Baldur’s Gate 3: 15 Best Versatile Weapons, Ranked

A witch is another term for a spellcaster in fantasy literature, with the Staff of Crones possibly being a reference to their rather darker depiction in some stories. Acquired from the Hag’s treasure room in Sunlit Wetlands, players enjoying their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay may appreciate this quarterstaff in the early game, especially with its more grim design.

Upon acquisition, players get the standard fare 1d6 Bludgeoning and 1d8 Bludgeoning altering damage types between one-handed and two-handed experiences. They also get Ray of Sickness for free, making this 1st-Level Necromancy Spell and its chance to Poison a suitable target for the Staff’s themes and for builds who need the extra firepower.

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 toward 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.

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 the 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.

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.

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-range build.

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.

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. For players who want to have a weapon akin to that of the Arthurian Legend or a weapon with a unique origin, Phalar Aluve works best.

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.

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.

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.

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 back push.

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).

In the lore of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, Silvanus is the guardian god of wilderness and nature, blessing his Faithwardens to defend their very homes. When a new Faithwarden is inducted into their order, they receive the Pale Oak, a quarterstaff infused with Silvanus’s power. Found within the Emerald Grove, Pale Oak is one of the more decent early-game quarterstaves players can obtain in their Baldur’s Gate 3 experience, especially if they aim to equip this to their spellcaster or Monk.

When equipped, Pale Oak bestows upon its user the Faithwarden’s Stride quality, rendering them immune to the Ensnaring of Druid vines, to the point that they don’t count as difficult terrain anymore. They also have access to Faithwarden’s Vines, a 1st-Level Conjuration Spell that makes vines sprout on the ground, making the area difficult terrain and possibly Ensnaring creatures in the location.

With Mourning Frost being a Very Rare weapon in a player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 experience, it’s expected that the acquisition of this armament wouldn’t be easy. Players need to combine three components from the Underdark: an Icy Crystal (dropped by Filro the Forgotten), Icy Metal (in the Drow body in the Myconid vault), and Icy Helve (Dhourn, after defeating the Spectator).

When combined, players create the chilling Mourning Frost, hinted to be restraining power waiting to be released. This staff incentivizes Cold-based builds, courtesy of Heart Of Ice which deals +1 Cold Damage to all Cold Spells, and Insidious Cold which boosts the chance of Chilled to affect targets of attacks that deal Cold Damage. Players don’t even need to retool their kits with Mourning Frost, as it conveniently comes with the Ray of Frost Evocation Cantrip.

During Shadowheart’s personal quest “The Chosen of Shar,” players have the option to save the Nightsong and have Isobel turn her back on Shar. Doing so grants her a spear dedicated to Shar’s enemy Selune, aptly named Selune’s Spear of Night. This Legendary Spear is one of the most powerful Versatile Weapons in the game, boasting the usual Rush Attack and Maiming Strike associated with Spears and an enchantment of +3.

Moreover, Selune’s Spear of Night comes with benefits appropriately associated with the goddess. On top of granting 12-meter Darkvision, players can illuminate areas with moonlight via Moonmote, and even have a beam of harsh moonlight damage foes via 3rd-Level Evocation Moonbeam.

Wizards are known to possess a treasure trove of Magic Items in Dungeons & Dragons, be it through their own creation or upon acquisition in their adventures. When Baldur’s Gate 3 players reach Ramazith’s Tower in the city of Baldur’s Gate. They shouldn’t tell Nightsong that Lorroakan is looking for her so that players can explore the Tower freely. The priority is to get to its lower levels and stop until they see an Arcane Barrier. Using See Invisibility will reveal control levers and, upon succeeding an Arcana Check, may grant players access to the resting place of this Legendary Staff.

On top of a +2 Weapon Enchantment, players also get Arcane Enchantment +1 to their Spellcasting Modifier and Spell Saves, incentivizing spellcasters such as Wyll or Gale. They also gain access to Arcane Battery, wherein they get a free cast of any spell after using this ability. This comes on top of Topple and the Kereska’s Favour 4th-Level Evocation Spell.