The Ultimate Baldur's Gate 3 Greatsword Tier List
In Baldur's Gate 3, greatswords are more than just colossal blades; they're crucial tools that shape your character's combat prowess. While they're not as iconic as some of the other weapon categories in the game, greatswords have earned a special place due to their potential for massive damage and unique effects. But not all greatswords are created equal—some stand out for their extra abilities, powerful enhancements, and unique features that can take your battles to the next level.
In this comprehensive guide, we will rank every greatsword in the game and explain why some are far better than others. We’ll also uncover secret strategies to unlock hidden abilities tied to these swords and share tips on how to get the most out of your weapon choices. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of these mighty blades and break down which ones truly deserve a spot in your arsenal.
C-Tier: The Decent, But Not Stellar Swords
1. Gith Yankee Greatsword (Base +1)
Let’s kick things off with a weapon that’s a common find in Baldur’s Gate 3: the Gith Yankee Greatsword (Base +1). At first glance, this greatsword seems promising—after all, it’s magical and comes with a +1 enhancement. However, in practice, this weapon is quite underwhelming.
The weapon itself does nothing too spectacular. While the +1 enchantment does improve both your attack and damage rolls slightly, it doesn’t offer anything that truly elevates it above other swords in the same category. It’s a reliable weapon early on, but once you start progressing through the game, you'll quickly realize there are far better options.
Verdict: C-tier — A decent weapon for the early stages but quickly outclassed by superior options.
2. Everburn Blade
The Everburn Blade is an iconic weapon in the game, revered for its fiery aura and the 1d4 fire damage it provides. The appeal is undeniable: it looks cool, and fire damage is always a reliable addition. However, the weapon's stats are nothing to write home about, and its lack of a +1 weapon enhancement puts it on the back foot when compared to other greatswords.
While you can use a candlestick to dip this blade and give it the 1d4 fire damage (at the cost of a bonus action), it doesn’t stack up in terms of raw combat performance compared to other weapons in this tier. Additionally, while it has its uses early on, better options are available in Act 1.
Verdict: C-tier — A cool concept, but its stats and potential are overshadowed by other weapons you can find early in the game.
B-Tier: Solid Swords for Strategic Builds
1. Gith Yankee Greatsword (Enhanced with Psychic Damage)
Here we have an upgrade to the standard Gith Yankee Greatsword, which grants 1d4 psychic damage when wielded by a Gith Yankee. This weapon is a substantial upgrade because of its psychic damage, which offers a unique damage type that’s useful against certain enemies. Additionally, if you’re playing as a Gith, you’ll get a nice synergy that turns this sword into a formidable choice.
One of the coolest features is that you can equip this weapon even if you’re not currently in Gith Yankee form—thanks to the ability to shape-shift into a Gith. By utilizing this transformation, you gain the 1d4 psychic damage on all your attacks, making it a great weapon for maximizing your damage output.
Verdict: B-tier — A solid weapon, especially if you have access to the psychic bonus, but there are still better choices in the game.
2. Sword of Justice
The Sword of Justice is an excellent weapon for players who prioritize defense. It grants the Tears Protection ability, which is essentially the Shield of Faith spell. This gives you a +2 to AC for a solid defensive boost. The best part is that it can be applied as a bonus action, meaning you don’t need to spend an entire turn just to protect yourself.
While it’s a great choice for a defensive playstyle, especially for Paladins or Fighters who lack concentration spells, it doesn’t have the same offensive punch as some of the higher-tier greatswords. Still, its Tears Protection is a highly valuable ability when it comes to surviving tough fights.
Verdict: B-tier — Very useful defensively, but lacks the offensive edge of some other swords.
A-Tier: Powerful Weapons with Game-Changing Effects
1. Vartalbee’s Wound Seeker
One of the standout greatswords in Baldur's Gate 3, the Vartalbee’s Wound Seeker is designed for those who want to maximize their offensive capabilities. This weapon provides a +1 to weapon enhancement and, more importantly, grants a 1d4 bonus to attack rolls when you attack an enemy that’s already been damaged. This bonus synergizes particularly well with the Great Weapon Master feat, which gives you a -5 penalty to attack rolls in exchange for extra damage.
The weapon becomes even more potent if you pair it with sorcerer or wizard spells like Scorching Ray or Magic Missile. These spells deal small amounts of damage across multiple targets, and by utilizing this sword, your fighter can deal significantly more damage with their attacks.
Verdict: A-tier — One of the best early-game swords, offering both offensive and strategic benefits with its 1d4 bonus to attack rolls.
2. Baluran Giant Slayer
The Baluran Giant Slayer is a beast of a weapon for strength-based characters. It boasts a +3 weapon enhancement, and on hit, it doubles your strength modifier for added damage. The sword also grants advantage on attack rolls against large, huge, or gargantuan creatures—making it especially valuable in certain fights against giants and other large creatures.
The ability to gain temporary hit points (27) and 1d6 extra damage for 10 turns in Giant form is another massive benefit. When combined with strength-based characters (like Barbarians or Fighters), this sword becomes a formidable tool in both offense and defense.
However, there are some nuances when using this weapon with certain builds. For example, Warlocks using Pact of the Blade will not benefit from the double charisma modifier; instead, they'll add their strength modifier for the attack.
Verdict: A-tier — A perfect fit for strength-based characters, especially for those who want to fight giants and larger enemies.
S-Tier: Legendary Weapons That Dominate the Battlefield
1. Silver Sword of the Astral Plane
The Silver Sword of the Astral Plane is arguably one of the most powerful and versatile swords in the game. It grants advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws, which is an extraordinary benefit when facing enemies that target those stats with debuffs and crowd-control effects.
This sword can be obtained early in Act 1 if you’re clever enough to grab it from Voss—though you will have to fight some Gith to get it. The sword’s 1d6 extra damage is a nice bonus, and its ability to resist psychic damage and prevent you from being charmed makes it a must-have for certain builds.
If you're looking to get the most out of this sword, it pairs particularly well with the Resonance Stone, which doubles psychic damage dealt by the Shadow Blade ability.
Verdict: S-tier — One of the best swords in the game, perfect for versatile builds and handling psychic damage.
2. Sword of Chaos
The Sword of Chaos is an iconic weapon from Baldur’s Gate 1, making its return with even more formidable abilities. This sword offers a +2 weapon enhancement, but what truly sets it apart is its ability to heal you every time you attack. The sword heals for 1d6 every time it strikes, making it an invaluable weapon for staying alive in long, grueling battles.
Additionally, the sword deals 1d4 necrotic damage, which can be a double-edged sword—especially since necrotic damage is often resisted by enemies. However, the sword’s healing mechanic makes it perfect for sustained combat, particularly with builds that focus on sustaining high attack rates, like Warlocks or Paladins.
Verdict: S-tier — A healing powerhouse that makes it nearly impossible to stay down in battle, with incredible synergy for specific builds.
Conclusion: Ranking the Best Greatswords
In Baldur’s Gate 3, greatswords are more than just tools of destruction—they’re key to shaping your combat strategy and providing various utility options depending on the build you're going for. Some swords are better for defense, others for offense, and some give you unique abilities that let you heal or silence enemies.
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C-tier swords are decent, but they fail to stand out.
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B-tier swords have their uses, but they often require specific playstyles to fully unlock their potential.
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A-tier swords offer powerful bonuses that make them excellent choices for a variety of playstyles.
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S-tier swords are the true game-changers—dominating the battlefield with abilities that let you stay alive and dish out monstrous amounts of damage.
In the end, the choice of weapon will always depend on your character's build and the specific challenges you face in the game. But now that you have a better understanding of each sword's strengths and weaknesses, you’ll be better equipped to make the right decisions for your playthrough.
Remember, the best weapon is not always the one with the highest damage but the one that suits your tactics the most.
FAQ
1. What is the best greatsword in Baldur's Gate 3?
The Silver Sword of the Astral Plane is considered one of the best for its versatility, providing both powerful attack bonuses and defensive benefits.
2. How can I obtain the Silver Sword of the Astral Plane?
You can find it early in Act 1 by defeating a group of Gith near the Astral Plane. Keep an eye out for it during the Gith questline.
3. Are there any greatswords that heal you in Baldur’s Gate 3?
Yes, the Sword of Chaos heals you for 1d6 every time it strikes, making it great for prolonged battles.
4. Is the Sword of Justice worth using?
The Sword of Justice is a good defensive option, providing a +2 AC bonus with its Tears Protection ability, but lacks offensive capabilities compared to other swords.
5. What’s the difference between the Gith Yankee Greatsword and the Enhanced version?
The enhanced version adds 1d4 psychic damage, making it more potent, especially for Gith characters who can leverage its abilities.
6. How do I get the Vartalbee’s Wound Seeker?
This sword can be found as part of a quest where you need to defeat certain enemies, and it's ideal for builds utilizing Great Weapon Master.
7. Can I use greatswords with ranged builds?
Greatswords are primarily melee weapons, but certain builds, like Arcane Trickster or Hexblade Warlocks, can benefit from the extra damage when in close range.
8. What’s the difference between a regular and magical greatsword?
Magical greatswords typically offer additional bonuses, such as +1 to +3 enhancements, elemental damage types like fire or psychic, and sometimes special abilities or healing.
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