In Baldur’s Gate 3, few boss fights carry as much narrative weight and emotional impact as the confrontation with Cazador Szarr. This encounter is more than just a battle, it’s a defining moment for Astarion, a companion whose journey from enslaved spawn to free vampire takes center stage. Whether you’ve grown fond of Astarion or simply want to clear the Szarr Palace of its undead horrors, the Cazador fight in Bg3 will test both your tactical planning and moral decision-making.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know to defeat Cazador and navigate the choices that follow without spoilers beyond the boss fight itself.
Where to Find Cazador in Baldur’s Gate 3
You’ll face Cazador during Act 3, once you reach the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate. His lair, the Szarr Palace, is located near the Lower City Central Wall waypoint. From there, you need to find the South Tower entrance at coordinates X: -68, Y: 53. Getting inside the palace involves navigating a few layers of defense, including a group of Vampire Spawn.
If Astarion is in your party, bringing him along opens up some persuasive dialogue options that can save you from an early skirmish. However, his presence also makes the upcoming encounter riskier if you’re not careful. The deeper you go into the palace, the more undead guardians you’ll face. Two key items are needed to open the Sinister Door that leads to the final chamber: the Kozakuran Dictionary and the Szarr Family Ring. One is hidden in a trapped dresser behind necrotic mist, while the other is carried by a skeleton named Godey.
Preparing for the Boss Fight
Preparation can make or break the Cazador encounter. This fight is not only about brute strength, it’s about positioning, control, and interrupting a powerful vampire ritual. Before stepping through the final door, make sure your party is at full strength, and consider long rests to refresh spell slots and abilities.
If Astarion is part of your team, it’s important to position him carefully before initiating the fight. Have him stay back on the staircase leading into the ritual chamber. If he’s too close when combat begins, Cazador will capture him to perform a ritual that turns him into the Vampire Ascendant, triggering a deadly countdown. Keeping Astarion out of range buys you time and flexibility.
Cazador is a vampire lord, so light-based abilities are extremely effective. If you have access to the Daylight spell, now is the time to use it. Not only does it hurt Cazador, it also prevents him from turning invisible, a common and frustrating tactic he employs.
Understanding the Ritual Room
Once inside the ritual chamber, you’ll immediately notice several red magic circles on the floor. Each one is tied to a Vampire Spawn who is feeding power into Cazador. This mechanic gives him significant buffs, including bonus movement speed, temporary hit points, and other enhancements that make him much harder to kill.
However, these same circles offer a way to turn the tide in your favor. By standing on them, your party members can block or even redirect the energy intended for Cazador. Some of the circles grant beneficial effects like healing or increased armor class when occupied. The more circles you disrupt, the weaker Cazador becomes.
If Astarion does get captured, your window to rescue him is limited. Use teleportation spells like Misty Step, Dimension Door, or a strong dash mechanic to reach and free him. Failing to do so will allow Cazador to complete the ritual, fundamentally changing Astarion’s character and significantly increasing Cazador’s power.
Winning the Fight Against Cazador
The battlefield is tight and layered, so managing space is key. Use the staircases and narrow hallways to create choke points. Area control spells such as Cloud of Daggers, Fireball, or Wall of Fire can help deal with the waves of undead that support Cazador.
Summoning abilities are also useful. Whether it’s a Spiritual Weapon or a summoned elemental, extra allies can soak damage and help block ritual circles. It’s wise to focus your damage on Cazador himself rather than getting bogged down with his minions. He can regenerate and teleport, but consistent pressure, especially magical will keep him from healing or disappearing.
Patience and coordination are critical. Don’t rush into the fight without a solid game plan, and be ready to adapt based on whether Astarion is safe or needs rescuing.
Astarion’s Pivotal Choice
Once Cazador is defeated, the story isn’t over. Astarion now faces a choice that defines his future: absorb the ritual’s power and become the Vampire Ascendant, or destroy the ritual and free the thousands of souls Cazador had imprisoned, including the Vampire Spawn who served him.
Choosing ascension grants Astarion immense power, giving him enhanced combat abilities and a unique healing mechanic through life-draining. However, this choice comes with a dark twist, over 7,000 souls are lost in the process, and Astarion’s personality begins to shift toward a hunger for dominance.
If you convince Astarion to reject the ritual, he retains his current abilities and reclaims his freedom without sacrificing innocent lives. The enslaved Vampire Spawn are freed, and Astarion’s arc leans toward redemption. This decision impacts the rest of the game and potentially the epilogue, so choose wisely.
Conclusion
The fight against Cazador Szarr is more than a challenging combat sequence, it’s a moment that encapsulates Baldur’s Gate 3’s brilliance. From tactical battlefield management to weighty character-driven decisions, this encounter brings together everything that makes the game unforgettable.
Whether you help Astarion rise as a powerful vampire or guide him toward liberation, the consequences ripple far beyond the walls of the Szarr Palace. Defeating Cazador is not just a victory for your party, it’s a turning point in one of BG3’s most compelling personal storylines.
So sharpen your weapons, prepare your spells, and step into the darkness. Cazador is waiting.
Read More: Baldur’s Gate 3: Haarlep Encounter Guide
