Best Armour and Weapons in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3

Discover the best armor and weapons to find in Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3. Learn about armor categories, physical damage protection, and usage restrictions to gear up your party.

Hey there! So you've made it to Act 2 of Baldur's Gate 3 and are wondering about the best gear to snag? While this guide focuses on armor types and how they protect you, knowing this will definitely help you when you're hunting for those sweet weapon upgrades too. Let's break down what armor does and what you should be looking for. ## Armor Categories Think of armor in Baldur's Gate 3 as falling into a few main types, from lightest to heaviest. This affects not only how much protection you get but also who can wear it. * Robes: These are your go-to for spellcasters. Mages have been enchanting robes for ages, and they're lightweight and hold enchantments well. Just remember, only single-, dual-, and multi-class mages can rock these. * Leather armor: Basic, sturdy protection made from thick leather. It's not super flexible, but it's a solid step up from wearing nothing. * Studded leather: This is different from regular leather. It's got tons of metal rivets on a leather backing, which really helps deflect slashing and cutting attacks. * Hide armor: Made from the thick hide of large animals or layers of normal leather. It's bulky and a bit smelly, common among more 'barbaric' types. Even though Thieves can wear it, it might mess with their stealthy abilities a bit. * Chain Mail: This is made of interlocking metal rings, usually worn over padding to keep you comfy and reduce impact. * Splint mail: A variation where metal strips are attached vertically to a backing. It's a bit more restrictive in combat than chain mail. * Plate mail: Combines chain armor with metal plates covering your vital areas like the chest and abdomen. * Full plate: The top-tier stuff for warriors! Perfectly fitted, interlocking plates designed to deflect arrows and blows, often with fancy engravings. This offers the best protection. ## Physical Damage Protection How much protection armor offers is measured by its Armor Class (AC). A lower AC number is actually better because it means enemies have a harder time hitting you. But it's not just about the base AC. Different armor types are better against certain kinds of physical damage (like slashing, piercing, or crushing). For example, leather armor might be easier to pierce than to slash. You'll see this in the game descriptions. For instance, leather armor might say: ``` Armor Class: 8 (10 vs. piercing and missile) ``` This means its base AC is 8, but it's actually *better* against piercing and missile attacks, giving you a +2 bonus in those situations. Keep in mind, AC only affects *if* you get hit. It doesn't reduce the damage you take if you *are* hit. For damage reduction, you'll need special items or abilities. Here's a quick look at how different armor types stack up against various physical damage types: | Category | Base | Crushing | Slashing | Piercing | Missile | |----------------|------|----------|----------|----------|---------| | Leather armor | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | | Studded leather| 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 6 | | Hide armor | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | | Chain Mail | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | | Splint mail | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | | Plate mail | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | | Full plate | 1 | 1 | -3 | -2 | -2 | Important Note: If an armor piece has a '+1' enchantment, it means the AC values listed above are reduced by 1. So, Plate Mail +1 would have an AC of 2 instead of 3. Unique items might have slight variations, but the general rule applies. ## Usage Restrictions This is super important! Not everyone can wear every type of armor. Your character's class and kit determine what they can equip. For example, a Wizard won't be able to wear heavy plate mail, and a Fighter might not get the full benefit from robes. Always check the item's description to see if your character can actually use it without penalties!