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Oct 30, 2024

Best Heavy Armor In Baldur's Gate 3 (& How To Get Them)

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Armour is a critical element of a player’s arsenal in Baldur’s Gate 3, primarily since D&D mechanics dictate Armour Class and other defensive characteristics based on the armour that one wears. While Baldur's Gate 3 offers the usual slate of Light, Medium, and Heavy Armour for most characters, specific equipment provides additional benefits that can help carry characters through much of the game’s mid-game to the endgame.

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Key to a player’s heavy-hitting arsenal is substantial defense, which Heavy Armour almost always provides them. Compared to Light Armour and Medium Armour, which facilitate faster movement and stealth, Heavy Armour foregoes many benefits in exchange for pure defensive capabilities. For players looking for Heavy Armour to outfit their tanks and other heavy hitters, Baldur's Gate 3 provides some truly remarkable options.

Updated on June 18, 2024, by Rhenn Taguiam: With Dungeons & Dragons releasing its updated 5th Edition Player's Handbook on September 17, 2024, fans of the acclaimed TTRPG might be curious just how the new rulebook will change the way the fantasy RPG is played, especially with tables that have ongoing or upcoming campaigns. However, fans who still want to enjoy the game’s current ruleset can maximize its mechanics with the acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3, especially when gamers use tank set-ups to pulverize enemies up close. For fans who want to create the perfect tank build, donning the right Heavy Armour should be their utmost priority, with some recommended pieces including gear that will become available once players reach Levels 4, 6, and 8, as well as a special armament that can be acquired in the Healing Morgue.

Rarity

Rare

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Where To Get

Vendors in Act 2 and Act 3

Among the Heavy Armour players will encounter in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough, the Ring Mail Armour may be the first they find. Likewise, its Ring Mail Armour +2variant is this piece of gear's strongest and rarest type. Giving the appearance of metal rings fortifying a vest, the Ring Mail Armour is the closest to a “civilian” wear that players can have while still retaining Heavy Armour's strength.

At its core, Ring Mail Armour +2 offers 16 AC. This is leagues behind the other stronger Heavy Armour on the list, but it remains the highest-AC offering among lower-tier Heavy Armour that tanks and melee specialists may encounter in the mid-game.

Rarity

Uncommon

Effects

Where To Get

Merchants at Character Level 4 to 6

Among the first practical pieces of Heavy Armour a player can acquire in their Baldur’s Gate 3 would be the Chain Mail +1, especially with how its 17 AC far outclasses the more common Ring Mail Armour (14 AC) and even the base Chain Mail Armour (16 AC) in terms of default Armour Class. The Chain Mail’s green tabard over a layer of chain link armour makes thematic sense as a step-up for the Chain Shirt +1 (14+DEX Mod, Medium Armour), and its knightly design makes for a decent build-up to the bulkier Plate Armour.

Players can start getting the Chain Mail Armour +1 from Merchants by the time they get to much higher levels in the game. This Armour is likely the cheaper choice by the time shops also have the Plate Armour in their possession, making it a more frugal shopping option.

When players finally reach the Grymforge in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough, they can craft various Adamantine armaments via Mithral Ore and the Splint Mould. With Adamantine being the equivalent of the favored Tolkien Mithril, the Adamantine Splint Armourboasts some of the best defenses in Heavy Armour in the early game.

Acquiring this armour gives players a nifty 17 AC. However, its prominence as a Heavy Armour comes with its Intense Adamantine Backlash that resembles potent Illithid Powers, wherein opponents who miss hitting the player will experience Reeling for 3 turns. This property debuffs enemies with -1 to Attack Rolls, making striking its user and nearby allies much harder.

Rarity

Rare

Effects

Where To Get

Rustic Chest (Loot) in the Last Light Inn's second floor

One of the best reasons Martial Classes excel in fighting up close is their capability of striking back, whether through Reactions or during their turn. With Rippling Force Mail, Martial Classes have more incentives for getting struck multiple times while being surrounded, especially when its Force Absorption effect can slowly build up for not just lesser damage taken but also repel attacks back at opponents.

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Its AC 17 isn't as high compared to other Heavy Armours that can reach AC 20 or 21, but this AC is perfect for characters who don't want to stay as a damage sponge and instead just want to be protected when fighting up close. In that regard, this Heavy Armour is suited for Fighters who want to outmaneuver foes up close without risking too much retaliation.

Nothing beats a chain mail regarding the traditional squire look, especially when the Chain Mail Armour +2exemplifies what the Heavy Armour has to offer in a player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough. The chain mail itself is hidden within a layer of an exterior tabard, making its wearers resemble traditional medieval knights.

Despite the Chain Mail Armour +2 only offering 18 AC and no special effects, its status as the strongest-available Chain Mail in the RPG makes it a must-have for players who prefer the Chain Mail’s simple design without risking low AC in combat.

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Lann Tarv (Vendor) in Moonrise Towers, after a dialogue option where players succeed in an Insight (WIS) Check for additional support in searching for Ketheric's relic

Dwarves across fantasy literature have a reputation for having some of the best constitutions among humanoid creatures, and this is something Dwarven Splintmail embodies in Baldur's Gate 3. When players acquire this from Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers, they get one of the more decent Heavy Armours for their beefy tanks.

When equipped, the Dwarven Splintmail not only gives them +1 STR Saves and Checks, but they even boost their Constitution up two (2) points. Martial-oriented Classes like the Fighter, Barbarian, and even the Monk may appreciate the additional firepower.

Rarity

Uncommon

Effects

Where To Get

Merchants at Character Level 6 to 8

Players looking for an upgrade to their Chain Mail Armour can enjoy their tank’s Baldur’s Gate 3 experience with Splint Armour +1. This gear maintains the appearance of Splint Armour, wherein an interior full-body suit is covered by a leather coat that covers the chest down to the waist before being studded with metal splints.

Aesthetics-wise, Splint Armour provides less full-body coverage compared to the Chain Mail, although the prominence of metal splints does give the impression of better protection. Among armour types, Splint Armour +1 fits the visuals of a martial warrior like the Fighter who needs defensive gear that can both protect them and give them ample room for movement.

Rarity

Uncommon

Effects

Where To Get

House of the Healing Morgue, bottom of the pit

When characters wear the Protective Plate for the first time in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough, players might be surprised at how it seems they have just equipped Plate Armour. This is because the Protective Plate is exactly that: an Uncommon variant of Plate Armour found in the bottom of the pit at the House of Healing Morgue.

While the Protective Plate boasts the same stats as Plate Armour, it doesn’t impose Disadvantage on Stealth Checks. Most importantly, it provides Resistance to Necrotic Damage. When worn by the team’s frontline combatant, the Protective Plate can become an effective damage buffer against lethal Necrotic Damage that often takes the form of damage-over-time Spells.

Among the apprentices of Forger Carixim of Avernus, Dammon in the Emerald Grove is the most knowledgeable about infernal metallurgy outside its burning realms. When players talk to him in Act 2, they will give them the Flawed Helldusk Armour, an imitation of an original armour that contains a mere fraction of its power.

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Appearing as an ornate piece of Plate Armour with golden details and red cloth, the Flawed Helldusk Armours does not indicate its infernal origins save for its effects. Its Superior Plate feature debuffs all attacks with -1 Piercing Damage. Moreover, its Lesser Infernal Retribution can inflict 1-4 Fire Damage to an enemy within 2 meters of the player that just hit them. With how even a 1 HP opponent can move normally, this “tiny” damage being able to eliminate them for good is invaluable when outnumbered.

Perhaps its appearance as a close imitation of the regular Plate Armour makes the Armour of Devotion quite a worthwhile acquisition. Obtained in Moonrise in Act 2 in a player’s Baldur’s Gate playthrough, the Armour of Devotion heavily resembles full plate but is also quite suitable for Paladins.

Possessing 18 AC, the Armour of Devotion is a Rare Item that allows Paladins to regain their Oath Charge once a day without taking a long rest. Given how Paladins already have limited resources, such a provision can aid in resource management in Baldur’s Gate 3.

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Rare

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In the Emperor's Hideout under Elfsong Tavern during "Visit the Emperor's Old Hideout" (Quest)

When it comes to drawn-out fantasy stories like Baldur's Gate 3, it's important for players to know about the enemy they are fighting before facing them in combat. Such is the case of the player's investigation of the Emperor, who turns out to be the mysterious big bad in the game. Throughout their investigation, they may come across the Cerebral Citadel Armour, essentially an otherworldly piece of Heavy Armour tailored specifically for those who have Mind Flayer parasites.

Wearing the armour grants players with a decent 18 AC on top of various benefits. They cannot be Frightened and also get +1 to INT, WIS, and CHA Saves as long as they have the Illithid Parasite in their heads. Despite the rather above-average AC, the boosted defenses can make this armour a must-wear for the team's frontline units, be it a tank or a melee DPS.

Rarity

Uncommon

Effects

Where To Get

Merchants at Character Level 8 to 10, Cashguard Captain Faril (Looted)

When players transition from wearing the Chain Mail to Plate Armour in Baldur’s Gate 3, they get access to less imposing gear. Gone is the trenchcoat-esque full coverage of chain mail, and players instead get a long-sleeved dress coat with form-fitting pauldrons, a chestplate, and greaves. However, players who appreciate the more ornate detailing of the armour can get the upgraded Plate Armour +1variant.

Upon acquisition by the time players reach Character Level 8 to 10, the armour provides them with Superior Plate, which offers -1 Piercing Damage. Due to its weight, the armour still imposes Disadvantage on Stealth Checks. Regardless of this setback, a character wearing this armour is likely staying in the frontlines anyway while the team’s designated assassins secure their positions.

Sometimes, plate armour just won’t cut it when it comes to Baldur’s Gate 3, especially for players who want a more traditional “mercenary” look for their characters. Those who want to dress up their characters to resemble an armoured Geralt of Rivia may appreciate Splint Armour +2.

The Splint Armour boasts artisanal handiwork on the chest detail and belts, created from a combination of different plates on top of a leather base. The armour has 19 AC, far from the most robust plate but still worth the acquisition. Being Heavy Armour, its inherent Stealth penalty may make it tricky for players to sneak past spellcasters who love dishing out AOE spells.

When players get into the Bhaalist Crypt, they may also want to consider killing That Which Lurks. Players who do this in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough may get Blackguard’s Plate as a drop, with the ornate-looking Heavy Armour tainted by its previous ownership of an Oathbreaker.

In the game, players who equip Blackguard’s Plate get 19 AC on top of Magical Plate, providing a permanent -1 debuff to incoming damage. While players get a Disadvantage on Stealth Checks that make environmental maneuvers difficult, they get an Advantage on Wisdom Saves.

Rarity

Very Rare

Effects

Where To Get

Duke Ulder Ravengard (Drop) in the Iron Throne

When players get to the Iron Throne and decide to fight Duke Ulder Ravengard, they have the opportunity to acquire the Emblazoned Plate of the Marshal. This Heavy Armour is particularly known for its possession of the emblem of the Marshal of the Flaming Fist, providing quite a bolstered defense. Should players wear this, they become part of the representatives of Baldur's Gate's central military authority, making this armour perfect for players who want to roleplay as city locals.

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Wearing this armour grants players with AC 19, among the highest gamers can gain as Base Armour Class from Heavy Armour. Not only that, but they get -2 from all incoming damage sources on top of Resistance to Fire, making this the perfect suit to wear for a tank who loves getting to the frontlines as soon as possible. The Resistance to Fire also incentivizes the team's spellcaster to go all-out on fire spells like Fireball, even if the wearer is in the way.

Players who encounter Ketheric Thorm in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough may be enamored by his plate armour, especially with its chest plate looking eerily like a ribcage. Enjoyers of the RPG who want their players to look like heavily armoured variants of the Diablo Necromancer can attain this piece of equipment by defeating Ketheric Thorm.

When equipped, Reaper’s Embrace gives players 19 AC. It’s made of a Magical Plate, providing a permanent -2 to all incoming damage. It also possesses Reaper’s Rigidity, wherein players are no longer affected by things that force them to move in exchange for a Disadvantage on DEX Saves. Lastly, they gain access to Howl of the Dead Cantrip to add to their arsenal of spells.

Nothing beats fully-kitted tanks when it comes to protecting their team in Baldur’s Gate 3, which is what Plate Armour +2proves. Boasting 20 AC, this Very Rare Armour is an ornamented golden plate armour with detail that can contend with its more powerful counterparts.

Despite no other benefits, the Plate Armour +2 is still one of the most efficient Heavy Armour pieces. Boasting one of the highest AC stats across its armour type, Plate Armour +2 is a standout for Fighters and Paladins who want to remain tanky without trying to synergize with complicated extra effects.

Rarity

Very Rare

Effects

Where To Get

Dammon in the Forge of the Nine in Lower City, requires saving the Druid Grove in Act 1

It's a common trope in fantasy stories for "the gang" to get together when facing the final threat, especially when the protagonists have spent much of the story making friends and saving others from danger. This trope is something Baldur's Gate 3 follows through, especially when players end up saving the Druid Grove in Act 1 and help Dammon and his fellow Tiefling refugees to reach Baldur's Gate.

At some point in the game, Dammon will help players acquire the Armour of Persistence, perhaps one of the best Heavy Armours the game has to offer. Not only does the armour boast a staggeringly high 20 AC, but it also provides -2 to all incoming Damage. It even comes with Legendary Persistence, which practically imbues its wearer with Resistance and Blade Ward for defensive bonuses.

Whenever forge master Carixim creates accursed armaments within the hellfires of Avernus, neither destiny nor morality ever bothers him. As a result, the regally-adorned Helldusk Armourdoes nothing but prove the sheer allure of demonic influence toward players. Acquired at the House of Hope, the Helldusk Armour comes at an impressive AC 21 alongside the Helldusk Armour feature, immediately granting Proficiency to anyone wearing it. Even a Wizard like Gale, who usually doesn’t wear armour, can equip the Helldusk Armour.

It also comes with the Prime Aegis of Fire, giving its users immunity from Burning, Resistance to Fire Damage, and -3 to all incoming damage. Its Infernal Retribution also inflicts the Burning status to the caster of a spell that the players manage to save against.

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