Best Unarmed Weapons For Monks In BG3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Monk is a unique class that doesn’t necessarily rely on traditional weapons to deal damage. Though Monks can equip a variety of weapons with no issue, and some are even good for the class depending on the build, Monks typically benefit the most from armor and equipment that enhances Unarmed damage.

The best “weapon” for Monks in BG3 that enhances their Unarmed attacks most directly is Gloves. Gloves often come with modifiers for extra Unarmed damage and hit chance, as well as other benefits specifically for Monks. With any of these best unarmed weapons, Monks can dish out some ridiculous damage with just their bare fists, and most can be found relatively easily throughout the game.

Updated on November 24, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam:Baldur’s Gate 3 bringing in Hotfix #29 to streamline more performance and stability issues in its console version, players of non-PC platforms now have access to a 100-mod limit (for now), and more compatibility testing of PC mods to consoles. This “small” fix can be a game-changer for console players who want a more stable experience with their mods, especially when playing with more action-intensive Classes like the Monk. Players who want to maximize their experience with this hand-to-hand specialist need to make sure they have the right kind of Gloves to fit them with, with surprising candidates for must-haves include a Radiant-dealing damage-dealer, something that turns characters into robots, and even a staff perfect for hand-to-hand combat.

15 Luminous Gloves

Light The Way To Victory

Players intrigued by the prospect of a Monk and Paladin or Cleric Multiclass in their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay should consider going to the Ruined Battlefield and acquiring the Luminous Gloves. When equipped, the Monk receives +1 to their Strength Saves, allowing them to resist pushes from opponents and other Strength-related difficulties.

However, the Luminous Gloves become worth the acquisition courtesy of its secondary effect, Radiating Orb Gloves. Whenever the wielder deals Radiant Damage, the target gets Radiating Orb for two turns. Throughout the duration, they suffer -1 to Attack Rolls and forces them to shed bright light on their immediate vicinity. This technically ensures Rogue-like enemies aren’t able to turn invisible for Sneak Attacks, and may even encourage players to try dabbling into divine-oriented kits for consistent Radiant Damage.

14 Gloves Of The Automaton

Become A Cyborg

Automatons are an interesting addition to Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, especially for Dungeons & Dragons newcomers who didn’t know machines could fit in the TTRPG’s fantasy setting. And for players who get to the Last Light Inn, they can purchase Gloves of the Automaton from Barcus Wroot and gain rather surprising effects.

Not only do they gain a STR Save +1 that allows Monks to resist potentially-fatal pushes off ledges, but they also get access to the Circuitry Interface Bonus Action. When activated (once every Short Rest), the equipping Monk gets treated as an Automaton for 10 turns, as though they have become a cyborg or received robotic implants. Throughout the duration, players get Advantage on their Attack Rolls and gain Resistance to Lightning Damage – giving them a much-needed damage boost.

13 Bhaalist Gloves

For The Perfect Anti-Mage Kit

Should a Monk of Baldur’s Gate 3 treat a darker path and become an Unholy Assassin of Bhaal, they can obtain the Bhaalist Gloves. These Very Rare Gloves indicate their allegiance to the Lord of Murder, essentially turning the Monk into a somewhat more brutal figure.

However, for players pursuing high-damage build, the Bhaalist Gloves are a perfect addition to their arsenal. Not only does this grant a +1 to all Attack Rolls, but the Monk wearing this can now do the Garrotte Action. This special move releases tendrils of shadows from the Monk that grabs the target, inflicting 3d6 Damage per turn and Silences them for the duration. The only caveat here is that neither the Monk nor the target can move, or else the effect ends. However, with its Short Rest recharge and output almost comparable to higher-level Spells per turn, this pair of Gloves can easily transform a Monk into a powerhouse.

12 Corellon’s Grace

Built Precisely For Flurry Of Blows

At first glance, the Monk holding a staff like Corellon’s Grace might not fit the traditional image of a martial artist using punches and kicks to make quick work of enemies. However, enthusiasts of martial practices would remember that the staff is one of the most popular accompanying weapons for practitioners because of its flexibility, and this is precisely what Corellon’s Grace will do for a Monk wielding it.

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Upon its acquisition from Auntie Ethel, a Monk wielding the staff will enjoy Unhamepered Resistance – essentially a +2 buff to all Saves as long as they are not wearing armor. Most importantly, Natural Pugilist gives them +1 to all Unarmed Attack Rolls and Damage. This might seem counterintuitive, as a regular staff attack is considered a Weapon Attack. However, this effect is tailored perfectly for Flurry of Blows, as they are considered Unarmored Attacks even if the Monk using them has a weapon in hand.

11 Servitor Of The Black Hand Gloves

Force With A Side Of Fear

When players get the opportunity to explore Wyrm’s Rock Fortress in Act 3 of their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough, they may be able to acquire the Servitor of the Black Hand Gloves. Fans of the Forgotten Realms would tie the gloves immediately to Bane, also called the Black Hand, who serves as the campaign setting’s God of Tyranny. The gloves likely belonged to a member of a cult worshipping Bane, who was jealous of Mystra’s command of the Weave.

In the hands of a Monk, the Servitor of the Black Hand Gloves can become a decent asset to their repertoire of Unarmed Attacks. They also get to cast Fear once per Long Rest. The additional +1d4 Damage might not seem like much at first, but considering the Monk’s capabilities of multi-attacking in a turn, this damage number can quickly pile up. The only catch here is the item’s availability rather late in the game, especially when there are other more suitable and flexible options for the Monk to use.

10 Flawed Helldusk Gloves

Perfect To Make Foes Bleed

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Should players get an Infernal Iron and give it to Dammon to help with Karlach’s condition, the blacksmith can give them the Flawed Helldusk Gloves. This Act 2 item may not be of the same quality as its original variant, but its +1 to STR Saves and its Lesser Infernal Touch can be an asset to Monks and non-Monks alike.

For the martial artist, Lesser Infernal Touch endows their Unarmed Attacks with +1d4 Necrotic Damage. Not only that, their Unarmed Attacks may now inflict Bleeding – essentially forcing the afflicted to take 2 Slashing Damage per turn and receive Disadvantage to their CON Saves.

9 Seraphic Pugilist Gloves

Comes With The Light Of Guidance

By the time players get access to the Open Hand Temple in Rivington, the Seraphic Pugilist Gloves are a must-have for their Monk. Thanks to its Angelclocker Knuckles effect, the Monk who wields this weapon will imbue their Unarmed Attacks with +1d4 Radiant Damage. At first glance, the Seraphic Pugilist Gloves is similar to other +1d4 Elemental Gloves like the Servitor of the Black Hand Gloves.

However, where this pair of gloves shines would be in its additional effect, in that Monks can cast Guiding Bolt as a 4th-Level Spell once per Long Rest. While this limited use might not seem like much, a Monk who can pull this off can likely score 7d6 Radiant Damage in one blow on top of gaining an Advantage to the next Attack Roll against the target.

8 The Sparkle Hands

A Flexible And Electrifying Piece

When players reach the Sunlit Wetlands and get The Sparkle Hands, they might notice that its electric theme is similar to other specific Armor – specifically the Speedy Lightfeet, the Watersparkers, the Protecty Sparkswall, and the Lifebringer. This also extends to their effects, as the Sparkle Hands will give 2 Lightning Charges to its wielder when they hit with Unarmed Attacks. As a bonus, possessing Lightning Charges will now give players Advantage to foes made of metal (like Constructs) or wearing metal armor.

However, what makes the Sparkle Hands worth acquiring is its Effective Transmitter Effect. As long as players have a Lightning Charge, they get +1 to Attack Rolls and their attacks deal +1 Lightning Damage. When they get 5 Lightning Charges, they expend all Charges so their next damage instance gets +1d8 Lightning Damage. A Monk using the Sparkle Hands alongside its related Armor can spam Lightning Charge-empowered attacks every round. When they Dash or start their turn on an electrified surface, the Speedy Lightfeet and the Watersparkers will grant them 3 Lightning Charges each. Not only does this guarantee bonus Lightning Damage, but their Lightning Charges will grant them +1 AC and Saves if they wear the Protecty Sparkswall, and +3 Temp HP while wearing the Lifebringer.

Throughout almost all of Baldur’s Gate 3, and particularly throughout the first two acts, players will come across several Gloves that enhance Unarmed damage in some way. Almost all of these add a simple 1d4 of various Elemental damage to Unarmed attacks, often also accompanied by a spell or slight boost to stats, like Spell Save DC.

Because Monks use Unarmed attacks several times in one turn, this quickly becomes an incredibly powerful boon – 1d4 extra damage several times a turn, thanks to moves like Flurry of Blows, really adds up.

Choose any of these Gloves while leveling a Monk and locating the other powerful Monk Gloves on this list. They will serve perfectly fine until players find the really powerful Monk weapons, and some of the spells they grant keep them useful well into the end of the game.

6 Bracers Of Defense

Best Defense Is A Good Offense

The Bracers of Defense are one of the best unarmed Monk weapons because, although they don’t confer damage bonuses like the other best Monk Gloves, the buff is invaluable for the survivability of Monks. With these equipped, and as long as the Monk doesn’t equip any Armor or a Shield (aside from Clothing), they will get a +2 to AC.

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This buff is called Become The Bulwark, and in addition to AC bonuses granted by the Monk class itself, this puts Monks on about the same AC level as a medium-to-heavy Armor wearer. Monks can feel like glass cannons in BG3, able to deal out an enormous amount of damage but take lots in return.

If players are confident going into combat, equip another set of the best Unarmed weapons BG3 offers and take advantage of their buffs to Unarmed damage. But if it’s a tough one, and one’s Monk is likely to get pummeled, go into combat with these equipped instead.

5 Gloves Of Belligerent Skies

Make Deadlier Follow-Up Strikes

The Gloves of Belligerent Skies aren’t for every Monk build, but for some, these are arguably the most useful Monk gloves you can get before Act 2. When the Monk who equips these deals any Thunder, Lightning, or Radiant damage, their target gets two stacks of the Reverberation debuff. This reduces STR, DEX, and CON Saving Throws by 1 for each stack, and at five stacks, the target has to succeed a CON Saving Throw to avoid being knocked prone.

This pair of Monk Gloves BG3 players can get work in tandem with elemental-type abilities. As such, it’s best for a Monk with the Way Of The Four Elements to hunt these down, as they can more regularly take advantage of their triggered effect. But Way of Shadow and Way of the Open Hand Monks can still inflict Reverberation if they use abilities of those Elemental types (like with Multiclassing) – it’s just more accessible for Way of the Four Elements monks.

4 Thunderpalm Strikers

Get Thunder Damage With A Dash Of Thunderwave

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Of all the Gloves in BG3 that enhance Unarmed strikes with an extra d4 of Elemental damage, the Thunderpalm Strikers might just be the most useful. They add a simple 1d4 Thunder damage to Unarmed attacks, sure, but the real value of these Gloves comes from the spell it grants to its wielder: Thunderwave.

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Thunderwave is a Level 1 spell that deals 2d8 Thunder damage in a cone and pushes enemies hit away from the caster. With the Thunderpalm Strikers, Monks can cast this spell at Level 3 for free once per Long Rest, which means it deals 4d8 Thunder damage. The Pushing effect is incredibly powerful against enemies close to ledges or, if aimed accurately, can be used to get enemies away from the party without hurting allies.

To get the Thunderpalm Strikers, head to Angleiron’s Basement in Rivington (the first area of Act 3). Speak with Bumpnagel to purchase these Gloves for 450 Gold.

3 Gauntlet Of The Tyrant

For Forces Both Physical And Mental

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The Gauntlet of the Tyrant is an incredibly useful Monk unarmed weapon because, in addition to an extra 1d4 Force damage on Unarmed hits, it improves their wielder’s Spell Save DC. This affects how likely enemies are to be affected by the Monk’s CC spells. The gloves also grant a new spell to Monks once per long rest: Command. All of these effects combined make them powerful late-game Monk weapons, though there are still some slightly better options.

The Gauntlet of the Tyrant is worn by none other than Enver Gortash, and of course, to get the Gauntlet of the Tyrant, players will have to defeat their current wielder. Though it’s listed as the Netherstone-Studded Gauntlet when looted, it turns into the Gauntlet of the Tyrant in players’ inventory.

2 Gloves Of Crushing

Straightforward Hitting

The Gloves of Crushing are incredible for increasing Unarmed damage. Not only do they increase Unarmed damage by a flat amount rather than an amount determined by a 1d4 dice roll, but they also make it easier to hit with Unarmed attacks. These Gloves give a +1 to Unarmed Attack Rolls and an extra 2 flat damage on Unarmed strikes.

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Though other gloves are technically able to deal more damage, the extra chance to hit with Unarmed attacks that the Gloves of Crushing grants is really powerful. It doesn’t matter what the damage dice are if the attack doesn’t hit in the first place, after all.

To get the Gloves of Crushing, head to Moonrise Towers and speak with the vendor Roah Moonglow. The Gloves of Crushing only cost 160 Gold, making them quite affordable for the power increase.

1 Gloves Of Soul Catching

To Hit Or To Heal

Arguably the best monk weapon in BG3 is the Gloves of Soul Catching. With no actual weapons equipped, the Gloves of Soul Catching will boost Unarmed attacks with a whopping 1d10 Force damage on hit, as well as the ability to regain health when striking with Unarmed attacks. Players can heal 10 regular HP once per turn when they connect an Unarmed hit. This bonus can also be dropped to gain Advantage on all Attack Rolls and Saving Throws until the next turn.

If that wasn’t enough convincing that the Gloves of Soul Catching are the best Unarmed Gloves in BG3, the fact that they increase Constitution by 2 might be. But to take advantage of all these benefits, players must delve into the House of Hope – Raphael’s house, to be clear – and save the eponymous (and very real) Hope.

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