A Hero’s Guide for Defeating the Vampire Lord Cazador in Baldur’s Gate 3

Cazador’s mansion, located in the upper center area of the Lower City, holds a dark history for Astarion, who was once a thrall under Cazador’s control. Now freed from his vampiric afflictions, Astarion seeks revenge.

In Baldur’s Gate 3, an important moment comes when you can help Astarion face this enemy and stop a devastating blood ritual that demands 7,000 lives. Cazador’s pursuit of divine power endangers Baldur’s Gate, and it is now up to you to defeat the Vampire Lord.

Will you rise to the challenge and save the city from this ancient evil?

1. How to Defeat Cazador in Baldur’s Gate 3

In the third act of Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll encounter the Vampire Lord Cazador Szarr, who commands an army of bats and monsters. To defeat Cazador, you can either choose to kill him outright or disrupt his ritual.

While this questline is optional, completing it offers significant rewards, including deepening your relationship with companion Astarion and enhancing your combat capabilities. Regardless of your approach, the strategies to overcome him remain the same. Prepare for a challenging battle, and with the right tactics, you’ll emerge victorious.

2. Where to Find Cazador in Baldur’s Gate 3

• To begin your quest to defeat Cazador Szarr, head to the Lower City Central Wall waypoint in Act 3. From there, go up the rampart and find the small door labeled Szarr Palace South Tower (X-68, Y-53).
• Enter the door and navigate through the corridors, avoiding battles with Vampire Spawn if possible. It’s recommended to bring Astarion along, as he can pass Persuasion and Deception checks to help you avoid early fights.
• Inside the palace, you’ll encounter a Sinister Door that requires the Kozakuran Dictionary and Szarr Family Ring to unlock. Find the Dictionary in a dresser in a room on the left (jump over Necrotic Mist to access it) and the Ring in another room, down the corridor on the right (protected by a weak skeleton named Godey).
• With both items, unlock the Sinister Door and defeat the werewolves and bats. Then, unlock the door on the right side of the palace ballroom and head downstairs via the elevator platform. Heal yourself if needed, as you’ll soon face Cazador Szarr and his minions.

3. Cazador Stats in Baldur’s Gate 3

Cazador Szarr, a Level 12 Vampire Lord, is a force to be reckoned with. He possesses:

• High-damage spells.
• Features that significantly boost his survivability.
• A substantial 200+ HP health pool.

Cazador Szarr
AC: 21
STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18	18*	18	17*	15*	18

Notable Features:

• Alert: +5 bonus to Initiative, can’t be surprised.
• Arcane Enchantment: +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and spell attack rolls.
• Arcane Vampirism: regain 1d4 hit points when creatures fail Saving Throws.
• Improved Extra Attack: make two additional attacks after the main-hand weapon attack.
• Sunlight Hypersensitivity: takes 20 Radiant Damage in sunlight, Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
• Vampire Regeneration: regains 20 hit points at the start of the turn (unless in sunlight or affected by radiant damage/holy water).
• Legendary Resistance (Tactician mode only): +10 bonus to next Saving Throw.

Resistances:

• Resistant to non-magical slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage.
• Resistant to both non-magical and magical necrotic damage.

Additional Abilities:

• Can cast high-level spells like Call Lightning.
• Can use Misty Escape, becoming intangible and gaining temporary Hit Points.

4. Strategies to Defeat Cazador in Baldur’s Gate 3

After a brief cutscene, proceed through the door and stop on the stairs. If you’re with Astarion, temporarily unlink him and leave him behind. Relink your remaining party members and approach Cazador’s location.

By keeping Astarion outside the conversation area, you will successfully deceive Cazador into believing you’ll bring him your companion. This will also prevent Cazador from initiating a ritual that grants him extra healing each turn, making him more vulnerable to attack.

While Cazador’s abilities may seem daunting, there are strategies to exploit his traits and gain the upper hand. Here are some of the best tips:

1. Exploit Cazador’s Weakness

Cazador, the Vampire Lord, has few weaknesses, but one particular damage type is extremely effective against him: Radiant Damage. This damage type, commonly associated with Cleric and Druid spells like Daylight and Moonbeam, can be a game-changer in the fight.

By casting Daylight directly on Cazador, you can deal continuous damage and prevent him from entering Mist Form. Alternatively, Moonbeam is a focused, movable spell that deals direct damage.

• To start the battle, use a high-powered spell to deal significant damage, then follow up with area-of-effect magic that can hit Cazador’s Mist Form.
• It’s crucial to target multiple enemies, as all must be defeated to complete the encounter.
• Recommended spells for this fight include Fireball, Cloud of Daggers, Wall of Fire, Chain Lightning, and Shatter.
• If you have access to the Daylight spell, use it to significantly weaken Cazador.

For a more unconventional approach, you can use a cheese strategy. Initiate dialogue with Cazador, then have another party member cast Daylight on him during the conversation. Cazador will take damage without attacking, eventually leading to his defeat.

2. Using Crowd Control

Two key factors can make the Cazador fight more challenging: his accompanying enemies and the Vampire Spawn in Sacrificial Circles. These spawns contribute to Cazador’s strength if the ritual begins, but you can disrupt this by having a party member stand in the circles, deactivating them and weakening Cazador.

• Before targeting Cazador, focus on defeating his allies, including bats, Werewolves, and other enemies. Use effective spells like Radiant-type Spirit Guardians to quickly take out bats and either push Werewolves off the edge or focus on them simultaneously.
• While managing minions and disrupting the Sacrificial Circles, maintain control over Cazador using crowd control (CC) measures.
• Consider using Otto’s Irresistible Dance to immobilize Cazador for up to 10 turns.

For this challenging fight, it’s recommended to have Level 6 spells and a party of Level 12 characters.

3. Push Cazador Off The Edge

One of the easiest ways to defeat Cazador is to push him into the chasm surrounding the central platform. Unlike other enemies, killing Cazador doesn’t destroy him; he’ll reappear in the coffin in the room’s center after being defeated.

• To execute this strategy, use abilities like Thunderwave, Smokepowder, Roaring Thunder arrows, Eldritch Blast with specific Eldritch Invocations, or the Shove Action.
• Illithids have access to various pushing and pulling abilities, and Void Bulbs can be particularly useful.

This approach differs from other boss battles, where pushing an enemy into a chasm would typically prevent looting. With Cazador defeated, take his key and head to the Counting House for additional rewards.

5. Astarion’s Fate

After defeating Cazador, save your progress and approach the nearby coffin. You’ll be faced with a crucial decision: allowing or denying Astarion’s ascension to Vampire Ascendant.

If you permit his ascension, Astarion will gain significant power, including enhanced attacks and a new ability to drain enemies’ health. However, this comes with a slight personality change, making him more power-hungry.

If you interrupt the ritual, Astarion will attack you, forcing a fight to the death. On the other hand, convincing him to abandon the ritual through a successful Persuasion check results in minimal consequences. Astarion will accept your decision and assist you in freeing the Vampire Spawn, ultimately concluding the quest.

The outcome now depends on your decisions. Armed with these tips, you’re prepared for the battle against Cazador Szarr and his minions.

Play your cards wisely in the fight against Cazador Szarr, and remember, if all else fails, a little push can go a long way… literally, just push the vampire off the ledge and call it a day!

6. About Baldur’s Gate III

Baldur’s Gate III is a role-playing game, developed and published by Larian Studios. It features both single and multiplayer gameplay.

Based on Dungeons & Dragons’ tabletop role-playing system, the game is chock full of twists and turns, friendship, betrayals, a never-ending quest for attaining absolute power, along with freedom of choice, letting you be whatever you wish to be!

Fighting against every odd, you will be required to shape the fate of the Forgotten Realms.