The Orphic Hammer is one of the most important items in Baldur’s Gate 3 if you plan on letting Orpheus go free, and getting a hold of the incredible weapon doesn’t come without some hefty obstacles. Here’s how to get the Orphic Hammer in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Get the Orphic Hammer From Raphael in BG3
The easiest way to get the Orphic Hammer is by speaking to Raphael at Sharess’ Caress near Wyrm’s Crossing in Act 3. This is the first time you speak to the devil after Act 2, and he offers you the Orphic Hammer. However, the hammer doesn’t come without cost. You need to sign a contract that states Raphael will get the crown from the Elder Brain when the story is over.
You can find Sharess’ Caress north of Rivington, the northmost part of the map right before the city of Baldur’s Gate. Wyrm’s Crossing is the area that Sharess’ Caress is inside of. You can get into Wyrm Rock Fortress from here by using Flight spells or by getting sent to jail by the guards nearby.
If you sign the contract, the Orphic Hammer is placed into your inventory right then and there. You won’t need to take any extra steps. But that also means you may have doomed everyone in Baldur’s Gate 3. We decided to sign the contract because it makes going to the House of Hope even easier.
When you reach the House of Hope, you can rip up the contract and go back on your word. The other alternative for the hammer requires the same area, so the choice isn’t too detrimental.
How to Steal the Orphic Hammer in BG3
You can steal the Orphic Hammer by sneaking into the House of Hope and unlocking Raphael’s safe in his Boudoir. This process is for the players who refused the deal and still want to steal the hammer. You will need to enter the House of Hope, which we outlined a full guide for. It has a few different steps, but it won’t take you too long.
In short, you’ll need to make your way to the Devil’s Fee shop north in the Lower City, and make a deal with the shopkeep, Helsik. This will get you through the portal to the House of Hope.
Once you are inside the House of Hope, Make sure to get a disguise from Hope or from the wardrobes in the hallways. Next, you need to make your way to the Archives at the end of the hall. Speak to the Archivist inside and either convince him for a pass to the Boudoir by posing as a guest or pickpocket him.
With the pass in hand, head to the Boudoir in the House of Hope. Within Raphael’s room, you will find a demon named Haarlep. Like before, you either need to convince him for the key or you need to pickpocket the key. This whole process will require plenty of luck or plenty of save scumming to pull off without alerting the whole area.
The next step is to interact with the painting near the bed on the left side of the wall with a button. You will notice the painting rises up and you can loot the safe. This will give you the actual key you need to steal the Orphic Hammer from the Archives.
Before you grab the Orphic Hammer, you may want to do a quick sweep of the House of Hope and make sure you pick up any treasure you find. Some notable items you may want to keep an eye for are the Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength, Amulet of Greater Health, Helldusk Helmet, Helldusk Gloves, Mol’s Contract (and yours if you made a deal with Raphael), and the Staff of Spellpower.
Now head back to the Archives and use the key on the Orphic Hammer. This will alert the entire House of Hope, so you’ll want to make sure you’re ready for several combat encounters.
With the Orphic Hammer in hand, you now need to escape the House of Hope. You can either take a detour to free Hope from her prison, using the newly acquired Orphic Hammer, and have her help you out of the house, or you can run straight to the exit. Either way, you’ll then have to fight your way through one of the game’s toughest bosses.
But once you’re out of the House of Hope, the Orphic Hammer will be yours to do with as you please.
Defeating Raphael in BG3
If you want to kill Raphael in BG3, you should prepare for a difficult fight. Your best bet is going for the Soul Pillars first. Use either Karlach or Lae’zel for this job, as they do a lot of damage. You’ll also need to make work of his minions with multi-enemy or AoE attacks like Magic Missile.
Hold Monster is incredibly effective against Raphael, as he won’t be able to move at all. Take this opportunity to use Slashing, thunder, or necrotic attacks against him. Following these tips will make him go down fast.
How to Use the Orphic Hammer in BG3
You can use the Orphic Hammer as an effective Warhammer in standard battles simply by equipping it on one of your characters. However, its more important use is its Unshackling Strike ability that can smash the red crystals imprisoning Orpheus in the Astral Plane.
To use the Orphic Hammer to free Orpheus, equip the weapon on one of your characters and smash the stones holding Orpheus either by selecting the Unshackling Strike class action or with a standard attack. This all becomes available in the Astral Plane as the game comes to a close.
Orphic Hammer Stats
The Orphic Hammer is a powerful, legendary warhammer. And its standout feature is the advantage it gives the wielder on Saving Throws against spells. This is a great boon for melee fighters who often find themselves in the crosshairs of multiple spells during combat. Plus, the flexibility the Orphic hammer has as either a one-handed or two-handed weapon is a nice bonus.
Here are the stats for Baldur’s Gate 3’s Orphic Hammer.
- Damage: 1d8+3 (4-11) + Strength modifier (One-handed bludgeoning damage); 1d10+3 (4-13) Strength modifier (two-handed bludgeoning damage).
- Legendary Warhammer.
- Enchantment: +3
- Versatile.
- Thrown.
- Range: 1.5m.
- Weight: 2.7kg.
- Price: 770gp.
- Spell Resistance: You have Advantage on Saving throws against spells.
- Unshackling Strike: Smite the magical bonds keeping a creature Restrained, Paralysed, and Stunned, freeing it.
- Backbreaker.
- Concussive Smash.
- Weakening Strike.
Before you use the Orphic Hammer though, find out if you should really free Orpheus in BG3 or leave him behind.
