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Discover the top 10 best-thrown weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3, ranked for power, effectiveness, and fun in combat!
In Baldur’s Gate 3, combat is an enjoyable mix of strategy, tactical positioning, and the careful selection of the right weapons. Among the diverse arsenal available to players, thrown weapons offer a unique blend of versatility and precision. Whether you’re a agile barbarian using Tavern Brawler, or a dexterous rogue looking to sneak in a deadly hit, thrown weapons can be a key to victory.
But which of these throwable weapons truly stands out in the heat of battle? In this guide, we’ll list the top 10 best thrown weapons ranked in Baldur’s Gate 3, based on their damage, utility, and overall effectiveness.
What are Thrown Weapons in BG3? Explained
In Baldur’s Gate 3, there are six different weapon types that can be thrown in combat, no matter the other properties or trait bonuses they have. Thrown weapons include Daggers, Handaxes, Javelins, Light Hammers, Spears, and Tridents.
Additionally, you can improvise weapons out of chairs, barrels, and even your fellow companions with the Improvised Melee Weapon action. However, doing so will require a high enough Strength ability score to lift and toss them. Moreover, be careful what you choose to throw because most of these items won’t return to you.
Throwing any weapons (or items) in combat will require the use of the Throw ability, which will use an Action. The heavier the item you throw at an enemy, the greater damage it will deal. Additionally, your character’s Strength ability score will determine how much weight you can throw within an 18-meter radius.
10 Best Thrown Weapons in BG3 That You Must Use
The best-thrown weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3 are those that have a trait bonus that allows the weapon to magically return to you. Otherwise, you will need to find and pick up any other weapon you throw at an enemy in combat.
Additionally, in BG3 an Eldritch Knight Fighter will gain access to the Weapon Bond class action at Level 3. This can be cast on any weapon, even those without the Thrown trait. So long as the weapon is equipped in your main hand, if thrown the weapon will always return to you. Eldritch Knight Fighters can only cast this on one weapon at a time. However, they can give the weapon to another companion to use and the Weapon Bond will remain in effect.
Here is our tier list for the top 10 thrown weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3 Ranked:
- Nyrulna – Deals AOE damage on thrown, plus movement bonus.
- Shar’s Spear of Evening / Selnue’s Spear of Night – Claimed in Act 2 with strong damage, traits, and spells.
- Bloodthirst – Best endgame dagger that comes with Bound Weapon trait bonus.
- Dwarven Thrower – Returns on throw, extra damage if used by a dwarf.
- Returning Pike – Available in Act 1, and returns on throw.
- Woe – Quarterstaff that comes with Bound Weapon trait.
- Charge-Bound Warhammer – Extra damage only good for Eldritch Knight due to passive.
- The Sparky Points – Works really well with a Lightning Charge build.
- Lightning Jabber – Does additional damage when thrown, but doesn’t have a return trait.
- The Watcher’s Guide – Strength modifier allows high Strength builds to deal more damage.
1. Nyrulna
Nyrulna Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Trident
- Return on Throw: Yes
- Damage: 1d8 (1d6)+8 Piercing; 1d6 Thunder
- How to Get: Found in the Jungle area Akabi, teleports you to if you cheat at his Spin the Wheel Game, Act 3.
Nyrulna is the best thrown weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3, because of the fantastic area-of-effect Thunder damage it can deal to your target and any other enemies nearby. However, be aware that in order to trigger the AOE, you must target an enemy. If you throw the weapon at the ground, it will not activate an attack roll and you will waste an action. Additionally, be careful that your other party members don’t get caught in the AOE’s 6 meter radius. The Thunder damage does not discriminate and will cause friendly fire to whoever is inside.
Furthermore, the Veil of the Wind trait bonus will also give your character an additional 3 meters of movement speed and jump distance. Moreover, it even gives you immunity to falling damage. This is great for providing your character additional mobility in combat.
2. Shar’s Spear of Evening or Selnue’s Spear of Night
Shar’s Spear of Evening or Selune’s Spear of Night Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Spear
- Return on Throw: No
- Damage: 1d8 (1d6)+4 Piercing; +1d6 Piercing, OR 1d8 (1d6)+5 Piercing
- How to Get: Killing the Nightsong will reward you with Shar’s Spear of Evening. Saving the Nightsong will reward you with Selune’s Spear of Night.
Although neither of these weapons will automatically return to you if thrown, Shar’s Spear of Evening and Selune’s Spear of Night make the number 2 spot on our Thrown Weapon Ranking because of their powerful damage and additional traits. Each of these spears carries a blessing from their particular goddess, with Shar increasing damage while you are Obscured and Selune granting you advantage on Wisdom saving throws and Perception checks.
Additionally, both offer access to Evocation spells. Shar’s Darkness spell allows you to cast a surrounding darkness that will automatically Obscure you and blind any enemies caught within it. Moonbeam, on the other hand, is a spell from Selune that allows you to cast a beam that deals Radiant damage.
Finally, you cannot get both Shar’s Spear of Evening and Selune’s Spear of Night in one playthrough. Events at the of the Guantlet of Shar will force you to make a choice regarding the Nightsong. The result of this choice will reward you with one spear or the other.
3. Bloodthirst
Bloodthirst Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Dagger
- Return on Throw: Yes
- Damage: 1d4+6 Piercing; +2 Piercing
- How to Get: Dropped by Orin in Act 3.
Not only is Bloodthirst the best end-game dagger in Baldur’s Gate 3, but it also comes with the Bound Weapon trait already applied to it. A Bound Weapon cannot be knocked out of its wielder’s hand, and it will automatically return to you whenever it’s thrown.
Moreover, to make sure that you get the best amount of damage from Bloodthirst, you’ll want to equip it in your main hand. This will have the added effect of triggering the Exploit Weakness bonus trait, which will cause Vulnerability to Piercing damage to any target hit with this weapon.
4. Dwarven Thrower
Dwarven Thrower Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Warhammer
- Return on Throw: Yes
- Damage: 1d10 (1d8)+5 Bludgeoning
- How to Get: Sold by Ferg Drogher in Rivington, if he is approached without Shadowheart in the party, Act 3.
Normally, Warhammer weapons are far too heavy to be classified as a thrown weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3, but the Dwarven Thrower comes equipped with the Homing Weapon bonus trait. This causes the weapon to return to you automatically anytime you throw it.
Additionally, as the name implies, the Dwarven Thrower is best used by a dwarf party member for the additional 1-8 Bludgeoning damage it can do. Therefore, the best way to use the Dwarven Thrower would be to equip it to a Dwarf Barbarian or Fighter (classes with high Strength), who has also chosen the Tavern Brawler feat.
5. Returning Pike
Returning Pike Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Pike
- Return on Throw: Yes
- Damage: 1d10+5 Piercing
- How to Get: Sold by Grat the Trader at the Goblin Camp in Act 1.
The Returning Pike reaches the 6th spot on our thrown weapon ranking because it is the best thrown weapon that you can get while still in the early stages of Act 1. Moreover, the Homing Weapon trait means that you’ll never have to chase this pike down because it will always return to your hand. The Piercing damage won’t carry you through to end game, but is great in Act 1 for the beginning levels of your Throwing Build.
6. Woe
Woe Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Quarterstaff
- Return on Throw: Yes
- Damage: 1d8 (1d8)+1 Bludgeoning
- How to Get: Reward after defeating Cazador Szarr and completing The Pale Elf, Act 3.
Woe is a a great end-game quarterstaff for spellcasters that also comes with the Bound Weapon trait, which means that it will return automatically to your hand when thrown. However, although Woe is a great spellcasting weapon, as a quarterstaff it unfortunately does not have the Thrown trait. This means that when you throw it, it will do damage based on the weight of the item, rather than the base damage numbers of the weapon. Therefore, it ranks a bit lower on our ranking list than it might otherwise. This isn’t necessarily a weapon you will want to use with a high-damage Throw Build, but instead keep in mind as an option in case your spellcaster runs out of spell slots and is not close enough for a direct attack.
7. Charge-Bound Warhammer
Charge-Bound Warhammer Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Warhammer
- Return on Throw: No
- Damage: 1d10 (1d8)+5 Bludgeoning
- How to Get: Purchased from Dammon at the Last Light Inn, Act 2.
The Charge-Bound Warhammer is a good Act 2 weapon for a Throw build, but is limited by the fact that to take full advantage of it you must have an Eldritch Knight cast Weapon Bond on it. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the weapon user needs to be of this subclass. You can get this effect by using a Hireling to cast Bound Weapon on it, and then give the weapon to someone else.
Additionally, although a Warlock making this a Pact Weapon will activate the bonus traits, a Pact Weapon will not automatically return when thrown. Therefore, this is not a recommended action to take if you want to use it as a Thrown weapon.
8. The Sparky Points
The Sparky Points Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Trident
- Return on Throw: No
- Damage: 1d8 (1d6)+4
- How to Get: One of 3 possible rewards for rescuing Counsellor Florrick at Waukeen’s Rest in Act 1.
The Sparky Points ranks lower on this list because although it is a Thrown weapon type, it does not have the Bound Weapon trait. Consequently, it will not return to you after you throw it at an enemy. You can give it this trait by having a Level 3 Eldritch Knight Fighter cast Weapon Bond on it, however. This is usually not too difficult, even if you don’t have this subclass in your party. The easiest way to get this ability would be to summon a Fighter hireling, have them cast this on the weapon, and then dismiss them.
Additionally, The Sparky Points is one of several gear items that can generate Lightning Charges. You can stack these charges to deal extra damage in different ways.
9. Lightning Jabber
Lightning Jabber Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Spear
- Return on Throw: No
- Damage: 1d8 (1d6)+6; +1d4 Lightning
- How to Get: Dropped by the Cursed Kuo-Toa Chief, behind the Grand Mausoleum, Act 2.
The Lightning Jabber is not only a thrown spear weapon but comes with a trait bonus that will deal extra lightning damage whenever you throw and hit a target. The downside to this spear is that it doesn’t come with a trait that returns it to your hand after throwing it. Having an Eldritch Knight Fighter cast Weapon Bond on it can be a good way of getting around this frustration. However, keep in mind that you may have to recast it, as this condition can be removed from the weapon after a Long Rest.
10. The Watcher’s Guide
The Watcher’s Guide Thrown weapon features and mechanics:
- Weapon Type: Spear
- Return on Throw: No
- Damage: 1d8 (two handed) or 1d6 (one handed), plus Strength modifier; Piercing
- How to Get: In the large sarcophagus surrounded by statues and traps inside the Dank Crypt, Act 1.
The Watcher’s Guide is a Thrown weapon you can get very early on in Act 1, and does good base damage that can be increased if wielded by a high Strength character. To really make this weapon effective as a thrown projectile, you should use an Eldritch Knight Fighter to cast Weapon Bond on it. However, depending on how far you are into the game, this may not be available to you before you collect the weapon. The Weapon Bond class action will become available to Eldritch Knights at Level 3, so you likely won’t need to wait long.
FAQs About Best Throwing Weapons in BG3
What is the best class for Throwing in BG3?
Answer: A Berserker Barbarian is the best class for Throwing in Baldur’s Gate 3 because they can use Improvised Melee Weapon as a bonus action as early as Level 3, allowing them to use two actions to deal significant damage in the early game. Additionally, you can increase their thrown damage again at Level 4 by taking the Tavern Brawler feat, to increase your Strength by +1 and your Strength Modifier added twice to the damage and Attack rolls.
What is the best Throwing weapon in BG3 early game?
Answer: The Returning Pike is the best Throwing weapon you can find in Act 1 of Baldur’s Gate 3 because it has the Homing Weapon bonus trait that automatically returns the weapon to you when it’s thrown. This trait alone makes throwing weapons much more viable in BG3 because you’re not constantly having to find and reequip your weapon.
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