How to Beat Cazador and Save Astarion in BG3

To enter Szarr Palace, head to the Central Wall Watchtower near the Lower City Central Wall waypoint (a marker on your map you've manually placed as a destination). Ascend the tower and exit onto the wall. Head north through the Szarr Palace South Tower, climb the ladder, and use Persuasion on Merony to obtain the Rampart Key. Proceed through the Upper Tower door and up the stairs to the Szarr Palace Ramparts. Traverse the wall north then west to find the Szarr Palace door and enter.

Once inside, descend the stairs to find the magically sealed Sinister Door. Interacting with it presents Investigation (DC15 Intelligence) and History (DC25) checks. Passing Investigation reveals the need for a signet ring.

Before returning to the Sinister Door, enter the Guest room. Despite a misty green mist causing approximately 3-28 Necrotic damage per turn (Vitality Drain), dash through it. Inside, find the Kozakuran dictionary in the Mahogany Wardrobe to the left of the bed. This dictionary is useful if you failed the Sinister Door checks.

To find the Signet Ring, go through the curtains to the right of the Sinister Door and head to the bottom floor. Follow the corridor until an Arcana check reveals the Kennel, hidden behind an Illusionary wall. Enter the Kennel, where Godey will ambush you. You can sneak, pickpocket, or loot the Signet Ring. If Astarion is with you, walking in may trigger a scene, but you will need to pass a dialogue check or defeat Godey to leave.

Behind the Sinister Doors, you will encounter Hhunes (Werewolves) and other animals. This fight is manageable with area-of-effect spells. Spells causing blindness or confusion are effective as enemies attack at close range. After the encounter, go through the Office Hall door, then stand on the Dais in the side room to descend deeper into the palace.

In Cazador’s Dungeon, you will find crypt doors leading to chasms. You can jump to the lower floor for loot, including scrolls and pots, and find buried treasure. Proceed through the shielded door at the end. Before doing so, enter the crypt door to the left and search the room across the narrow bridge. Interact with the bones of Vellioth, the Vampire Lord who preceded Cazador. Ensure the character interacting has high Wisdom for the necessary checks. Passing these checks will reveal lore about Cazador and Vellioth, and you will obtain the Black Mass Scroll, which contains the ritual Cazador is attempting. Reading this scroll updates the Pale Elf quest and is required for one of Astarion’s endings.

Return to the corridor and enter the northern door. Here you will meet the victims Astarion lured, including the children the Gur camp of Monster Hunters was searching for. While your choices here do not immediately affect progression, offering them hope can lead to a better ending. Proceed through the only available door to prepare for a difficult encounter with Cazador.