Discover the best Warlock Weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3, equipping your class with the top 10 early and end-game equipment.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Warlocks are spellcasters whose power originates from a pact with an otherworldly patron. These versatile characters can thrive in diverse roles, serving as damage dealers, support casters, and even melee fighters. Warlocks stand out for their capability to cast potent spells without the need for memorization. Additionally, they wield the eldritch blast cantrip to inflict ranged damage. This guide explores the 10 best weapon choices for the class, throughout the entirety of Baldur’s Gate 3.
What is the Best Weapons for Warlock Class in Baldur’s Gate 3
The best weapons for the Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 are the Markoheshkir quarterstaff, Bloodthirst dagger, and Duellist’s Prerogative Rapier. The Markoheshkir quarterstaff is a perfect fit for a spellcasting Warlock who wants to converse spell slots using the Arcane Battery feature. While the Bloodthirst dagger is a great choice for melee Warlocks who do not possess Rapier weapon proficiency. Finally, the Duellist’s Prerogative Rapier is the best selection for melee damage dealers with additional weapon proficiency. Overall, we recommend the Markoheshkir as the best weapon for the Warlock in BG3.
Best Weapons for Warlock class in BG3 Overview:
- Markoheshkir: additional spells, and free spell slot
- Bloodthirst: can trigger double damage with piercing
- Duellist’s Prerogative: reduces critical hit roll
- Caitiff Staff: free spell replenishment
- Infernal Rapier: level 6 spell per long rest
- Knife of the Undermountain King: reduces critical hit roll
- Hellfire Hand Crossbow: Scorching Ray spell
- Incandescent Staff: Fireball spell
- Darkfire Shortbow: Resistance to fire and ice
- Melf’s First Staff: Early game weapon
10 Melf’s First Staff
Melf’s First Staff features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Quarterstaff
- Damage: 1d6 Bludgeoning (One-Handed), 1d8 Bludgeoning (Two-Handed)
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Weight: 1.8 kg / 3.6 lb
- Price: 100 gp
- Requirements: Simple Weapons Proficiency
- Where to Find: Sold by Blurg in the Underdark during Act 1
- Special Bonus: Arcane Enchantment, Melf’s Acid Arrow Spell
What makes the Melf’s First staff powerful is the free spell, Melf’s Acid Arrow. Melf’s Acid Arrow spell is a level 2 Evocation spell that does 4d4 acid damage, and acid damage over time. Moreover, you can shoot this arrow up to 18 meters and it leaves a radius of 2 meters, giving it multikill potential. Early in BG3, the Warlock struggles to use any spells due to limited spell slots. Most of the gameplay is reliant on Eldritch Blast, which doesn’t get more powerful until level 5.
Additionally, this weapon has an Arcane Enhancement feature. While wielding, you gain a +1 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell Attack Rolls. This can be useful for any spell-casting Warlock looking for some extra damage early in Act 1. Lastly, the Act 1 items are limited in power for spellcasting or melee Warlocks. Look to Act 2 for many more options as you progress with your Warlock.
9 Darkfire Shortbow
Darkfire Shortbow features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Shortbow
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 Piercing damage
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 0.9 kg / 2 lb
- Price: 480 gp
- Requirements: Simple weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Sold by Dammon in Last Light Inn, during Act 2.
- Special Bonus: Resistance to Fire, Cold, and Haste spell
Upon reaching Act 2, every Warlock should look to purchase the Darkfire Shortbow from Dammon in the Last Light Inn. What makes Darkfire Shortbow powerful is resistance to both fire and ice merely for equipping this weapon. Even if you have no intention of using a bow attack, and you shouldn’t the passive benefits make it one of the best Warlock weapons in Act 2.
Moreover, this short bow comes with a free cast of the Haste spell once per long rest. Haste essentially doubles your actions for 10 turns, or until concentration is broken. A popular build combination is Sorlock, or Warlock and Sorcerer multiclass build. With that build, and the Darkfire Shortbow, you can grant two targets Haste with one action. This is done with the Metamagic spell, Twinned. Consider Darkfire Shortbow a must-have item for every Warlock build.
8 Incandescent Staff
Incandescent Staff features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Quarterstaff
- Damage: 1d6 Bludgeoning (One-Handed), 1d8 Bludgeoning (Two-Handed)
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Weight: 1.8 kg / 3.6 lb
- Price: 770 gp
- Requirements: Simple weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Sold by Talli in Last Light Inn, during Act 2.
- Special Bonus: Ranged Attack +1, Resistance to Fire, Fire Bolt Cantrip, Fireball spell
The Incandescent Staff is a great choice for Warlocks seeking increased spell attack, an additional spell, and a cantrip. Similar to other powerful Act 2 weapons, this can be purchased from Talli in the Last Light Inn. The weapon grants the wielder a passive boost of +1 to ranged spell attacks and resistance to fire. The main strengths of the weapon are the Fire Bolt cantrip and Fireball spell.
Fireball is a powerful area-based spell that can do massive damage to multiple targets. While the Warlock can obtain this spell, it’s unable to use many spells per combat encounter due to limited spell slots. Considering most rotations use Hex spell first, you are then only able to cast another spell unless you are level 11 or higher. Weapons and equipment like Incandescent give you an extra powerful spell to cast without draining your Warlock of precious spell slots.
7 Hellfire Hand Crossbow
Hellfire Hand Crossbow features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Hand Crossbows
- Damage: 1d6 + 2
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Weight: 0.9 kg / 2 lb
- Price: 770 gp
- Requirements: Martial weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Looted from Yurgir in Gauntlet of Shar, Act 2.
- Special Bonus: Hellstalker, Scorching Ray spell
Considering picking up the Hellfire Hand Crossbow during Act 2 within the Gauntlet of Shar quest. What makes the Hellfire Hand Crossbow special, is the free level 3 Scorching Ray spell. Since this is a level 3 version of the spell, you can cast it against 4 targets rather than 3. This is helpful when you need to multi-kill enemies or they are vulnerable to fire damage.
Another usage of this weapon is initiating combat from stealth or invisible. The Hellstalker feature can trigger the burning status effect, making targets take an additional 1d4 fire damage while it persists. Moreover, this invisible attack can trigger the surprise status effect. When triggered, surprise skips the enemy’s turn, allowing free damage and a much better chance to win a fight. While not all encounters can be initiated this way, Hellfire Hand Crossbow has multiple applications for any Warlock build.
6 Knife of the Undermountain King
Knife of the Undermountain King features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Shortswords
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 Piercing damage
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Weight: 0.9 kg / 1.8 lb
- Price: 480 gp
- Requirements: Martial weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Sold by A’jak’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek, Act 2.
- Special Bonus: Organ, Rearranger, Shadow Blade
The Knife of the Undermountain King is a perfect fit for a melee damage-dealing Warlock, lowering critical roll by 1. This weapon can be paired with another on this list, Bloodthirst, for a further reduction in a critical roll. And if you really enjoyed critical strikes, you can consume the Elixir of Viciousness for another bonus.
The limitation of this weapon is that it requires marital weapon proficiency. Warlocks do not possess this innately and need to look towards the Drow, Elf, or Githyanki race. An additional option is to use a multiclassing build and gain shortword proficiency. Combining these two shortswords with the Duel Wielder feat creates a powerful and different type of Warlock build. Thus, consider this one of the Best Weapons for Warlock Class in Baldur’s Gate 3.
5 Infernal Rapier
Infernal Rapier features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Rapier
- Damage: 1d8 + 2 Piercing damage
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Weight: 0.9 kg / 1.8 lb
- Price: 960 gp
- Requirements: Martial weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Completion of Wyll’s companion quest, Blade of Frontiers Act 2.
- Special Bonus: High Spellcasting, Melee Caster, Planar Ally Cambion Spell
If you’re looking for one of the most powerful summoning spells in BG3, consider acquiring the Infernal Rapier in Act 2. The Infernal Rapier’s strength is getting free use of the Planar Ally Cambion spell. When summoned, this provides you with a powerful ally until a long rest. Not only that, but the weapon uses the wielder’s spellcasting ability modifier for attack rolls. Thus, you can continue to stack Charisma, while using a powerful Rapier for damage.
The issue with using this weapon is Rapier’s require martial weapon proficiency or specific racial choices to gain proficiency. This is one reason the Drow race is such a strong choice for Warlocks in BG3. Moreover, the quest to obtain this requires you to use Wyll’s companion and follow the steps toward the end of Act 2. However, this is a worthwhile collection in your arsenal especially for weapon-based Warlock players.
4 Caitiff Staff
Caitiff Staff features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Quarterstaff
- Damage: 1d6 Bludgeoning (One-Handed), 1d8 Bludgeoning (Two-Handed)
- Rarity: Rare
- Weight: 1.8 kg / 3.9 lb
- Price:190 gp
- Requirements: Simple weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Purchased from Helsik in the Devil’s Fee, Act 3.
- Special Bonus: Arcane Enchantments, Caitiff’s Restoration
Consider acquiring the Caitiff Staff in Act 3 in order to have a free way to replenish spell slots. Depending on your level, the Warlock has a maximum of 3 spell slots at max level. The Caitiff Staff has a special restoration feature that can replenish one spell slot per long rest. The way you use this weapon is to equip it and cast a spell that provides a buff until a long rest. Using the Conjuration Elemental spell which lasts until a long rest, then immediately replenish the spell.
Purchase the Caitiff Staff in Act 3 even if you don’t plan on using it for the powerful spell replenishment effects.
3 Duellist’s Prerogative
Duellist’s Prerogative features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Rapier
- Damage: 1d8 + 3 Piercing damage
- Rarity: Legendary
- Weight: 0.9 kg / 1.8 lb
- Price: 1,300 gp
- Requirements: Martial weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Complete the quest Save Vanra in Lower City of Act 3.
- Special Bonus: Elegant Duellist, Withering Cut, Challenge to Duel, Dueller’s Enthusiasm
For the duelist Warlock, the best Rapier in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Duellist’s Prerogative. This weapon adds additional damage via the Elegant Duellist and Withering Cut features. Elegant Duellist lowers critical roll by one, while not having an off-hand equipped. The dual-wield setup won’t work optimally with this weapon, hence the duelist name. Moreover, this feature also gains the user an additional reaction per turn. Reactions are important when using this weapon due to the Withering cut feature. On hit, you can use a reaction to deal additional Necrotic damage based on your proficiency bonus.
Lastly, Dueller’s Enthusiasm is a bonus action ability that allows you to make an additional melee attack when not dual-wielding. This can help the Warlock do increased damage without having the Extra Attack feature from other melee classes. What holds this weapon back is the need for Rapier or Martial weapon proficiency. Moreover, weapon-based builds come with the extra risk of playing closer to enemies. However, this is a legendary weapon work collecting and one of the best in Baldur’s Gate 3.
2 Bloodthirst
Bloodthirst features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Dagger
- Damage: 1d4 + 2 Piercing damage
- Rarity: Legendary
- Weight: 0.45 kg / 0.9 lb
- Price: 640 gp
- Requirements: Simple weapon proficiency
- Where to Find: Reward for defeating Orin during Act 3.
- Special Bonus: Improved Critical, True Strike, Bound Weapon, True Strike Riposte, +1 Armour Class
The best overall melee weapon for the Warlock class is Bloodthirst. Bloodthirst is a legendary dagger that provides a reduction in critical and exploit weakness. The exploit weakness feature is the most impactful, creatures hit with this weapon receive Vulnerability to Piercing damage. Vulnerability is a status effect that deals double the damage from that type of damage! Using Bloodthirst, you can debuff a target for incredible melee piercing damage.
Moreover, this weapon provides a passive boost to Armour Class by +1 and Bound weapon if you decide to throw it. You can use True Strike as a bonus action cantrip per short rest and if attackers miss you, you can retaliate with this cantrip. An interesting build is using the Warlock and Theif Rogue combination. This allows the Warlock to gain additional proficenceies and another bonus action. Therefore, you can take advantage of the exploit weakness debuff and use another resource for a main-hand attack. While coming late in the game, there’s a reason one of Baldur’s Gate 3 worst villains, Orin, carries this weapon!
1 Markoheshkir
Markoheshkir features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Weapon Type: Quarterstaff
- Damage: 1d6+2 Bludgeoning (One-Handed), 1d8+2 Bludgeoning (Two-Handed)
- Rarity: Legendary
- Weight: 1.8 kg / 3.6 lb
- Price: 640 gp
- Requirements: Simple Weapons Proficiency
- Where to Find: Located inside a Globe of Invulnerability in Ramazith’s Tower, Act 3
- Special Bonus: Arcane Enchantment, Arcane Battery, Kereska’s Favour
The best overall weapon for the Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Markoheshkir quarterstaff. This weapon provides three incredible special bonuses, including the ability to alleviate a spell slot burden when casting a spell. This is particularly helpful to the Warlock who only has three spell slots at max level. Moreover, the Kereska’s Favour ability allows you to gain elemental resistance of your choosing and additional spells. Kereska’s Favour helps the Warlock with an expanded spell selection and additional resistances.
For difficult fights in Act 3, you can pre-buff with this weapon. Casting powerful summoning spells without using a spell slot. You can then equip the Darkfire Shortbow from this list in your range weapon slot. That will give you resistance to both fire and ice, taking half the damage from each. Activate the Kereska’s Favour ability, and gain elemental resistance from a third type. Lastly, if you have shield proficiency from being a Half-Elf or a Human, you can equip a shield for even further Armour Class and damage avoidance.
While not all Warlock builds are spellcaster-focused, the Markoheshkir quarterstaff remains the best weapon for the class due to its offensive and defensive potential.
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