Baldur's Gate 3 | How To Beat The Spider Matriarch

One of the most challenging fights in Baldur's Gate 3 is against the Spider Matriarch, located in the Whispering Depths below the Blighted Village. She has lethal venom, stealthy attacks, and poisonous spiderlings, making her a very formidable foe. If you actually want to win, you'll have to strategize ahead of time, utilize the setting to your advantage, and bring a great party.

Preparing for the Fight

The first thing you need to do to face the Spider Matriarch is to prepare. Your party should at least be Level 3 because this fight might prove too hard for low-level characters. Use antidotes, healing potions, and equipment with poison resistance because the venomous attacks of the Matriarch are very strong. 

Perfect in this fight would be characters that can attack from a distance, like Rangers, Sorcerers, and Bow Fighters. Protection from Poison, Entangle, and Grease are spells that will give you the upper hand. Stock up on these things before visiting Whispering Depths.

Before battling the Spider Matriarch, explore the area properly. The battle takes place on a set of webbed platforms suspended over a deadly chasm. These webs will be your bane and your salvation. Note the webs burn, and a fire-based weapon can destroy them, hampering the spiders' movements. Falling through can kill, however, so position your characters carefully.

Starting combat

Striking from a hidden vantage can provide an upper hand. Use stealthy characters to get within reach of the Matriarch and her minions without immediately initiating hostilities. Where feasible, place one or two ranged attackers on an elevation, as this provides a bonus to hit, reducing the likelihood she'll hit the Matriarch. Use your tank or melee warrior to draw her aggro; however, avoid engaging her directly on the webbing because she can knock targets off platforms.

Begin the fight by first focusing on the smaller spiders; they are pretty weak, but if allowed to grow in numbers unchecked, they can easily swamp your party. Area-of-effect spells like Burning Hands or Thunderwave are great for taking out the spiderlings and clearing the webbing in one fell swoop.

Countering the Spider Matriarch's Abilities

The Matriarch has a number of dangerous abilities. Her Poison Spit Strike can be a crushing blow and can poison targets, weakening their attack rolls and saving throws; antidotes should be ready in advance. She'll also use her web to teleport between platforms, which makes her difficult to find. Ranged is needed in order to maintain steady damage as she moves from platform to platform.

Her most dangerous attack is the capability to knock the character down or off digital sites. Do not bunch your party members close to each other since she can hit them all with her area-of-effect attacks. If any party member goes down, he or she will most definitely be killed without any doubt, so pay attention to posture and mobility. If necessary, there are spells like Misty Step or abilities like Dash.

Using the Environment to Your Advantage

The webbing in the Spider Matriarch's lair is both an opportunity and a hazard. Fire-based spells like Firebolt and Flaming Sphere can eliminate the webs holding her and the minions aloft, maybe even kill them. However, when setting fire to webs, be cautious about positioning, as friendly fire can surely make the balance of battle turn against you.

High ground is life in this fight. Characters on tall perches are far more challenging for the Matriarch to reach, affording comfort at a distance. Utilize spells or abilities that may topple her off of the webbing or into hazardous terrain, such as Repelling Blast or Thunderwave.

Sustaining your party

Keep Your Party Resilient, especially in higher difficulties of this battle. Keep a healer or support character handy to cast Healing Word or Cure Wounds. If your healer is also a ranged combatant, have them hold high ground as well so they can safely avoid the Matriarch's assault. Use the potions as freely as necessary; it is better to win with fewer resources rather than to lose party members.

With the spiderlings defeated, all focus goes toward the Matriarch herself. If the battle goes poorly for the party, then the party should break off and engage in the land using the area, kiting the Matriarch while making her chase you around while pelting her from out of her melee reach. Characters with sufficient Dexterity should successfully land a ranged attack while dodging her swings.

The final push

In poor health, the Matriarch can become obscenely violent. Use your most powerful abilities and spells to kill her as fast as possible before she annihilates your party. Some crowd control spells, like Hold Person or Entangle, will keep her from teleporting and let you deal large amounts of damage.

Once killed, claim a bunch of valuable rewards and treasures on the Spider Matriarch's corpse. Furthermore, there is a unique weapon and more valuable items in the Whispering Depths, so don't forget to carefully explore this location before leaving it.

Finally…

The Spider Matriarch is a test of tactical acumen and resource management. Preparing your party, exploiting the environment, and keeping your position in mind are all you need to triumph in this very challenging encounter.

Also, check our Baldur's Gate 3 Review and other guides below:

• Baldur’s Gate 3 Beginner Guide | Tips & Tricks
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | All 10 Companion Locations
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | What To Do With Addled Frog
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Rescue Shadowheart
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Get The Best Ending
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Level Up Fast
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | How To Multiclass
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Paladin Build
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Warlock Build
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Monk Build
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Bard Build
• Baldur's Gate 3 Guide | Sorcerer Build