Baldur’s Gate is a game where you can feel the danger mounting. After you watch your powerful mentor killed as you flee, you’re gonna want to grab some powerful weapons fast. The last thing you want to do is face those same enemies without a mighty sword or axe in hand.
But which weapons are the best? Naturally, you’re not going to find the best ones just sitting in a shop. Okay, maybe a few, but not all of them. That’s why we’ve assembled this handy guide for the top weapons to wield in Baldur’s Gate and where to find them.
1. Dagger of Venom
If you have a thief and want to have them armed with the most powerful dagger in the game, you need the Dagger of Venom. As the name implies, this is a dagger with a poisonous tip, dealing extra damage to your enemies. It’s a lightweight weapon and is strong enough to deal 1d4+2 piercing damage. Be aware, however, that this dagger costs 10,000 gold. So make sure your thief is also a lucrative one to afford such a weapon.
Where Do You Get It?
You can find the dagger for sale at the Thunderhammer Smithy, but be prepared to pay a heavy price.
What Does It Do?
- 1d4+2 (piercing)
- THAC0 -2 Bonus
- Poison effect (1 damage a second for 15 seconds)
Dagger of Venom full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Dagger_of_Venom
2. The Dead Shot
Also known as the Longbow of Marksmanship, The Dead Shot is one of the best bows you can have in your arsenal. The bow has a THAC0 bonus of 3, deals 2 for damage, and has a speed of 5. Supply some magical or special arrows to this long bow and you’ll have yourself one of the most deadly long-range weapons in the entire game.
Where Do You Get It?
Loot this bow off of Hakt, the Hobgoblin who guards Tazok’s Tent in the Bandit Camp during Chapter Three.
What Does It Do?
- THAC0 -3 bonus
- Damage of +2
- Speed factor of 5
- Range of 100 feet
The Dead Shot full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dead_Shot
3. Moonblade
When it comes to magic swords, the Moonblade is the best. The abilities alone make it worth wielding, considering that it offers an Armor Class +1, THAC0 bonus +3, and +50% fire resistance. That’s more than most armor can offer. Then there’s the 4 – 11 slashing damage and a speed factor of 2. The only catch is that Xan is the only character in the game who can use this weapon but that’s reason enough to keep him in your party.
Where Do You Get It?
In the Nashkell Mines, you can find the Moonbalde in Mulahey's chest, just off to the side of where Xan is being held as a prisoner.
What Does It Do?
- 50% fire resistance
- Armor Class +1
- THAC0 Bonus -3
- 4 – 11 slashing damage
Moonblade full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Moonblade_(Nashkel_Mines)
4. The Kneecapper
There’s something so satisfying about wielding a war hammer referred to as The Kneecapper. It’s a +1 war hammer with -1 bonus to THAC0 and a +2 bonus to damage. You can boost that THAC0 to -4 and the damage to +5 if you’re fighting against giant humanoids like ogres and giants. The name Kneecapper makes more sense now, doesn’t it?
Where Do You Get It?
You can acquire this war hammer from Hurgan Stoneblade after completing his side quest. Or, you know, you could just steal it from him.
What Does It Do?
- Damage of 1d4+2 (crushing) or 1d4+5 (crushing) if used against giant humanoids
The Kneecapper full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/The_Kneecapper
5. The World's Edge
The only thing better than a fighter wielding a +2 two-handed sword is a fighter wielding a +3 two-handed sword. That’s exactly what you’ll get with The World’s Edge. It’s an enchanted +3 two-handed sword that is surprisingly lighter to carry. With its magical qualities, it can also attack enemies that are not affected by normal weapons. Having this weapon can make your fighters feel as though they can fight any enemy.
Where Do You Get It?
The sword can be found between the third and fourth labyrinth levels of Durlag's Tower, located inside the chessboard of the King.
What Does It Do?
- Damage of 1d10+3 (slashing)
- Incredibly lighter than +2 swords
- Can be used on enemies not affected by normal weapons
The World’s Edge full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/The_World%27s_Edge
6. The Shadow's Blade
As one of the fastest weapons in the game, it’s no wonder why The Shadow’s Blade is also known as the Short Sword of Backstabbing. This +3 enhanced short sword has a speed factor of 0, making it the perfect weapon for swift attacks. If you plan on doing a lot of backstabbings with a thief, this is the ideal weapon for those tasks.
Where Do You Get It?
You’ll find this weapon late in the game after killing Slythe during the final chapter in the Undercellar.
What Does It Do?
- Damage factor of 1d6+3 (piercing)
- Speed factor 0 for the speediest of backstabbings and attacks.
- THAC0 -3 bonus
The Shadow’s Blade full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/The_Shadow%27s_Blade
7. The Burning Earth
The Burning Earth, aka Flame Tongue, is a +1 silver and cold iron long sword. The sword can do quite a bit, as it has an advantage over Lycanthropes, Trolls, Winter Wolves, and the Undead. It can also deal an incredible amount of damage for being set at 1d8 +1 (slashing). This is an exceptionally powerful weapon if you plan on fighting a variety of monsters.
Where Do You Get It?
The Burning Earth can be found in a locked chest on the fourth labyrinth level underneath Durlag's Tower.
What Does It Do?
- Damage of 1d8 +1 (slashing)
- +1 damage bonus against Lycanthropes and Trolls
- +2 damage against Winter Wolves
- +3 damage against the Undead
The Burning Earth full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/The_Burning_Earth
8. Ashideena
Wielding the Ashideena may be the closest your fighters will get to feeling like Thor. This is due to the fact the weapon is a +2 war hammer with the power of dealing electricity damage. In addition to that nifty feature, it’s also slightly lighter and has a higher speed factor than most war hammers in the game. Equip this hammer and you’ll feel like a god of thunder.
Where Do You Get It?
You can find the war hammer in the Red Canyons after killing Bassilus.
What Does It Do?
- +1 electricity damage
- Lighter and faster than regular war hammers
- THAC0 -2 bonus
- Damage of 1D4+3 (crushing)
Ashideena full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Ashideena
9. Krotan's Skullcrusher
Sure, you could call Krotan’s Skullcrusher a mere +2 mace, but that sounds way less cool. It’s one of the stronger and faster maces in the game, due to its magical properties. It’s also far lighter, weighing a whole 3 lbs less than normal maces.
Where Do You Get It?
You’ll find this weapon locked in the chest of the rune carpet rune on the fourth floor underground of Durlag's Tower.
What Does It Do?
- THAC0 -2 bonus
- Damage of 1d6 +3 (crushing)
- Stronger, faster, and lighter than regular maces
Krotan's Skullcrusher full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Krotan%27s_Skullcrusher
10. Battle Axe of Mauletar
Once again, this is a +2 weapon that just sounds better with a cool name. The Battle Axe of Mauletar is a +2 battle axe with magical properties. Those magical properties also make the weapon far more powerful with damage, faster with speed, and lighter to carry. It’s a fine axe to have and makes your mightiest warriors even mightier. Be warned that you’ll still need some heavy strength stats to wield this axe as well.
Where Do You Get It?
You can find this weapon at the Helm and Cloak Inn when the Band of Merry Fools and the Maulers of Undermountain get into a fight. Loot the weapon from one of the killed Maulers.
What Does It Do?
- THAC0 -2 bonus
- Damage of 1d8 +2 (slashing)
- Stronger, faster, and lighter than regular battle axes
Battle Axe of Mauletar full details: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_Axe_of_Mauletar
