Best Armor and Shields in Baldur's Gate 3
A Baldur's Gate 3 gear guide to the best light, medium, and heavy armor plus shields, where to find them, and which builds they suit.
Best Armor and Shields in Baldur’s Gate 3
Gear in Baldur’s Gate 3 is often more important than class choices. The right armor can grant condition immunity, extra AC, or passive bonuses that define a build. This guide covers the standout pieces across all armor types.
Heavy Armor
| Armor | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adamantine Splint | Grymforge forge | No critical hits against you |
| Flame Enchanted Armor | Act 1 vendor | Fire resistance |
| Helldusk Armor | Act 3 (Raphael raid) | High AC + fire immunity |
Heavy armor suits Fighters, Paladins, and Barbarians who multiclass.
Medium Armor
| Armor | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Adamantine Scale | Grymforge | No crits, solid AC |
| Spine of the Legion | Act 2 Moonrise | +AC, great for tanks |
| Armour of Persistence | Act 3 | Advantage on concentration saves |
Light Armor
| Armor | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spidersilk Armor | Act 1 Blighted Village | +1 AC, stealth-friendly |
| Graceful Cloth | Act 1 (sell to trader) | +1 to all saving throws |
Light armor is for Rogues, Wizards, and Bards who need Dexterity and mobility.
Best Shields
- Adamantine Shield (Grymforge): no crits, +AC.
- Sentinel Shield (Act 1): advantage on initiative — take it early.
- Viconia’s Walking Fort (Act 3): +AC and spell resistance.
Final Tips
Prioritize Sentinel Shield and Graceful Cloth in Act 1 — they are easy to get and boost the whole party. Match armor to your build’s stat: heavy needs Strength, medium/light reward Dexterity. Condition-immunity gear (especially Freedom of Movement sources) becomes essential in Act 3.