The Best Armor Combos In Baldur's Gate 3

Key Takeaways

Baldur’s Gate 3
offers diverse companions with unique quests and 12 classes for customizable combat.
Experimenting with armor combinations is crucial to find the best gear for each class in the game.
Players can optimize their characters with specific armor sets to enhance abilities, defense, and damage output.

Baldur’s Gate 3 has a phenomenal cast of companions, and each has its own interesting personalities as well as unique quests that link perfectly to the main story. Players are able to select between twelve different classes and customize them with a variety of Feats, subclasses, and multi-classed with others for intriguing combat situations.

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Each class has a wide array of choices for armor or weapons, which means players should also be on the lookout for new gear that will work perfectly with their build as they explore the Sword Coast. Some armor combinations are better and more rewarding than others, so players may need to experiment with the gear they find to uncover the best combinations.

Updated on November 15th, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose: Finding the best combinations of chest pieces, boots, gloves, weapons, and jewelry for that perfect build is one of the features that keep Baldur’s Gate 3 popular more than a year after its initial launch. Awards and accolades are still rolling in as recently as late 2024. Each class has unique armor or weapons to match their proficiencies, which means players should also look out for gear that works perfectly with their build.

11 A Battle Necromancer

A Wizard That Sits Comfortably On The Frontlines

Ideal Classes: Wizards of the Necromancy School, Paladins, or Clerics

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Circle of Bones	Dropped By Balthazar in the Gauntlet of Shar	Allied undead are resistant to bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing damage. Players can also cast animate dead.
Reaper’s Embrace	Dropped by Ketheric Thorm	All damage is reduced by two. Players cannot be moved against their will by spells or actions, but have Disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
Gloves of Dexterity	Purchased from A’ja’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek	Increases the wearer’s dexterity score to 18.
Helldusk Boots	Found in a locked chest on the Upper Levels of the Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.	A player cannot be forcefully moved by an enemy’s spells or actions, they also ignore the effects of Difficult Terrain. When a player fails a saving throw, a player can use their reaction to succeed instead.
Cloak of Displacement	Purchased in Danthelon’s Dancing Axe	At the beginning of a player’s turn, the cloak activates, giving enemies Disadvantage on attack rolls against the wearer. This effect remains until the wearer takes damage.

Players who want to experience what it’s like to be the death knight opponents they may commonly face in Baldur’s Gate 3 should look no further than using this combination of armor choices when deciding on what their character should wear.

To wear the Reaper’s Embrace, a Wizard first needs a level in a class such as Paladin to allow them to equip it while still being able to use their spells.
Feats like Moderately Armored will give a character medium armor proficiency, and players can follow this up with Heavily Armored.
The Gloves of Dexterity will mean players can remove all their skill points from dexterity and instead invest them into their intelligence for hard-hitting spells while still being able to hold their own with a versatile weapon.

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10 Bold Bard Build

Their Spells Are Just As Deadly As Their Sword

Ideal Classes: College of Swords Bards, Rogues, or Rangers

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Helmet of Arcane Acuity	Found In the Mason’s Guild	Players gain a level in Arcane Acuity for two turns when they make a melee attack.
Armor of Agility	Sold by Gloomy Fentonson at Stormshore Armory	Players add their Dexterity modifier to their armor class. This armor also doesn’t impose Disadvantage on stealth checks.
Daredevil Gloves	Purchased from A’ja’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek	The wearer gains a plus 1 to their spell attack roll. They can also cast ranged spells as a melee spell attack.
Vital Conduit Boots	Purchased from A’ja’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek	When the player casts a spell that needs concentration, they gain 8 temporary hit points.

Bards that choose the subclass of College of Swords may find themselves regularly in the way of damage. Some players may at first struggle to keep their bard alive because of this. Fortunately, with the right armor combo, this can be avoided.

Armor of Agility is an armor piece players earn later in the game.
Crèche Y’llek is in the Mountain Pass, which is easy to miss should the party travel through the Underdark.
The combination of the helmet of Arcane Acuity and the Daredevil Gloves will allow the player to increase the amount of damage done by their spells after dealing melee damage. The effect can stack, meaning players can use these ranged spells up close and destroy their opponent.

9 Rage And Wrath

Increases The Barbarian’s Damage

Ideal Classes: Barbarians of any subclass

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Bonespike Helmet	Purchased from the voiceless Penitent Berenice in the Lower City Sewers	When a player rages, surrounding enemies must make a Wisdom saving throw or take 2-8 psychic damage.
Bloodguzzler Garb	Found on a Duergar in the Underdark	When an enemy damages the player, the player gains Wrath for 1 turn.
Bonespike Gloves	Found on Strangler Luke in the Undercity Ruins	The player’s attacks ignore resistance to slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage.
Linebreaker Boots	Found in the Worg Pen in the Shattered Sanctum or on Beastmaster Zurk	Once per turn, when a player dashes, they gain Wrath for 2 turns.

Players tend to struggle to find the perfect gear to put on their Barbarians, especially as it’s best when they rely on their unarmored defense. Thankfully, all four of these pieces of gear don’t require any sort of armor proficiency. No Feats or other changes are required for any Barbarian using this gear.

Gear like the Bloodguzzler Garb and Linebreaker Boots will give the player the feature known as Wrath. This will increase the Barbarians’ melee damage by one, so they do even more damage to surrounding opponents.
Combining these two pieces with the Bonespike Gloves means even those that are resistant to slashing, piercing, or bludgeoning damage will also be damaged by these attacks.
The Bonespike Helmet helps the Barbarian directly when they Rage, as each surrounding creature must make a Wisdom saving throw or take psychic damage.

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8 Supporting Clerics

Protection And Healing On The Frontlines

Ideal Classes: Life, Trickster, or Light Domain Clerics

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Wapira’s Crown	Accept the reward from Zevlor after killing the Goblin leaders in Act 1	When healing an ally, the caster gets 1-6 hit points back.
Adamantine Scale Mail	Forged at the Adamantine Forge	All incoming damage is reduced by 1 when equipped and attackers can’t land critical hits on the armor user.
The Reviving Hands	Purchased at the Stormshore Tabernacle in the Lower City	When a player heals a creature, they gain Blade Ward. If they are revived, they gain the effect of Death Ward.
Boots Of Speed	Curing Thulla in the Underdark	Allows the player to dash as a bonus action by using the action Click Heels.

Clerics can be excellent frontline units, but sometimes, it’s better to have an individual who will mainly focus on support.

Wapira’s Crown can be earned early into a player’s adventure and will allow a player to regain their own hit points while also healing another.
The Reviving Hands add further protection to those the Clerics bring back to life.
The Adamantine Scale Mail is by far the best medium armor available in Baldur’s Gate 3, with not only its high AC but additional perks.
The Boots of Speed may not seem that special compared to everything else, but it allows the team’s medic to quickly across the battlefield or out of harm’s way.

7 A Bard’s Bravery

Increased Amount Of Bardic Inspiration

Ideal Classes: Designed for Bards, with gear specific to the class

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Birthright	Purchased at Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur’s Gate	Increases Charisma by 2.
Blazer Of Benevolence	Rescue Volvo from the Shattered Sanctum	When inspiring an ally, the player gets 4 temporary hit points.
Cerebral Citadel Gloves	Found in the Emperor’s Old Hideout	When a player charms or frightens a creature, they gain a 1d4 bonus for their attack and saving rolls.
Boots Of Brilliance	Found Inside the Gauntlet of Shar	Players can restore their Bardic Inspiration.
Vivacious Cloak	Found in the Grand Mausoleum	The player gains 7 temporary hit points after casting a spell while they are in melee.

There may be no Bard companion for players to recruit in Baldur’s Gate 3, but the class is still available for players to choose for themselves or change a companion into by using Withers. There are plenty of interesting armor combinations that work perfectly for such a class, but this is one of the best.

Birthright may not add anything too special, but it can increase the player’s Charisma modifier past the threshold of 20.
When using their Bardic Inspiration on an ally, the Bard will receive four temporary hit points.
Bardic Inspiration can then be refreshed outside of combat by using the Boots of Brilliance.

6 Grand Elemental Wizard

A Wizard That Does Even More Damage

Ideal Classes: Wizard Schools of Conjuration, Evocation, Abjuration, or Necromancy

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Hood of the Weave	Purchased from Mystic Carrion in Philgrave’s Mansion	The player gains a plus 2 bonus to their spell save DC and spell attack rolls.
Robe of Supreme Defenses	Sold by Ferg Drogher in Rivington	While concentrating, a player can add their spellcasting modifier to their saving throws and gain a plus one to their armor class.
Gemini Gloves	Purchased from Helsik in the Devil’s Fee	Cantrips can target town foes or allies at once, the same target can even be chosen twice.
Boots of Arcane Bolstering	Bought from Arab Oblodora in Moonrise Towers	Each time the player dashes, the wearer gains an Arcane Charge for two turns.
Cloak of the Weave	Purchased from Helsik the Devil’s Fee	Players gain a plus one to their spell save DC and spell attack rolls. They also gain the ability to absorb elements.

Wizards are one of few classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 that have no armor proficiencies, this means they are forced to use the clothing that is available otherwise they are unable to cast spells. Thankfully, there are countless clothing items for players to experiment with.

Hood of the Weave or the Robe of Supreme Defenses increases the Wizard’s spell save DC and attack bonus.
The Boots of Arcane Bolstering increase spell power and give the wearer an extra defensive ability.
Cloak of the Weave does this and more as players can use Absorb Elements once per short rest. When the wearer of the cloak is attacked using an element damage, they can choose to absorb this damage allowing them to take half that damage during that turn but also increasing the damage they do using that same element.

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5 The Storm Cleric

Also Known As The Thunder God Build

Ideal Classes: Tempest or War Cleric

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Hat of Storm Scion’s Power	Sold by Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers	When the wearer deals Thunder damage, Thunderous Acuity activates to give them Arcane Acuity.
The Jolty Vest	Part of Brem’s special inventory in the Zhenatrium Hideout. He can sell it after completing the quest “Find the Missing Shipment.”	Superior Material, which gives -1 to slashing damage, and Countershock, which stuns to attacker if the wearer has Lightning charges.
Gloves of Belligerent Skies	In the Inquisitor’s Chamber of Crèche Y’llek, in a locked chest.	When the wearer deals Thunder damage, Lightning damage, or Radiant damage, Thunder Conversion inflicts 2 turns of Reverberation upon the target.
Corpsegrinder	Loot from Cairos at the docks west of Rivington.	A maul that does both bludgeoning and Thunder damage. The Tenacity ability does bludgeoning damage to the target even if the user misses.

These Clerics are often used as frontline fighters or DPS dealers as opposed to support or healing roles. The wide variety of Domains and the gods that rule over them give Clerics the freedom to do almost anything. Tempest Clerics often serve Talos, the chaotic Storm Lord, while War Clerics often serve Tyr, the blind god of justice.

The Hat of Storm Scion’s Power is light armor, but it’s ideal for the ability of Arcane Acuity because this is also a DPS build with some spell power behind it.
The Jolty Vest is Medium Armor, but it still gives decent protection with reduced slashing damage and a way to slow down attackers.
A defender or melee DPS build benefits from carrying Corpsegrinder. Even if they miss, they still hit.

4 A Great Defense

A Strong Frontline Fighter

Ideal Classes: Any Fighter class, but the defense and hit difficulty lean to more defensive builds.

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Helmet Of Grit	Found in the Szarr Palace	When the wearer has 50% hit points or less they gain an additional bonus action.
Adamantine Splint Armour	Forged in the Grymforge	All incoming damage is reduced by two, when a melee attack hits the player the attacker is sent reeling for three turns. Attackers can also not land critical hits.
Gauntlets of Surging Accuracy	Purchased from Lann Tara in Moonrise Towers	When using action surge the player gains a plus 1d4 to attack rolls for the rest of their turn.
The Speedy Lightfeet	Found in the Blighted Village	When the player dashes, they gain 3 lightning charges.
Cloak of Protection	Purchased from Quartermaster Talli at the Last Light Inn	The player increases their armor class and their saving throws by one.
Adamantine Longsword	Forged in the Grymforge	Hits are always critical and ignore Resistance to Slashing damage thanks to the Diamondsbane and Lethal Weapon abilities.

Fighters have the potential to either be incredible damage dealers or brilliant defensive units. With this build, the player can have the best of both worlds.

The Adamantine Splint Armor has some of the same effects while also having an even higher AC.
Search for a second piece of Adamantine ore to craft both the Splint Armor and the Longsword.
The Cloak of Protection then boosts this AC even further, making the wearer nearly impossible to hit.
The Gauntlets of Surging Accuracy increases the player’s chance to hit their target by one d4 for the rest of their turn when they use their Action Surge.
If the battle is too much for the player to handle, or if that unit’s health goes lower than 50%, the Helmet of Grit gives them a bonus action to heal away the pain.

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3 Free In The Wild

A Ranger With Freedom Of Movement

Ideal Classes: Any Ranger, also works well for College of Valor Bards

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Circlet of Hunting	Sold by Arab Oblodora in Moonrise Towers	Players gain a 14 bonus to their attack rolls against creatures marked by Hunter’s Mark, True Strike, Faerie Fire, or Guiding Bolt.
Sharpened Snare Cuirass	Sold by Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers	Players add their dexterity modifier to their armor class. Enemies have Disadvantage against saving throws when resisting both attacks and spells that inflict the Restrained condition.
Legacy of the Masters	Purchased from Dammon in the Lower City	Players gain a plus 2 bonus to attack and damage rolls when using weapons.
Boots of Genial Striding	Sold by Blurg in the Underdark	The wearer’s movement speed is no longer affected by Difficult Terrain.
Adamantine Shield	Forged in the Grymforge	+2 AC, the wearer is immune to critical hits, sends opponents Reeling for 2 turns when they miss with a melee attack, and the Shield Blow ability knocks enemies Prone.
Marksmanship Hat	Sold by Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers	+1 bonus to all attack rolls for ranged weapons that do physical damage (darts, daggers, axes, in addition to conventional bows and arrows).

Players unlock the only Ranger companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 during the final act of the game. In the meantime, players should be collecting these pieces to make this Ranger one of the most powerful units in their party.

Hunter’s Mark is one of the most powerful spells a Ranger can wield through purchasing the Circlet of Hunting. Any foe that is marked by this spell has a plus 4 attack roll when attempting to hit it.
This attack roll is increased further through equipping the Legacy of Masters gauntlets, which increases the attack roll by another +2, even if the spell does not mark them.
Rangers who fight in melee range will also benefit.
The Marksmanship Hat is specifically for Ranged physical attacks, which include thrown daggers and axes in addition to bows and crossbows.
A simple pair of Boots like the Genial Striding ones also means the player never needs to worry about difficult terrain ever again.

2 A Cunning Rogue’s Gear

Increased Critical Hits

Ideal Classes: Any Rogue, Bard, or Ranger

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Covert Cowl	Dropped by a Meenlock in the cellar of Last Light Inn	While obscured, the number needed to roll a critical hit is reduced by one.
Elegant Studded Leather	Found in the High-Security Vault no. 9 in the Counting House.	Players gain a plus 2 bonus to their initiative rolls and an advantage on stealth checks.
Dark Justicar Gauntlets	Found in the Gauntlet of Shar	A player’s weapon attacks deal an additional 1-4 Necrotic damage.
Disintegrating Night Walkers	Dropped by True Soul Nere	A player can’t be enwebbed, entangled, or ensnared. They also can’t slip on grease or ice, and they learn the spell Misty Step.
Cloak of Cunning Brume	Purchased from Mattis in Last Light Inn	When the player disengages, they create a foggy cloud that blinds those who are in it.

Rogues are the perfect combination of stealth attackers who can deal a lethal amount of damage as long as they have the upper hand. That’s why many of the armor pieces chosen for them allow them to obtain this advantage.

The Cloak of Cunning Brume allows the player to become invisible. Through this advantage, they can successfully stealth attack.
Once they have hit their target, they can safely Misty Step away by using the Disintegrating Night Walkers.
The Covert Cowl will increase the likelihood of a player getting a critical hit, as it reduces the threshold by one.
The main piece of Studded Leather armor may seem simple, but an increase in the unit’s initiative allows them to get into position faster.

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1 Masterful Monk

Improve Damage And Reactions

Ideal Classes: Designed and intended for Monks of any class

Item	Location	Abilities and Buffs
Mask of Soul Perception	Found in the Devil’s Fee	A player gains a plus 2 bonus for attack rolls, initiative rolls, and perception checks. They can also cast detect Thoughts.
Vest of Soul Rejuvenation	Purchased in Sorcerer’s Sundries	When a player succeeds in a saving throw against a spell, they gain 1-4 hit points. The player can also make a reaction unarmed strike on any attacker that misses.
Gloves of Soul Catching	Save Hope during the House of Hope Quest	Players’ unarmed attacks deal an additional 1-10 force damage. Once per turn, an unarmed hit will regain 10 hit points or a player can instead gain an advantage on their attack and Saving rolls.
Helldusk Boots	Found in a locked chest on the Upper Levels of the Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.	A player cannot be forcefully moved by an enemy’s spells or actions, they also ignore the effects of Difficult Terrain. When a player fails a saving throw, a player can use their reaction to succeed instead.
Cloak of Displacement	Purchased in Danthelon’s Dancing Axe	At the beginning of a player’s turn, the cloak activates, giving enemies Disadvantage on attack rolls against the wearer. This effect lasts until the wearer takes damage.

Monks are all about the soul, and that’s why many of the greatest armor combinations for them all share similar names.

Combining the likes of the Mask of Soul Perception, Vest of Soul Rejuvenation, and the Gloves of Soul Catching will allow a player to react faster, be more likely to hit, and deal even more damage with their unarmed attacks.
The Helldusk Boots and the Cloak of Displacement also mean that although the player isn’t wearing any actual armor, they are still unlikely to be hit, with the player even choosing to use their reaction to reroll a saving throw.

Released: August 3, 2023
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

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The Best Armor Combos In Baldur’s Gate 3