How to Beat Raphael in BG3: Complete House of Hope Boss Guide

Party Preparation

Bring: Cleric (Spirit Guardians, Sanctuary, Healing Word), Wizard/Sorcerer (Globe of Invulnerability, Chain Lightning, Disintegrate), Martial DPS (Action Surge, high single-target damage). Fourth slot: whatever your main character is.

Pre-fight buffs: Heroes’ Feast, Longstrider, Death Ward on everyone, Elixir of Universal Resistance.

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House of Hope Walkthrough

1. Enter via Helsik’s ritual at Devil’s Fee (Lower City). Bring the required items (Infernal Marble, Diamond, Coin of Mammon, Skull).
2. Inside: disguise yourself or use Deception. Explore freely — enemies are neutral until you steal.
3. Archive: Contains Amulet of Greater Health (sets CON to 23) and Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength (STR to 23). Steal these before the fight.
4. Boudoir: Haarlep the incubus. Raphael’s lover. Defeat him to learn Raphael’s true name.
5. Prison: Hope is chained here. Free her. She joins as a temporary ally with Divine Intervention.
6. Steal the Orphic Hammer from the center pedestal. This triggers Raphael’s return.

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Raphael Boss Strategy

Raphael has 666 HP and is supported by 4 Soul Pillars and 6 cambion adds. The pillars reflect damage to Raphael and heal him.

Phase 1: Destroy the Pillars (Turns 1-2)

• Use Force damage against pillars (Eldritch Blast, Disintegrate, Magic Missile doesn’t work — they’re immune).
• Hope can Divine Intervention (Radiant) to clear adds.
• Spread out your party — Raphael casts Hellfire (massive AoE).

Phase 2: Disable Raphael (Turns 2-3)

• Cast Hold Monster on Raphael. He has +0 WIS save. Paralyzed = auto-crit on melee hits.
• If Hold Monster fails: use Otto’s Irresistible Dance (no save).

Phase 3: Burst

• With pillars destroyed and Raphael held: Divine Smite, Action Surge, Disintegrate.
• Globe of Invulnerability protects your party from cambion adds.
• Hope’s Divine Intervention (if you saved it) deals 100+ radiant damage.

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Loot

After the fight: Helldusk Armor (best heavy armor in the game), Orphic Hammer (needed for the final choice), Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength, Amulet of Greater Health.