In this guide, you will learn how to acquire the Everburn Blade using Nautiloid Tanks while playing Baldur’s Gate 3.
The Everburn Blade is an extremely sought-after weapon in the game, with eternal flames that never extinguish. The good news is that it can drop very early on in your adventure, during Act 1.
How to Get the Everburn Blade in BG3
Once you reach the conclusion of the Nautiloid prologue in BG3, you have the opportunity to earn the greatsword. A “friendly” Mind Flayer is currently confronting Zhalk.
You have 15 turns to escape the ship and reach the Nautiloid controls. However, you have a choice to face off in a rather easy fight against Commander Zhalk, acquire the “Devil’s In The Details” achievement, and get the weapon.
On Balanced difficulty and lower, Zhalk will continue to focus on the Mind Flayer for as long as it is alive. This allows you to easily deal blows to Zhalk without worrying about him one-shotting you with his Everburn Blade.
Preparations for Commander Zhalk fight
There are numerous steps you can take on the way to Zhalk as you progress through the Nautiloid.
Befriend the Brain (Familiar)
While this small creature won’t be doing significant damage, every bit counts during the fight. It’s a simple familiar follower that provides some aid.
In the second room from which you have escaped your pod, move forward. Then, stand in the center, interacting with the Neural Apparatus to activate an elevator.
At the top, interact with the body. You will then speak with a Psionic Presence. Do not destroy it, but free it using Dexterity or Strength.
Spare the creature for it to follow you.
Speak with Lae’zel
Keep going until you have a conversation with Lae’zel. Once she is convinced you are not a threat, she will join forces with you as you head towards the helm. Do not kill her, because she’s necessary to get the sword.
Right after, fight some imps then loot their bodies. Ensure you give Lae’zel a weapon of some kind if she does not have one.
Free Shadowheart
Head up some ladders and go into the next room. This contains the first Nautiloid tank and the pod with Shadowheart. They are both on the left side as you approach.
Approach the pod and speak with Shadowheart. Then, investigate the console, discovering the empty rune space. Go East into a third room and all the way up the stairs. Loot the body to find the Eldritch Rune.
Return and place the rune into the console for the Nautiloid pod to open. Right-click and choose ‘Pick Up’ from the dropdown box. Then you’ll have the tank in your inventory.
How to Fight Commander Zhalk
After saving Shadowheart, go to the doorway to the South. There, you will find a restoration spot to heal. Next, the game will lead into a brief cutscene and a fight with Commander Zhalk.
Follow the below steps for the fight.
- Use Dash to send a party member over to pick up the Nautiloid Tanks on the left.
- Take down the Imps and Hellsboar before moving to grab the Nautiloid Tank on the right-hand side.
- Move the party near the fight with Zhalk and the Mind Flayer before dropping all four Nautiloid Tanks around them.
- Send the brain familiar to attack Zhalk (if you have it).
- Use each available turn to hit Zhalk with a ranged weapon, cantrip, or spell.
Grab the Everburn Blade
After the Nautiloid tanks are destroyed, fire will spread all over with Zhalk’s body likely in the middle. The closest character should loot the sword, but they may need healing depending on their HP.
No matter the number of turns you used, there may be some additional Cambions rushing in to reinforce the Commander. Simply loot the sword with a single character while having another dash to the console. Remember to ensure the sword is looted before the other character interacts with the console.
Skip the Fight (Optional)
There is a much faster way to get the Everburn Blade without killing Commander Zhalk. However, this will prevent you from receiving the achievement and requires a Cleric or Warlock in the party.
Move through the initial parts of the Nautiloid as usual. Once the party reaches the helm, clear the initial group of enemies and cast Command: Drop on Zhalk.
This spell is not guaranteed to hit, so players need to save and reload their game in case their first cast misses. If it does hit, simply walk up to Zhalk and pick the blade up. He will continue for the rest of the fight using only his fists. At this point, it’s better for players to simply head straight for the transponder unless they desire to unlock the achievement for actually killing Zhalk.
You can swap one of Shadowheart’s equipped Spells with Command using the Spellbook menu. This lets any player get the weapon early without needing to bring a Cleric or Warlock.
Check out our guides hub for Baldur’s Gate 3 for more tutorials.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is a role-playing game developed by Larion Studios and released in 2023 for PC, macOS, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.