Discover everything you need to know about all Heavy Armour Listed in Baldur’s Gate 3 and the best one to equip while exploring the world.
Heavy Armour in BG3 provides maximum protection but severely hinders mobility. Creatures wearing heavy armour do not add their Dexterity modifier to their AC and have a disadvantage on Stealth checks. Each Armour has a type that determines its armour class and appearance. Helldusk Armour is the best one due to its unique benefits and properties. Selecting the best one is crucial because your gameplay mostly depends on it. In this guide, we’ll discuss all Heavy Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3 along with their properties and the unique bonuses they provide to players in combat.
Heavy Armour Overview in BG3
Heavy Armuor in Baldur’s Gate 3 provides superior defenses and additional bonuses to the playable character. They provide exceptional protection and are good for characters who prefer durability over mobility. They are ideal for frontline characters due to the highest base AC among all Armour types. Most Heavy Armour requires a Strength score to equip without penalties. This armor type ignores Dexterity, making them a downside for Dexterity-based characters. They are an excellent choice for characters who need to soak up damage and hold the frontline.
Fighter, Paladin, and Cleric are the classes that focus on strength, durability, and frontline combat. Your movement speed will reduce by 10 feet without sufficient Strength. You can either purchase them from a shop, obtain them from fallen enemies, or hidden chests, or craft them using the required materials. You can equip it to your character’s chest slot in the inventory. The user needs Heavy Armour proficiency or suffers penalties while wearing the armour. You can equip it on any class, companion, or character with Heavy Armour proficiency.
What is the purpose of Heavy Armour in BG3?
The purpose of Heavy Armour in BG3 is to provide maximum protection and durability for characters who act as the frontline in combat. They make you resilient against different types of attacks, allowing you to endure punishment. This Armour type is a go-to choice for characters who need to withstand enemy attacks. Players equipping Heavy Armour are typically the party’s tanks, holding choke points or blocking enemies from advancing.
This Armour type removes reliance on Dexterity modifiers for AC, allowing Strength-focused characters to invest in offensive power. Most magical heavy armours have unique properties like critical hits, reducing incoming damage, and enhancing survivability. Players can combine them with the abilities and spells to become nearly unkillable. These Heavy Armour attract enemy attention due to their positioning and durability. Equip them if you prefer a defensive, survivability-focused playstyle.
List of All Heavy Armour in BG3
Here are all the Heavy Armour to equip in Baldur’s Gate 3 including their AC and special.
Armour | Rarity | Armour Class | Special |
---|---|---|---|
Chain Mail | Common | 16 | |
Plate Armour | Common | 18 | |
Ring Mail Armour | Common | 14 | |
Splint Armour | Common | 17 | |
Chain Mail +1 | Uncommon | 17 | Superior Material You take 1 less Slashing damage. |
Plate Armour +1 | Uncommon | 19 | Superior Plate You take 1 less Piercing damage. |
Protective Plate | Uncommon | 18 | Grants Resistance to Necrotic damage Does not give a disadvantage on stealth checks. |
Ring Mail Armour +1 | Uncommon | 15 | Body Aid Gain a +1 bonus to Strength Saving throws and Ability checks. |
Splint Armour +1 | Uncommon | 18 | Superior Plate You take 1 less Piercing damage. |
Armour of Devotion | Rare | 18 | Eternal Devotion Recite your Oath to regain 1 Channel Oath Charge. Recharge: Long rest |
Cerebral Citadel Armour | Rare | 18 | Frightened Immunity You can’t be Frightened Illithid Protection If the wearer is infested by a mind flayer tadpole, they gain +1 to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma Saving throws. |
Chain Mail +2 | Rare | 18 | Superior Material You take 2 less Slashing damage. |
Dwarven Splintmail | Rare | 19 | Constitution +2 (Max 20) Superior Plate You take 1 less Piercing damage. Body Aid Gain a +1 bonus to Strength Saving throws and Ability checks. |
Flawed Helldusk Armour | Rare | 18 | Lesser Infernal Retribution When you are hit by a foe within 2 m / 7 ft, it might take 1d4 Fire damage. Superior Plate You take 1 less Piercing damage. |
Plate Armour +2 | Rare | 20 | Exceptional Plate You take 2 less damage from Slashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning sources. |
Ring Mail Armour +2 | Rare | 16 | Superior Material You take 1 less Slashing damage. Body Aid Gain a +1 bonus to Strength Saving throws and Ability checks. |
Rippling Force Mail | Rare | 17 | Force Absorption Gain 2 turns of Force Conduit when taking Slashing, Piercing, or Bludgeoning damage. |
Splint Armour +2 | Rare | 19 | Superior Plate You take 1 less Piercing damage. Body Aid Gain a +1 bonus to Strength Saving throws and Ability checks. |
Adamantine Splint Armour | Very Rare | 18 | Attackers can’t land Critical Hits on the wearer. Magical Plate All incoming damage is reduced by 2. Intense Adamantine Backlash When a melee attack hits you, the Attacker is sent Reeling for 3 turns. |
Armour of Persistence | Very Rare | 20 | Magical Plate All incoming damage is reduced by 2. Legendary Persistence You gain Resistance and Blade Ward. |
Blackguard’s Plate | Very Rare | 19 | Advantage on Wisdom Saving throws. Magical Plate All incoming damage is reduced by 1 |
Emblazoned Plate of the Marshal | Very Rare | 19 | Fire Shield Cast as a level 4 spell Recharge: Long rest. Magical Plate All incoming damage is reduced by 2. Endurance by Fire You have Resistance to Fire damage and a +2 bonus to Saving throws. |
Reaper’s Embrace | Very Rare | 19 | Howl of the Dead Let out a bone-chilling howl that Numbs all nearby creatures. Recharge: Short rest. Magical Plate All incoming damage is reduced by 2. Reaper’s Rigidity When activated, you can’t be moved against your will by any spell or action, but have Disadvantage on Dexterity Saving throws. |
Helldusk Armour | Legendary | 21 | Fly Cast as a level 3 spell Recharge: Long rest. Helldusk Armour You are considered Proficient with this armour while wearing it. Infernal Retribution When you succeed in a Saving throw, the caster receives Burning for 3 turns. Prime Aegis of Fire You have Resistance to Fire damage and cannot be Burned. You take 3 less damage from all sources. |
Tips and Tricks for Using Heavy Armour in BG3
Here are all the tips and tricks for using Heavy Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Pair Heavy Armour with Feats like Mobile to enhance the movement and Dual Wielder to enhance AC.
- Ensure your character has 17+ Strength for the Heavy Armour as they require high Strength requirement.
- Use Shields for +2 AC and cast Shield of Faith for +2 AC as they don’t add your Dexterity modifier. ‘
- Equip boots or items that boost mobility or pair with Expeditious Retreat to offset movement penalties as these Armour mitigate your movement speed.
- Combine with defensive buffs like Bless to boost attack rolls, Aid to enhance maximum HP, and Mirror Image to add an extra layer of defense.
- Main proficiency in heavy armour for optimal synergy in BG3.
- Position your character to protect weaker allies.
- Use Armour strategically against enemies with specific damage types as some Armour offers elemental or condition resistances in the game.
Best Heavy Armour in BG3
Here are the best Heavy Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3 to equip while progressing through the game.
- Helldusk Armour- A Legendary Armour hat can be worn even without any proficiency. It also grants Fire resistance and reduces damage by 3 from all sources.
- Reaper’s Embrace- A very rare heavy Armour that reduces incoming damage by 2 and makes the wearer immune to being moved by force.
- Adamantine Splint Armour- It mitigates all incoming damage by 2 and sends attackers Reeling. In addition, attacks can’t land critical hits on the wearer.
- Blackguard’s Plate- It reduces all incoming damage by 1 and grants an Advantage on Wisdom Saving Throws.
- Armour of Persistence- It grants its wearer permanent Resistance and Blade Ward effects in addition to reducing all damage taken by 2.
1) Helldusk Armour
Regarding armour in Baldur’s Gate 3, nothing compares to Helldusk Armour’s AC bonus. With the ability to cast fly, 21 AC, and three bonuses, Helldusk is the best armour in BG3. In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Helldusk Armour is versatile, highly desirable Legendary armour that you won’t want to pass up! It has a very nice high-level Armour Class, and one of its best bonus features means that any class/companion/race can wear it.
You’re still likely to want to use it with your heavier-hitting classes such as Fighters, Clerics, or Paladins rather than equipping it to a spellcaster. This is due to there being better clothing options for them which boost their spellcasting, but if you really wanted to, you could make Gale lug this around. The other bonuses you receive from this armour are beneficial, particularly Prime Aegis of Fire. This provides Resistance to Fire damage and saves you from burn damage which can be helpful in future battles that may involve enemies with the Fireball spell or dragons.
The best use of the Helldusk Armour is to boost your AC and mobility, specifically for spellcasters or classes that lack Heavy Armour proficiency. Regardless of your proficiency, you can wear the heavy armour and gain 21 AC, making it much harder for enemies to hit you.
2) Reaper’s Embrace
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Reaper’s Embrace is a heavy armour set that grants extra overall protection, makes you immovable, and gives you access to a special cantrip. The bonus called Magical Plate grants the wearer a -2 reduction on all incoming damage. Secondly, you can toggle the Reaper’s Rigidity bonus, a passive feature that allows your character to become unmovable against any spell or action that tries to take control. Unfortunately, it does have the side effect of causing you to have a Disadvantage on Dexterity Saving Throws.
Finally, the last benefit this armour set grants you is access to the unique cantrip called Howl of the Dead. Unlike other cantrips, which can be cast as many times as you want, you can only cast this once per Short Rest. Casting this cantrip releases a bone-chilling howl which can Numb creatures within a 3-meter radius. If successful, the condition can last for up to three turns. Furthermore, affected enemies have their movement speed halved.
3) Adamantine Splint Armour
In Baldur’s Gate 3, The Adamantine Splint Armour has a high Armor Class (AC) of 18, immunity to critical hits, the beneficial Reeling status effect, and a solid 2-point damage reduction. It’s a must-have item in Act 1, especially if you play as a Fighter, Paladin, or one of the Cleric subclasses (Life, Nature, Tempest, and War).
The AC it offers can carry you through even to Act 3, reducing the need for frequent armour upgrades. However, it has a limitation—it’s best suited for specific classes and subclasses or may require a feat to gain proficiency in heavy armour. For main characters who are Paladins or Fighters, using your Mithral ore to craft this armour is very good.
4) Blackguard’s Plate
In Baldur’s Gate 3 the heavy armour set called Blackguard’s Plate isn’t the best you can pick up during the end-game, but is a viable option as a backup set should you need one. The perks of it are pretty straightforward. Magical Plate reduces all incoming damage by 1. Additionally, you will gain an Advantage on all Wisdom Saving Throw checks, which will give you some nice extra protection from spellcasters such as Clerics, Druids, Monks, and Rangers.
Finally, there is a downside to this armour, though it is typical for most heavy armour sets in BG3. Any character wearing this plate will have a Disadvantage on Stealth checks. You can only get Blackguard’s Plate in Baldur’s Gate 3 by finding the Murder Tribunal in Act 3 and choosing to fight and kill the guards
5) Armour of Persistence
In Baldur’s Gate 3, The Armour of Persistence is a heavy armour from Damon in Act 3. The Magical Plate bonus on the Armour of Persistence reduces all incoming damage by 2, making you tougher to take down. With the Legendary Persistence bonus, you get Resistance, meaning you take less damage from all sources, and Blade Ward, which helps you withstand Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing attacks by only taking half of the damage.
Additionally, the Resistance cantrip makes you more resistant to spell effects and conditions, giving you a +1d4 bonus to Saving Throws. However, there’s a trade-off – you’ll have a Disadvantage on Stealth Checks, so be mindful of your approach. For main characters who are Paladins or Fighters, as you progress into Act 3, consider upgrading your armour, to the Armour of Persistence, and later with the Helldusk Armor. You acquire the Armour of Persistence by locating Dammon in Lower City.
FAQs about All Heavy Armour in BG3
Is there Heavy Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, Heavy Armour is an Armour type in Baldur’s Gate 3. They are versatile types that most of the classes can equip.
How many Heavy Armour are there in BG3?
There are 24 Heavy Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3 ranging from the nonmagical type to special/magical type variants.
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