The Best Ranged Weapons In Baldur's Gate 3, Ranked

Players who love Baldur’s Gate will delight in Baldur’s Gate 3 for its more modern approach to a game extremely close to Dungeons & Dragons. This time around, players of this Baldur’s Gate title are in a race against time as they try to find a cure against their illithid tadpole or risk becoming a mind flayer during their assault on Faerun.

Thankfully, players of Baldur’s Gate 3 have trusty companions to rely on as they build a formidable party against this threat. And for players who want to dominate ranged play, there are some great options available to choose from.

Updated on November 24, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Hotfix #29 giving console players of Baldur’s Gate 3 better mod stability and a 100-mod limit, fans of the acclaimed RPG will have a lot of room to tinker with new additions such as effects, weapons, customizations, and other features to add much-needed spice to their experience. However, before players even venture into adding numerous new effects to their gameplay experience, they may want to equip their characters with the best weapons possible – among which include some of the game’s best ranged weapons. These include upgraded versions of weapons, as well as one that would help characters move further.

30 Hand Crossbow +2

Alternate Between Fast-Paced, Heavy-Hitting Plays

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Players looking for the best ranged weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3 don’t necessarily need complicated armaments to accomplish their needs, especially when the Hand Crossbow +2 can achieve a damage output close to the performance of regular Cantrips with unique Weapon Actions. Acquired from a wall vault inside Lady Jannath’s Estate, the Hand Crossbow +2 can be the perfect companion for a Spellcaster who wants an actual weapon they can rely on or a perfectly-functional ranged armament for the long-distance combatant.

As with other Hand Crossbows, this weapon has access to Piercing Shot that has the chance of inflicting Gaping Wounds that can give more damage to foes from other sources. Should users have already Disengaged or Dashed for the turn, they can also use Mobile Shot as a Bonus Action to perform a Ranged Attack – ensuring that they can still get an attack in even if they focused on movement for the turn.

29 Longbow +2

Perfect For Mobile Combatants

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Among ranged weapons players can encounter in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Longbow +2 is perhaps a must-have for any character who wants to dominate long-distance combat. This weapon’s only setback is its acquisition before the final fight in the game’s story, particularly when looted from the Darkening Hunt if a Ranger is in the player’s party. However, players who want a safe weapon to use in the game’s perilous final battle, the Longbow +2 can become a nifty secondary armament that may be more dependable compared to other effect-heavy variants.

At its core, the Longbow +2 enjoys an immediate +2 to all Attack Rolls and Damage Rolls – much-needed bonuses for enemies this close to the finish line who often pack high AC. For players who need to buy their allies some time to prepare countermeasures, Hamstring Shot and its potential effect of halving a target’s Movement Speed can hinder dangerous combatants from getting close to players. Alternatively, the Longbow +2’s user can use Brace to sacrifice a bit of Movement to guarantee their usage of high damage dice throughout their ranged attacks.

28 Bow Of Awareness

Score Earlier Moves In Combat

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When players reach the Shattered Sanctum, they can interact with Roah Moonglow of the Zhentarim and purchase the Bow of Awareness. This +1 Shortbow might not seem like a heavy-hitting ranged armament for players, its effects can certainly aid the long-distance combatant in the early-game.

At its core, the Shortbow +1 comes with a Hamstring Shot that has the chance of halving the movement of its target. Most importantly, the Bow comes with another effect called Seldom Caught Unawares. This effect grants the user +1 to Initiative Rolls, essentially helping this ranged combatant take their turn first and enjoy being able to attack opponents and reposition just as fast to avoid retaliation.

27 Hellfire Engine Crossbow

A Rather Versatile Infernal Crossbow

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When players reach the Steel Watch Foundry, they can go to the Security Office to combine the Watcher Crossbow Blueprint, Targeting Module, and the Steel Watcher Arm to create the Hellfire Engine Crossbow. This infernal Heavy Crossbow is a Very Rare weapon that boasts some of the most unique kits in the game, essentially allowing a ranged combatant to punish opponents through a myriad of effects.

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The Heavy Crossbow has staple Weapon Actions that can cause enemies to receive extra damage from other sources (Piercing Shot), and roll ranged damage twice to get the highest result at the cost of extra movement (Brace). Securing this weapon’s damage-oriented kit would be the capability of casting Lightning Arrow as a 4th-Level Spell once every Long Rest, practically giving players a chance to nova groups of opponents at the start of combat. Lastly, Reposition Malefactor can pull targets 9m closer to players if they fail a DC 15 DEX Save, allowing players to reposition enemies to be much closer to the rest of the party’s melee combatants.

26 Darkfire Shortbow

A Defensive Measure Against Fire And Ice

According to its flavor text, the Darkfire Shortbowhas been polished by the refined breath of a silver and gold dragon, both types of Dungeons & Dragons creatures known for their icy and flaming breaths, respectively. When players acquire this bow from Dammon at the Last Light Inn, they get one of the more interesting defensive options in the game.

Upon wielding the Darkfire Shortbow, players get Resistance to Fire and Cold Damage, allowing them to brave Spellcasters with a penchant for using heavy-hitting Fireballs or even dangerous obstacles. Users of the Shortbow can also use Haste as a 3rd-Level Spell once per Long Rest, giving them an edge in emergencies as an escape tool or early in the fight to dish out heavy damage to threats.

25 Hunting Shortbow

The Definitive Foil Against Unnatural Creatures

When players first meet Dammon in the Druid Grove, they may be able to acquire the Hunting Shortbow. Upon wielding, the Hunting Shortbow grants its users with the Feller of Monsters effect that gives them Advantage against Monstrosity-type foes. They also get access to Hunter’s Mark as a 1st-Level Spell, with a Long Rest recharge.

An interesting part regarding the Hunting Shortbow is how it’s built to fight Monstrosities. This particular creature type is reserved for enemies who aren’t normally found in nature and are often magical in terms of their creation. While the Advantage is only granted against these creatures, the constant access to this buff can make the weapon worth the switch when they are encountered.

24 Least Expected

The Perfect Partner For Ranged Rogues

When players reach the Gauntlet of Shar in Act 2, they can search for a Gilded Chest to acquire the Least Expected. This is a Shortbow with the Darkwell Precision effect, which essentially gives wielders +1d4 Damage to Ranged Weapon Attacks when obscured by shadows. Another interesting addition from this weapon is its Blinding Shot Action, which has a chance of Blinding a target.

Despite the rather seemingly straightforward bonuses from this weapon, it’s the implication of it that transforms it into a ranged powerhouse. When wielded by a Rogue who is careful about their positioning, Least Expected can consistently proc +1d4 Damage and Ranged Sneak Attack to their hits. Not only that, but inflicting Blind on an opponent using Blinding Shot prior to the follow-up attack can guarantee another Ranged Sneak Attack.

23 Fabricated Arbalest

Blind Enemies For Instant Advantage

When players defeat Enver Gortash in Wyrm’s Rock Fortress, they’re able to loot Fabricated Arbalestfrom his corpse. At first glance, this Very Rare Heavy Crossbow has the typical arsenal of Special Actions from its weapon type, particularly Piercing Shot and Brace. However, its Rarity is earned through its Dazzling Ray and Illuminating Shot Actions.

Should players use Dazzling Ray, they can release a light that Blinds all creatures in its path. Those affected by the Blind Status can only see and hit within 3 meters of them, and even then have Disadvantage to their Attack Rolls. Meanwhile, all Attacks against Blinded targets have Advantage. Even if opponents don’t get hit by Dazzling Ray, the Fabricated Arbalest has an Illuminating Shot that affects its targets with a turn of Radiating Orb, giving them -1 to Attack Rolls for the duration.

22 Blightbringer

A Slowing Weapon With A Specific Purpose

Created by the Goblin shaman Kirruk Redrats to fight their sworn enemies among the Dwarves and Gnomes, the Blightbringeris built specifically to kill the aforementioned creatures among the enemy ranks. Sold by Entharl Danthelon in Wyrm’s Crossing, long-ranged combatants who wield this Bow can get +1d4 Attack and Damage when fighting Gnomes and Dwarves (Blightbringer). Not only that, but landing a Critical Hit will also Slow down the target (Prey Decelerator), making this extremely potent at the hands of builds that specialize on scoring crits.

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At first glance, Blightbringer may not be a long-ranged fighter’s immediate choice for a bow in their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay. However, players may want to skip prioritizing the bonus damage against Dwarves and Gnomes and instead utilize the Slow-on-crit bonus of the weapon. Being able to rake in as much Attack Roll bonuses as possible to consistently Slow foes on crits can debilitate the enemy’s advance.

21 Gandrel’s Aspiration

Fight Back Against Monstrosities

Most weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3 often come with unique flavor text, with Gandrel’s Aspirationboasting perhaps one of the game’s more interesting stories to read. It’s said that when Gandrel witnessed the horrible burning of a vampire spawn, it ushered in a desire to ensure such a creature wouldn’t harm others again. This resulted in an Uncommon Heavy Crossbow capable of eliminating monsters, with its wielders getting Advantage against Monstrosity-type creatures (Feller of Monsters) as well as improved odds of ranged attacks inflicting Turn Undead for a single turn once every Short Rest (Sacred Munitions).

Acquired after defeating Gandrel in Sunlit Wetlands, this Heavy Crossbow can serve as the perfect weapon for players who want to fight larger creatures – something that’s very useful in the endgame portion of the RPG. Its Sacred Munitions, capable of Turning the Undead, could be enough to fight the more horrifying enemies of the RPG later down the line.

20 Crossbow Of Arcane Force

When it comes to choosing a weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, the more valuable choices often come in the form of armaments that dish out as much damage as possible. This simple principle makes the Crossbow of Arcane Forcequite a viable choice for long-ranged combatants, as its shots guarantee +1d4 Force Damage (Arcane Ammunition).

Its Uncommon nature makes the weapon a convenient find for players, especially when they can acquire it early on when Raider G’r’ath drops it in Creche Y’llek. Equipping this weapon to either Lae’zel or the token long-ranged party member can give players some much-needed base firepower against most threats in the game.

19 Vicious Shortbow

Should players become an Unholy Assassin upon visiting the Murder Tribunal, their Baldur’s Gate 3 experience can take them to the Vicious Shortbow. Acquired via purchase from Echo of Abazigal, the Vicious Shortbow at first resembles a traditional Shortbow with a +2 Enchantment, essentially dishing 1d6+2 Piercing against foes. However, where the weapon shines is with its additional effect.

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When players land a Critical Hit with the Vicious Shortbow, the Dolor Amarus effect activates and adds +7 Damage to the Critical Hit. While the damage number seems negligible compared to the Critical Hit’s 16 Damage, the new 23 Piercing Damage total may be enough to eliminate a pesky opponent.

18 The Long Arm Of The Gur

Long-ranged combatants who want to be undead slayers in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough should consider acquiring The Long Arm of the Gur from Security Vault 3 of the Counting House. Described as the weapon owned by a hunter whose traumatizing encounter with a public vampire burning as a child motivated his career, the Rare Heavy Crossbow may convince even a melee-specializing Paladin to opt for a long-ranged build.

The weapon’s +2 Enchantment boosts its overall damage to 1d10+2 Piercing, with Piercing Shot and Brace as additional Weapon Actions. However, where the weapon shines is with its Revenant Scourge, an effect that adds a +1d4 Bonus to both Attack and Damage Rolls when fighting undead creatures – monster types that are abundant in the game and equally suitable for further boosts via Smites.

17 Bow Of The Banshee

Damage On Frighten, And Frighten Attempts Hinders An Enemy’s Advance

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When players travel to the Grymforge for the first time, their boat journey may be interrupted by Corsair Greymon, the owner of the Bow of the Banshee. Should he not make it to the Grymforge, the wielder of the Bow of the Banshee can enjoy at least 1d6+1 Piercing Damage, making the weapon a named variant of the Shortbow.

However, the Rare Shortbow excels whenever players hit an opponent with attacks. Thanks to Blood-Curdling Emission, hits will always attempt to Frighten opponents, boosting both Attack Rolls and Damage Rolls against them with a +1d4.

16 Hellrider Longbow

First-Move, And Fairy Fire Advantage Enhances Ranged Specialists

In the world of the Forgotten Realms, Hellriders were city guards of the mighty Elturel that rivaled the most powerful armies at the time, with the Hellrider Longbow being an example of acute marksmanship in the bygone era. When players purchase this weapon from Rivington’s Ferg Drogher in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough, they get access to an Uncommon Longbow that can deal 1d8+1 Piercing Damage.

While the weapon gives the traditional slate of Longbow Weapon Actions such as Hamstring Shot and Brace, its additional effects can make the weapon a worthwhile addition to a ranged combatant’s arsenal. Its Fiendish Fire ensures that creatures hit with the weapon may be affected by Faerie Fire at no cost. Meanwhile, Heightened Awareness guarantees +3 Initiative Rolls and Advantage of Perception Checks, allowing a character to outmaneuver foes in dangerous situations.

15 Harold

Auto-Bane Checks Can Debilitate Enemy Performance Constantly

When players meet the elusive Zhentarim in their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough, they have the opportunity to work for Zarys and obtain Harold. This seemingly unimposing Rare Heavy Crossbow deals a measly 1d10+1 Piercing Damage, giving players access to Piercing Shot and Brace that is common for the weapon type.

However, the weapon shines once it’s used to hit an opponent. Should Harold strike true, the opponent hit must succeed a CHA Save or suffer Bane for two turns, effectively penalizing their Attack Rolls and Saves with -1d4. The fact that this effect can happen whenever Harold attacks can debilitate its target’s combat performance, making this a valuable addition to a ranged specialist’s arsenal.

14 Firestoker

Burning Damage Encourages Explosive Plays

Where there’s a crossbow, there’s likely a way to set bolts on fire for maximum damage. And this is exactly what the Firestoker does. This Uncommon Crossbow can be found in the Grymforge and has an effective range of 18 meters. As with other Hand Crossbows, this relies on loading ammunition, as well as being dippable ammo. It has a Piercing Shot that can open Gaping Wounds on targets in order to make them more vulnerable. In turn, this weapon is ideal for long-ranged Baldur’s Gate 3 builds.

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Moreover, it has Mobile Shot that allows players to attack while moving, making it a handy way of practical repositioning in combat. What perhaps makes Firestoker shine is its Burned Alive feature, wherein each of its attacks deals 1d4 Piercing Damage to Burning opponents. This incentivizes builds focusing on burning opponents first

13 Githyanki Crossbow

With the Githyanki essentially coming from another dimension, it makes sense for their depiction in Baldur’s Gate 3 to have them as a rather alien species. This is reflected in their weapons, as the Githyanki Crossbowseems ordinary by Dungeons & Dragons standards, but it has a unique appearance nonetheless. Said to be fashioned of metal not native to Faerun, players can only acquire this by fighting Gityhanki Raiders.

Skills-wise, the Githyanki Crossbow also has Brace (Ranged) that allows players to have an Advantage on Damage Rolls while stationary. Moreover, its Piercing Shot also lets players turn enemies vulnerable with Gaping Wounds. However, what’s more interesting is its Psychic Vengeance feature, essentially the equivalent of a melee-based Baldur’s Gate 3 Cantrip that allows players to deal 1d4 Psychic damage on attacks with this weapon if they have 50 percent or less HP.

12 Sharran Crossbow

A Potent Heavy Crossbow Fit For Any Ranged Plays

Sometimes, the mark of a masterclass weapon lies not in a complicated design but rather in a sleek one, and such is the case with Sharran Crossbow. This weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 looks like an ordinary crossbow, with the symbol of the god Shar engraved on the handle. Being an Uncommon Item, this crossbow is rather easy to find, similar to items from games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Players can find this item hidden in a chest behind the rothes in Grymforge.

Disguised as “Light Crossbow +1,” players need to pass a check in order for this item’s true name to be revealed. This weapon also comes with the Piercing Shot, capable of weakening foes with Gaping Wounds. Despite its rather mundane nature, the 1d8+1 Piercing and the nifty Piercing Shot make the Sharran Crossbow a must-have for anyone who wants a consistent ranged build.

11 Titanstring Bow

Fighters Get A Chance To Shine In Ranged Battles

Should players complete “Find the Missing Shipment” for the Zhentarim or encounter Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers, they can get the Titanstring Bow. This Rare Longbow is said to contain proof that archers aren’t always thin and lithe fighters, but rather warriors strong enough to pull a bowstring far back at such a pace and strength that their arrows hit with ferocity.

On top of the Longbow’s Hamstring Shot and Brace Weapon Actions, its 1d8+1 Piercing Damage is further modified by its Titan Weapon effect. With this ability, players now add their STR Modifier to the Titanstring Bow’s Damage Rolls, incentivizing the use of this weapon by Fighters and other melee-oriented Classes.