Few quests in Baldur’s Gate 3 pack the emotional punch of investigating Cazador Palace. This Act 3 mission directly ties to Astarion’s personal storyline, culminating in a confrontation that determines his fate—and possibly your relationship with him.
Whether you’re helping the Gur tribe rescue kidnapped children or supporting Astarion’s quest for vengeance, this guide covers everything you need to successfully navigate the vampire lord’s sinister mansion.
Table of Contents
How to Start the Cazador Palace Quest
You can trigger this quest through two different methods in Act 3:
Method 1: Meet the Gur Tribe Visit the Gur Camp (coordinates X:93, Y:-18) near the Rivington waypoint. Speak with Ulma, the tribe leader, who reveals that vampire lord Cazador has been kidnapping Gur children. She’ll ask you to rescue them and eliminate the vampire threat.
Method 2: Encounter Vampire Spawn Head to Fraygo’s Flophouse in Rivington (directly in front of Sharess’ Caress). Go to the second floor where you’ll find vampire spawn who reveal Cazador’s location and mark it on your map.
Pro Tip: If you have Astarion in your party, this quest becomes even more significant as it’s directly tied to his companion storyline, “The Pale Elf.”
Quest Requirements & Preparation
| Requirement | Details | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Act Progress | Must reach Act 3 | Palace is in Lower City |
| Astarion | Highly recommended in party | Bypasses checks, adds narrative depth |
| Level | 10-12 recommended | Cazador is a tough boss fight |
| Daylight Spell | Essential for boss battle | Gives massive advantage |
| Healing Potions | Stock up heavily | Necrotic damage is prevalent |
Finding Cazador’s Palace (Szarr Palace)
Cazador’s Palace, officially called Szarr Palace, is located in the Lower City. Here’s how to reach it:
- Fast travel to Lower City Central Wall waypoint
- Locate the Central Watch Tower near the waypoint
- Climb to the top of the watch tower
- Turn right at the summit and you’ll see Szarr Palace
- Jump across or use the wooden platforms to reach the palace entrance
The palace sits atop the city walls, making it somewhat tricky to access without knowing the exact route.
Exploring the Palace: Key Areas
The Main Hall: Search for clues about Cazador’s ritual and the kidnapped children. Having Astarion in your party provides unique dialogue and investigation bonuses.
The Sinister Door: You’ll encounter a mysterious locked door requiring special items to open. This leads to Cazador’s dungeon where the ritual takes place.
The Dungeon: The final confrontation area featuring Cazador’s ritual chamber with captured spawn and Gur children suspended in arcane circles.
Opening the Sinister Door
The sinister door requires specific steps:
- Find the Kozakuran Dictionary in Cazador’s office
- Locate the Szarr Family Ring (usually on Cazador’s chamberlain)
- Dispel the necrotic curse on the door using Remove Curse spell or similar magic
- Use the ring to unlock the door and descend into the dungeon
Be prepared for what lies beyond—it’s one of BG3’s most disturbing scenes.
Defeating Cazador: Battle Strategy
Cazador is a formidable vampire lord with dangerous abilities:
Key Tactics:
- Ungroup your party before combat and position them strategically
- Cast Daylight spell in the arena’s center before engaging
- Keep everyone stealthed initially for surprise round advantage
- Focus fire on Cazador to prevent him from completing the ritual
- Interrupt his ritual if he attempts to ascend using the spawn
Cazador suffers disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks while in sunlight, making the Daylight spell incredibly effective.
According to Larian Studios’ official website, companion quests like Astarion’s storyline offer some of the game’s most impactful narrative moments and player choices.
For more Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and RPG strategies, visit TechnoSports where we cover everything from character builds to quest optimization.
The Critical Choice: What Happens After
After defeating Cazador, you face a monumental decision regarding Astarion:
Let Astarion Complete the Ritual: He becomes a powerful Vampire Ascendant but loses his humanity Stop the Ritual: Astarion remains a spawn but retains his soul and morality
This choice permanently affects Astarion’s character arc, romance options, and ending. There’s no “right” answer—only consequences.
Rewards and Consequences
Quest Rewards:
- Significant experience points
- Cazador’s unique equipment
- Rescued Gur children (if successful)
- Astarion’s companion quest progression
Narrative Impact: Your choices here ripple through the ending, affecting Astarion’s fate and your party’s dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I complete Cazador’s Palace without Astarion in my party?
A: Yes, you can complete the quest without Astarion, but you’ll miss significant narrative context and dialogue options. Astarion automatically bypasses several investigation and persuasion checks due to his familiarity with the palace and staff. More importantly, this is his personal quest—completing it without him removes the emotional weight and meaningful character development. If you care about story and companion relationships, bringing Astarion is essential. You’ll also miss unique interactions and can’t make the final choice about his fate if he’s absent.
Q: What level should I be before attempting Cazador’s Palace?
A: Level 10-12 is recommended for the Cazador boss fight. He’s one of Act 3’s toughest encounters with high health, powerful necrotic attacks, and the ability to summon reinforcements. Below level 10, the fight becomes significantly harder, especially on higher difficulties. Make sure your party has access to Remove Curse (for the sinister door), Daylight spell (for the boss fight advantage), and plenty of healing resources. The dungeon itself contains additional enemies, so arriving prepared with full resources is crucial for success.
