Baldur's Gate 3 Best Items in Act 1
Let’s get straight to the most game-changing items in Act 1, their locations, and the strategies for using them most effectively. For those who want to dominate combat encounters, Githyanki Greatsword and Sword of Justice will offer you both offensive power and defensive versatility. On the other hand, players interested in crafting clever tactical advantages will find items like Gloves of Power and The Sapphire Spark essential. Below is an in-depth breakdown of these items, explaining where they can be found, how they affect gameplay, and why you should prioritize picking them up during your playthrough.
1. The Githyanki Greatsword
Location: Find it on the corpse of Commander Zhalk during the tutorial stage inside the Nautiloid ship. Stats and Effects: This two-handed sword deals incredible damage early on with a base stat of 2d6 + 2 slashing damage. It also gives proficiency to Githyanki fighters. Why it’s great: This weapon is your best option for a strength-based warrior. Not only does it deal heavy damage, but it’s obtainable very early in the game, giving you a significant edge in combat from the start. How to maximize its effectiveness: Make sure your character has proficiency in heavy weapons to wield this sword efficiently. This is especially useful for characters like Lae'zel, who can gain extra abilities through her race and class synergies.
2. The Sword of Justice
Location: Found near the Goblin Camp after defeating a Magister Paladin. Stats and Effects: This sword grants you the spell Tyr’s Protection, allowing the wielder to cast Shield of Faith once per long rest, providing a +2 bonus to armor class. Why it’s great: Combining both offensive capability with defensive utility, the Sword of Justice is a great option for paladins and fighters. This item enables you to take a hit and deal massive damage in return. Best usage strategy: Have your tank or frontliner carry this sword. Use the spell effect before engaging in combat to boost their survivability.
3. The Sapphire Spark (Staff)
Location: Found in the Blighted Village inside a hidden cellar. Stats and Effects: This staff enhances spellcasting, particularly for wizards, by adding +1 to spell attack rolls and saving throws for evocation spells. Why it’s great: Early-game spellcasters often lack solid ways to boost their spell damage or increase their accuracy. The Sapphire Spark helps correct this, allowing you to land more of your crucial offensive spells. Optimal class: Wizards or sorcerers who focus on evocation magic will find this invaluable. Combining it with Fireball or Magic Missile spells in later levels makes it even more effective.
4. Gloves of Power
Location: Looted from a Goblin in the Druid’s Grove. Stats and Effects: These gloves grant the wearer the ability to apply the Bane effect on hit, lowering enemy attack rolls and saving throws. Why it’s great: These gloves shine in crowd-control situations or during battles against powerful enemies. Applying Bane to bosses can significantly reduce their ability to land hits on your team. Strategy tips: Equip these on a high-dexterity, fast-hitting character to maximize the number of times you can apply the Bane effect during combat.
5. Blood of Lathander (Mace)
Location: Hidden inside a temple in the Sunlit Wetlands. Stats and Effects: This mace deals extra radiant damage to undead enemies, making it particularly useful when dealing with necromancers or undead hordes. Why it’s great: Radiant damage is rare and powerful, especially in the early game when facing a lot of undead foes. Clerics and paladins benefit greatly from this weapon. Tactical advantage: Use this mace in any combat involving undead or dark magic. Clerics using this will also benefit from the extra synergies with their radiant spells.
6. Phalar Aluve (Longsword)
Location: Found deep in the Underdark, guarded by a minotaur. Stats and Effects: This sword grants the user the ability to cast a spell that adds bonus psychic damage to attacks. Why it’s great: Psychic damage is less commonly resisted by enemies in Baldur's Gate 3, making this sword a good option for cutting through defenses. Best used by: Dexterity-based fighters or rogues who want a consistent source of bonus damage to cut down enemies quickly.
7. Hag’s Hair
Location: Found after defeating Auntie Ethel in the Sunlit Wetlands. Stats and Effects: This unique item grants a permanent +1 bonus to an ability score of your choice when consumed. Why it’s great: This is a rare opportunity to permanently boost one of your character's primary stats, making it incredibly valuable for long-term character optimization. Key advice: Use this item wisely by giving it to the party member who will benefit the most from the permanent stat boost. Typically, you’ll want to boost a stat tied to attack rolls, spellcasting, or armor class.
8. Mystra’s Grace (Boots)
Location: Found inside the Tower of Arcane, within the Underdark. Stats and Effects: These boots allow the wearer to Feather Fall at will, negating all fall damage. Why it’s great: Feather Fall is one of the most useful spells in Baldur’s Gate 3, particularly when exploring high places or during chaotic battles where you might get thrown off cliffs. Best use: Give these boots to a character who frequently engages in movement or exploration. Rogues and rangers, who are often in tricky positioning situations, benefit greatly from Mystra's Grace.
9. Warped Headband of Intellect
Location: Dropped by the Phase Spider Matriarch in the Whispering Depths. Stats and Effects: This headband sets the wearer’s Intelligence score to 18. Why it’s great: Any character that relies on Intelligence but starts with a lower score can instantly become more effective with this item. Wizards benefit the most from this, as it directly boosts their spellcasting ability. Ideal candidate: If your party's wizard didn’t have great initial stats, this headband compensates, making your spellcaster much more effective early on.
10. The Amulet of Lost Voices
Location: Found in a crypt early in Act 1, in the Dank Crypt near the Overgrown Ruins. Stats and Effects: This amulet grants the ability to Speak with Dead once per long rest. Why it’s great: This ability unlocks unique dialogue options with certain NPCs, helping you gather key information and sometimes even unlock hidden quests. Best strategy: Equip this amulet on a character with high Charisma to maximize the effectiveness of the conversations you have with the dead.
In Baldur's Gate 3, Act 1 is packed with incredibly useful items, each designed to enhance different aspects of combat, spellcasting, and exploration. Knowing which items to prioritize can make a significant difference in your party’s effectiveness, and can even influence the narrative paths you take in the game. Whether you’re looking to become a formidable frontline fighter or a cunning spellcaster, the right gear can help you conquer any challenge.
By carefully exploring, completing quests, and defeating powerful enemies, you can collect these best-in-slot items during Act 1, ensuring you have the tools you need for the tougher challenges ahead in Acts 2 and 3.
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