Guide to defeating Melissan and her elemental challenges in the Throne of Blood, the final confrontation of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn. Includes strategies for each phase and important choices.
Walkthrough
- 1Leave the Pocket Plane for the final time. The Pocket Plane collapses, and you will unlock the Fifth Challenge trophy.
- 2Arrive at the Throne of Bhaal and fight Melissan. She will cast Stoneskin and summon a Death Tyrant. Have fighters handle summons while your Mage uses Breach on Melissan and you attack her. When she is badly injured, she will retreat.
- 3A path to the southwestern platform opens. Gain electricity resistance and advance to face Yan-C-Bin, an Elemental Prince of Air, who summons two Vampiric Wraiths and two Greater Air Elementals. Kite the Wraiths away and destroy them. Use Whirlwind Attacks on Yan-C-Bin due to his dangerous Globe of Blades. Be aware that the Globe of Blades may persist after his death.
- 4If you have Spike Traps, plant them where you first met Melissan. Interact with the pool where you fought Yan-C-Bin to cut off Melissan's energy supply.
- 5Melissan reappears. If you planted Spike Traps, she will flee after a few hits. Otherwise, she will summon monsters, and you'll need to defeat her with physical attacks.
- 6A path to the southeast platform opens. Apply cold protection and set traps. Kite Cryonax the Elemental Prince of Ice, two Frost Salamanders, and two Blizzard Trolls. Cryonax has a permanent Fireshield (Blue) effect.
- 7After defeating Cryonax and his allies, move summoned allies (not Planetars/Devas) to the north of the central area. Plant traps in the same spot as before and cut off the essence supply from the southeastern pool. Melissan will reappear; ideally, she will be destroyed by Spike Traps. If not, she will teleport north, where summoned allies should engage her. Rush to prevent her from casting Time Stop.
- 8When Melissan falls again, a bridge to the northeastern platform opens. Buff heavily, summon a Planetar, and plant traps. Use Chaotic Commands on party members with weak saves. Face the toughest group yet: a Fallen Solar, an Alu Demon, a Succubus, and two Mariliths. The Fallen Solar may cast Creeping Doom. The Succubus and Alu Demon attempt to charm party members. Breach the Mariliths multiple times.
- 9Make a hard save. You will face a crucial decision. You can use the Wish Rest trick again if desired. Plant traps and summon allies near Melissan's spawn point.
- 10Cut off the pool's essence supply for the last time. Melissan will appear. Engage her fully. The Solar will eventually declare the contest over.
- 11Melissan dies permanently. The Solar offers you a choice: godhood or mortality. Your party members will voice their opinions.
- 12Choosing Godhood unlocks the Seize the Throne trophy. Choosing mortality unlocks the Heavy Is the Head trophy. Enjoy the ending scenes.
Tips
- Wish Resting: To restore per-day abilities like Thief's traps, cast Wish. Have your Mage use a Potion of Insight to reduce casting risk. With Vhailor's Helm and a Scroll of Wish, you can get an extra casting by using the scroll with your simulacrum (after it drinks a Potion of Insight). Select the option "Make it as if the entire party has just rested..." to restore all abilities and the Wish spell.
- Elemental Protection: Ensure your party has appropriate elemental resistances (electricity for Yan-C-Bin, cold for Cryonax) before engaging them.
- Kiting: Utilize kiting tactics to separate and defeat groups of enemies efficiently, especially the faster Vampiric Wraiths and the elemental summons.
- Trap Placement: Spike Traps are highly effective against Melissan, especially when combined with cutting off the essence pools.
- Summoned Allies: Use summoned allies strategically to distract enemies, particularly Melissan, and to block her escape routes.
- Saving: Make a hard save before the final confrontation and decision point.
The choice between godhood (Seize the Throne trophy) or mortality (Heavy Is the Head trophy). Your quest concludes.
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