So, you're deep in your Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough, and you've heard whispers about one of the most exclusive items in the game: the Staff of the Emperor. I get it. With hundreds of magic items to find, the allure of the one held by a single, pivotal NPC is hard to resist. But here's the catch—The Emperor is supposed to be your ally, your protector against ceremorphosis, and your key to defeating the Netherbrain. Stealing from him feels... wrong, right? Or maybe it just feels like a fantastic challenge. Well, as a fellow player who's been there, let me tell you, it's absolutely possible to get your hands on that staff without completely derailing your story. In fact, I've done it myself. Let's walk through the methods, from the clever to the confrontational.

how-to-get-the-staff-of-the-emperor-in-baldur-s-gate-3-a-sneaky-player-s-guide-image-0

Think about it—why should such a powerful artifact be out of reach just because its owner is nominally on our side? The game, in its infinite wisdom, does provide a few loopholes. Based on my experience and community findings up to 2026, there are three primary ways to claim the Staff of the Emperor. Each has its own risks, rewards, and required setup. Which one is right for you? Well, that depends on your party composition, your moral flexibility, and how much of the game you want to enjoy the staff for.

Method 1: Making Him Drop It (The "Friendly" Disarm)

This is my personal favorite method because it lets you keep The Emperor as an ally. Remember the Githyanki assault on the Astral Plane? That's your golden opportunity.

how-to-get-the-staff-of-the-emperor-in-baldur-s-gate-3-a-sneaky-player-s-guide-image-1

Here’s the step-by-step:

  1. Have a Battle Master Fighter in your party. This is non-negotiable. You need that Disarming Strike maneuver.

  2. Initiate the battle on the Astral Plane. The Emperor will fight alongside you.

  3. Target The Emperor with Disarming Strike. Yes, you read that right. Target your ally. The game allows it! He'll get a saving throw, but with a high enough attack roll, he'll fail.

  4. Scoop up the staff! Once the shiny staff clatters to the ground, simply move a character over it and pick it up.

The beauty of this method? No hostility. The Emperor continues the fight unarmed (or will find another weapon), and you walk away with his legendary staff, free to use for the rest of your adventure. It's a clean, clever exploit that feels like a masterstroke.

Method 2: The Reverse Pickpocket Switcheroo

Now, this method requires some forethought and a specific, seemingly mundane item. It's for the true tricksters among us.

how-to-get-the-staff-of-the-emperor-in-baldur-s-gate-3-a-sneaky-player-s-guide-image-2

Ever notice those plain wooden clubs near the boats after you free the Ironhand Gnomes? They have a hidden property: they auto-equip when added to an inventory. This includes NPC inventories!

Here’s how to execute the swap:

Step Action Note
1 Acquire the Club Pick up one from the beach area near the Ironhand boats.
2 Save Your Game This is a pickpocket attempt; always save first!
3 Initiate Pickpocket Use a character with high Sleight of Hand (Astarion is perfect).
4 Place, Don't Take Instead of stealing, open the trade/pickpocket screen and place the club into The Emperor's inventory.
5 Profit The game forces him to equip the club, immediately unequipping the staff into his inventory. Now you can steal the staff!

It's a brilliant bit of game mechanic manipulation. You're not even stealing at first—you're giving a gift! A gift that conveniently disarms him.

Method 3: Taking It From the Enemy (The Point of No Return)

This is the nuclear option. If you choose to free Orpheus in the late game, The Emperor will abandon you and side with the Netherbrain. He becomes a boss enemy in the final battle.

how-to-get-the-staff-of-the-emperor-in-baldur-s-gate-3-a-sneaky-player-s-guide-image-3

In this scenario, disarming him is straightforward but bittersweet:

  • You can use the Command: Drop spell.

  • You can use the Disarming Strike maneuver again.

  • He's an enemy, so any disarm effect works.

But let's be honest—what's the point? 🤔 You'll have the staff for the final fight, maybe for a few moments of glory against the Netherbrain itself, and then the game ends. Compared to getting it in Act 3 and using it for dozens of hours, this feels like a hollow victory. I only recommend this if you're on an evil playthrough or you missed the earlier chances.

So, Which Method Should You Choose?

Let me break it down for you:

  • For the Pragmatic Ally: Use Method 1 (Disarming Strike). It's reliable, keeps your story intact, and gives you the staff for the longest duration.

  • For the Cunning Trickster: Use Method 2 (Reverse Pickpocket). It requires setup but is immensely satisfying and can be done outside of combat.

  • For the Completionist or Roleplayer: Use Method 3 (Enemy Disarm). Only if your story choices naturally lead to conflict with The Emperor.

Ultimately, securing the Staff of the Emperor is a testament to Baldur's Gate 3's depth. It rewards creative thinking and exploration of its systems. So, go ahead, add this legendary piece to your collection. Just ask yourself—are you a loyal ally with sticky fingers, or a master manipulator? The choice, as always, is yours.