Regardless of build, Armor is one of the most important items inBaldur’s Gate 3as it is the main provider of the Armor Class (AC) stat which is the minimum number that enemies must roll to successfully land an attack. There are technically four types of Armor, these being Clothing, Light Armor, Medium Armor, and finally Heavy Armor.
Heavier types of Armortypically provide more AC at the cost of stealth, and characters must also possess the correct Armor Proficiency to wear heavier options. While the absolute best Armor is naturally found in Act 3 of the game, there are nonetheless some great Armor options in Act 1, as long as players know where to look or reach a high enough level.
Updated on July 18, 2025, by Joe Grantham:Due to the requirement of proficiency in order to wear the heavier types of armor, players need a wider variety of options to choose from when selecting what to wear in Act 1. As such, this list has been updated to include clothes and robes that are typically worn by wizards and sorcerers. These light options still offer some protection and there is always the option to cast the Mage Armor spell to raise a character’s AC, making them harder to hit.
Light Armor
11 + Dexterity Modifier
Remedial Rhymes:When the wearer inspires an ally using Bardic Inspiration, they gain 4 temporary hit points.
ForBards inBG3, there are a few items they will want to acquire early on in Act 1, including a hat located near Alfira, and theBlazer Of Benevolence. This Light Armor, not only looks great on Bards who love the attention, but it also provides a bonus to their Bardic Inspiration. When casting this spell to grant bonuses to allies, they will also gain 4 temporary HP, helping to keep them alive.
To don this magnificent outfit, they will need to save a fellow Bard by the name of Volo. He has been captured by goblins at the Shattered Sanctum. The quest is called Rescue Volo, and upon completion, they will be rewarded with the blazer.
17
For tanks such as Paladins, Clerics, and some Fighters, having high AC is of the most importance, as it means enemies are less likely to land their attacks. An AC of 17 provided by theChain Mail +1Heavy Armor is more than enough in Act 1, and it can be put to use as early as Level 4.
Upon reaching level 4, Act 1 merchants such as Roah Moonglow at the Shattered Sanctum and Damon at the Emerald Grove will begin to sell this Armor, so as long as one of them is still alive, and players save up enough gold, they should be able to obtain it.
12 + Dexterity Modifier
While Minthara’sSpidersilk Armoris nothing to get too excited about, it does provide an advantage to stealth gameplay and also happens to look fantastic. A solid Armor Class of 12 is perfectly fine for Act 1, and the advantage to Constitution Saving Throws will help players stay alive in some situations.
To get this Light Armor, players have two options. The easiest is to killMinthara, who is one of the three main bosses in the Goblin’s Shattered Sanctum hideout. The other option is to talk with her and attempt to recruit her, but by the time she is able to join the party in Act 2, better Armor will be available.
Clothing
10 + Dexterity Modifier
Poison Trails:The wearer deals an extra 1d4 Poison damage with Poison spells.
If players are constructing a build all about dealing Poison damage, then the Poisoner’s Robe is incredibly strong for Act 1 armor inBaldur’s Gate 3. Dealing an extra 1d4 damage with every Poison spell, will add up significantly throughout a fight, especially as there isa Cantripwhich deals Poison damage for free.
To don this elegant, yet deadly robe, players will need to be at a high enough level to beat the Phase Spider Matriarch in the Whispering Depths. This is a location found beneath the Blighted Village. One way to get there is by clicking on the well in the village. The fight is far from easy, but killing the spider eggs before hand will help.
Medium Armor
13 + Dexterity Modifier
Order of Nature:Undead who hit the wearer take 1d6 Radiant damage. Beasts who hit deal 1d6 Radiant damage extra.
The Oak Father’s Embrace armor can be extremely powerful if used correctly. This is because it is excellent when fighting the Undead, as they will take Radiant damage when they attack. However, if players forgot to swap this armor out for something else when facing Beasts, they would be shooting themselves in the foot as they would end up taking more damage.
One of the best things about The Oak Father’s Embrace is that it can be found very early on in Act 1. Players simply have to reach the Owlbear cave and inside there is a headless skeleton with the armor.
18
There isn’t anything too fancy aboutSplint Armour +1, but it is certainly a solid option for tanks during the latter stages of Act 1 and the start of Act 2. With a high AC of 18, any character wearing this Heavy Armor will be hard to hit, and they will even take 1 less Piercing damage. Small though it may seem, buffs like this can sometimes make the difference, especially onBG3’shardest difficulties.
To get this armor, players will need a decent amount of gold, but they will more importantly need to have reached at least level 6 for merchants to sell it. This is possible by taking almost every fight in the first Act, and then players can purchase it from any of the Act 1 merchants they left alive.
For players with a build focused on Dexterity who also don’t have the proficiency to wear proper armor,The Graceful Clothis an absolute must. In many ways, it’s incredible that this item of clothing can be found in Act 1, as it not only increases Dexterity by 2 but comes with a whole host of additional benefits. For example, players can jump further and have a higher success chance on Dexterity Saving Throws. With the Cat’s Grace spell, Dexterity Checks also become easier, and fall damage is halved.
As long as players have the coin, The Graceful Cloth can be bought from Lady Esther on the mountain trail that overlooks Rosymorn Monastery, where players will find a Githyanki creche.
10 (+1) + Dexterity Modifier
For characters with no armor proficiency, the best clothing option is arguably theInfernal Robe, especially if players know they will be facing off againstFire spellsor other forms of Fire damage. This is because they will only take half the damage, and they can even cast a Fire Shield on themselves that reduces incoming Cold damage and burns any melee attackers fool enough to come close.
However, the Infernal Robe comes at a cost, as after recruiting Wyll, players must kill the highly loveable Karlach in order to be rewarded by Mizora. Wyll is found at the Emerald Grove, and Karlach is by the Risen Road.
16 + Dexterity Modifier (Max 2)
For high AC from Act 1Medium Armor, look no further thanScale Mail +2, which also takes 1 less damage from the common damage type of Slashing. It also grants a plus 1 bonus to Initiative Rolls, which means players have a better chance of having their turn earlier in combat.
It is also fairly easy to acquire as players just need to reach level 7 and then Scale Mail +2 will show up in the inventories of Act 1 merchants. Level 7 can be achieved by clearing most areas in Act 1, but players don’t need to worry about doing everything.
Superior Padding:The wearer takes 2 less Bludgeoning damage.
Padded Armor +2is arguably the best Light Armor in Act 1, with an AC of 13 which can be increased quite a lot by characters with a high Dexterity stat. It also reduces incoming Bludgeoning damage by 2, which is nothing to quaff at against certain enemies.
To find Padded Armor +2, players will first need to reach level 5, which doesn’t take long at all, and then it can be purchased from various Act 1 merchants. For example, Roah Moonglow, orDammon the Infernal Mechanic at the Emerald Grovewill both have it in stock.
