Crossbows can be an extremely powerful ranged weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3, depending on your build. Hand Crossbows are straight-up overpowered if used correctly, and some Heavy Crossbows are quite underutilized. Here are the top 8 Crossbows in Baldur’s Gate 3.
8 Best Crossbows in Baldur’s Gate 3
Hellfire Hand Crossbow
The Hellfire Hand Crossbow might not have as much damage as the other Heavy Crossbow options below, but its strength lies in the fact that it can be dual-wielded. If you’re a ranged build with a class with Extra Attack, like a Ranger, Fighter with Archery, or even a Rogue multiclass, pick up two Hand Crossbows and start blasting. This is strong because you’ll get an extra attack with your bonus action. Combine this with the Sharpshooter feat, and you’re shooting a minimum of three attacks per round at +10 damage.
The Hellfire Hand Crossbow even gives you a lot of fire-based abilities and a hefty +2 bonus to attacks. You can loot it off of Yurgir once you defeat him in the Gauntlet of Shar.
Fabricated Arbalest
This is the best Heavy Crossbow in the game, hands down, with a powerful +2 bonus like the Hellfire Hand Crossbow. Furthermore, you get more damage, better range, and a powerful Blinding AOE spell. Overall, if you don’t plan to dual-wield Hand Crossbows, this is the most powerful Crossbow for you. The Blind and the Radiant Orb you apply per attack are an excellent debuffing combination. Loot this from Enver Gortash whenever you defeat him.
Hand Crossbow +2
Nothing fancy here, this is just the most powerful +2 ranged combination when wielded off-hand with the Hellfire Hand Crossbow. Dual wield these with 3 Levels into Rogue Thief for an extra bonus action and then pick up 5 Levels into either Fighter (Archery Style) or Gloom Stalker Ranger and pick up the Sharpshooter feat. This will give you 4 attacks per round, with additional attacks depending on which class you picked. Find the Hand Crossbow +2 at Lady Jannath’s Estate inside a wall vault in the office on the second floor.
Hellfire Engine Crossbow
The Hellfire Engine Crossbow is similar in power to the Fabricated Arbalest with similar stats but with a powerful Level 4 AOE damage spell per Long Rest instead of the Blind. I really like equipping it in a party that likes melee attacks since this Crossbow can pull enemies into your party. You can craft it by combining the Watcher Crossbow Blueprint, the Targeting Module, and the Steel Watcher Arm in the Steel Watch Foundry.
Ne’er Misser
The Ne’er Misser is up here in case you’re dual-wielding it. It’s a great off-hand option with the Hellfire Hand Crossbow. You get access to a Level 3 Magic Missile for situations when you need to hit something 100%. Buy it from Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers.
Harold
Harold is an excellent Heavy Crossbow for debuffing enemies. You get a +1 to all attacks, and you can inflict the Bane spell on a target you damage, which is -1d4 to attack rolls and saving throws. Harold is a reward for bringing the chest to Zarys in the Zhentarim Hideout without looking inside after the Find the Missing Shipment quest.
Giantbreaker
Similar to Harold, the Giantbreaker has a +1 bonus to attacks and you’re also inflicting debuffs when you hit. Mainly, you inflict the Reeling condition, which is an attack roll penalty on each successful hit you make, which stacks if you have Extra Attack. Enemies lose Reeling stacks but they’ll get a penalty to attacks for each stack they have. Buy this from Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout after completing Find the Missing Shipment.
The Long Arm of Gur
Lastly, while The Long Arm of Gur has a superior +2 attack bonus, its effect is a bit situational, which is why it’s at the bottom. Still, if you’re going up against Undead this is a powerful ranged weapon dealing +1d4 bonus damage and getting you +1d4 on attack rolls if shot at Undead creatures. You can loot it from High Security Vault 3 in The Counting House.
That’s it for my list of the top 8 Crossbows in Baldur’s Gate 3. For more Baldur’s Gate 3 guides, check out the best arrows.
