Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Armour ranked – BG3 armour, helms, shields, and gloves

Want to give your party the best armour in Baldur’s Gate 3? With PC and PlayStation 5 exploring Faerun for its secrets and foes, players want the best gear to defend themselves in combat. Here’s the best protection you can get in the D&D Forgotten Realms.

Players looking for an offensive approach can consider our Baldur’s Gate 3 weapons guide. One particularly impressive set of armour can be forged in Baldur’s Gate 3 Adamantine Forge after beating the Grym foe in the Grymforge location.

What does Armour do in Baldur’s Gate 3

Armour determines your odds of being hit and offers other bonuses in Baldur’s Gate 3. The main bonus of armour class is Armour class. A higher value means that you’re harder to hit. 

Unlike most RPGs, being hit in heavy armour will still deal the same damage as light armour. As for armour bonuses, they can range from attack boosts to modifier improvements to Baldur’s Gate 3 abilities. Some tie into class abilities like the Barbarian’s Rage or the Druid’s Wild Shape.

Types of Armour in BG3

Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3 comes in a variety of shapes and forms. These can be picked based on their aesthetics in addition to the bonuses they grant you. Here are the armour options you have in BG3:

• Helms
• Chest Armour
• Shields
• Gloves
• Boots
• Cloaks

Chest armour is the main contributor to Armour class and comes in four types in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Clothing – minor bonuses to Armour Class
• Light Armour – boost to Armour Class + full Dexterity modifier
• Medium Armour – better boost to Armour class + up to 2 Dexterity modifier
• Heavy Armour – massive boost to Armour class + no Dexterity modifier

Note that certain Baldur’s Gate 3 classes grant proficiency in specific types of armour. Wearing the wrong type of armour can weaken attacks and spells. Heavy Armour is a better pick for classes with average Dexterity like Barbarians and Fighters. On the other hand, Light Armour might be a better option for high-dexterity characters like Rogues and Bards. Note that most Heavy Armour grants a disadvantage on stealth checks. This means that while sneaking about, detection is determined by the worst of two dice rolls.

The rarity of an item also improves the Armour Class of a piece of armour by 1 or 2.

Best Armour in BG3 ranked

We’ve sorted out the best armour in Baldur’s Gate 3 across a variety of categories. After pouring dozens of hours into our Baldur’s Gate 3 review, we can say for certain that the right equipment can make a massive difference. The Baldur’s Gate 3 legendary items are particularly potent at altering your build in-game. Here’s a detailed list of all the best armour in the game along with their stats.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Helms and how to get them

Helms might not protect you as much as chest armour but some of them have powerful buffs. The Grymskull Helm is also a good option. For bards, Alfira’s chest in Druid’s Grove has the Cap of Curing. This hat lets you heal characters for 1d6 HP while using Bardic Inspiration on them. Here are the best BG3 helms:

1. Helm of Balduran – Stun Immunity protects players from being stunned. Balduran’s Favour offers +1 Armour Class (AC) and +1 to saving throws. In addition, Balduran’s Vitality gives players +1 HP at the start of their turn. Slay the dragon Ansur in a hidden lair beneath Baldur’s Gate for this Legendary helmet reward.
2. Dark Justiciar Helmet – This Very Rare helmet offers Magical Durability, granting +1 to spell saves. Covert Critical reduces the number needed for a critical hit by 1, making it a good combo with critical skills like the Fighter’s Brutal Critical. You also get a +1 to Constitution saving throws. You can find this item in the Gauntlet of Shar beyond the Baldur’s Gate 3 Silent Library.
3. Hood of the Weave – This Very Rare item offers a +2 to the Arcane Enchantment. This improves spellcasting modifiers and spell save DC, ensuring that your spells hit hard. This also ensures that it’s harder for enemies to evade your spells. You can find this item with Mystic Carrion in Baldur’s Gate. Here’s how to reach Baldur’s Gate in Baldur’s Gate 3. 

Best BG3 Light Armour and how to get them

Light Armour is the simplest form of chest armour in BG3. Here are the best Light Armour options in the game:

1. Bhaalist Armour – This Very Rare item grants an impressive 14 Armour Class with a +2 to initiative rolls. This improves your odds of starting your combat turn before your opponents. You also have Aura of Murder that makes enemies vulnerable to Piercing damage unless they have resistance against it. You can get this item by becoming an Unholy Assassin and buying it from the Echo of Abazigal vendor in Act 3. 
2. Armour of Moonbasking – While this Very Rare item only has 11 Armour Class, it turns a Wild Shape Druid into an unstoppable force. Lunar bestial Vitality gives the wearer 22 temporary hit points after casting Wild Shape. You also reduce incoming damage by 1 when this health pool is active. Lunar Bestial Fortitude boosts your Armour Class by 2 and grants an advantage on saving throws against spells. This persists when you use Wild Shape. Get this from the Voiceless Penitent Bareki merchant in the Lower City Sewers in Act 3.
3. Blazer of Benevolence – This Uncommon Light Armour item only has a paltry 11 Armour Class. But it offers Remedial Rhymes, letting you gain 4 temporary hit points whenever you use Bardic Inspiration as a Bard on an ally. Bardic Inspiration can be used to improve dice rolls like attack rolls for a melee attack or a ranged one. This makes it a good item for Bards, especially in Act 1. You’ll receive it as a reward for rescuing Volo in the Shattered Sanctum.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Medium Armour and how to get them

Medium armour sits at a sweet spot for players who want good armour that doesn’t inconvenience them while using stealth. Races like the Githyanki and Shield Drward have Medium armour proficiency. As for classes, the Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, and some Bard subclasses like College of Valour and College of Swords have Medium armour proficiency. If you’re using a frail class like a Wizard or Sorcerer, consider the Moderately Armour Feat from Baldur’s Gate 3 feats. Here are the best medium armour options in BG3:

1. Adamantine Scale Mail – With 16 Armour class, this Very Rare armour is one of the best in the game. It also offers Adamantine Backlash, causing the Reeling status effect to enemy attackers. This reduces attack rolls by -1, reducing damage. Magical Plate also reduces all incoming damage by 1. It’s a solid item that can be created right at Act 1 at the Adamantine Forge with the Scale Mail mould and Mithral Ore.
2. Yuan-ti Scale Mail – This Rare Medium armour can be purchased from Quartermaster Talli at the Last Light Inn in Act 2. Exotic Material gives you your entire Dexterity modifier bonus, unlike other Medium armour. This makes it perfect for Rangers and Bards who can use Medium armour. You also gain +1 to initiative rolls thanks to the Ambusher perk.
3. Barkskin Armour – Another Rare item from Quartermaster Talli, the Barkskin Armour initially offers an Armour Class of 12. But its Forest Aegis perk grants its wielder the Barkskin condition, raising their Armour Class to 16. You also get an advantage on Constitution saving throws. It’s perfect for Bards that can take advantage of Medium armour.

Best BG3 Heavy Armour and how to get them

Heavy Armour is restricted to certain classes like the Paladin, Cleric, Ranger, and Fighter. The Adamantine Splint Armour is also a good choice here with its Intense Adamantine Backlash perk. Here are the best Heavy armour options in BG3:

1. Helldusk Armour – Arguably the best armour in the game, this 21 Armour Class behemoth lets any class use it by granting them Heavy armour proficiency. And whenever you succeed in a saving throw, the caster gets the Burning effect for 3 rounds. Your character also has resistance against fire and Burn immunity. Add a perk of -3 damage from all sources and the free Fly spell and you’ve got yourself an incredible piece of armour. You can get it by beating the cambion Raphael in the House of Hope in Baldur’s Gate 3.
2. Cerebral Citadel Armour – With 18 Armour Class, it’s one of the best heavy armour options in the game. In addition to immunity from the Frightened condition, you also gain Illithid Protection. This perk offers +1 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws if you’ve been infected by a Mind Flayer tadpole. You can get this as random loot at the Emperor’s Hideout in Act 3.
3. Reaper’s Embrace – 19 Armour Class makes it a solid pick for classes that can use it. Magical Plate reduces all incoming damage by 2, making tanky characters sustain even more injuries. You also get the Howl of the Dead cantrip. But what makes this item special is Reaper’s Rigidity. Activate this option to be immune to being pushed or moved but at the cost of a disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. You can find this Very Rare Heavy armour on Ketheric Thorm in the Mind Flayer Colony.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Shields and how to get them

Shields boost your Armour Class, making your characters harder to hit. They also offer some bonuses on top of that. Humans and Half-Elves have proficiency in Shields. As for classes, the Barbarian, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, and the College of Valour Bard have access to Shield proficiency. And if your character doesn’t have Shield proficiency, you can opt for the Moderately Armoured feat at level 4, level 8, and level 12. Here are the best shields in BG3:

1. Viconia’s Walking Fortress – This Legendary shield gives your character a +3 to Armour class. It also offers Rebuke of the Might, an enhanced version of Shield Bash. This lets you use your reaction against a melee attacker to deal force damage and possibly knock them Prone. As for spellcasters, you gain an advantage against spells while the caster gets a disadvantage. You can get this off Viconia DeVir in the Daughter of Darkness quest in Act 3.
2. Shield of Scorching Reprisal – This Rare shield can be found on a Flaming Fist’s corpse in Act 2. With a +2 to Armour Class and the Shield Bash ability, it’s a solid defensive pick. It also offers Blazing Retaliation, letting you use a Bonus Action to deal fire damage when an enemy misses a fire attack. This shield also offers resistance to fire damage.
3. Glowing Shield – You can get this shield from behind the Goblin camp right in Act 1. With a +2 to Armour class, you also get the Loving Protection perk. Once per short rest, you gain 8 temporary hit points when you drop below 50% health and take damage. It’s a good defensive buff.

Best BG3 Gloves and how to get them

Gloves offer some of the most unique reaction bonuses in the game. Here are the best gloves in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. Gloves of Missile Snaring – While they’re not the absolute best, their reaction is among the more satisfying options in the game. Missile Snaring lets you intercept ranged weapon attacks and reduce their damage by 1d10 + Dexterity modifier. This means you can reduce incoming damage by up to 15 damage. It’s a good pick for frail both classes and tanky characters. You can get it from the first vendor you meet in the Emerald Grove right in Act 1. Aaron from Druid Grove is a dwarf trader.
2. Quickspell Gloves – Quickspell Finger lets you use a cantrip as a bonus action instead of a regular action. You can do this once per short rest so Wizards and Warlocks are a perfect fit for this item. It’s sold by Lorroakan’s Projection at Sorceror’s Sundries. This is located in the Lower City of Baldur’s Gate.
3. Gloves of the Automaton – In addition to a +1 to Strength saving throws, Circuitry Interface grants advantage on all weapon attacks for 10 turns. While you can only use it once per short rest, it’s an amazing way to sweep enemies off the map. You also turn into a construct, making you immune to spells like Charm person. Purchase this from Barcus at the Last Light Inn in Act 2.

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Boots and how to get them

Boots also offer sweet perks in the game, particularly in the movement department. Some boots offer the Momentum status effect. Others like the Disintegrating Night Walkers grant immunity to conditions like Enwebbed, Entangled, and Ensnared. One pair even offers the Misty Step spell. Here are the best BG3 boots:

1. The Speedy Lightfeet – This pair of boots grants three lightning charges if you dash in combat. These charges add extra damage to your attacks. They also offer a +1 to athletics. But this pair comes under the Medium armour category, making them unsuitable for classes like the Wizard. You can get this from a heavy chest under the windmill in the Blighted Village. This can be accessed in Act 1.
2. Linebreaker Boots – This pair of Rare boots grant the Wrath status effect after Dashing and lasts for three turns. Wrath boosts melee damage by +1. You can find this item at the Worg Pens after defeating Beastmaster Zurk.
3. Evasive Shoes – Offers a +1 to Acrobatics and Armour class. Get this Rare pair of boots from Mattis at the Last Light Inn.

Best BG3 Cloaks and how to get them

Cloaks are the last item on this list but don’t underestimate them. Here are the best cloaks in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Derivation Cloak – This cloak grants Deadly Derivation. Heal yourself by 1d4 whenever you poison an enemy. It’s a good pick for classes that are great at poisoning enemy targets. You can find it in a locked chest in Bathazar’s quarters in the Moonrise Towers. You can get here in Act 2.
• Vivacious Cloak – Arcane Vivaciousness grants 7 temporary hit points when you cast a spell while being in melee range of an enemy. It’s a good way to make a Wizard or Warlock more durable in combat. Get it from a chest at the Grand Mausoleum.
• Cloak of Protection – With a +1 to Armour Class and saving throws, this cloak can help any character irrespective of class. You can get this from Quartermaster Talli at the Last Light Inn in Act 2.

That covers all the armour in Baldur’s Gate 3. Be on the lookout for amulets like the Circle of Bones too that grant resistance to most physical damage for allied undead. Hunt any of the above items down for a massive power spike in the game. Here are the best Baldur’s Gate 3 spells that you could use alongside these items. And if you’re on the hunt for powerful artifacts on PC and PlayStation 5, check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 Necromancy of Thay guide.

What is the best armour in BG3?

Helldusk armour is the best armour option in BG3.

Is there legendary armour in BG3?

Yes, you can get legendary armour from enemies and chests in BG3.