All adventurers are expected to be weak at the beginning of every new journey, though this doesn't always have to be the case. In Baldur's Gate 3, players can collect a number of different weapons that are vastly superior to the plain ones they start with, giving them a sharper edge in combat.
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The following weapons are all available in the initial area of the first act of Baldur's Gate 3 as well as the following regions before players reach Act Two and the Moonrise Towers arc. It is possible to miss some of these weapons, so make sure to be thorough in your search for them.
Update June 10, 2024 by Marc Santos: This guide was updated to include two additional weapons on top of four others from the first act of Baldur's Gate 3. The latest additions to this list can be found specifically in the Githyanki Creche under the Rosymorn Monastery. All weapons in this list can comfortably carry players through the second and third acts of the game, where an even deadlier selection of arms awaits them. Make sure the party is ready for anything, as the Underdark and Rosymorn Monastery contain scenarios and enemies that will not be kind to unprepared adventurers.
12 Dagger +1
Superior Stats, Received For Free
- Source: Blighted Village - Near the barn
A simple yet effective 
Dagger with better attack stats than its more common brethren. Players can get this for free by passing a skill check on a hunk of roasting meat on an outcrop next to the Blighted Village's barn.
There really is nothing special about this weapon. However, it's stronger than most non-upgraded weapons, and players can technically get it as soon as they wake up on the beach. The only caveat is if you fail the skill check on the roasting meat, the dagger will break.
11 Ritual Dagger
Hit More, Get Hit Less
- Source: Goblin Camp - Torture Chamber
This one is a more interesting dagger that can only be acquired for a limited time inside the Goblin Camp in Baldur's Gate 3. Enter the Shattered Sanctum and find Abdirak the Torturer. The dagger is on the table close to him.
The 
Ritual Dagger grants its wielder a 1d4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws after a successful attack. Players do have to steal this weapon, and if they don't steal it fast enough, then it will be taken away.
10 Sorrow
Pulls Bad Guys Within Smacking Distance
- Source: Druid's Grove secret vault
Siding with the Druids instead of the Goblins will reward players with 
Sorrow, a unique glaive that gives its user the ability to cast Sorrowful Lash, a Transmutation Cantrip that pulls targets closer to Sorrow's wielder. Players can also get this weapon by stealing the Rune of the Wolf from Rath and entering the vault without saving Druid Halsin.
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During the early access stage, this glaive used to deal Psychic damage to its user whenever they hit enemies, and its innate ability was Ensnaring Strike. These have since been changed in the full-release version.
9 Harold
Marks Targets for Death
- Source: Zhentarim Basement, Waukeen's Rest Inn
This crossbow is one of the best ranged weapons players can get in Act One. It's given as a reward by Zarys for helping them recover their missing shipment. Said shipment can be found in a cave surrounded by gnolls along Risen Road.
Whenever a shot with 
Harold connects, it has a chance to inflict 
Bane on enemies. This gives a -1d4 penalty to all Saving Throws and Attack Rolls, making this crossbow an excellent support weapon.
8 Sword of Justice
Sword and Shield, Combined
- Source: Paladin Anders, Risen Road Tollhouse
The 
Sword Of Justice is a reliable early game weapon for both offense and defense. It has a higher focus on protecting allies with its ability to cast Tyr's Protection, which increases a target's Armor Class by +2.
Players can get this greatsword by helping or killing Paladin Anders in the trading post along Risen Road. This scenario is also a part of Wyll's quest to eliminate Karlach.
7 Phalar Aluve
Helps Friends, Harms Enemies
- Source: Underdark - Near the Selunite Outpost
If you're looking for a longsword with a bit more team utility, then 
Phalar Aluve should be on your radar. It grants its wielder the Sing and Shriek Class Actions — the former buffs allies' mental defenses and grants Advantage to their Attack Rolls, while the latter penalizes mental Saving Throws of enemies and causes the weapon to deal bonus Thunder damage against targets affected by Shriek.
Phalar Aluve is embedded on a stone in the Underdark, near the Selunite Outpost. To pull it out, you'll need a Cleric of Eilistraee, a Drow of any class, a character with Religious knowledge, or someone who can pass a DC 15 Strength check.
6 Adamantine Weapons
Pierce The Enemy's Defenses
- Source: Grymforge - Adamantine Forge
Players who thoroughly explore the Underdark will eventually find themselves in Grymforge, another subterranean area that leads to the second act of the game. Here, you can also find the Adamantine Forge, which can be used to create a special longsword, mace, and scimitar that hit harder than regular steel and iron weapons. Once you beat the boss at the forge, bring any of the adamantine weapon moulds you find in the area to make a weapon of your choice.
All three of these weapons come with the Lethal Weapon passive, which makes the weapon ignore Slashing damage resistance (Blunt damage for the mace). They also come with the Diamondsbane passive that guarantees critical hits against objects.
5 Knife of the Undermountain King
More Crits and Better Damage Rolls
- Source: A'jak'niir Jeera (Merchant) - Creche Y'llek
Despite its name, the 
Knife of the Undermountain King is counted as a shortsword, and it's a very good one at that. This weapon's main draw is the Organ Rearranger trait, which reduces the number you need to roll to score a critical hit by 1. If you were to deal 2 damage or less, you reroll the dice and deal whichever result is higher. Also, Knife of the Undermountain King has Advantage on attacks against Lightly or Heavily Obscured targets.
This weapon can either be purchased or pilfered from A'jak'niir Jeera, a merchant you can find in Creche Y'llek during the first act of BG3.
4 Soulbreaker Greatsword
The Perfect Blade for Gith Warriors
- Source: Kith'rak Therezzyn - Creche Y'llek
This two-handed martial weapon is designed specifically for Gith swordsmen. When it is wielded by a githyanki character, the weapon deals an additional 1d4 Psychic damage on top of its usual 2d6 + 1 Slashing + Strength Modifier roll. It also gives a +2 bonus to the initiative rolls of its wielder.
As a cherry on top, the 
Soulbreaker Greatsword comes with the Soulbreaker action, which deals additional Psychic damage on hit based on the wielder's Proficency. The strike also has a chance to stun targets. This is one of the best greatswords in Baldur's Gate 3, though its full potential is locked behind a character's race.
3 Everburn Blade
Like a Flaming Sword Through Butter
- Source: Commander Zhalk - Nautiloid (Prologue)
The 
Everburn Blade is arguably the best greatsword in the early game. Compared to other weapons in its class, it deals 2d6 Slashing plus 1d4 Fire Damage to anything it hits, making it perfect in the hands of a Barbarian, Fighter, or Paladin.
Players can get this weapon by defeating Commander Zhalk aboard the Nautiloid. Shadowheart can use Command to make Zhalk drop this sword, letting players take it without a fight. You only have one chance to get this sword, so make sure to grab it before crashing the ship.