Fans of fantasy games would recognize Baldur’s Gate 3 as a return to the form of classic CRPGs. After all, this Baldur’s Gate sequel takes players back to Faerun just 120 years after Baldur’s Gate 2, with players being stuck in the middle of a mind-flayer invasion that threatens to plunge Faerun into utter chaos.
However, players hoping to save the world of Faerun from invading forces in Baldur’s Gate 3 may want to ensure they’re well-equipped to fight their foes. In that regard, the Baldur’s Gate game offers decent armor to protect players from the fiercest attacks. Just which armor should players get for their characters?
Disintegrating Night Walkers
- Type: Boots
- Quality: Rare
Movement is always an important element in a tactical RPG like Baldur’s Gate 3, especially since environments can provide not just cover but other options for players to prevail in combat. In turn, effects such as slipping, being Ensnared, or being Entangled can spell the difference between life and death for players. Thankfully, the Disintegrating Night Walkers may allow players to bypass such a hassling situation.
According to the item’s lore, Night Walkers are created in honor of Shar, in turn allowing its wearers to move in secrecy. Belonging in the Dark Justicar Set, these Night Walkers are located in Grymforge and dropped by True Soul Nere. Wearing this gives players access to the Misty Step Action and the Night Walker, allowing a Baldur’s Gate 3 build that makes sure they don’t get Enwebbed, Entangled, Ensnared, or slip. Scouts and other characters in need of nifty escape options won’t go wrong with Disintegrating Night Walkers.
Shadow Of Menzoberranzan
- Type: Helmet
- Quality: Uncommon
At some point, players of Baldur’s Gate 3 will have to travel to the Myconic Colony in the Underdark for the “Protecting the Myconid” Quest. In here, they have to eliminate the Duergar roaming the area. Players will acquire the Shadow of Menzoberranzan from this Quest, or may even do so by using Misty Step through the vines behind the beast with thorns inside Deep Rothe. Either way, this hooded helmet has the shadows and darkness written all over its design, which makes sense as it is named after a famed Drow city-state in the Underdark.
Equipping this Helmet gives players access to the Shrouded in Shadow Action. This essentially turns players invisible, broken only when taking damage, casting Spells, performing another Action, or when they are Attacking. This Action does require Concentrate and resets after a Long Rest. However, scouts and those familiar with D&D looking to capitalize on their critical hits may want to use the free skill from this Helm for a nasty opening attack or safe reconnaissance.
Boots Of Aid And Comfort
- Type: Boots
- Quality: Uncommon
The mechanic of Temporary HP is rather unique in the context of Dungeons & Dragons, as it acts like a temporary buffer before enemies get to damage the owner’s actual HP. Players can take advantage of the same mechanic in Baldur’s Gate 3, through the Boots of Aid and Comfort. At its core, this Uncommon pair of boots can be acquired through purchase from Grat the Trader or Novice Grat at the Goblin Camp. Players can only acquire this prior to quests that involve killing the Goblin leaders or poisoning them, however.
When acquired, the Boots of Aid and Comfort allow players to receive 3 Temporary HP whenever they heal a target, akin to a Baldur’s Gate 3 healing Spell. This essentially gives players a decent healing component that acts as emergency HP should players find themselves in a pinch. Players do need to remember that Temporary HP doesn’t stack, however, and this pair of Boots will keep on refreshing the 3 HP buffer whenever players heal another creature.
Wapira’s Crown
- Type: Helmet
- Quality: Uncommon
Players who are into aesthetic designs may appreciate Wapira’s Crown for its nature-related visuals, with the Uncommon Helm boasting a cowl-like design with antlers bordering the cap. At first glance, this Baldur’s Gate 3 item already seems like something worn by Druids, and this is exactly what the Crown achieves. When players finish the “Save the Refugees” Quest in Druid Grove, they may gain the Crown by accepting the gold Zevlor offers from the Tiefling refugee collection.
When equipped, Wapira’s Crown gives players access to the Crowning Glory ability. At its core, this allows players to receive 1d6 HP worth of healing whenever they heal another creature, which makes it a nifty equivalent of a healing Baldur’s Gate 3 Feat. This fits healing-based builds, especially since this allows players to have access to a replacement of a light Potion of Healing without having to spend Actions or Consumables.
Cap Of Curing
- Type: Helmet
- Quality: Uncommon
The characteristic image of an alluring Bard in Dungeons & Dragons may be associated with suave and even a stylish outfit, complete with an attractive hat. Such is the case of the Cap of Curing, a cap befitting a Bard ready to lift the party’s spirits. This Cap is located in a locked chest inside the Druid Grove, which players can find near the Tiefling bard Alfira.
When equipped, the Cap of Curing allows players to restore 1d6 HP of allies they also inspire with Bardic Inspiration. Despite the rather mediocre heal, this 1d6 HP heal is a rather nifty emergency heal that boosts the augmentations of Bardic Inspiration and other Baldur’s Gate 3 Feats. Players of Bards that need an extra healing component may want to use Cap of Curing as an accessible substitute to a basic Potion of Healing.
Circlet Of Fire
- Type: Helmet
- Quality: Uncommon
A common problem among Spellcasters in Dungeons & Dragons, and by extension Baldur’s Gate 3, is action economy. After all, Spellcasters have a ton of Spells in their arsenal but not enough Spell Slots and Actions to dish out their best Spells. Thankfully, some armor pieces do exist that extend a Spellcaster’s casting capabilities, with Circlet of Fire being one of them. This item is one of the optional rewards for the “Rescue the Grand Duke” quest at Waukeen’s Rest, although players may also find this among the chests behind the throne of the leader in the Shattered Sanctum.
At its core, the Circle of Fire shines as an Uncommon Item due to its effect. Its Fiery Return allows players to gain a Bonus Action whenever they deal Fire damage with a Spell that isn’t a Cantrip. While this means Spellcasters can at least get one Bonus Action back for casting a Fire Spell, players can get more Bonuses when using this creatively. For instance, using the Heat Metal as a Bonus Action can allow players to reuse this through this effect, or gain this effect through the Flame Scimitar’s attack. There are chances that the Circle of Fire may trigger other unique Baldur’s Gate 3 effects during the game’s release.
Circlet Of Blasting
- Type: Helmet
- Quality: Rare
In a tactical game like Baldur’s Gate 3, having a lot of combat options is a must-have for any kind of player. After all, the more options players have, the faster they can get out of sticky situations. Such is the option that Circlet of Blasting provides, albeit with a rather lethal touch. Players can acquire this from Blurg in Ebonlake Grotto for 650 GP.
This ordinary-looking Circlet packs a punch, as it has the Rare Quality due to its access to the Scorching Ray Spell. This is a Level-2 Evocation Spell that allows players to target three rays of fire with a range of 18m, each capable of dishing out 2d6 Fire Damage. Melee players in need of a distant combat option can definitely make use of Circlet of Blasting, whereas Spellcasters in need of extra combat Spells can grab this Circlet to expand their arsenal.
Headband Of Intellect
- Helmet
- Quality: Rare
Some Magic Items in Dungeons & Dragons are designed to significantly boost the Ability Score of its wearer in order to give them drastic advantages on rolls. After all, Ability Modifiers can spell the difference between successful checks and attacks. And for Spellcasters in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Headband of Intellect may do just the trick for them.
Found only as a drop from random monsters, the Headband of Intellect is a coveted item as it can boost the Intelligence Score of its wears to 19. This gives +4 to Intelligence-related checks, and even Spell Attacks that rely on this Ability Score. In turn, having this Headband can transform Wizards into rather deadly attackers early into Baldur’s Gate 3, which can transform them into living nightmares for their enemies.
Grymskull Helm
- Helmet
- Type: Heavy Armour
- Quality: Rare
Due to the combat system of Baldur’s Gate 3 being rather reliant on percentages than raw damage numbers unlike in other Dungeons & Dragons editions, critical hits can become deadly pretty quickly when hitting players at the wrong time. After all, they deal twice as much damage as usual attacks, which can deplete the player’s HP pretty quickly. Thankfully, the Grymskull Helm is a Rare Helmet that can drastically boost the defensive capabilities of players.
Located after defeating Grym inside the Adamantine Forge, the Grymskull Helm is similar to other Adamantine pieces where it provided Adamantine Backlash, effectively giving a -1 to Attack Roll penalty to enemies that miss the player for two turns. What’s more special about this Helm is its extra ability, wherein enemies cannot hit the wearer with Critical Hits. Despite being a rather specific defensive measure, this still allows players to deter extremely deadly attacks.
Adamantine Splint Armour
- AC: 17
- Type: Heavy Armour
- Quality: Rare
Players engaging in combat in games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 can see things get frustrating quickly, especially since Armor Class or AC determines the threshold of rolls for attacks to hit. This means combat becomes all the more suspenseful for new Baldur’s Gate 3 players, as missing opponents can leave them wide open for counter-attacks from powerful Baldur’s Gate NPCs. In the case of the Adamantine Splint Armour, enemies missing the player become extremely open to counter-offensives.
Obtained through “The Adamantine Forge” Quest at the Grymforge, players may also forge the item via the Splint Mould and the Mithral Ore. This armor has a unique blue sheen and interlocking pieces that slide perfectly, explaining its Intense Adamantine Backlash property. At its core, missing the player wearing this will have opponents Reeling for three turns, meaning they get a -1 to Attack Rolls for the duration. This can become debilitating for enemies fighting a heavily-armored Companion, as the penalty can guarantee missed attacks.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently in early access and is available for the PC.