How to gear up efficiently
- Vendors restock after each long rest and when you level up.
- Raise attitude with traders (gifts or persuasion) for better prices. Bards and high-Charisma characters barter best.
- Sell valuables (gold-bordered items) — they exist only to be sold.
- Pickpocket or steal carefully, but some gear can only be obtained that way (or by killing the vendor).
- Elixirs are build-defining: Elixirs of Hill or Cloud Giant Strength can replace a whole Strength stat.
Act 1 essentials
| Item | Type | Why it's great | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haste Helm | Helmet | Momentum at combat start: +1.5m movement per turn remaining, great for melee. | Blighted Village — moss-covered chest |
| Everburn Blade | Greatsword | +1d4 fire damage; strong early weapon for Lae'zel or a Paladin. | Commander Zhalk, Nautiloid |
| Blood of Lathander | Mace (Legendary) | Revives you once per long rest when downed, casts Sunbeam, radiates daylight. | Secret chamber in Rosymorn Monastery (Mountain Pass) |
| Phalar Aluve | Longsword | Sing/Shriek auras that buff allies or debuff enemies. | In a stone at the Underdark entrance (Strength or Religion check) |
| Sword of Justice | Greatsword | Tyr's Protection: +2 AC to an ally. | Anders, Risen Road |
| Gloves of Belligerent Skies | Gloves | Thunder, lightning and radiant damage inflicts Reverberation — superb with Smites and Tempest spells. | Inquisitor's Chamber, Crèche Y'llek |
| Adamantine Armour / Shield | Armour | Crafted armour that prevents critical hits and reflects damage. | Adamantine Forge, Grymforge (Underdark) |
| Merregon Halberd | Halberd | Strong reach weapon with devilish properties. | Lava pools around the Adamantine Forge |
Act 2 essentials
| Item | Type | Why it's great | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanstring Bow | Longbow | Adds your Strength modifier to damage — pair with a Giant Strength elixir. | Lann Tarv, Moonrise Towers |
| Hellfire Hand Crossbow | Hand crossbow | Burning from stealth, free Scorching Ray. | Gauntlet of Shar |
| Killer's Sweetheart | Ring | Your next attack after a kill is a guaranteed crit. | Self-Same Trial, Gauntlet of Shar |
| Flawed Helldusk Gloves | Gloves | Extra fire damage on weapon attacks. | Dammon, Last Light Inn (needs Infernal Iron) |
| Shield of Devotion | Shield | Free Aid and a bonus level 1 spell slot. | Quartermaster Talli, Last Light Inn |
| Ketheric's Shield | Shield | +1 to spell save DC and spell attack rolls. | Ketheric Thorm |
| Gloves of the Balanced Hands | Gloves | Ability modifier on off-hand attacks — dual-wielders love it. | Quartermaster Talli, Last Light Inn |
| Potent Robe | Clothing | Cantrips add Charisma to damage for Warlocks, Sorcerers and Bards. | Reward chain from Alfira's song quest |
| Shifting Corpus Ring | Ring | Free Invisibility and Blur. | Flaming Fist Marcus |
| Ring of Shadows | Ring | Pass Without Trace once per long rest. | Olivar's Hide and Seek quest, House in Deep Shadow |
| Resonance Stone | Amulet | Advantage on physical checks, enemies vulnerable to psychic damage. | Mind Flayer Colony |
| The Mighty Cloth | Clothing | +2 Strength and Bull Rush for Barbarians and Druids. | Quartermaster Talli, Last Light Inn |
Act 3 essentials
| Item | Type | Why it's great | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helldusk Armour | Heavy armour | 21 AC, fire resistance, grants its own proficiency. | Raphael, House of Hope |
| Amulet of Greater Health | Amulet | Sets Constitution to 23. | House of Hope |
| Gloves of Soul Catching | Gloves | +2 Constitution and great unarmed modifiers. | House of Hope |
| Markoheshkir | Staff | Cast a spell without using a slot; multiple elemental spells. | Sorcerous Sundries vault (Ramazith's Tower puzzle) |
| Balduran's Giantslayer | Greatsword | Giant Form for temp HP and extra damage. | Beneath Wyrmgate Prison |
| Helm of Balduran | Helmet | Regenerates HP, can't be crit or stunned. | Beneath Wyrmgate Prison |
| Nyrulna | Trident | Returning throws with thunder explosions — the thrower's dream. | Circus of the Last Days, Rivington (genie's ring) |
| Hellrider Longbow | Longbow | Initiative bonus and Faerie Fire synergy. | Ferg Drogher, Rivington |
| Gontr Mael | Longbow | +3 enchantment, Celestial Haste. | Steel Watch Foundry boss |
| Viconia's Walking Fortress | Shield | +3 AC, reflective Shield, Warding Bond. | House of Grief (Shadowheart's arc) |
| Cloak of Displacement | Cloak | Attackers have disadvantage against you. | Entharl Danthelon, Wyrm's Crossing bridge |
| Robe / Cloak of the Weave | Clothing / Cloak | Spell DC and attack bonuses; the robe adds AC and healing. | Sorcerous Sundries |
| Birthright | Helmet | Charisma bonus — top-tier for Charisma casters. | Sorcerous Sundries |
| Mask of Soul Perception | Helmet | Bonuses to initiative and attack rolls. | Devil's Fee, upper floor gilded chest |
| Duellist's Prerogative | Rapier | Extra reaction, extra attack when not dual-wielding. | Save Vanra quest, Lower City |
| Amulet of the Devout | Amulet | Best-in-slot for Clerics. | Stormshore Tabernacle basement |
Best-in-slot by role (end game)
Strength melee
- Helldusk Armour
- Balduran's Giantslayer
- Helm of Balduran
- Gauntlets of the Warmaster (Fighters)
- Elixir of Cloud Giant Strength
Archer
- Gontr Mael or Titanstring Bow
- Armour of Agility
- Mask of Soul Perception
- Cloak of Displacement
- Killer's Sweetheart ring
Arcane caster
- Markoheshkir or Staff of Spellpower
- Robe of the Weave + Cloak of the Weave
- Birthright (CHA casters)
- Spellseeking Gloves (Sorcerer) or Gemini Gloves (Warlock)
Divine caster / tank
- Amulet of the Devout
- Viconia's Walking Fortress
- Helldusk Armour
- Amulet of Greater Health