is on paper locked in a safe hidden behind a painting in the Boudoir. Find out how to visit the Boudoir and unlock the safe in our Helldusk Gloves Guide.
When you’ve finished exploring the House of Hope and have the password for the Orphic Hammer, return to the Archives. At this point it’s best to unlock your party members from the group. The Archivist has no problem with any of you viewing the artifacts, so find all three (they’re on full display and should be easy to spot). I recommend placing one party member in front of each one.
When everyone is in place, click between characters and steal each of the three items one by one. You might think to use Invisibility potions or spells here to conceal your intentions like I did, but they really don’t do you any good. Taking the items appears to trigger something on the pedestals and your character will immediately become visible again, so there is really no need to bother with sneaking around.
Once you’ve stolen the Orphic Hammer as well as the other two artifacts, group your team back up and get ready for a fight, strangely, the Archivist and his minions do not appear to attack you. However, as you open the doors to head back out of the Archives you’ll find yourself under attack. It’s mostly the smaller fry at this point. Raphael is on his way, but his fight won’t trigger until you attempt to exit the House via the portal. However, if you agreed to help Hope out when you first met her upon arrival, it is highly recommended that you first head straight down the long passageway to her cell in order to break her out now.
How to Use the Orphic Hammer in BG3?
The Orphic Hammer shatters the crystals inside the Astral Prism that shackle Orpheus. Additionally, the Orphic Hammer can be equipped and used in combat if you have martial weapon proficiency. Below are the Orphic Hammer’s Weapon Actions:
- Spell Resistance: You have an Advantage on Saving throws against spells.
- Backbreaker: Put extra force behind your strike to possibly knock your enemy Prone.
- Concussive Smash: Hit an enemy with all your might to deal damage and possibly Daze them. Has Disadvantage on Wisdom Saving throws, can’t take Reactions, and loses the Dexterity bonus to their Armour Class.
- Weakening Strike: Target an enemy’s hands with a non-lethal attack and possibly inflict Weak Grip. Has Disadvantage on Attack rolls and Strength Saving throws.
- Unshackling Strike: costs an action, smite the magical bonds keeping a creature Restrained, Paralyzed, Stunned, freeing it.
The strength of the Orphic Hammer is it’s a versatile weapon. Thus, you can equip it with a shield. You would want to do this just to gain the advantage of saving throws via the spell resistance passive. Moreover, the Backbreaker bonus can be helpful if in need of a melee stun. However, this weapon is overall for the most important decision in BG3.
Tips and Tricks of the Orphic Hammer in BG3
These are the best tips and tricks for finding and using Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- You will only get the option to free Orpheus if you have the Orphic Hammer. You can still choose not to. But having the Hammer is the only way to free the Githyanki Prince.
- Don’t steal the Orphic Hammer until you have finished searching the rest of the House of Hope. Once you take the hammer, alarms will sound and you must escape.
- The Orphic Hammer is great for the fight against Raphael. Equip it to a strong melee character and they can use it to smash the pillars down. Doing so will prevent Raphael from healing himself.
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FAQs about the Orphic Hammer in BG3
Where can I find the Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3?
You can find the Orphic Hammer at the House of Hope in Baldur’s Gate 3, which is Raphael’s domain in Avernus. You can get there by using the portal at the Devil’s Fee in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
Which classes or builds benefit most from Orphic Hammer?
Fighters, Barbarians, and Paladins can get the most benefit from using the Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s not the strongest weapon in the game, however it has great utility and is a pivotal quest item.
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