Baldur’s Gate 3: Adamantine Forge Gear Tier List – What to Craft

In the Adamantine Forge Gear Tier List, we delve into the best gear choices available to craft for your adventures in Baldur’s Gate 3.

BG3 Best Armour for Paladin Class

Crafting one of the top choices in Adamantine Forge represents the most strategic approach when dealing with the limited availability of Mithral ore in Baldur’s Gate 3, as players can only craft two gear pieces out of six. In this guide, we will discuss the Adamantine Gear, which will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of each item’s attributes, ultimately helping you determine which gear best aligns with your team’s needs and objectives.

What is the Best Adamantine Gear & What Should You Craft In the Forge?

The best items to craft in Adamantine Forge are armours. Both medium Adamantine Scale Mail and heavy Adamantine Splint Armour offer exceptional protection, dominant compared to other Baldur’s Gate 3 Act 1 gear. Another great option is Adamantine Shield.

These selections offer substantial defensive benefits, such as high armor class, immunity to critical hits, and crowd-control effects, making them invaluable assets in the game’s early stages. By prioritizing these gear options, players can ensure their characters remain resilient and effective throughout their journey, using their precious Mithral ore resources most efficiently.

Here is the list of best to boost Adamantine gear you can Craft In the Forge:

  1. Adamantine Scale Mail (medium armur)
  2. Adamantine Splint Armour (heavy armour)
  3. Adamantine Shield
  4. Adamantine Mace (simple weapon)
  5. Adamantine Longsword (martial weapon)
  6. Adamantine Scimitar (martial weapon)

6 Adamantine Scimitar

Adamantine Scimitar Baldur's Gate 3 BG3
  • Damage: 1D6+1 Slashing
  • Weapon Type: Scimitar
  • Proficiency Requirement: Martial Weapons
  • Bonus 1: Diamondsbane: If an adamantine weapon hits an object, the hit is always critical.
  • Bonus 2: Lethal Weapon: This weapon ignores Slashing Resistance.
  • Bonus 3: Weapon Enchantment +1
  • Location: Griymforge, Adamantine Forge, Act 1

Scimitars in BG3 are considered niche weapons due to their martial proficiency requirement and lower base damage of 1d6. The weapon is categorized as “finesse,” allowing the use of either strength or dexterity for attack and damage rolls. Rapiers, with a base damage of 1d8 and legendary options like the Duellist’s Prerogative, are typically a better choice for finesse weapons. The College of Sword Bard specializes in scimitars, making it an option for them.

5 Adamantine Longsword

Adamantine Longsword Baldur's Gate 3 BG3
  • Damage: 1D8+1 Slashing (One-Handed), 1D10+1 Slashing (Two-Handed)
  • Weapon Type: Longsword
  • Proficiency Requirement: Martial Weapons
  • Bonus 1: Diamondsbane: If an adamantine weapon hits an object, the hit is always critical.
  • Bonus 2: Lethal Weapon: This weapon ignores Resistance to Slashing Damage.
  • Bonus 3: Weapon Enchantment +1
  • Location: Griymforge, Adamantine Forge, Act 1

The Adamantine Longsword is a versatile martial weapon with a base damage of 1d8. It can be wielded with one or two hands, providing flexibility to the player. However, it ranks lower on this list because it demands martial weapon proficiency, and there are superior two-handed weapon options available very early in Act 1, such as the Everburn Blade, Sword of Justice, and Silver Sword, to name a few.

4 Adamantine Mace

Adamantine Mace Baldur's Gate 3 BG3
  • Damage: 1D6+1 Bludgeoning
  • Weapon Type: Mace
  • Proficiency Requirement: Simple Weapons
  • Bonus 1: Diamondsbane: If an adamantine weapon hits an object, the hit is always critical.
  • Bonus 2: Lethal Weapon: This weapon ignores Bludgeoning Resistance.
  • Bonus 3: Weapon Enchantment +1
  • Location: Griymforge, Adamantine Forge, Act 1

The Adamantine Mace deals 1d6 + 1 damage and does not require martial proficiency, making it suitable for various classes and character builds. It possesses the Lethal Weapon and Diamondsbane passive abilities, which enhance its damage potential. This weapon stands out for its accessibility, making it a valuable choice for characters like Clerics, especially Shadowheart, who can benefit from maces when using shields for added defense.

However, the Adamantine Mace falls short in terms of its bonuses. It does not unlock any powerful spells or passive abilities, unlike the Blood of Lathander, which becomes accessible in the Githyanki Creche at the beginning of Act 2. The best maces complement the user’s spellcasting or passive abilities, which is why the Adamantine Mace ranks lower on this list.

3 Adamantine Shield

Adamantine Shield Baldur's Gate 3 BG3
  • Armour: +2 AC
  • Weapon Type: Shield
  • Proficiency Requirement: Shields Proficiency
  • Bonus 1: Shield Bash – When a foe hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction, to knock it Prone unless they succeed a Dexterity Saving Throw.
  • Bonus 2: Immune to Critical Hits.
  • Bonus 3: When a melee attack misses you, the attacker is sent Reeling for 2 turns.
  • Location: Griymforge, Adamantine Forge, Act 1

Adamantine Shield is a prime option for utilizing your Mithral ore. The key strengths of this set lie in its +2 Armor Class (AC) bonus, immunity to critical hits, and the ability to use a Shield Bash reaction to knock enemies prone. Additionally, the Adamantine Shield can inflict the “Reeling” status on users for two turns, resulting in a -1 penalty to their attack rolls.

For optimal use of this shield, consider selecting a spellcaster character and a race that grants shield proficiency. Combine the Adamantine Shield with a Quarterstaff to significantly boost your AC. It safeguards against critical hits and maintains your spellcasting abilities. The Adamantine Shield becomes a must-craft item to enhance your character’s capabilities if you already possess excellent heavy or medium armor options.

2 Adamantine Splint Armour

Adamantine Splint Armour BG3
  • Armour: 18 AC
  • Armour Type: Heavy Armour
  • Proficiency Requirement: Heavy Armour Proficiency
  • Bonus 1: Magical Plate: All incoming damage is reduced by 2.
  • Bonus 2: Intense Adamantine Backlash: When a melee attack hits you, the attacker is sent Reeling for 3 turns. Attackers can’t land Critical Hits on the wearer.
  • Bonus 3: Disadvantage on Stealth Checks.
  • Location: Griymforge, Adamantine Forge, Act 1

This armor boasts a high Armor Class (AC) of 18, immunity to critical hits, the Reeling status effect, and a 2-point damage reduction. It’s an essential item to acquire during Act 1, particularly for Fighters, Paladins, and certain Cleric subclasses (Life, Nature, Tempest, and War). The AC it provides can carry you through to the endgame in Act 3, eliminating the need for frequent armor upgrades. However, its downside is its limited usability, primarily suited for specific classes and subclasses or requiring a feat to gain heavy armor proficiency.

An alternative option is the Flawed Helldusk Armour, available with an 18 AC early in Act 2 from Dammon in exchange for an Infernal Iron. While not as robust, it suits those preserving their Mithral Ore. However, for Paladin or Fighter main characters, utilizing your Mithral ore to craft this armor is highly recommended. In Act 3, consider upgrading your armor, initially with the Armour of Persistence and later with Helldusk Armour, towards the game’s conclusion.

1 Adamantine Scale Mail

Adamantine Scale Mail Baldur's Gate 3 BG3
  • Armour: 16 AC
  • Armour Type: Medium Armour
  • Proficiency Requirement: Medium Armour Proficiency
  • Bonus 1: Magical Plate: All incoming damage is reduced by 1.
  • Bonus 2: Adamantine Backlash: When a melee attack hits you, the attacker is sent Reeling for 2 turns. Attackers can’t land Critical Hits on the wearer.
  • Bonus 3: Disadvantage on Stealth rolls. AC bonus from Dexterity limited to +2.
  • Location: Griymforge, Adamantine Forge, Act 1

The Adamantine Scale Mail stands out as the top item to craft in the Adamantine Forge due to the limited availability of strong medium armor sets. This armor offers similar benefits to heavy armor, with an AC of 16, a damage reduction of 1 (rather than 2), immunity to critical hits, and protection, applying Reeling status effect. Medium armor finds use among a broader range of classes and races, including Bard (Sword & Valour), Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, Shield Dwarf, and Githyanki.

By wearing medium armor, you can include your Dexterity modifier in your AC, adding up to +2. With 14 Dexterity or higher, you can achieve an AC of 18, matching heavy armor but slightly less damage reduction. Only two other medium armor sets surpass the AC of 16: Armour of Agility and Dark Justiciar Half-Plate. However, the Adamantine Scale Mail remains unique in its ability to serve you effectively throughout Baldur’s Gate 3. This makes it the top choice when utilizing the Adamantine Forge for crafting.


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