Highlights
- Shortswords in BG3 deal Piercing damage and can be dual-wielded with Martial Proficiency using either Strength or Dexterity.
- All Shortswords have Flourish and Piercing Strike actions, but the best ones have unique effects/spells attached.
- Some notable Shortswords in BG3 include The Baneful, Fleshrender, Knife Of The Undermountain King, and Crimson Mischief.
Shortswords in Baldur's Gate 3 are one-handed melee weapons that deal Piercing damage and can also be dual-wielded. Characters must have Martial Proficiency to use Shortswords but can use either their Strength or Dexterity Modifier, whichever is highest.
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All Shortswords have the Flourish and Piercing Strike actions, which can be situationally useful, but the very best Shortswords have unique effects, actions, or spells attached to them. There are plenty of Shortswords for players to find in Baldur's Gate 3, but some are better than others.
Updated May 17, 2024 by Joe Grantham: Game of the Year winner Baldur's Gate 3 is now available on all platforms, and as even more players throw themselves into the colossal DnD-inspired adventure, having all the stats and effects of relevant weapons becomes even more important.
While Shortswords are far from the highest-damage weapons, they can be used alongside the best shields in BG3. Accordingly, this list has been updated to include even more Shortswords, especially those found in Acts 1 and 2, giving players more options for the entirety of their playthrough.
Basic Actions Of All Shortswords In Baldur's Gate 3
- Flourish: Feint an attack to possibly throw an opponent Off Balance. Afflicted enemies have Disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity Ability Checks, and users have Advantage on Attack Rolls against them (Once per Short Rest).
- Piercing Strike: Stab an enemy to possibly inflict Gaping Wounds. Afflicted enemies take 2 extra Piercing damage from attacks (Once per Short Rest).
11 Assassin's Shortsword
Base Damage: 2~7
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 + 1 Piercing | Uncommon | Advantage on Stealth Checks |
- Location: Found on a skeleton west of the House of Healing, Act 2.
Despite being a decent weapon, the Assassin's Shortsword's main drawback is that it can only be acquired in Act 2, by which time players should have found much better alternatives. Naturally, the Advantage it grants on Stealth Checks is more useful for some playstyles and builds, while others would rarely make use of it.
To get their hands on the Assassin's Shortsword, players simply need to head west of the House of Healing in Act 2. They can loot it from a skeleton here.
10 Shortsword +2
Base Damage: 3~8
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 + 2 Piercing | Rare | N/A |
- Location: The basem*nt of Peartree's House, Act 3.
Despite not having any unique effects, the Shortsword +2 is still a good option, as its Weapon Enchantment +2 not only means extra damage but also an increase in Attack Rolls. This makes attacks more likely to land, making it a more reliable weapon than swords with only a +1 bonus. Of course, any BG3 Shortsword with a +2 bonus that also has extra weapon skills or effects will be a better option.
There are a few ways to acquire the Shortsword +2. For example, at certain higher levels, it will be sold by various merchants. The sword can also be found in the basem*nt of Peartree's House, near Sorcerous Sundries in Act 3. There is plenty of other loot here, but players will need to be able to open a locked strongbox.
9 The Baneful
Base Damage: 2~7
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 + 1 Piercing | Rare |
|
- Location: Sold by Blurg at the Myconid Colony, Act 1.
The Baneful is a niche Shortsword as it can only be used as a Bound weapon by Eldritch Knights (a fighter subclass) or as a Pact Weapon by Warlocks. The bonuses to damage and Attack Rolls are great in the early and mid-game, and enemies with the Bane debuff are a lot less scary.
To get their hands on The Baneful, players will need to discover one of Act 1's many hidden locations, the Myconid Colony in the Underdark. Here it is sold by the trader Blurg.
8 Shortsword Of First Blood
Base Damage: 1~6
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 Piercing | Uncommon | Deals an additional 1d8 Piercing to targets that still have all their hit points. |
- Location: Found on a corpse in the Decrepit Village, Act 1.
The Shortsword of First Blood is a severely underrated weapon for the early to mid-game as dealing an extra 1d8 to full-health enemies can be lethal when they don't have high health pools at this stage. Of course, the lack of a Weapon Enchantment does hinder the sword from achieving much else, as its base damage is lower than many of its counterparts.
Players can find the Shortsword of First Blood in the later stages of Act 1 at the entrance of the Decrepit Village in the Underdark. More specifically, it is found on the corpse of a Deep Gnome.
7 Ambusher
Base Damage: 2~7
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 +1 Piercing | Rare |
|
- Location: Bought at the Rivington General, Act 3.
The aptly named Ambusher Shortsword is great for those who want to strike first in a fight, perhaps by using stealth. With a higher chance to have their turn first in combat, players can then make use of the extra Necrotic damage to enemies who haven't had a turn yet.
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The problem with the Ambusher is that even though it's not ranked among the absolute best Shortswords in BG3, players still have to wait until Act 3 to purchase it from the Dragonborn trader Exxvikyap. She can be found in the Rivington General store in Rivington, which is the first location in the game's third Act.
6 Slicing Shortsword
Base Damage: 2~7
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 +1 Piercing | Rare | Deepflesh Slice: When the wielder attacks with Advantage, the attack inflicts Bleeding. |
- Location: Bought from Lann Tarv at Moonrise Towers, Act 2.
The Slicing Shortsword is a solid option for the mid-game, and characters who can consistently attack with Advantage will get the most out of it by making their enemies bleed. When enemies bleed in BG3, they take 2 Slashing damage at the start of every turn and have Disadvantage on Constitution Saving Throws.
Once players have reached Moonrise Towers in Act 2, they can purchase the Slicing Shortsword from the merchant Lann Tarv, who can be found on the first floor surrounded by pilgrims. Players who only go to Moonrise Towers to attack it will not have the option to purchase it.
5 Fleshrender
Base Damage: 3~8
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 +2 Piercing | Rare | Part the Flesh: Makes a strike that has a chance to prevent enemies from healing. |
- Location: Bought in the Murder Tribunal, Act 3.
Fleshrender is a Rare Shortsword with solid Piercing damage, but against bosses who rely on healing, the Part the Flesh action makes this a must-have weapon for characters with no spells to prevent healing.
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The only downside to Fleshrender is that players must wait until Act 3 to acquire it, and even then, they must become an Unholy Assassin by accepting Bhaal. Only after they have pledged themselves can it be sold by Echo of Abazigal in the Murder Tribunal. Naturally, this is not a decision every player will want to make, unless they are doing a dark playthrough, perhaps with the Dark Urge.
4 Render Of Mind And Body
Base Damage: 2~7
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 +1 Piercing | Uncommon | Psychic Steel Virtuoso: When the wielder attacks with Advantage, they deal an additional 1~8 Psychic damage. |
- Location: Sold conditionally by Lann Tarv at Moonrise Towers, Act 2.
The extra 1d8 Psychic damage that Render of Mind and Body can provide when players attack with Advantage is extremely strong and matches the base damage of the Shortsword. If they can consistently attack with Advantage, this Shortsword quickly becomes one of the best.
However, this particular weapon will only be sold by Lann Tarv in Moonrise towers if players are able to convince Disciple Z'rell to give them additional help in their hunt for Ketheric's Relic.
3 Knife Of The Undermountain King
Base Damage: 3~8
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 + 2 Piercing | Very Rare |
|
- Location: Sold by A'jak'nir Jeera at Creche Y'llek, Act 1.
Despite its name, the Knife of the Undermountain King is a Shortsword and is one of the best in the game. Not only does it make scoring a Critical Hit easier, but it also gives the wielder another chance after rolling 2 damage or less. Incredibly, this effect is applied to any attacks, not just those performed by it.
As a Very Rare weapon, the Knife of the Undermountain King deals great base damage, but unlike other Very Rare items, it can be found in Act 1 at the Githyanki Creche Y'llek, where it is sold by A'jak'nir Jeera.
2 Sword Of Life Stealing
Base Damage: 3~8
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 +2 Piercing | Very Rare | Life Stealing Critical: On a Critical Hit, the target takes an extra 1-10 Necrotic damage as long as it isn't a construct or an undead. The wielder also gains 10 temporary hit points. |
- Location: Sold by Dammon at the Last Light Inn, Act 2.
The Sword of Life Stealing is a fairly standard Shortsword; however, whenever players land a Critical Hit, it becomes overpowered, as the wielder not only deals extra Necrotic damage but also gains temporary HP.
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Thankfully, the Sword of Life Stealing is fairly easy to get hold of; players can simply purchase it from Dammon the blacksmith at the Last Light Inn during Act 2 of the game. The fact that this Shortsword can be accessed so early on makes it easily one of the best.
1 Crimson Mischief
Base Damage: 4~12
Damage | Rarity | Weapon Skills |
|---|---|---|
1d6 + 2 Piercing + 1d4 Necrotic | Legendary |
|
- Location: Looted from Orin, Act 3.
As a Legendary Shortsword, Crimson Mischief is one of the best melee weapons in Baldur's Gate 3 and can deal extraordinary damage under certain circ*mstances. If players attack with Advantage against low health enemies they can deal 1d4 + 7 extra Piercing damage on top of the sword's fantastic base damage.
Crimson Mischief is also a fantastic option as an off-hand weapon as it will deal extra damage. To get their hands on this weapon, players will need to kill Orin in Act 3, as this is her blade.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Platform(s)
- PC , Stadia , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
