You know the feeling when a character walks onscreen and you just know they’re going to be a problem? That’s Raphael. From the second he teleports you to his "middle-of-nowhere" dinner party in Act 1, he’s oozing that theater-kid energy that only a powerful cambion can pull off. Honestly, he’s one of the best parts of the whole game.
He isn't just a random NPC. Raphael is the son of Mephistopheles, which basically makes him the ultimate trust-fund baby of the Nine Hells. He’s spent a thousand years trying to crawl out of his father's shadow, and he’s decided that your little "tadpole in the brain" situation is his golden ticket.
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The Deal You Probably Shouldn't Take
By the time you hit Act 3, Raphael stops playing the "mysterious benefactor" card and gets straight to the point at Sharess' Caress. He wants the Crown of Karsus. You know, the literal god-tier artifact currently strapped to an Elder Brain. In exchange, he offers the Orphic Hammer.
It sounds like a fair trade if you’re desperate to free Orpheus or save Lae'zel’s soul, but let’s be real—giving a devil the keys to the Hells is a terrible idea. If you actually go through with it and don't break the contract later, you get a post-credits scene that is genuinely chilling. Raphael basically looks at the camera and explains how he’s going to conquer every plane of existence.
Not exactly a "happily ever after."
Most players end up trying to have their cake and eat it too. They take the deal for the hammer, then immediately start looking for a way to break into the House of Hope to rip up the contract. It’s risky. It’s messy. It’s arguably the most fun questline in the entire 100-plus hour journey.
Breaking Into The House Of Hope
If you decide to rob a devil, you have to go to Devil’s Fee in the Lower City. Talk to Helsik. You can pay her a ridiculous 10,000 gold or just persuade her to let you in if you promise to bring back a specific artifact.
Once you’re inside, the vibe shifts completely.
The House of Hope is Raphael’s personal vanity project. It’s full of "debtors" who are basically eternal prisoners, and a spirit named Hope who is losing her mind. You’ve gotta play it cool at first. Don't just start swinging your sword. You need to get into the Archives, find the password for the hammer (or your contract), and maybe deal with a very weird incubus named Haarlep who looks exactly like Raphael.
Pro tip: Use the rejuvenation fountain in the boudoir. It acts like a Long Rest without actually progressing time. You’re going to need every spell slot for what comes next.
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That Boss Fight (And That Song)
We have to talk about the music. Andrew Wincott, the voice actor who won a BAFTA for this role, actually sang Raphael’s final act theme. It’s peak narcissism. Imagine a boss so full of himself that he provides his own Disney-villain soundtrack while trying to incinerate you.
The fight itself is a beast. Raphael has 666 HP—of course he does—and he’s surrounded by soul pillars that buff his damage into the stratosphere. If you bring Hope along (after freeing her with the hammer), she’s a life-saver. Her Cleric spells are the only reason most parties survive the first three rounds.
Here’s the thing about the pillars: break them fast. Use force damage. If you leave them standing, Raphael transforms into a multi-faced monster that can one-shot your squishier wizards before you can even say "Magic Missile."
- Convince Yurgir to help: If you dealt with him in Act 2, you can pass a high DC 30 check to get him to switch sides. Having an Orthon on your team makes the cambion adds way more manageable.
- Globe of Invulnerability: This spell is basically a cheat code. Drop it in the center of the room and laugh while Raphael’s hellfire bounces off.
- Hold Monster: Surprisingly, for a powerful devil, he’s pretty susceptible to CC. If you can paralyze him, the fight becomes a glorified beatdown.
The Fallout of Your Choices
Killing Raphael feels great, but it has ripples. You get the Helldusk Armor, which is arguably the best heavy armor in the game. You get the Gloves of Soul Catching if you kept Hope alive. But more importantly, you’ve removed a massive player from the cosmic chessboard.
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If you let him live and keep the deal, the ending of Baldur's Gate 3 feels a lot darker. You’ve traded the immediate threat of the Absolute for a long-term tyrant who is much smarter and much more patient.
Honestly, the "best" way to handle him is to play along just long enough to get what you want, then burn his house down on the way out. It’s what a devil would do, after all.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
If you’re currently staring at Raphael in Sharess' Caress, don't sign anything yet. Go find the Devil's Fee shop first. Explore the House of Hope while you're still "invited" to get a feel for the layout. Once you steal that contract or hammer, there's no going back, so make sure your party is at least Level 11 before you trigger the alarms.