You’ve finally made it. You’ve slogged through the Gauntlet of Shar, dodged Umbral Tremors, and maybe even figured out how to kill Balthazar without getting shoved into the abyss. Now you’re standing in a quiet, dusty library looking for a specific toothpick called the Spear of Night.
If you just looked at the stats, you’d probably leave it on the floor. It’s a Rare +1 spear. That’s it. In a game where you’re finding legendary maces that blind entire rooms, a +1 spear feels like a joke. But here’s the thing: in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Spear of Night isn't about the damage dice. It’s a literal key to the soul of the game’s best companion.
Basically, if you don't have this spear, you’re locked out of the biggest decision in Act 2.
Finding the Spear of Night (The Silent Library Puzzle)
Most people miss this because the Gauntlet of Shar is a confusing mess of elevators and purple lighting. You’ll find the Silent Library on the lower levels of the Gauntlet, specifically to the north of the Faith-Leap Trial.
The room is covered in a magical "Silence" bubble. You can't cast spells. Honestly, it’s a great time to let Karlach or Lae'zel just go to town on the Librarians. Once the enemies are dead, you’ve gotta solve the "Riddle of the Night."
The pedestal in the back asks: "What can kill the Nightsong?"
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Don't overthink it. You need a book. Look at the bookshelves on the right side of the room (the north-east side). Be careful, though—they’re trapped with lightning and acid. You’re looking for a tome called Teachings of Loss: The Nightsinger. Pick it up, bring it to the pedestal, and "insert" it into the slot.
The wall slides away. Inside, you’ll find the Spear of Night sitting on an altar, along with some Dark Justiciar armor. Pick it up. Even if you hate spears, pick it up.
Why Everyone panics about the Spear of Night
There is a weird quirk with how the game handles this item. You might have noticed Shadowheart gets extremely touchy about it. If you try to enter the Shadowfell (the pool of water at the end of the Gauntlet) without the spear in your inventory, she will literally turn on you.
I’ve seen people accidentally sell the spear to a merchant or leave it in a camp chest. Big mistake.
If you don’t have it, Shadowheart assumes you’re trying to sabotage her "Great Work." She’ll leave the party or fight you to the death. Make sure it is physically in your party's inventory before you click that pool of water.
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The Spear of Night Choice: Kill or Spare?
This is where the spear stops being a mediocre +1 weapon and becomes a catalyst for the two most different endings to Act 2. The spear is the only thing that can kill the Nightsong, who—spoiler alert—is actually a person named Dame Aylin.
Path 1: The Dark Justiciar (Kill the Nightsong)
If you let Shadowheart use the spear to kill Aylin, the Spear of Night transforms into Shar's Spear of Evening.
- Stats: It becomes a Legendary +3 weapon.
- The Big Perk: You get "Shar's Blessing," which gives you advantage on saving throws while obscured and lets you cast a Level 2 Darkness spell.
- The Cost: This is the "evil" path. Last Light Inn loses its protection. Everyone there—Dammon, Isobel, Jaheira—dies. You lose access to some of the best gear in Act 3 because the vendors are all dead.
Path 2: Redemption (Spare the Nightsong)
If you convince Shadowheart to toss the spear into the abyss, she abandons Shar. You might think, "Well, I just lost my legendary weapon," but wait.
- The Replacement: Later, after the Ketheric Thorm fight, Dame Aylin will gift you Selûne's Spear of Night.
- Stats: Also a Legendary +3 weapon.
- The Big Perk: You get +3 to Weapon Enchantment, Wisdom Saving Throw advantage, and the ability to cast Moonbeam and Moonmote.
- The Cost: Shadowheart goes through a lot of emotional turmoil, but honestly, she gets a much cooler haircut in Act 3.
Which one is actually better?
Kinda depends on your build.
If you’re running a "Darkness" build—maybe you have the Eversight Ring or you’re a Warlock with Devil’s Sight—Shar’s Spear of Evening is arguably one of the most broken weapons in the game. Being able to create a cloud of darkness where you have advantage and the enemies are blind is a massive power trip.
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On the flip side, Selûne’s Spear of Night is the ultimate tool for a Cleric. The Moonbeam cast is surprisingly high-impact for a melee weapon, and the advantage on Wisdom saves is a lifesaver when you're fighting mind-flayers later on.
Common Bugs and How to Fix Them
Look, the game is huge, and sometimes it breaks. A common issue is the "Missing Spear" bug. You finish the quest, the cutscene plays, and Dame Aylin says she’s giving you the spear... but it’s not in Shadowheart’s hands.
Check your main character’s inventory. For some reason, the game often dumps quest rewards into your (Tav's) bags instead of the person who actually earned it.
Also, if you're using mods, the Spear of Night is a frequent casualty of script errors. If the door in the Silent Library won't open even after you put the book in, try taking the book out and putting it back in while un-grouped.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
- Don't sell it. Seriously. Tag it as a "Wares" item by accident and you might lose your chance at a legendary weapon.
- Bring Shadowheart. Even if you don't use her, the Spear of Night questline is her entire character arc. Doing it without her is just boring.
- Read the book. The Teachings of Loss book actually gives you some decent lore hints about why Shar wants the Nightsong dead in the first place.
- Save before the Shadowfell. Once you jump into that pool, world-state changes are permanent. Check your inventory for the spear one last time.
If you want the best "Good" ending, keep the spear, talk Shadowheart down from the ledge, and watch the spear fall. The rewards you get in camp later are worth ten times what that dusty +1 spear offers in the moment.
Next Steps for your Act 2 Build
- Check your inventory for the "Dark Justiciar Helmet" you found in the same room; it has a crit-reduction stat that pairs perfectly with the spear.
- Visit the Mason's Guild before finishing the Gauntlet if you want to finish the "Lift the Shadow Curse" quest, as the Spear of Night decision often locks this out if handled incorrectly.
- Talk to Isobel at Last Light one last time before you use the spear, just in case you decide to take the dark path and say your goodbyes.