Summary
Armour is a critical element of a player’s arsenal inBaldur’s Gate 3, primarily sinceD&Dmechanics dictate Armour Class and other defensive characteristics based on the armour that one wears. WhileBaldur’s Gate 3offers the usual slate of Light, Medium, and Heavy Armour for most characters, specific equipment provides additional benefits that can help carry characters through much of the game’s mid-game to the endgame.
Key to a player’s heavy-hitting arsenal is substantial defense, which Heavy Armour almost always provides them. Compared to Light Armour and Medium Armour, which facilitate faster movement and stealth, Heavy Armour foregoes many benefits in exchange for pure defensive capabilities. For players looking for Heavy Armour to outfit their tanks and other heavy hitters,Baldur’s Gate 3provides some truly remarkable options.
Updated on July 05, 2025, by Rhenn Taguiam:With Larian Studios letting go of their involvement with Dungeons & Dragons titles, it’s once again up to Hasbro to take the charge in figuring out what exactly they should do with the beloved Baldur’s Gate 3 and the hit TTRPG franchise. Thankfully, players eagerly awaiting the company’s decision about their IP can still enjoy a complete experience with Baldur’s Gate 3, especially when a straightforward tank can offer a less complicated experience by focusing more on keeping the party alive rather than theatrics. With this in mind, players who are starting a new playthrough as a tank or leaning towards a vanguard-type character will need to equip their characters with the appropriate Heavy Armour. Thankfully, the Armour found in the beginning stages of the game are decent enough to ensure that the tank can keep the rest of the party alive.
Where to Get
Dammon, The Hollow in Emerald Grove (Act 1)
Players who want a more affordable option that still enables theirBaldur’s Gate 3characters to wear Heavy Armour wouldn’t go wrong with the classicRing Mail Armour. Serving as the first iteration of Heavy Armour that one can wear in their playthrough, this is a safe choice for the first parts of the game’s opening, where players are stillconfiguring their party for their first tougher encounters.
Sold by Dammon in the Emerald Grove, the Ring Mail Armour is extremely accessible, making it the perfect safety net for those who need to ensure that their tanks are protected even if they haven’t secured much stronger armour pieces. It’s imperative that players who want tougher tanks secure much sturdier Heavy Armour, however, especially as the game ramps up difficulty in its later encounters.
Roah Moonglow, Shattered Sanctum (Act 1)
Players who want to equip their tanks with a mid-level Heavy Armour that won’t break the bank, theChain Mailis a decent choice while saving up for more expensive and heavy-duty Plate Mail. Considered as the “intermediate” tier of Heavy Armour in the game, players who need their characters to pursue a bruiser or tank role can find this armour rather accessible, especially when Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum can sell it during the early parts of the game.
Players do need to take note that the Chain Mail comes with a common Heavy Armour debuff in that they get Disadvantage on Stealth Checks, meaning that tanks who wear this will likely either have to stay in the front lines or close to the enemy while the rest of the team tries to sneak up on the target. It’s still ideal that players secure more powerful pieces of armour soon, especially as they decidewhether to help the Emerald Grove or the Absolute.
Where To Get
Vendors once players reach Level 2 to Level 4
Although Ring Mail is considered as one of the first types of Heavy Armour a character can encounter inBaldur’s Gate 3, taking this a step further viaRing Mail Armour +1can give its wielder a fighting edge in situations where higher-AC gear can seem too expensive to come by. Thankfully, Ring Mail Armour +1 is often sold by vendors as soon as players reach Levels 2 to 4, making this one of the most accessible Heavy Armour for heavy-hitters who need adequate defenses.
However, while some argue that AC 15 for Heavy Armour might not be as beneficial when other Medium Armour might reach the same Armour Class without the Disadvantage to Stealth, Ring Mail Armour +1 does have an edge with Body Aid. This effect gives players a +1 bonus to STR Saves and Checks, making this armour a decent gear to wear for tanks who need that extra push in establishing their martial superiority.
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A’jak’nir Jeera, Creche Y’llek
Just because players might be looking for thebest Heavy Armour inBaldur’s Gate 3doesn’t mean that they always have to look for extremely intricate pieces. Sometimes, the “best” gear they can find are reliable pieces that they can get almost anywhere - something theSplint Armourembodies. This AC 17 Heavy Armour is among the first Heavy Armour variants players can obtain in the game, and it’s a surprisingly common type of Heavy Armour that can be found among heavily-armoured combatants.
Just having Splint Armour as base can be enough for a Fighter or a Paladin to enter the frontlines with confidence, as AC 17 is not an easy number to reach by enemies in the beginning stages of the game. By the time players find Plate Armour for their tank, it’s very likely that another party member has Multiclassed into a Class with Heavy Armour Proficiency, making the Splint Armour a decent hand-me-down from one character to the next until players find Heavy Armour pretty or potent enough to replace it.
Vendors once players reach Level 7+
Compared to the more straightforward Chain Mail Armour players can find in theirBaldur’s Gate 3gameplay, theChain Mail +2isn’t just a decent upgrade with its AC 18 provision but alsoa rather visual level-up with its more regal appearance. Compared to the rather mundane link of chains in the original armour type, the Chain Mail +2 enjoys a default steel on blue robes color scheme, with a decorative tabard with accents on top and a single pauldron on the right side, giving a much-needed stylistic “oomph” to the wearer.
Despite its Rare status, the Chain Mail +2 becomes a regular feature among vendors should players reach Level 7, making this a decent “starter” Heavy Armour by the time players reach the mid-part of the game.
At first glance,Plate Armourbeing a Common Heavy Armour will likely render it one of the last things on a player’s mind when it comes to thebest Heavy Armour inBaldur’s Gate 3. However, it’s its Common nature that makes the Plate Armour stand out in parties, as this essentially guarantees that the team’s heavy-hitters - especially the Fighter and the Paladin - have the best-possible armour available to them while they’re still on the lookout for gear with their ideal effects.
As is typical of other Heavy Armour, Plate Armour does give its wearer a Disadvantage on Stealth Checks. However, its default AC 18 does mean that players who wear this are naturally more difficult to hit. Its rather stylish appearance of steel with golden details over a blue dress suit covering greaves and leggings, complete with green sash, can give the impression of a well-equipped adventurer.
Vendors in Act 2 and Act 3
Among the Heavy Armour players will encounter in theirBaldur’s Gate 3playthrough, the Ring Mail Armour may be the first they find. Likewise, itsRing Mail Armour +2variant is this piece of gear’s strongest and rarest type. Giving the appearance of metal rings fortifying a vest, the Ring Mail Armour is the closest to a “civilian” wear that players can have while still retaining Heavy Armour’s strength.
At its core, Ring Mail Armour +2 offers 16 AC. This is leagues behind the other stronger Heavy Armour on the list, but it remains the highest-AC offering among lower-tier Heavy Armour thattanks and melee specialistsmay encounter in the mid-game.
Merchants at Character Level 4 to 6
Among the first practical pieces of Heavy Armour a player can acquire in theirBaldur’s Gate 3would be theChain Mail +1, especially with how its 17 AC far outclasses the more common Ring Mail Armour (14 AC) and even the base Chain Mail Armour (16 AC) in terms of default Armour Class. The Chain Mail’s green tabard over a layer of chain link armour makes thematic sense as a step-up for theChain Shirt +1(14+DEX Mod, Medium Armour), and its knightly design makes for a decent build-up to the bulkier Plate Armour.
Players can start getting theChain Mail Armour +1from Merchants by the time they get to much higher levels in the game. This Armour is likely the cheaper choice by the time shops also have the Plate Armour in their possession, making it a more frugal shopping option.
Crafted in the Grymforge during “The Adamantine Forge” (Quest) via the Splint Mould and Mithral Ore
When players finally reach the Grymforge in theirBaldur’s Gate 3playthrough, they can craft various Adamantine armaments viaMithral Oreand the Splint Mould. With Adamantine being the equivalent of the favored Tolkien Mithril, theAdamantine Splint Armourboasts some of the best defenses in Heavy Armour in the early game.
Acquiring this armour gives players a nifty 17 AC. However, its prominence as a Heavy Armour comes with its Intense Adamantine Backlash thatresembles potent Illithid Powers, wherein opponents who miss hitting the player will experience Reeling for 3 turns. This property debuffs enemies with -1 to Attack Rolls, making striking its user and nearby allies much harder.
Rustic Chest (Loot) in the Last Light Inn’s second floor
One of the best reasons Martial Classes excel in fighting up close is their capability of striking back, whether through Reactions or during their turn. WithRippling Force Mail, Martial Classes have more incentives for getting struck multiple times while being surrounded, especially when its Force Absorption effect can slowly build up for not just lesser damage taken but also repel attacks back at opponents.
Its AC 17 isn’t as high compared to other Heavy Armours that can reach AC 20 or 21, but this AC is perfect for characters who don’t want to stay as a damage sponge and instead just want to be protected when fighting up close. In that regard, thisHeavy Armour suited for Fighterswho want to outmaneuver foes up close without risking too much retaliation.
