Guide:Early Acquisition of Helldusk Armour

The Background

Raphael is a devil of great power and ambition. He also has an overabundance of narcissism and hubris, and is involved in the story line to varying degrees throughout the game. He is a level 12 (16 if playing in Tactician or Honour mode) Fiend who uses Fire and Hellfire spells (which ignore Fire resistances and immunities). If you fight him in the House of Hope in Act Three he will normally be wearing his legendary Helldusk Armour and will be protected by Korilla, Yurgir (if not convinced otherwise), and his six loyal Vengeful Cambions. Should you manage to defeat him, you are rewarded with his coveted Helldusk Armour for (what is left of) the rest of the game. However, it is possible for enterprising players to deprive him of this prized item early on, obtaining one of the best armours in the game (and arguably the strongest for melee fighter types) before even finishing the first act.

This guide assumes the party has a minimum level of 4.

The Challenge

To get this item, the party must prevent Raphael from bringing them to the House of Hope during their first encounter with him. This meeting may occur in several possible locations:

• Across the bridge from the Druid Grove toward the Blighted Village
• The Harper outpost southwest of the druid's grove at X: 155 Y: 365
• The path leading to the Secluded Cove
• Under the archway to East of the Druid's circle and Idol of Silvanus at X: 270 Y: 524
• In the Shattered Sanctum, in the upper rafters at X: 313 Y: -26 after collapsing the corridor wall from the Goblin Camp side at X: -105 Y: 478
• At the Selunite Outpost in the Underdark (near the statue with the orb)
• At the broken bridge between the Blighted Village and Waukeen's Rest at X: -7 Y: 476
• At the Risen Road near where Karlach is recruited ^{[Needs Verification]}
• At camp while traveling to the Rosymorn Monastery

Although Raphael can be attacked during the first encounter, he will teleport away as soon as an attack against him is made, whether or not he is hit - although a successful attack will allow the aggressive player to see a splotch of blood where he was hit before he left. This attack on Raphael, before he has a chance to take the party away, is what creates the opportunity to acquire his Helldusk Armour during Act One, without having to fight him for it, and allowing the use of this powerful item far earlier in the game than otherwise possible.

Methods, Tactics and Reasoning

Raphael at the broken bridge just outside of the Blighted Village. He is in conversation with the Player Character, while Karlach is poised to strike at him with her Greataxe.

In order to attack Raphael, the would-be protagonist must first be separated from the party prior to the start of the conversation cut-scene with him during their first encounter, and far enough away to not be locked into the conversation sequence once it begins. While in the cut-scene, use the dialogue option to swap-out of conversation to the attacker and Give the Devil his Due (in this case, your best shot).

Regardless of success, Raphael's preview of the House of Hope will be delayed until the party first progresses beyond the Mountain Pass to the Rosymorn Monastery Trail region; he does appear later. Because Raphael is so integral to the plot of game, Larian apparently felt obligated to put another fail-safe in place in case he was (successfully) attacked on first sighting. In this event he is presented again, in Camp, just before the party progresses to the Rosymorn Monastery Trail region of Act One.

It is this second appearance that presents the opportunity to not only give Raphael the good beating he deserves, but also gain his Helldusk Armor far earlier than otherwise possible. Also, the 1400xp given by 'defeating' Raphael at this relative early stage in the game may result in a level-up. Once Raphael appears at camp Shadowheart or another companion needs to cast a  silence spell that encompasses him prior to attacking. This is necessary to prevent a conversation that is otherwise force-started here any time he is attacked. Be sure the initial casting of silence does not encompass the Owlbear Cub or Scratch (which is very easy to do if they are present in camp and running all over the place) as doing so will turn everyone not in the active party roster against you.

Raphael, just after a knock out blow by Lae'zel in camp.

While in camp, Raphael will not fight back, although (depending on the party level, game difficulty level, equipment and tactics used) it may take some time before he is defeated. While in camp, reducing Raphael to zero (0) hit points with normal attacks will not kill or incapacitate him; he must be  Knocked Out with the final blow to be looted. It's also possible to reduce him to zero hit points with normal (lethal) attacks and then knock him out to achieve this end.

One way to disptach Raphael with some measure of speed is with a  Tavern Brawler type Barbarian using  Reckless Attack, an Elixir of Hill Giant Strength and the Returning Pike, while the player character or another companion stands nearby to retrieve the pike after being  Thrown and transfer it back to the user.

If the party is in turn-based mode when the knock out blow is delivered (recommended), the attacker or another character needs to be close enough to loot Raphael immediately, as he will revive the very next round.

Consequences

Once victorious, the party can throw this legendary armour on literally any PC, companion, or hireling for outrageous boosts that, like Voss's Silver Sword of the Astral Plane, "are typically gated behind many, many more ability checks, boss battles, and many hours of raw gameplay."

Be aware that acquiring this armour so much earlier than intended by these methods is considered cheating by many, and will likely impact the game by making many battles considerably easier.

Rapahel, speaking with the Player Character at the Last Light Inn after having been knocked out in Act One.

In addition, after being knocked out at camp, when Raphael recovers the next round due to his  Inevitable Resolve, he only regains a minimal amount hit points required to become conscious again (around 6 total). This means when he is encountered again (e.g. at the Last Light Inn playing Lanceboard with Mol, at the entrance to the Grand Mausoleum and, possibly, the Gauntlet of Shar) he will have a very bruised face. If the party then fights him in the House of Hope, Raphael will be on the verge of defenestration on account of his very low hit points and armour class, and a tantalizing target.

On the other hand, if you've read this far, why not give it a go? After all, as with Voss's Silver Sword, a challenge is a challenge. And, if you're playing solo (especially in Honour mode, where Larian feels free to throw everything they have at you - and more), there's no one around to judge you.