Baldur’s Gate 3isall about choices— well, that and exploring a fantasy world full of unique creatures and people. From how you interact with anNPC vendor in a small townto deciding what to do with an enemy recently bested in combat, you will have tomake a lot of decisionsas you work your way through the expansive story of the game.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Ranger Build
Here’s how to build the very best Ranger in Baldur’s Gate 3.
One ofthe first decisionsthat will be presented to you in the game is what to do with the Mindflayer Tadpole implanted in your brain in the opening cutscene. You will havea lot of different optionsto take the parasite out of your skull, and one of those comes inthe forms of Raphael,a Tiefling who says he can cure youas long as you give him something in return.
Updated by Shane Black on July 12, 2025:This article has been updated to restructure its content to provide a better, more easily readable format. It also gives more narrative context to choices you can make through this quest, as well as added links to relevant guides and articles.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Finding Raphael In Act 3
Though you will meet Raphael earlier on in the game, he won’t approach you with the offer untilyou have reached Act 3of the game. You will find him in one of the upstairs rooms of Shares' Caress in Rivington. You will be taken to this area as you progress in the quest to free Orpheus.
In exchange for curing you ofyour skull-based illness, Raphael will ask you toretrieve the crown that controls the Elder Brain, called the Crown of Karsus. He will also give you the Orphic Hammer, which is a necessary tool to free Orpheus, if you choose to pursue that option. This crown is going to give him a lot of power, whichbegs the question: should accept his deal to rid yourself of the parasite, or find another way?
Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Get Revivify To Revive Characters
While playing Baldur’s Gate 3, you may have some moments that you need to revive your characters. Revivify can do just that. Here’s how to obtain it.
Accepting The Deal With Raphael
The effects of your decision will not beseen or felt immediately, despite almost every party member and companion being disapproving if you accept the deal. This can be a tough dip in approval to come back from if you are trying to romance any of the characters with you.
The best immediate action is that you will begiven the Orphic Hammer right away, which is a very good item to have in your inventory.
Beyond that, the Emperor will be upset with you for making the deal, though not to the point that he will abandon you. He will, though, be adamant that youdo not free Orpheus with the hammer, but that is an entirely different decision unrelated to this.
The Crown of Karsus must alsobe given to Raphael, meaning that Gale will not be able to take it to Mystra, leaving his story on a pretty unsatisfactory note.
However, the biggest consequence of accepting the deal is that the ending to the gamewill be a dire one, with Raphael giving a monologue about how powerful he is becoming and hinting at bad news being spelled out for the Forgotten Realms. You have essentially given him power to do whatever he wants, and his first goal is to invade Zariel’s fortress, then conquer all the Nine Hells, followed by the rest of the Forgotten Realms. Essentially, you havegiven the entire worldover to this monster.
Baldur’s Gate 3: 23 Best Multiclasses, Ranked
Looking to master the multiclass game in Baldur’s Gate 3? This list breaks down a variety of the very best options available to players.
Take The Deal And Betray Raphael
Now, it is possible to accept the deal with Raphael, butnot follow through on it. If you read the details of your contract, you will learn that he keeps it in his home in the House of Hope. you’re able to speak with Helsik in the Devil’s Fee tosneak into Raphael’s home, where you can find the contract and destroy it to nullify it. You just have to beready for the battlethat will happen with Raphael, should you choose to go back on the promise you made him.
This fight isnot an easy one, with Raphael coming at you with a sizable - and cheeky - health pool of 666 Hit Points. Along with his own health and attacks, you will also have todeal with some minionsthat he will spawn to attack you. Just be prepared and know what kind of fight you are getting into.
A good strategy is toplace the Runepowder bombgiven to you for the Destroy the Steel Foundry quest on the portal you exit from before the fight starts. Then, once it has begun, run back and detonate it. This will destroy the four pillars giving Raphael power, as well as taking out a good chunk of his minions.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Githyanki Classes
There are a handful of Githyanki classes to choose from. Here’s how to make the most out of each of them.
Refusing The Deal With Raphael
There really aren’t a ton of negative consequences to turning down Raphael’s deal. The devil himself will be disappointed, but he won’t attack you. He will let you leave to find another way to cure yourself of your ailment. Further,all your companions will approveof this decision, even though it means continuing their search for a cure. The good thing is thatthere are still numerous waysfor your character and their friends to rid themselves of the Illithid Tadpoles they have been infected with.
You can also still get the Orphic Hammer to free Orpheus bysneaking into the House of Hope,just as you would have otherwise, and taking the Hammer while there. This will result in the same battle with Raphael, but you can easily get through that the same way.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Find The Githyanki Creche Walkthrough
If you’re searching for Crèche Y’llek in Baldur’s Gate 3, this guide will lead you exactly where you need to go.
Should You Take The Deal With Raphael?
The best answer is: no. Do not accept the deal with Raphael. Of course, if you are going for amore sinister character, then the deal may be enticing to you. However, for the most part, the deal is a bad one to take.
Raphael isclearly up to no good, and his behavior is nothing if not suspicious.Your party memberswill even call this out and encourage you to not trust Raphael in his request. Even more, the Narrator will straight up tell you that Raphael is clearly aiming for something evil and that the deal with him is not worth the pain it will cause.
Besides, the demon that you will have to take down to get the crown is a real pain to deal with. Save yourself some time andrefuse his dealto make your playthrough a lot better.
Baldur’s Gate 3: How To Disable Arcane Turrets
Unsure how to deal with the Turrets guarding the Arcane Tower? Here is a guide to help!
