Baldur's Gate 3 BG3 Best Weapons Ranking Tier List

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What is the best weapon in Baldur's Gate 3? Greatswords inflict 2d6 damage (7 average) Thus, they are the best weapon from a raw damage PoV.

If wielding a shield, Longswords are the best weapon.

If going for Dexterity-based damage, Rapier is best.

At range, Longbow.

There are two main kinds of weapon:

• Melee. The Strength modifier is applied to attack rolls and damage, except in the case of finesseable melee weapons, such as Rapiers, which apply the Dexterity modifier.

• Ranged. The Dexterity modifier is applied to attack rolls and damage, except in the case of thrown weapons such as Handaxes, which apply the Strength modifier.

The Weapon Proficiencies are Simple (Club, Sling) and Martial (Warhammer, Longbow). Some weapons are one-handed (and we can wield a shield off-hand), some are Two-handed (Greataxe, Greatsword) and some can be wielded one- or two-handed (Versatile). In addition, some weapons have Reach (Pike, Lance). Finally, only Light weapons can be dual-wielded.

Two-handed or one-handed? Two-handed weapons inflict more damage, but we can't hold a shield in the off-hand. The question then is: do we want more damage or better defense? That depends on CED.

The three physical-based damage types are slashing, bludgeoning and piercing. Note that some monsters are resistant, immune or vulnerable to certain damage types.

List of Weapons

• Simple Melee Weapons

◦ Club: 1d4 Bludgeoning, Light

◦ Dagger: 1d4 Piercing, Finesse, Light, Thrown

◦ Greatclub: 1d8 Bludgeoning, Two-Handed

◦ Handaxe: 1d6 Slashing, Light, Thrown

◦ Javelin: 1d6 Piercing, Thrown

◦ Light Hammer: 1d4 Bludgeoning, Light, Thrown

◦ Mace: 1d6 Bludgeoning

◦ Quarterstaff: 1d6 Bludgeoning

◦ Sickle: 1d4 Slashing, Light

◦ Spear: 1d6 Piercing, Thrown, Reach, Versatile (1d8)

◦ Unarmed Strike (fist): 1 Bludgeoning

• Simple Ranged Weapons

◦ Dart: 1d4 Piercing, Finesse, Thrown

◦ Light Crossbow: 1d8 Piercing, bolt ammo, Range: 80/320, Loading, Two-Handed

◦ Shortbow: 1d6 Piercing, arrow ammo, Range: 80/320, Two-Handed

◦ Sling: 1d4 Bludgeoning, bullet ammo

• Martial Melee Weapons

◦ Battleaxe: 1d8 Slashing, Versatile (1d10)

◦ Flail: 1d8 Bludgeoning

◦ Glaive: 1d10 Slashing, Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed

◦ Greataxe: 1d12 Slashing, Heavy, Two-Handed

◦ Greatsword: 2d6 Slashing, Heavy, Two-Handed

◦ Halberd: 1d10 Slashing, Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed

◦ Lance: 1d12 Piercing, Reach, Special

◦ Longsword: 1d8 Slashing, Versatile (1d10)

◦ Maul: 2d6 Bludgeoning, Heavy, Two-Handed

◦ Morningstar: 1d8 Piercing

◦ Pike: 1d10 Piercing, Heavy, Reach, Two-Handed

◦ Rapier: 1d8 Piercing, Finesse

◦ Scimitar: 1d6 Slashing, Finesse, Light

◦ Shortsword: 1d6 Piercing, Finesse, Light

◦ Trident: 1d6 Piercing, Thrown, Versatile (1d8)

◦ War Pick: 1d8 Piercing

◦ Warhammer: 1d8 Bludgeoning, Versatile (1d10)

◦ Whip: 1d4 Slashing, Finesse, Reach

• Martial Ranged Weapons

◦ Blowgun: 1 Piercing, needle ammo, Loading

◦ Hand Crossbow: 1d6 Piercing, bolt ammo, Light, Loading

◦ Heavy Crossbow: 1d10 Piercing, bolt ammo, Range: 100/400, Heavy, Loading, Two-Handed

◦ Longbow: 1d8 Piercing, arrow ammo, Range: 150/600, Heavy, Two-Handed

Ranked in Tiers

The ranking doesn't factor in feats, tactics or magical versions of the weapon (campaign itemization), which can tip the balance. This ranking is based only on what the weapon itself offers.

• Tier 1