Baldur’s Gate 3: 14 Best Ranged Weapons, Ranked

Where there’s a crossbow, there’s likely a way to set bolts on fire for maximum damage. And this is exactly what the Firestoker does. This Uncommon Crossbow can be found in the Grymforge and has an effective range of 18 meters. As with other Hand Crossbows, this relies on loading ammunition, as well as being dippable ammo. It has Piercing Shot that can open Gaping Wounds to targets in order to make them more vulnerable.

Moreover, it has Mobile Shot that allows players to attack while moving, making it a handy way of practical repositioning in combat. What perhaps makes Firestoker shine is its Burned Alive feature, wherein each of its attacks deals 1d4 Piercing Damage to Burning opponents. This incentivizes builds focusing on burning opponents first

Those of smaller statures like the Halflings and the Gnomes have the Shortbow +1 to rely on if they want to make precision shots to decimate their foes. And for players who want a reliable ranged build, perhaps the Shortbow +1 may be a great way to start off their journey. This bow is acquired from Dammon at the Druid Grove.

Being a Shortbow, this weapon possesses the Hamstring Shot, allowing players to slow down enemies by half their movement speed once hit.

The heavy nature of the crossbow makes it one of the more complicated ranged weapons to enter the realm of combat, especially in Dungeons & Dragons where all actions take turns. The case is the same with the Heavy Crossbow +1 in Baldur’s Gate 3, where the game’s loading ammo mechanic means it takes time to reload this fast-acting weapon. Players who want to focus on Baldur’s Gate 3 ranged team builds can acquire this from Derryth Bonecloak in the Myconid Colony.

At its core, this weapon allows players to perform Brace (Ranged), where their Damage Rolls get an Advantage as long as they stay stationary. They can also perform a Piercing Shot to turn enemies vulnerable with Gaping Wounds.

In the mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons, a +1 and above weapon means it’s enchanted to provide an extra bonus, unlike its base form. The Baldur’s Gate weapon Longbow +1 reflects such a bonus in the game, with the item’s description stating that this ordinary longbow was enchanted with carved spells running its length. Players can acquire this via Shattered Sanctum’s Roah Moonglow, the Myconid Colony’s Derryth Bonecloak, or the Zhentarim Hideout’s Brem.

Given its rather mundane enchantment, this bow also doesn’t offer a lot of things in terms of specialized components. It has a Hamstring Shot that allows players to slow enemies down when hit. Moreover, it has 1d8+1 Piercing damage, enabling players to dish out more pain contrary to the standard Longbow. Ranged builds won’t go wrong with the straightforwardness of the Longbow +1, and Baldur’s Gate 3 players should avoid the mistake of skipping out on this weapon due to its efficiency.

With the Githyanki essentially coming from another dimension, it makes sense for their depiction in Baldur’s Gate 3 to have them as a rather alien species. This is reflected in their weapons, as the Githyanki Crossbow seems ordinary by Dungeons & Dragons standards but it has a unique appearance nonetheless. Said to be fashioned of metal not native to Faerun, players can only acquire this by fighting Gityhanki Raiders.

Skills-wise, the Githyanki Crossbow also has Brace (Ranged) that allows players to have an Advantage on Damage Rolls while stationary. Moreover, its Piercing Shot also lets players turn enemies vulnerable with Gaping Wounds. However, what’s more interesting is its Psychic Vengeance feature, essentially the equivalent of a melee-based Baldur’s Gate 3 Cantrip that allows players to deal 1d4 Psychic damage on attacks with this weapon if they have 50 percent or less HP.

While the bow remains an ever-reliable long-ranged weapon in games such as Dungeons & Dragons, it’s always quite interesting to see how fantasy worlds like that of Baldur’s Gate 3 adjust to the existence of crossbows. For instance, the Light Crossbow +1 boasts a sleek appearance and a lighter build due to its hollowed body, yet it performs well at the hands of a competent fighter with the right Feats. Found either in the Grymforge or sold by Druid Grove’s Dammon or Myconid Colony’s Derryth Bonecloak, this weapon is a rather common sight in Faerun.

This bow in particular deals 1d8+1 Piercing damage. Not only that, but it also possesses the Piercing Shot, allowing players to make enemies fragile with Gaping Wounds. Despite the rather mundane nature of this item, this does give players a straightforward ranged option for consistent long-distance combat incursions.

Players consider the Arcane Archer as one of the more popular spellslinging Fighter Subclasses in Dungeons & Dragons, and the Spellthief bow allows Baldur’s Gate 3 players to have a similar experience. This weapon, which is originally possessed by Auntie Ethel in the Riverside Teahouse, resembles a typical bow with a yellow magical sheen.

This bow has Brace (Ranged), allowing players to gain Advantage on Damage Rolls while staying immobile – making it a nifty alternative to other Baldur’s Gate 3 Feats. Not to mention, Hamstring Shot may be able to help players slow enemies down to disable any chances of them regrouping. What’s perhaps most intriguing about this bow is the Arcana Vehemence feature, essentially allowing players to regain a Level 1 Spell Slot with a Critical Hit with this weapon once every Short Rest. This weapon becomes an ideal companion for Spellcasters who want to stay safe in the backline.

Sometimes, the mark of a masterclass weapon lies not in a complicated design but rather in a sleek one, and such is the case with Sharran Crossbow. This weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 looks like an ordinary crossbow, with the symbol of the god Shar engraved on the handle. Being an Uncommon Item, this crossbow is rather easy to find similar to items from games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Players can find this item hidden in a chest behind the rothes in Grymforge.

Disguised as “Light Crossbow +1,” players need to pass a check in order for this item’s true name to be revealed. This weapon also comes with the Piercing Shot, capable of weakening foes with Gaping Wounds. Despite its rather mundane nature, the 1d8+1 Piercing and the nifty Piercing Shot make the Sharran Crossbow a must-have for anyone who wants a consistent ranged build.

A lot of the most precious Magic Items in Dungeons & Dragons have associations with legends, particularly when heroes of old used them to defeat ancient evils. In Baldur’s Gate 3, such an item is the Giantbreaker. Classified as a Rare Magic Weapon, players can find this through the Merchant Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout, but only after helping them find the missing equipment. According to the item, this crossbow was used to defeat various hill giants.

When used, the Giantbreaker gives players new to Baldur’s Gate 3 access to Piercing Shot that can easily leave opponents vulnerable with Gaping Wounds. Not only that, Brace (Ranged) allows players to gain an Advantage on their Damage Rolls while not being able to move. Perhaps more impressively, the Heavy Hitter feature means the Giantbreaker’s attacks have a chance of causing enemies to go Reeling, making them have -1 Attack Roll penalties.

Serving as one of many mythical items in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Joltshooter seems to be the favored weapon of legendary Yree the Sparkstruck, a deep gnome who left the Underdark for adventuring. This sleek-looking bow is known for its tendency to have arcs of lightning surrounding it, reflecting its nature as a Rare Magic Weapon. Players can acquire this weapon as one of the rewards in the “Rescue the Grand Duke” Quest, and its appearance may have Baldur’s Gate 3 release more NPCs wielding such an item.

With this weapon, players can do Brace (Ranged), where they gain Advantage on Damage Rolls while remaining stationary. Meanwhile, this weapon also lets them do the Hamstring Shot, which essentially shoots foes that can reduce their speed up to 50 percent to avoid pesky escapes. Lastly, its Electric Blood feature gives players two Lightning Charges whenever dealing damage to this weapon, enabling them to use the Joltshooter in conjunction with other items with effects that cost Lightning Charges.

One of the most interesting qualities of Spears in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay is their versatility, transforming them into one-handed or two-handed weapons and efficient throwing or ranged weapons. Such is the case of Shar’s Spear of Evening, a story-locked item acquired after completing Shadowheart’s personal quest should she choose to kill Nightsong.

Upon acquisition of Shar’s Spear of Evening, Shadowheart or its user can tap into its full slate of dark abilities. Aside from its +2 Weapon Enchantment that augments traditional Rush Attack and Maiming Strike Weapon Actions, its user also gets Blind Immunity as well as Shar’s Blessing. The latter gives the spear users Advantage on Saves when Lightly or Heavily Obscured, while the weapon also deals +1d6 to Lightly or Heavily Obscured creatures.

Despite the Orphic Hammer being a Warhammer, its nature as a throwing weapon makes it one of the more unique ranged armaments in a player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 experience. The weapon is rather tricky to acquire, as players can get it by either making a deal with Raphael or stealing it from the House of Hope.

However, getting this Legendary Weapon does make it easier for players to eliminate pesky enemies like mages. Aside from its +3 Weapon Enchantment, its Spell Resistance also gives players Advantage on Saves against Spells. It also has a unique Unshackling Strike and traditional Weapon Action such as Weakening Strike, Concussive Smash, and Backbreaker.

When players finally reach Baldur’s Gate in Act 3 of the Larian Studios RPG, they need to go to the Circle of the Last Days to meet with Akabi the Djinn. Players should work their way to win the jackpot in his games, as this makes him accuse them of cheating and transfer them to a dense jungle. Going to the escape portal at the end and unlocking the Painted Chest will grant players access to Nyrulna, one of the best tridents in the game for mid-ranged melee builds.

Said to be forged by Lirrico for the champion of wind goddess Akadi, Nyrulna was said to have taken all the wind from his home city. Nyrulna boasts +3 Weapon Enchantment in the game on top of a guaranteed 1d6 Thunder Damage when thrown, with Zephyr Connection returning it to the player’s hand. Veil of the Wind also grants immunity to falling damage on top of a +3-meter boost to movement and jump speed. It has a Glowing quality that shines light up to a 6-meter radius. Aside from traditional Piercing Strike and Crippling Strike, the weapon also grants access to rushing Zephyr Flash and pushing Zephyr Break.

Players who reach the Steel Watch Foundry should defeat the Steel Watcher Titan, giving them access to perhaps the best Longbow in their Baldur’s Gate 3 experience so far: Gontr Mael. Forged from the immaculate steel of a mechanical titan, the Gontr Mael is seemingly blessed by the celestials. On top of boasting a +3 Weapon Enchantment, it has access to traditional Longbow Weapon Actions such as Hamstring Shot and Brace (Ranged).

However, perhaps more interesting is the Gontr Mael’s slate of unique abilities that ensures players always have something to do in their turn. Its Glowing quality gives it a 6-meter glowing aura, whereas its Promise Victory has a chance of inflicting Guiding Bolt on its targets whenever players hit them. Lastly, Celestial Haste gives players a much-needed burst of speed, making their actions more efficient.