Fighters are one of the most iconic melee classes inBaldur’s Gate 3and are unquestionably the most versatile class to play. With proficiency in all weapon and armor types, a fighter character can be molded into anything a player can imagine. With better odds to land critical hits than others and the flexibility to fulfill both tank and DPS roles within the party, knowing which items will help bring out the best in any fighter is key.
While their versatility in combat is a major strength, it can make finding the right gear for a fighter a bit of a headache. I will prioritize different stats, tactics, and equipment when playing with my Eldritch Knight than when having fun with my Battle Master. Regardless of whichBaldur’s Gate 3fighter subclassis chosen, there are certain items found throughout all three acts that will help any fighter shine in battle.
15Sword Of Justice - Uncommon Greatsword
Can Be Rewarded Or Looted In Act 1 From Anders
A great early-game melee weapon is theSword Of Justice, which can be either given as a quest reward or looted by Anders in the Toll House. While this +1 sword has decent damage for Act 1, the best reason to seek out Anders is the sword’s feature: Tyr’s Protection. Once per short rest, the Sword of Justice wielder can cast thisshield of faith variantat level one as a bonus action. While active, this spellwill increase the wielder’s AC by two,making it harder for enemies to land their hits.
14Cloak Of Protection - Uncommon Cloak
Can Be Purchased In Act 2 From Quartermaster Talli
Once arriving in Act 2, the Harper’s merchant Quartermaster Talli should be the first stop for the party as she is one of thebest merchants inBG3with plenty of excellent gear. The Cloak of Protection can be bought from her and is great for any class, but it is a perfect choice for melee party members who might be the focus for many enemies.
Cloak of Protection
+1 to armor class and +1 to saving throws.
While wearing this cloak,the fighter will have a +1 boost to their AC and all saving throws,making it extremely useful for the rest of the game.
13Periapt Of Wound Closure - Rare Amulet
Can Be Purchased Or Looted In Act 1 From Lady Esther
Being on the frontlines in many battles can mean that fighters are likely to take a beating more than most party members. Available from Lady Ester, as shown in the video fromrAAZ, thePeriapt of Wound Closureis perfect as it helps heal and prevent death. While wearing this amulet, the fighter willregain the maximum amount of hit points when they are healed from any spells or potions. The wearer will also automatically stabilize at the start of their turn if they are downed, meaning they won’t have to make death-saving throws.
The Periapt of Wound Closure is great to have in the party out of combat as well as it can be passed around to maximize healing with minimal resources.
12Armour Of Persistence - Very Rare Heavy Armor
Can Be Purchased In Act 3 From Dammon
TheArmour of Persistenceis a great heavy armor that can be bought from Dammon once the party reaches Act 3. The armor has an AC of 20, one of the highest inBG3, and reduces all incoming damage by two. However, what really makes this armor stand out is that it will also grant the wearer the effects ofResistanceandBlade Wardpermanently while they have it on. This willgrant them resistance to piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing damage, as well as give a 1d4 boost to all saving throws.
11Crusher’s Ring - Uncommon Ring
Can Be Stolen Or Looted In Act 1 From Crusher
Being able to move around the battlefield quicker is perfect for amelee fighter buildandCrusher’s Ringis brilliant for that. While wearing this ring,the fighter’s movement speed is increased by three meters/10 feetand can stack with theLongstriderspell, which gives the same effect. The ring can be taken from Crusher in Act 1’s goblin camp either by looting his body after death or slipping it off his toe, asNenoliashows in their video by passing a sleight-of-hand DC 10 skill check.
Can Be Purchased In Act 3 From Fytz the Firecracker
While many fighters specialize in melee weapons, some may prefer to deal damage with ranged attacks with the archery fighting style at level one. Available to buy in Act 3,The Dead Shotis a fantastic bow thatdoubles the fighter’s proficiency bonus for attack rollswhen using it, unless they have disadvantage on the shot. The Dead Shot also reduces the number needed for a critical hit by one, which can stack with other effects that lower the threshold, such as the Champion Improved Critical Hit feature, making this longbow fun to use.
9Sarevok’s Horned Helmet - Very Rare Medium Armor Helmet
Can Be Looted In Act 3 From Sarevok Anchev
Another fantastic item that will lower the critical hit threshold and pair well with a Champion fighter isSarevok’s Horned Helmet. Available to swipe from Sarevok’s body after defeating him during the Murder Tribunal, this awesome-looking helmet will give the wearer dark vision up to three meters/10 feet or extend it to 15 meters/50 feet if they already have the ability. Finally,Sarevok’s Horned Helmet will also prevent the wearer from being frightened,preventing them from moving and imposing a disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks.
8Sword Of Chaos - Very Rare Greatsword
Also available to loot from Sarevok is theSword of Chaos, which deals an extra 1d4 necrotic damage with each attack, which is great against many of the humanoid enemies in Act 3. But the Sword of Chaos' best feature is its healing ability, whichheals the wielder 1d6 hit points each time they hit a target. I paired this with the Periapt of Wound Closure to guarantee six hit points with each melee attack on an enemy, and with three attacks per turn by level 11, my fighters were almost unstoppable.
The Sword of Chaos healing does not trigger when attacking inanimate objects such as doors, barrels, or crates.
7Killer’s Sweetheart - Very Rare Ring
Can Be Looted In Act 2 From Gauntlet of Shar’s Self-Same Trial
TheKiller’s Sweetheartring is the perfect way to help any fighter deal as much damage as possible in a fight. While wearing this ring, once per long rest,when the fighter kills a target, their next attack will be a critical hit. This very rare ring will drop in the Self-Same Trial within theGauntlet of Sharfrom the copy of the player character, but only if none of the party have the Cheater’s Folly condition. To guarantee the ring will appear, the party must only attack the shadow copies of themselves.
6Adamantine Splint Armour - Very Rare Heavy Armor
Can Be Forged In Act 1 At The Adamantine Forge
The Adamantine Forge offers some of the best early game armor inBG3, with the Adamantine pieces still being useful to the party right through to Act 3. TheAdamantine Splint Armouris the heavy armor option and is well worthfinding the mithral oreit takes to create it. While wearing this armor,all incoming damage is reduced by two, and attackers can’t land critical hits on the wearer. Best of all, when they land their melee attacks, enemies are sent reeling for three turns, imposing a -1 penalty to their attack rolls.
