Armor Guide
Armor in Baldur's Gate 3 provides crucial defensive capabilities, increasing your character's Armor Class (AC) and protecting them from incoming damage. Choosing the right armor for your party members is vital for survivability, especially in challenging combat encounters.
Armor is divided into three main categories, each with distinct AC calculations and proficiency requirements:
- Light Armor: Includes items like padded armor, leather armor, and studded leather. Light armor provides a base AC plus your Dexterity modifier. It offers the least protection but allows for maximum Dexterity bonus, making it ideal for agile characters like Rogues and Monks.
- Medium Armor: Includes chain shirts, scale mail, and breastplates. Medium armor provides a base AC plus your Dexterity modifier, but with a cap (usually +2). This makes it suitable for characters who need a balance of protection and mobility, such as Rangers and some Clerics.
- Heavy Armor: Includes plate mail, splint armor, and full plate. Heavy armor provides a high base AC and does not add any Dexterity modifier. It offers the best protection but restricts movement and can impose disadvantage on Stealth checks. It's best suited for heavily armored characters like Fighters and Paladins who rely on Strength.
Proficiency with armor types is essential. Characters can only wear armor they are proficient with without suffering penalties. Using armor without proficiency will result in disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. Classes typically grant proficiency in specific armor types.
In addition to base AC, armor can have magical properties. These can include:
- Damage Resistances: Reducing damage from specific elemental types (fire, cold, lightning, etc.).
- Stat Bonuses: Increasing Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, or other ability scores.
- Special Abilities: Granting unique active or passive effects, such as increased movement speed, bonus actions, or defensive buffs.
- Set Bonuses: Some armor pieces might belong to a set, offering additional benefits when multiple pieces of the same set are equipped.
When selecting armor, consider your character's primary stats and role. A character with high Dexterity will benefit more from light or medium armor, while a Strength-based character will thrive in heavy armor. Always check the item descriptions for magical properties and ensure your character is proficient with the armor type.
Shields are also a crucial defensive item, typically wielded by characters using one-handed weapons. They provide a significant AC bonus and can sometimes offer special abilities.