Best Weapon Types In Baldur's Gate 3

Summary

Maces in Baldur's Gate 3 are overlooked but hold power, especially The Blood of Lathander weapon for any class except Sorcerers and Wizards.
Spears offer versatility, allowing for two-handed, one-handed, or ranged attacks, making them ideal for Barbarians, Fighters, and Rangers.
Greatswords are heavy-hitting weapons suited for Barbarians and Paladins, providing massive damage output and trusty allies in battle.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a pretty intricate weapon system, with over twenty different weapon types divided into different Proficiency categories that can be wielded among twelve classes. Add to that the various feats, Fighting Styles, and magical items that grant weapon proficiency, and players can fine-tune each party member’s arsenal for maximum damage.

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By Kristy Ambrose

But with so many different types to choose from, it’s not always apparent at first glance who should wield what. After all, just because someone can wield a sword doesn’t mean they should. Here are some of the best weapon types in Baldur’s Gate 3 and which classes they’re best suited for.

8 Maces

Club Foes To Death With These Bone-Breaking Weapons

Simple Weapons
Base Damage: 1d6 + X Bludgeoning
Weapon Attacks: Concussive Smash
Classes Proficient With Maces: All (Except Sorcerers and Wizards)

Maces are underrated classics. Most players overlook them in favor of other Bludgeoning weapons, like battle hammers or flails. But while it’s true that there aren’t many powerful maces, this weapon type is still home to one of the most overpowered weapons in the game: The Blood of Lathander.

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By Marc Santos

The best part is almost every class can wield maces, though they’re best paired with shields on a Cleric.

7 Spears

Extra Attack Range Allows For Enemies To Be Jabbed With The Pointy End

Versatile Martial Weapons
Thrown
Base Damage: 1d6 + X Piercing
Weapon Attacks: Rush Attack
Classes Proficient With Spears: Barbarian, Druid, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger

Spears are the definition of “versatility,” able to be wielded two-handed, one-handed with a shield, or thrown as a ranged weapon. This opens a lot of doors for strategic gameplay, allowing players to wreak havoc all over the battlefield. They also have far more powerful options to choose from when compared to similar weapon types, like pikes or javelins. Give a spear to a charging Barbarian or a super mobile Fighter or Ranger, and they can take down enemies anytime, anywhere.

Flails

Punish Enemies With The Blunt Yet Sharp Force Of A Flail

Martial Weapons
Base Damage: 1d8 + X Bludgeoning
Weapon Actions: Concussive Smash, Weakening Strike
Classes Proficient With Flails: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger

Flails are like maces but with range. 1.5m of range, actually, making it easier to hit enemies that are just a bit too far away to walk towards. Most flails also have the Tenacity feature, meaning players can still do a bit of damage, even on a miss. Flails also make great weapons for Fighters and Rangers with the Two-Weapon Fighting Style and the Dual-Wielder feat. Put two Rare flails in either hand and watch them crush their enemies — literally and figuratively.

Daggers

Perfect For Rogues & Those With A Love For Stealth

Light, Finesse, Simple Weapons
Thrown
Base Damage: 1d4 + X Piercing
Weapon Actions: Piercing Strike
Classes Proficient With Daggers: All

Tiny but mighty, every adventure can and should keep at least one good dagger on stand-by. They make for great duel-wield weapons early in-game, especially for Rogues. Their real strength, however, is as thrown weapons. Plenty of daggers in Baldur’s Gate 3 give enemies debuffs on a hit, even when thrown. This means that players can chuck a dagger for a chance to pop off a debuff without sacrificing their main weapon. The best of both worlds!

6 Rapiers

A Dashingly Sharp One-Handed Weapon

Finesse Martial Weapons
Base Damage: 1d8 Piercing
Weapon Attacks: Flourish, Piercing Strike, Weakening Strike
Classes Proficient With Rapiers: Bard, Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue

Rapiers are a duellist’s best friend. The Duelling Fighting Style was practically designed with rapiers in mind. However, just because a class can use a rapier doesn’t mean they should. They’re the Finesse weapon, meaning their attack rolls are determined by Dexterity rather than Strength.

This means that Dexterity-based classes like Rangers or Bards get much more mileage from rapiers than, say, Barbs or Paladins. Heck, there are even a few choice rapiers for a Pact of the Blade Warlock.

5 Heavy Crossbows

A Powerful Ranged Weapon

Two-Handed Martial Ranged Weapons
Base Damage: 1d10 + X Piercing
Weapon Actions: Piercing Shot, Brace (Ranged)
Classes Proficient With Heavy Crossbows: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger

A lot of players wonder: what’s the difference between crossbows and regular longbows? Well, bows are meant for Dexterity-based classes. But when it comes to Strength? Heavy crossbows are where it’s at. Tanks don’t want to learn archery. They want to pull a trigger and hit things. Really, really hard. If a martial class isn’t throwing a spear or javelin, odds are they’re shooting a powerful crossbow. Actually, they’ll probably need that crossbow for after they run out of spears/javelins, too.

4 Shortswords

A Dominating Sharp & Small Weapon

Light, Finesse Martial Weapons
Base Damage:
Weapon Actions: 1D6 + X Piercing
Classes Proficient With Shortswords: Bard, Barbarian, Cleric, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, Rogue

Out of the three main types of swords, shortswords sound like they’d be the weakest. Nothing says “runt of the litter” like having “short” in your name, right? However, most players would agree that longswords are the oft-forgotten middle child of the family. After all, greatswords are the two-handed powerhouses, and shortswords dominate with quick burst damage.

A shortsword in the right hand is dangerous. A shortsword in both hands is lethal. Dual-wielder classes like Fighters and Rangers can wipe the floor with these little guys, though the Assassin Rogue is a personal favorite.

3 Longbows

A Solid Choice For Those With Precise Aim

Two-Handed Martial Ranged Weapons
Base Damage: 1D8 + X Piercing
Weapon Actions: Hamstring Shot, Brace (Ranged)
Classes Proficient With Longbows: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger

Anyone proficient in Martial Weapons who doesn’t have a heavy crossbow should absolutely wield a longbow. They’re stronger than shortbows and, with a good Dexterity modifier, can perform even better than heavy crossbows.

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In fact, even classes that don’t come pre-packaged with longbow proficiency should consider longbows. Rogues especially can become excellent snipers, if they take the Weapon Master feat.

2 Quarterstaves

A Weapon Of Choice For Monks

Versatile Simple Weapons
Base Damage: 1d8 Bludgeoning
Classes Proficient With Quarterstaves: All

Quarterstaves are gifts from the Faerun gods for two reasons. The first is that they are the weapon of choice for Monks, boosting their Unarmed Attacks. The second and arguably more important reason is that they’re not just staves; they’re magic staves. The best quarterstaves come packed with a free spell or two and will give spellcasters a bonus to their saving throws and Spell DC.

So, while classes that primarily use quarterstaves are few and far between, the ones that do use them are lethal.

1 Greatswords

Perfect For Barbarians & Paladins

Two-Handed Martial Weapons
Base Damage: 2D6 + X Slashing
Weapon Actions: Pommel Strike, Lacerate, Cleave
Classes Proficient With Greatswords: Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger

Greatswords are, without doubt, the heaviest-hitting weapons in the game. As two-handed weapons with massive damage output, they are a tank’s most trusted ally. Give them to any class with the Great Weapon Fighting style, and watch the carnage unfurl.

There are also plenty of greatswords to find throughout the game, which means there are plenty to go around. No need for Lae’zel, Karlach, and Minthara to fight each other over who gets what. Everyone can be a killing machine together!

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