What is Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3? All enemies & best counters

Radiant Retort is a difficult condition to deal with in Baldur’s Gate 3, especially since some of the toughest bosses have it. Here is exactly what it does and how you can deal with it effectively in BG3.

Baldur’s Gate 3 bosses are not for the faint of heart, but it can get even worse when they have conditions like Radiant Retort. This ability negates any Radiant damage you dish out and can make characters like Shadowheart much weaker.

Here are all the enemies in Baldur’s Gate 3 that have Radiant Retort, what it does, and how you can deal with it effectively.

• What is Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3?
• Who has Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3?
• How to deal with Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3

What is Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Radiant Retort is a condition in Baldur’s Gate 3 that reflects any Radiant damage taken back on the attacker. 

If you do Radiant damage to enemies who have Radiant Retort, they will reflect the damage back on you immediately. Not only that, but the damage they reflect back will amount to twice the original number you did on them. 

Who has Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Raphael’s Cambions and the Sharrans in the House of Grief in Baldur’s Gate 3 have Radiant Retort. 

Viconia has Radiant Retort, and Raphael’s Cambions have a similar ability called Fleeting Protection.

These battles take place in the late-game and if you’ve had your party or a regular character in your party focus on Radiant damage, it could be detrimental. Considering a lot of powerful weapons and spells in the game also use Radiant damage, it’s advisable to go into these fights a little more prepared than usual.

How to deal with Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3

Making sure you don’t overuse Radiant damage and making sure you have resistance to Fire and Force damage are the easiest ways to deal with Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3.

The nice thing about Radiant Retort is that you don’t get Radiant damage back exactly. If you use it against Viconia, she reflects it back as Force damage, and if you use it against Raphael’s Cambions, they reflect it back as Fire damage.

There are a few items you can use to better your chances against Fire and Force damage: 

• Helldusk Armor: Gives immunity to Fire damage. 
• Infernal Robe: Gives resistance to Fire damage. 
• Shield of Scorching Reprisal: Gives resistance to Fire damage.
• Adamantine Armor: Gives resistance to all damage, stacks with Fire resistance. 

While Helldusk Armor is the armor you get when you defeat Raphael, there is a way to get it in Act 1, way before you have to fight him in Act 3. 

Out of all options, Adamantine Armor is some of the best armor you can use in these kinds of fights. Not only does it give you resistance to all damage, but it also makes you immune to critical damage. 

There are also some spells you can make sure your spellcasters have in their arsenal to better deal with Radiant Retort: 

• Shatter
• Eldritch Blast 
• Inflict Wounds 
• Globe of Invulnerability 

Shatter, Eldritch Blast, and Inflict Wounds are all powerful and high-damage spells that can help you do meaningful damage to enemies with Radiant Retort without worrying about their immunities. 

Globe of Invulnerability is an excellent protection spell, and you are likely to have access to it by the time you reach these boss battles as it’s a Level 6 spell. Of course, you should also just make sure you have a healer with you when you take these bosses on. 

That’s everything to know about Radiant Retort in Baldur’s Gate 3! If you want to learn more about the game, check out our guides below.

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