Summary
- The Hamarhraft maul is a standout weapon in Act 1, dealing high damage and AoE damage when jumping into battle. It can be found in a burning room in Waukeen’s Rest.
- The Titanstring Bow is a solid ranged weapon option, especially for players investing in Strength. It can be found in the Zhentarim Hideout in Act 1 after completing a specific quest.
- The Blooded Greataxe is an excellent early-game weapon with high damage and bonus damage when the wielder is low on health. It can be purchased from Dammon at the Emerald Grove or Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is split into three Acts and most of the absolute best weapons are naturally found in the later stages of the game. For players currently in Act 1, however, there are plenty of great options and even a few standout weapons that remain strong all game long.
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No matter what build players are going for, they should be able to find a variety of weapon types, from one-handed or two-handed melee weapons to crossbows and longbows. On top of all the relevant stats and effects, it is also important that players know where to find the best weapons in Act 1 of BG3.
Updated December 20, 2024, by Joe Grantham: Even in Act 1 alone, there is no shortage of weapons, including some surprisingly good options. With every playthrough and build being different, this list has been updated to include even more examples of great early-game weapons for Baldur’s Gate 3. Thus, no matter what path players take and whatever their class, there should be strong options waiting for them around every corner.
13
Bow Of The Banshee
Base Damage: 2~7
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Shortbow |
1d6 + 1 Piercing |
Blood-Curdling Emission: On hit, possibly inflict Frightened. Gain a 1d4 bonus to attack and damage rolls against Frightened Targets. |
- Location: Bought or taken from Corsair Greymon near the Grymforge.
Toward the end of Act 1, there is an incredibly strong Shortbow called Bow of the Banshee that doesn’t get enough attention. Beyond its fairly typical damage, the bow has a chance to Frighten targets, which is great in itself. However, they will then be more likely to hit Frightened targets and deal more damage to them. This can be great alongside other ways of inflicting the condition.
To get their hands on this bow, players will need to make their way to the Grymforge. On the boat to this location, there is a Duergar called Corsair Greymon, who can be convinced to sell the bow or be killed for it. He will also appear at the Duergar encampment in the Grymforge if left alone on the boat.
12
Adamantine Longsword
Base Damage: 2~11
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Longsword |
1d10 + 1 Slashing (Two-Handed) |
|
- Location: Crafted in the Adamantine Forge, The Underdark.
If players are looking for some of the best weapons and the best armor in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, then they should make their way to the Adamantine Forge in the Underdark. Here, they are able to craft a number of items using molds and Mithral Ore, both found in the surrounding area.
One of these options is the 
Adamantine Longsword
, which is not only great for destroying objects such as cracked walls, but also for facing off against enemies with a resistance to Slashing damage.
11
Sussur Dagger
Base Damage: 2~5
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Dagger |
1d4 + 1 Piercing |
Silences targets on hit. |
- Location: Crafted in the Blighted Village with Sussur bark from the Underdark.
Other than arguably being the most beautiful dagger in BG3, the 
Sussur Dagger
might not appear to be that strong. After all, its damage isn’t anything to write home about, and it only has one effect. This effect, however, of silencing a target, can be incredibly powerful. Any spellcaster will become instantly useless, and as this dagger can be dual-wielded in the off-hand, players can then follow up on vulnerable targets with a stronger main-hand attack.
The Sussur Dagger is not simply obtained, however, as it must be crafted in the Blacksmith’s Forge within the Blighted Village. Here players will be able to start a quest known as Finish the Masterwork Weapon, which will lead them in the right direction. In the Underdark, they will be tasked with finding Sussur Tree Bark, the key ingredient for crafting the Dagger, or the 
Sussur Greatsword
, another good option.
10
Gandrel’s Aspiration
Base Damage: 2~11
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Heavy Crossbow |
1d10 + 1 Piercing |
|
- Location: Looted from Gandrel the monster hunter near Auntie Ethel’s teahouse.
If players are looking for the best Crossbow in Act 1, then there are a few Heavy Crossbows that all deal the same damage with +1 Weapon Enchantments. However, the easiest to acquire early on, and arguably the best thanks to its abilities, is 
Gandrel’s Aspiration
.
When facing off against Monstrosity creatures, such as Worgs, Harpies, the Phase Spider, or even Doppelgangers, the wielder of Gandrel’s Aspiration will attack with Advantage, making misses less likely. Against Undead, of which there are plenty in Act 2, players can also use the Sacred Munitions Bonus Action to Turn them away. To get the Crossbow, simply find Gandrel the Gur monster hunter in the Sunlit Wetlands/Putrid Bog, and kill him. This is the region where Auntie Ethel lives.
9
Knife Of The Undermountain King
Base Damage: 3~8
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Shortsword |
1d6 + 2 Piercing |
|
- Location: Bought or stolen from A’jak’nir Jeera at Creche Y’llek.
The Githyanki Creche is home to many of the best weapons for Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3, and the 
Knife of the Undermountain King
is one such example. This Shortsword, not only has a Weapon Enchantment +2, making attacks more likely to hit, but it also has passives that build upon it.
Attacks against Obscured targets will be almost guaranteed to hit, while rolling a low 2 for damage can be improved on with another role. Scoring crits is also easier with the Knife of the Undermountain King, granting it a high ceiling. The easiest way to obtain this sword is to purchase it from A’jak’nir Jeera, although it can also be stolen from her.
8
Unseen Menace
Base Damage: 2~11
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Pike |
1d10 + 1 Piercing |
Invisible Weapon: This weapon is Invisible while equipped. It has Advantage on Attack Rolls, but loses this property for 2 rounds after missing. Rolls of 19 also crit. |
- Location: Bought or stolen from A’jak’nir Jeera at Creche Y’llek.
There aren’t many Pikes in Baldur’s Gate 3, nor are they considered that great, but the 
Unseen Menace
breaks this trend. Attacking with Advantage, this Pike has a higher chance of hitting, as two dice are rolled instead of one.
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In addition to this, when rolling a 19 as well as a 20, the Unseen Menace will crit for more damage. While its base damage isn’t anything to boast about, it is nevertheless solid for Act 1 and parts of Act 2. It is also a relatively easy weapon to acquire as it can be bought at the Githyanki Creche from the Quartermaster A’jak’nir Jeera.
7
Mourning Frost
Base Damage: 3~11 or 3~13
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Quarterstaff |
1d6 + 1 Bludgeoning (One-Handed) or 1d8 + 1 Bludgeoning (Two-Handed) + 1d4 Cold |
|
- Location: Crafted by finding components in the Underdark.
Mourning Frost
is easily one of the best staffs for the early game in Baldur’s Gate 3, especially for any build centered around dealing Cold damage. Not only will it deal extra Cold damage in melee or when using spells, but there is also a chance to Chill targets, making them vulnerable to further Cold damage.
Unfortunately, Mourning Frost also happens to be one of the hardest weapons to get hold of in BG3, as players must first locate its three components from around the Underdark. All are carried by Drow mages, with the Icy Helve found to the west of the Selunite Outpost, Icy Metal found in the Myconid Colony, and Icy Crystal found near the Sussur Tree.
6
Phalar Aluve
Base Damage: 2~9 or 2~11
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Longsword |
1d8 + 1 Slashing (One-Handed) or 1d10 + 1 Slashing (Two-Handed) |
|
- Location: Near the Selunite Outpost, in the Underdark.
Phalar Aluve
is a longsword with decent damage but is best known for its powerful auras. Once per Short Rest, players can play a melody and either make the sword sing or shriek. By singing, all nearby allies will gain significant bonuses to their Attack Rolls and Saving Throws, whereas by shrieking, all enemies will be less likely to succeed in their Saving Throws, and will also take bonus Thunder damage when struck by Phalar Aluve.
Similarly to the mythical sword Excalibur, Phalar Aluve is also found in a rock, and players must pass a Strength or Religion check to free it and lay claim to its powers. This rock is found near the Selunite Outpost in the Underdark.
5
Hamarhraft
Base Damage: 2~12
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Maul |
2d6 Bludgeoning |
Shockwave: When the wearer jumps, they deal 1d4 Thunder damage in a 3m radius upon landing. |
- Location: In a chest at Waukeen’s Rest.
There aren’t many mauls in BG3, but one of these two-handed weapons, the 
Hamarhraft
, is rather excellent for Act 1. Not only can it deal up to 12 damage before the character’s modifier is added, but players will also deal AOE damage when jumping into the fray.
To find Hamarhraft players simply need to reach Waukeen’s Rest and enter one of the burning rooms on the second floor. The maul is then found inside a Gilded Chest, although players may want to do this in turn-based mode to lower the risk of this chest being destroyed by flames.
4
Titanstring Bow
Base Damage: 2~9
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Longbow |
1d8 + 1 |
Titan Weapon: This weapon deals additional damage equal to the wielder’s Strength Modifier. |
- Location: Sold at the Zhentarim Hideout after completing Find the Missing Shipment.
If players are looking for a solid ranged weapon in Act 1, then one of the best options is the 
Titanstring Bow
, especially for players putting points into their Strength stat, as it will deal even more damage.
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Throwing weapons are a more unusual choice for a Baldur’s Gate 3 build, but there are still powerful weapons that are designed to be thrown in combat.
While the Titanstring Bow can be picked up later in Act 2 if players miss it, to get it early, players need to find one of the secret areas in Act 1, the Zhentarim Hideout. However, the trader Brem will only sell it if players have first completed the Find the Missing Shipment quest. This is a fairly easy quest considering it unlocks the best bow in Act 1 of BG3.
3
Blooded Greataxe
Base Damage: 2~13
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Greataxe |
1d12 + 1 Slashing |
Relentless Revenge: When the wielder has 50% hit points or less, they deal an additional 1d6 Slashing damage. |
- Location: Bought from Dammon at the Emerald Grove or Roah Moonglow at the Shattered Sanctum.
The 
Blooded Greataxe
is one of the best axes in Baldur’s Gate 3 and yet can be picked up very early in the game. Not only does it have great base damage, but the extra 1d6 when low on health can completely turn the tides of battle.
As long as players can acquire enough gold early on, they can purchase the Blooded Greataxe from Dammon at the Emerald Grove, or Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum.
2
Everburn Blade
Base Damage: 3~16
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Greatsword |
2d6 Slashing + 1d4 Fire |
Ever Burning: The fire of this blade cannot be extinguished. |
- Location: Taken from Commander Zhalk on the Nautiloid.
In terms of flat damage, there are few better Act 1 weapons than the 
Everburn Blade
, and shockingly, this Greatsword can be found right at the start of the game. The extra 1d4 Fire damage is a big deal in the early game, especially against enemies who aren’t resistant. The downside is that it has no Weapon Enchantment, meaning attacks aren’t that likely to hit. It also cannot be enhanced by oils.
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The Everburn Blade is wielded by Commander Zhalk, the Cambion on the Nautiloid who many players will choose to ignore and run to the objective. However, if players are up to the challenge, they can try to kill him with the help of the Mind Flayer, or they can use the Command: Drop spell, to disarm him.
1
The Blood Of Lathander
Base Damage: 4~9
|
Type |
Damage |
Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
|
Mace |
1d6 + 3 Bludgeoning |
|
- Location: Found at Creche Y’llek as part of the Find the Blood of Lathander quest.
The Legendary mace, known as 
The Blood of Lathander
, is by far the best weapon in Act 1 of BG3, not least due to the Level 6 spell it comes with, which is capable of destroying entire lines of enemies. The fact that the wielder and surrounding allies are healed when they go down to 0 HP is also a huge blessing and at times can save an entire fight.
The +3 Weapon Enchantment should not be overlooked either, as this makes attacks significantly more likely to hit. Unsurprisingly, even though it can be found early in the game, players will have to go through quite a few hoops to get their hands on The Blood of Lathander. At Creche Y’llek, players can start the Find the Blood of Lathander quest and follow it to the end.
