Summary
- Baldur's Gate 3 offers diverse companions with unique quests and 12 classes for customizable combat.
- Experimenting with armor combinations is crucial to finding the best gear for each class in the game.
- Players can optimize their characters with specific armor sets to enhance abilities, defense, and damage output.
Baldur's Gate 3 allows p layers to select between twelve different classes and customize them with a variety of Feats, subclasses, and multi-classing with others for intriguing combat situations. That means players are free to experiment with a myriad of possibilities when it comes to combining weapons and gear as part of a larger character build.
Baldur's Gate 3: 10 Best Mods That Add Content From D&D Books
Those looking to add more Dungeons and Dragons content to their Baldur's Gate 3 playthrough are likely to enjoy what these mods have to offer.
Each class has a wide array of choices for armor or weapons, which means players should also be on the lookout for new gear that will work perfectly with their build as they explore the Sword Coast. Some armor combinations are better and more rewarding than others, so players may need to experiment with the gear they find to uncover the best combinations.
Updated on February 24th, 2025, by Kristy Ambrose: Awards and accolades for Baldur's Gate 3 continued to roll in for Larian Studios well into 2024, and a big final patch is still incoming. Several new subclasses also mean even more possibilities with creative builds for every class and role. Every character has unique armor or weapons to match their proficiencies, but characters can also change their preferences as the game progresses. Storage might become an issue, but other than encumbrance, there's no reason players can't have some fun by collecting different sets for various DPS characters, defenders, or strikers. This update brings a new fiery sorcerer build for aspiring mages everywhere.
12 A Battle Necromancer
A Wizard That Sits Comfortably On The Frontlines
- Ideal Classes: Wizards of the Necromancy School, Oathbreaker or Oath of Vengeance Paladins, or Death Domain Clerics
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Dropped By Balthazar in the Gauntlet of Shar |
Allied undead are resistant to bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing damage. Players can also cast animate dead. |
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Dropped by Ketheric Thorm |
All damage is reduced by two. Players cannot be moved against their will by spells or actions, but have Disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. |
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Purchased from A'ja'nir Jeera in Crèche Y'llek |
Increases the wearer's dexterity score to 18. |
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Helldusk Boots |
Found in a locked chest on the Upper Levels of the Wyrm's Rock Fortress. |
A player cannot be forcefully moved by an enemy's spells or actions, they also ignore the effects of Difficult Terrain. When a player fails a saving throw, a player can use their reaction to succeed instead. |
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Cloak of Displacement |
Purchased in Danthelon's Dancing Axe |
At the beginning of a player's turn, the cloak activates, giving enemies Disadvantage on attack rolls against the wearer. This effect remains until the wearer takes damage. |
Players who want to experience what it's like to be the death knight opponents they may commonly face in Baldur's Gate 3 should look no further than using this combination of armor choices when deciding on what their character should wear.
- To wear the Reaper's Embrace, a Wizard first needs a level in a class such as Paladin to allow them to equip it while still being able to use their spells.
- Feats like Moderately Armored will give a character medium armor proficiency, and players can follow this up with Heavily Armored.
- The Gloves of Dexterity will mean players can remove all their skill points from dexterity and instead invest them into their intelligence for hard-hitting spells while still being able to hold their own with a versatile weapon.
Baldur's Gate 3: Most Useful Items In Combat
There's no shame in slamming back a healing potion in combat or chucking a grenade. But what are the best combat items in Baldur's Gate 3?
11 Bold Bard Build
Their Spells Are Just As Deadly As Their Sword
- Ideal Classes: College of Swords Bards, Rogues, or Rangers
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Found In the Mason's Guild |
Players gain a level in Arcane Acuity for two turns when they make a melee attack. |
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Armor of Agility |
Sold by Gloomy Fentonson at Stormshore Armory |
Players add their Dexterity modifier to their armor class. This armor also doesn't impose a Disadvantage on stealth checks. |
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Purchased from A'ja'nir Jeera in Crèche Y'llek |
The wearer gains a plus 1 to their spell attack roll. They can also cast ranged spells as a melee spell attack. |
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Purchased from A'ja'nir Jeera in Crèche Y'llek |
When the player casts a spell that needs concentration, they gain 8 temporary hit points. |
Bards that choose the subclass of College of Swords may find themselves regularly in the way of damage. Some players may at first struggle to keep their bard alive because of this. Fortunately, with the right armor combo, this can be avoided.
- Armor of Agility is an armor piece players earn later in the game.
- Crèche Y'llek is in the Mountain Pass, which is easy to miss should the party travel through the Underdark.
- The combination of the helmet of Arcane Acuity and the Daredevil Gloves will allow the player to increase the amount of damage done by their spells after dealing melee damage. The effect can stack, meaning players can use these ranged spells up close and destroy their opponent.
10 Rage And Wrath
Increases The Barbarian's Damage
- Ideal Classes: Barbarians of any subclass
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Bonespike Helmet |
Purchased from the voiceless Penitent Berenice in the Lower City Sewers |
When a player rages, surrounding enemies must make a Wisdom saving throw or take 2-8 psychic damage. |
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Found on a Duergar in the Underdark |
When an enemy damages the player, the player gains Wrath for 1 turn. |
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Found on Strangler Luke in the Undercity Ruins |
The player's attacks ignore resistance to slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage. |
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Found in the Worg Pen in the Shattered Sanctum or on Beastmaster Zurk |
Once per turn, when a player dashes, they gain Wrath for 2 turns. |
Players tend to struggle to find the perfect gear to put on their Barbarians, especially as it's best when they rely on their unarmored defense. Thankfully, all four of these pieces of gear don't require any sort of armor proficiency. No Feats or other changes are required for any Barbarian using this gear.
- Gear like the Bloodguzzler Garb and Linebreaker Boots will give the player the feature known as Wrath. This will increase the Barbarians' melee damage by one, so they do even more damage to surrounding opponents.
- Combining these two pieces with the Bonespike Gloves means even those that are resistant to slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage will also be damaged by these attacks.
- The Bonespike Helmet helps the Barbarian directly when they Rage, as each surrounding creature must make a Wisdom saving throw or take psychic damage.
Baldur's Gate 3: Every Greatsword, Ranked
Greatswords are among the most powerful weapons in Baldur's Gate 3, and these are the best of the bunch.
9 Supporting Clerics
Protection And Healing On The Frontlines
- Ideal Classes: Life, Trickster, or Light Domain Clerics
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Accept the reward from Zevlor after killing the Goblin leaders in Act 1 |
When healing an ally, the caster gets 1-6 hit points back. |
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Forged at the Adamantine Forge |
All incoming damage is reduced by 1 when equipped and attackers can't land critical hits on the armor user. |
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Purchased at the Stormshore Tabernacle in the Lower City |
When a player heals a creature, they gain Blade Ward. If they are revived, they gain the effect of Death Ward. |
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Curing Thulla in the Underdark |
Allows the player to dash as a bonus action by using the action Click Heels. |
Clerics can be excellent frontline units, but sometimes, it's better to have an individual who will mainly focus on support.
- Wapira's Crown can be earned early into a player's adventure and will allow a player to regain their hit points while also healing another.
- The Reviving Hands add further protection to those the Clerics bring back to life.
- The Adamantine Scale Mail is by far the best medium armor available in Baldur's Gate 3, with not only its high AC but additional perks.
- The Boots of Speed may not seem that special compared to everything else, but it allows the team's medic to quickly across the battlefield or out of harm's way.
8 A Bard's Bravery
Increased Amount Of Bardic Inspiration
- Ideal Classes: Designed for Bards, with gear specific to the class
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Purchased at Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur's Gate |
Increases Charisma by 2. |
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Rescue Volvo from the Shattered Sanctum |
When inspiring an ally, the player gets 4 temporary hit points. |
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Cerebral Citadel Gloves |
Found in the Emperor's Old Hideout |
When a player charms or frightens a creature, they gain a 1d4 bonus for their attack and saving rolls. |
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Found Inside the Gauntlet of Shar |
Players can restore their Bardic Inspiration. |
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Vivacious Cloak |
Found in the Grand Mausoleum |
The player gains 7 temporary hit points after casting a spell while they are in melee. |
There may be no Bard companion for players to recruit in Baldur's Gate 3, but the class is still available for players to choose for themselves or change a companion into by using Withers. There are plenty of interesting armor combinations that work perfectly for such a class, but this is one of the best.
- Birthright may not add anything too special, but it can increase the player's Charisma modifier past the threshold of 20.
- When using their Bardic Inspiration on an ally, the Bard will receive four temporary hit points.
- Bardic Inspiration can then be refreshed outside of combat by using the Boots of Brilliance.
7 Grand Elemental Wizard
A Wizard That Does Even More Damage
- Ideal Classes: Wizard Schools of Conjuration, Evocation, Abjuration, or Necromancy
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Purchased from Mystic Carrion in Philgrave's Mansion |
The player gains a plus 2 bonus to their spell save DC and spell attack rolls. |
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Robe of Supreme Defenses |
Sold by Ferg Drogher in Rivington |
While concentrating, a player can add their spellcasting modifier to their saving throws and gain a plus one to their armor class. |
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Purchased from Helsik in the Devil's Fee |
Cantrips can target town foes or allies at once, the same target can even be chosen twice. |
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Bought from Arab Oblodora in Moonrise Towers |
Each time the player dashes, the wearer gains an Arcane Charge for two turns. |
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Cloak of the Weave |
Purchased from Helsik the Devil's Fee |
Players gain a plus one to their spell save DC and spell attack rolls. They also gain the ability to absorb elements. |
Wizards are one of few classes in Baldur's Gate 3 that have no armor proficiencies, this means they are forced to use the available clothing otherwise they are unable to cast spells. Thankfully, there are countless clothing items for players to experiment with.
- Hood of the Weave or the Robe of Supreme Defenses increases the Wizard's spell save DC and attack bonus.
- The Boots of Arcane Bolstering increases spell power and gives the wearer an extra defensive ability.
- Cloak of the Weave does this and more as players can use Absorb Elements once per short rest. When the wearer of the cloak is attacked using an element damage, they can choose to absorb this damage allowing them to take half that damage during that turn but also increasing the damage they do using that same element.
6 The Storm Cleric
Also Known As The Thunder God Build
- Ideal Classes: Tempest or War Cleric
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
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Sold by Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers |
When the wearer deals Thunder damage, Thunderous Acuity activates to give them Arcane Acuity. |
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Part of Brem's special inventory in the Zhenatrium Hideout. He can sell it after completing the quest "Find the Missing Shipment." |
Superior Material, which gives -1 to slashing damage, and Countershock, which stuns to attacker if the wearer has Lightning charges. |
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In the Inquisitor's Chamber of Crèche Y'llek, in a locked chest. |
When the wearer deals Thunder damage, Lightning damage, or Radiant damage, Thunder Conversion inflicts 2 turns of Reverberation upon the target. |
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Loot from Cairos at the docks west of Rivington. |
A maul that does both bludgeoning and Thunder damage. The Tenacity ability does bludgeoning damage to the target even if the user misses. |
These Clerics are often used as frontline fighters or DPS dealers as opposed to support or healing roles. The wide variety of Domains and the gods that rule over them give Clerics the freedom to do almost anything. Tempest Clerics often serve Talos, the chaotic Storm Lord, while War Clerics often serve Tyr, the blind god of justice.
- The Hat of Storm Scion's Power is light armor, but it's ideal for the ability of Arcane Acuity because this is also a DPS build with some spell power behind it.
- The Jolty Vest is Medium Armor, but it still gives decent protection with reduced slashing damage and a way to slow down attackers.
- A defender or melee DPS build benefits from carrying Corpsegrinder. Even if they miss, they still hit.
5 A Great Defense
A Strong Frontline Fighter
- Ideal Classes: Any Fighter class, but the defense and hit difficulty lean to more defensive builds.
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Found in the Szarr Palace |
When the wearer has 50% hit points or less they gain an additional bonus action. |
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Forged in the Grymforge |
All incoming damage is reduced by two, when a melee attack hits the player the attacker is sent reeling for three turns. Attackers can also not land critical hits. |
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Purchased from Lann Tara in Moonrise Towers |
When using action surge the player gains a plus 1d4 to attack rolls for the rest of their turn. |
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Found in the Blighted Village |
When the player dashes, they gain 3 lightning charges. |
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Cloak of Protection |
Purchased from Quartermaster Talli at the Last Light Inn |
The player increases their armor class and their saving throws by one. |
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Forged in the Grymforge |
Hits are always critical and ignore Resistance to Slashing damage thanks to the Diamondsbane and Lethal Weapon abilities. |
Fighters have the potential to either be incredible damage dealers or brilliant defensive units. With this build, the player can have the best of both worlds.
- The Adamantine Splint Armor has some of the same effects while also having an even higher AC.
- Search for a second piece of Adamantine ore to craft both the Splint Armor and the Longsword.
- The Cloak of Protection then boosts this AC even further, making the wearer nearly impossible to hit.
- The Gauntlets of Surging Accuracy increases the player's chance to hit their target by one d4 for the rest of their turn when they use their Action Surge.
- If the battle is too much for the player to handle, or if that unit's health goes lower than 50%, the Helmet of Grit gives them a bonus action to heal away the pain.
Baldur's Gate 3: Best Staves, Ranked
Staves in Baldur's Gate 3 are the best friends of adventurers not versed in the art of martial weapons. Here's which staves are the strongest.
4 Sorcerer Of Flame
Watch The World Burn
- Draconic Bloodline subclass, choose from Red, Gold, or Brass.
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Dropped by the Strange Ox at Last Light Inn |
Grants the caster Arcane Acuity every time they deal Fire damage. |
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In Elminster's vault In Sorcerer's Sundries |
Any non-Cantrip spell that does damage grants the caster a Bonus Action. |
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Quest reward for "Rescue The Tieflings." |
Grants extra hit points and additional damage equal to the Charisma modifier. |
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Spell Savant Amulet |
Restore a level 2 spell slot. |
Located in high-security vault No.1 in The Counting House. |
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Optional quest reward for "Find the Mushroom Keeper." |
Targets of Fire damage must pass a Constitution saving throw or get the Burning condition. |
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Sold by Quartermaster Talli at Last Light Inn. |
Makes the wielder Fire resistant and gives them the ability to cast Fireball and Firebolt. |
There are few times in Baldur's Gate when players will face off against a creature that isn't vulnerable to Fire damage, and when they do, Sorcerers have several spells in their repertoire that can compensate.
- Sorcerers can choose between two equally useful types of headgear. Choose between increased attack roles for all spells with Arcane Acuity or the Bonus Action.
- Those who would rather not kill the Strange Ox can equip the Circlet of Fire instead.
- Several staves in the game have some kind of buff that's useful to a spellcaster, and remember that the Sorcerer uses Charisma as their modifier, and they aren't the only class to do so. This is why gear intended for Paladins and Bards might also work for a Sorcerer.
Baldur's Gate 3: Best Sorcerer Class Build
The best Baldur's Gate 3 Sorcerer build is one that avoids taking the chances of Wild Magic, and instead relies on their Draconic heritage.
3 Free In The Wild
A Ranger With Freedom Of Movement
- Ideal Classes: Any Ranger, also works well for College of Valor Bards
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Item |
Location |
Abilities and Buffs |
|---|---|---|
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Sold by Arab Oblodora in Moonrise Towers |
Players gain a 14 bonus to their attack rolls against creatures marked by Hunter's Mark, True Strike, Faerie Fire, or Guiding Bolt. |
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Sold by Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers |
Players add their dexterity modifier to their armor class. Enemies have Disadvantage against saving throws when resisting both attacks and spells that inflict the Restrained condition. |
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Purchased from Dammon in the Lower City |
Players gain a plus 2 bonus to attack and damage rolls when using weapons. |
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Sold by Blurg in the Underdark |
The wearer's movement speed is no longer affected by Difficult Terrain. |
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Forged in the Grymforge |
+2 AC, the wearer is immune to critical hits, sends opponents Reeling for 2 turns when they miss with a melee attack, and the Shield Blow ability knocks enemies Prone. |
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Sold by Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers |
+1 bonus to all attack rolls for ranged weapons that do physical damage (darts, daggers, axes, plus conventional bows and arrows). |
Players unlock the only Ranger companion in Baldur's Gate 3 during the final act of the game. In the meantime, players should collect these pieces to make this Ranger one of the most powerful units in their party.
- Hunter's Mark is one of the most powerful spells a Ranger can wield through purchasing the Circlet of Hunting. Any foe that is marked by this spell has a plus 4 attack roll when attempting to hit it.
- This attack roll is increased further through equipping the Legacy of Masters gauntlets, which increases the attack roll by another +2, even if the spell does not mark them.
- Rangers who fight in melee range will also benefit from this gear combination.
- The Marksmanship Hat is specifically for Ranged physical attacks, which include thrown daggers and axes in addition to bows and crossbows.
- A simple pair of Boots like the Genial Striding ones also means the player never needs to worry about difficult terrain ever again.
Gloves of Dexterity
Daredevil Gloves
Vital Conduit Boots
Bonespike Gloves
The Reviving Hands
Boots Of Brilliance
Corpsegrinder
Gauntlets of Surging Accuracy
Gloves Of Flint And Steel
Legacy of the Masters