Fans of Baldur’s Gate will appreciate Baldur’s Gate 3 for its sheer approach to versatility as a CRPG title, bringing players much closer to an actualized Dungeons & Dragons experience in video game form. In this case, players of Baldur’s Gate need to repel a mind flayer invasion of Faerun while preventing an illithid tadpole from transforming them into mind flayers themselves.
Players who want a more D&D-faithful approach to their character in Baldur’s Gate 3 may want to try their hand with versatile weapons, or armaments that change types depending on how players want to use them. In the context of technical builds, just which versatile weapons best fit a player’s preference?
10 The Watcher's Guide
- Damage:1d6 Piercing | 1d8 Piercing
- Proficiency: Simple
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable, Can’t Dual Wield
- Skills: Rush Attack
One contender for the prime example of a Versatile Weapon in Dungeons & Dragons would be the Spear, as it is perfectly suitable for combat when wielded with a shield or by itself. In terms of combat in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Watcher's Guide remains the pride and glory of both the Dwarves that forge them and the warriors who love to keep foes away from a distance. This weapon is located inside one of the sarcophagi in the Dank Crypt, with its container only unlocked after solving a puzzle. Acquiring this gives players who want to dominate the mid-range access to this weapon early on.
This weapon boasts 1d6 Piercing when wielded one-handedly and 1d8 Piercing when used with two hands. Not to mention, it has Rush Attack that allows players to zoom in towards an opponent and attack to turn them Off-Balance. Not only that, its Death's Promise trait ensures that players have an Advantage on the next Attack Roll they make against a creature should they miss it on the first try. This weapon makes it ideal for melee-based Baldur’s Gate 3 builds.
9 Longsword + 1
- Damage: 1d8 Slashing | 1d10+1 Slashing
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Pommel Strike, Lacerate, Rush Attack
When it comes to Versatile Weapons in Dungeons & Dragons, the Longsword immediately comes to mind. In the context of Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s the Longsword +1 that takes the cake for more practical combat encounters. And unlike other mundane swords, the Longsword +1 in the game seems to have a more ornate appearance with runic enchantments that enhances its combat performance. Acquired at the Shattered Sanctum, the Longsword +1 is a must-have for any melee-focused build.
This sword provides players with a wide variety of combat options with regard to melee combat in the D&D-based game. For instance, Pommel Strike can create a more powerful non-lethal attack with a possibility to Daze enemies. Meanwhile, Lacerate can inflict Bleeding to deal damage over time to enemies. Lastly, Rush Attack allows players to rush toward enemies and possibly push them Off-Balance.
8 Warhammer + 1
- Damage: 1d8+1 Bludgeoning | 1d10+1 Bludgeoning
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Concussive Smash, Backbreaker, Weakening Strike
One of the most characteristic imagery associated with Dwarves would be that of the armored warrior with a Warhammer, especially due to their popular depiction as smiths in Dungeons & Dragons. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Warhammer +1 has the characteristic angular faces often associated with Dwarven warhammers of popular culture, with this particular enchanted weapon seemingly having both its faces forged with the blood of its first kill. Players can acquire this via Dammon at the Hollow, just next to Druid Grove.
Given its nature as a Warhammer, it does possess unique attacks designed to cripple the enemy’s assault. In fact, a lot of its skills incentivize being wielded by a melee fighter in a Baldur’s Gate 3 team that wants to strike fast and strike hard. Weakening Strike, although non-lethal, does impose Weak Grip on a nearby opponent. Backbreaker, on the other hand, can knock an enemy Prone and leave them further vulnerable to attacks. Lastly, Concussive Smash can Daze an opponent and have them exposed to a harsh finisher.
7 Vision of the Absolute
- Damage: 1d6 Piercing | 1d8 Piercing
- Proficiency: Simple
- Quality: Rare
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Two-Handed, Dippable, Can’t Dual Wield
- Skills: Absolute Night, Rush Attack
Some of the most potent Spears in Baldur’s Gate 3 aren’t just deadly for their capacity to attack at mid-range, but also because of their magical properties. In the case of the Vision of the Absolute, it is to reflect on the dark characteristics of the Absolute. Players have to assemble this Uncommon Magic Weapon by acquiring various parts. Its shaft is located in Druid Grove on the body of Edowin and its head is found on the Owlbeal mother.
Similar to the usual Spear, the Vision of the Absolute has access to Rush Attack. This allows players to rush toward an opponent and try to knock them Off-Balance. However, where this weapon shines is its Absolute Night, wherein its attacks always have a chance to Blind its targets. Not only that, but it can deal 2d6 Piercing damage to creatures that have multiple eyes. Players new to Baldur’s Gate 3 should avoid skipping out on this weapon if they want to make a decent mid-ranged build.
6 Githyanki Longsword
- Damage: 1d8 Slashing | 1d10 Slashing
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Psionic Vengeance, Pommel Strike, Lacerate, Rush Attack
With the Gityhanki entering Faerun in their pursuit of the illithids, it makes sense for them to wield weapons appropriate for the job. Brandishing Githyanki Longswords in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Githyanki of Dungeons & Dragons have amassed a fighting force to fight their psychic rivals. However, players can also reap the benefits of this unique weapon when equipped by a melee combatant. This weapon is dropped by Sarth Beretha within the Githyanki Patrol, with its nature as an Uncommon Magic Weapon apparent due to its alien nature.
As a Longsword, it has access to the non-lethal Pommel Strike, the damage-over-time Lacerate, and the repositioning Rush Attack. However, what’s perhaps interesting is its Psychic Vengeance property, wherein the weapon deals extra 1d4 Psychic Damage when players are at 50 percent or less HP, making it the equivalent of a nifty close-ranged Baldur’s Gate 3 spell.
5 Phalar Aluve
- Damage: 1d8+1 Slashing | 1d10+1 Slashing
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Pommel Strike, Lacerate, Rush Attack
One of the more unique items in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Phalar Aluve is a Longsword located in the Underdark that is fixed on the ground. To obtain it, players have to either pass a Religion Check and give a few drops of their blood or force the blade with a Strength Check that may be boosted with Feats. Upon retrieval, the Phalar Aluve appears Drow in origin, with the Drow dictionary stating its meaning as “grave where we left you.” Others imply that the sword also belonged to a fallen Drow warrior.
Other than that, the weapon is simply an Enchanted +1 Longsword. It has access to the mobile Rush Attack, the damage-over-time Lacerate, and the non-lethal Pommel Strike. Players who want to have a weapon akin to that of the Arthurian Legend or a weapon with a unique origin, the Phalar Aluve works best for them.
4 Intransigent Warhammer
- Damage: 1d8 Bludgeoning | 1d10 Bludgeoning
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Impulse Blast, Backbreaker, Concussive Smash, Weakening Strike
At first glance, the Intransigent Warhammer seems like a typical weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3, but this Uncommon Magic Weapon does boast a plethora of feats. Located on a Duergar boat at Ebon Lake, players with a penchant for destructive power won’t go wrong with this particular weapon, especially when used with other Feats.
When equipped, this weapon gives players standard access to Warhammer Actions. These include the Prone-inducing Backbreaker, the non-lethal Weakening Strike, and the Daze-inducing Concussive Smash. More importantly, the weapon also possesses the Impulse Blast. This feature will force nearby creatures to come Prone as soon as players make a critical hit or kill a target.
3 Trident + 1
- Damage: 1d6+1 Piercing | 1d8 + 1 Piercing
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable, Can’t Dual Wield
- Skills: Rush Attack, Piercing Strike, Crippling Strike
Although not special enough to rule the seven seas, the Trident as a weapon in Dungeons & Dragons certainly has an imposing quality due to its exotic nature. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Trident +1 is an Uncommon Magic Weapon that players can acquire from Dammon at the Hollow, just beside Druid Grove, but more instances of this weapon may appear once the Baldur’s Gate game gets out of early access.
Similar to other Versatile Weapons, the Trident does have a plethora of unique attacks that players can use to turn the tide of combat. For one, its Rush Attack gives additional mobility to players that still enable them to attack. Likewise, Piercing Strike gives players a chance to render enemies weaker with Gaping Wounds. Lastly, Crippling Strike can force enemies to be at a disadvantage.
2 Faithbreaker
- Damage: 1d8 Bludgeoning | 1d10+1 Bludgeoning
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Uncommon
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Absolute Power, Backbreaker, Concussive Smash, Weakening Strike
Popular illustrations of holy warriors in Dungeons & Dragons often get depicted wielding warhammers to smite foes into oblivion, and the Faithbreaker is the prime example of such a weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3. This Uncommon Magic Weapon has the angular characteristics of a Dwarven warhammer, but its item description denotes the weapon being formerly under the ownership of a hobgoblin.
Players can acquire the Faithbreaker from Dror Ragzlin in the Shattered Sanctum, of which they can access its numerous benefits. For one, it has the Backbreaker Action that not only strikes foes but can also turn them Prone. It also has Concussive Smash that can Daze opponents as well. Lastly, Weakening Strike deals non-lethal damage that inflicts Weak Grip on foes. Most importantly, it possesses the Absolute Power, wherein this divinely-infused strike deals an additional 1d6 Force damage alongside a backpush. Players new to Baldur’s Gate 3may be able to try useful builds with this weapon.
1 Adamantine Longsword
- Damage: 1d8 Slashing | 1d10 Slashing
- Proficiency: Martial
- Quality: Rare
- Range: 1.5m
- Qualities: Versatile, Dippable
- Skills: Versatile Hitter, Pommel Strike, Lacerate, Rush Attack
Players who managed to acquire the Adamantine Longsword will feel its regal yet pristine quality, especially since they can only acquire it during “The Adamantine Forge” quest at the Grymforge that requires them to craft this via the Longsword Mould and the Mithral Ore.
When acquired, this weapon gives players access to the usual set of Longsword Actions. Rush Attack allows players to reposition themselves around the map while attacking foes. Meanwhile, Lacerate renders foes Bleeding, which causes damage over time. Lastly, Pommel Strike is a non-lethal move that can render enemies - even powerful Baldur’s Gate 3 NPCs - weakened. Perhaps most importantly, Adamantine Longsword has Versatile Hitter, capable of giving opponents -1 Attack Roll penalties via Reeling for a turn (if one-handed) or two turns (if two-handed).
Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently in early access and is available for the PC.