Zhalk

Commander Zhalk is a cambion in the service of Zariel and an optional boss during the Prologue.

Involvement

Zhalk is encountered at the helm of the Nautiloid, where he and his minions are fighting several mind flayers. When the party enters the helm, the combat immediately begins. Though it's not required to kill Zhalk to end the fight, he can be killed and/or disarmed for his unique flaming sword and extra experience.

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 Main Hand Attack ()   –  Everburn Blade

Normal weapon damage Make a melee attack with your equipped weapon.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

 Fly ()

Fly to a target position

 Range: 18 m / 60 ft

Tactics

Zhalk is encountered at the helm of the Nautiloid, where he and his minions are fighting mind flayers. Despite his impressive stats and powerful weapon, he is not aggressive to the party so long as the mind flayer he is fighting is alive (he has a 80% chance of hitting it). However, considering the 15 turn time limit along with the fact cambion reinforcements will eventually arrive, he must either be beaten or bypassed hastily.

If you simply wish to gain his Everburn Blade, there is a simple way to get it without killing him. Before starting the fight, have Shadowheart or any other Cleric prepare  Command and use  Drop to disarm the cambion. Alternatively, you can give Command to a warlock during character creation as one of their known spells, and swap it out during the level up to 2nd level. He won't even bother to pick up his sword, giving you plenty of time to do so. If possible, use Command during the first time, while he is stunned by the Mind Flayer. Else he has a chance of succeeding his save against the spell.

As for killing him, it is far harder considering his large amount of Hit Points, AC and being resistant to most Damage Types you can deal. However, there are three (or four if you picked it up in the last room), Nautiloid Tanks that are powerful explosives. While he is resistant to fire damage, all 3 to 4 tanks can take down half his health if the rolls are in your favour on both his Saving Throw and the damage rolled. It is recommended to only blow up the tanks once the Mind Flayer he is fighting has softened him up first. Also, disarming him as stated above will greatly lower his lethality. If he is still alive, using Caustic Bulbs, Spiked Bulbs,  Magic Missiles (If running as a Wizard or Sorcerer) and normal attacks to finish him off. Do keep in mind when he dies, the mind flayer will become hostile to you.

Notable loot

• Everburn Blade
• Scale Mail

Related Quests

• Escape the Nautiloid

External links

• Zhalk on the Forgotten Realms Wiki
• Interactive map location on mapgenie.io