Kar’niss is a Drider (Drow Spider) that you encounter in Baldur’s Gate 3, who appears in the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
Known to be summoned with the Spider Lyre, Kar’niss acts as a guide for the Absolute and has been tasked with helping them get to Moonrise Towers.
Upon reaching the Shadow-Cursed Lands, it becomes necessary for you to face Drider one way or the other to obtain the Moonlantern and safely travel throughout the area.
Where To Find Kar’niss?
Depending on where you enter the Shadow-Cursed Lands from, you will encounter Drider in certain areas of the Shadow-Cursed Lands.
If you enter through the Grymforge, you will encounter him later as the Harpers ambush him after the Last Light Inn is invaded.
Should you choose to enter from the Rosymorn Monastery Trail, you may encounter him after meeting up with a caravan of the Absolute.
It is possible to encounter him in similar manners depending on how you progress after reaching the Shadow-Cursed Lands, with almost the same options and outcome.
How To Defeat Kar’niss?
Ambush the Caravan
One of the easiest ways is to face Kar’niss with the help of the Harpers, which can be done once you reach the Last Light Inn.
This is usually done by taking the Underdark – Grymforge path where you meet the Harpers early and fight off a bunch of Shadows, resulting in you being invited to the inn.
After the Last Light Inn is attacked, attempting to head out will result in you being assisted in getting the Moonlantern by ambushing the caravan.
Betray the Drider
If you end up taking the Rosymorn Monastery Trail to get to the Shadow-Cursed Lands, you often end up meeting the Absolute Caravan.
This results in you playing the Spider Lyre to summon Kar’niss, who acts as a guide until you reach the area where the ambush takes place.
Once the Harpers are revealed, you can decide to betray Drider and fight alongside the ambushers to defeat him.
Take the Lantern
If you enter the cutscene where you ambush or speak with Kar’niss, there will be an option to trick him into giving you the Moonlantern.
After the Moonlantern is no longer with Kar’niss, you can send them off and this will result in them succumbing to the Shadow Curse.
You will later find Kar’niss and the caravan already turned undead with their health reduced to the point where they are easier to kill. (This is optional since you will already have the Moonlantern)
Fighting Kar’niss
Kar’niss is a tough enemy to defeat, which makes it best if you side with the Harpers to take him on but this doesn’t mean it won’t still be a challenge.
The Drider has a habit of casting Sanctuary, which makes him immune to attacks unless they have an area of effect.
When the Drider is immune, you may focus on the other enemies and should quickly take out the other members of the caravan and focus on Kar’niss again.
Whenever Kar’niss is vulnerable, it would be best to focus your attacks on him and to also have a character that can counter spells to hinder the Drider from time to time.
Kar’niss Drops
Upon defeating Kar’niss, you will be able to obtain the Moonlantern from him or later if the Harpers have taken it back to the Last Light Inn.
Aside from the Moonlantern, Kar’niss will have a Rare Longsword called Cruel Sting, which provides an additional 1-4 Poison Damage against Restrained targets if wielded by a Drow Elf.
Additionally, Cruel Sting may cast Ensnaring Strands, which allows you to utilize the weapon’s passive feature after your target is restrained.
Verdict
Kar’niss is quite a loyal follower, who serves his queen, and this makes it easy to trick him if you can pass ability checks when talking to him.
Fighting Kar’niss head-on or with just your party can be a challenge since he can deal a decent amount of damage, and his allies outnumber you.
The best way to defeat Kar’niss would be to allow him and the caravan to leave without the Moonlantern so that you can finish them off later when their health is low.