Phalar Aluve is a prized longsword hidden in the Underdark. I’ve found it many times (honestly, I go back for the sound it makes). It’s useful both for hitting things and for giving your party short, sharp buffs. You’ll need exploration and a few skill checks to get it—and patience.
Want the sword? It’s not always guarded by a boss; the challenge is the location and the puzzle around it. Some players call it overrated; I disagree. Others argue it unbalances multiplayer—fair point, but that depends on your group.
Where to find Phalar Aluve
Head to the western Underdark, near the Sussur Tree area. Common routes: Goblin Camp → Shattered Sanctum; the Zhentarim Hideout; or the Whispering Depths drop. Pick the route you like best.
Approx coordinates (tested on 2025-11-25): X: -49, Y: -63Those coordinates have worked for me, but patches change things. If the spot looks different, check nearby glowing trees with anti-magic bark (you’ll feel the silence around them).
How to get it (skills and tricks)
Extraction is usually a check rather than a boss fight. I’ve noticed a Strength or Religion roll around DC 15 gets you most of the way there (community tests as of 2025-11-25). Bards and Paladins sometimes get special dialogue that lowers the check or offers an alternative.
| Check | Typical DC | Who benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ~15 | Fighter, Barbarian |
| Religion | ~15 | Cleric, Paladin |
| Performance | ~12 | Bard (special line) |
| History | ~18 | Wizard, Sage |
Fail the check? Try again after a short rest or switch party members. You can also pick a Sussur bloom nearby and keep it in inventory for an advantage on the roll (use it while still in the Underdark).
Core stats and abilities
Simple facts (as I tested on 2025-11-25): Phalar Aluve behaves like a +1 longsword: 1d8+1 slashing (1d10+1 when used two-handed). It has two signature moves—Shriek and Sing. Each ability usually recharges on a short rest.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Longsword (+1) |
| Damage | 1d8+1 (versatile 1d10+1) |
| Shriek | Enemies in 6m — disadvantage on WIS & CHA saves for 3 rounds |
| Sing | Allies in 6m — +1d4 to attacks and +1d4 to CHA checks for 3 rounds |
Why this matters: Shriek makes save-based crowd control much more reliable. Sing is a small flat boost, but it stacks across the party, so the total damage increase can surprise you.
Best users (and a hot take)
Paladins pair well with this blade—Divine Smite plus Sing is nasty. Bards (College of Swords) also make clever use of the Charisma buffs. Controversial: I think a Bard can get more mileage than people expect; controversial two—some groups overvalue it, and it won’t fix a bad build.
- Paladin: use Sing before Smite-heavy turns.
- Bard (Swords): sync Sing with Flourish and Inspiration.
- Multiclass: Fighter/Bard and Paladin/Warlock are tasty combos (Action Surge + song = big turns).
The Sussur Tree puzzle — how I solve it
The tree creates an anti-magic field; you can’t brute-force this with most spells. Position your strongest physical character or a Religion-proficient ally in front of the stone and try the interaction. If you’re a Bard, watch for a “sing to the sword” option—use it.
If direct attempts fail, grab a nearby Sussur bloom and keep it until you try again. They grant a temporary bonus but fade when you leave the Underdark (so don’t hoard them across zones).
Combat tips — timing matters
Shriek: open the fight when enemies are clustered and your casters want saves. Sing: use it when your party can land multiple attacks in quick succession. That tiny +1d4 adds up when everyone swings.
Quick rule: Shriek = setup for casters. Sing = consistent damage across rounds.
Counterintuitive insight: sometimes casting Sing before Pulling Aggro helps your healer land a big save-or-heal—odd, but I swear it works. Try it!
Tactical examples
- Boss: Sing, then burst with Smite/Action Surge.
- Horde: Shriek, follow with area spells that force saves.
- Mixed: assess which lasts longer—your crowd control or their summons—and act accordingly.
One last note (between us): the meta shifts with patches. I played this sword a lot in 2024 and 2025; patches on specific dates changed some lines of dialogue and a cooldown once. So yeah, check patch notes if you want exact mechanics.
// Example quick macro to remind you which to use:
if (enemies grouped) use Shriek;
else use Sing;
Analogy: Phalar Aluve is like a tuning fork—small, but it brings other instruments (your party) into harmony. Sometimes it sings louder than its damage looks on paper.
Go get it. Try different pairings, practice the timing, and don’t be afraid to fail once or twice (I have). Happy hunting—see you under the Sussur Tree! 🎲✨
—Marina
