Summary

• Finesse weapons in Baldur's Gate 3 use Dexterity instead of Strength, making them perfect for rogues, rangers, bards, and spell casters.
• Proficiency in finesse weapons is important as using them effectively requires proficiency. Check the character sheet tab for a list of proficient weapons.
• Different finesse weapons have unique abilities and effects, such as extra reach, bonus damage against wounded enemies, crowd control spells, and the ability to crit automatically.

There are a variety of weapon options in Baldur's Gate 3, all offering different damage types to suit different play styles. One of the more versatile is the finesse weapon; these melee weapons use Dexterity as the primary stat rather than Strength, often allowing them to be dual-wielded. These weapons are perfect for rogues, rangers, and bards as well as classes who don't traditionally use a weapon such as spellcasters.

[Warning: The following article contains minor spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3.]

It is important to check if a character is proficient in using finesse weapons before giving them one in BG3. Characters can use weapons and armor they are not proficient in but will not be able to use them as effectively. Proficiencies can be checked on the character sheet tab for all Baldur's Gate 3 companions, and there will be a list of all the weapons and armor that the character is proficient in. As finesse weapons use Dexterity rather than Strength, it also makes sense to check that it is the higher of the two scores.

10 The Dancing Breeze

The Dancing Breeze is a very rare glaive which can be bought from Exxvikyap in Rivington General. This two-handed weapon deals 120+2 slashing damage and gives any character using it extra reach, which is great for using its Whirlwind Attack. With Whirlwind Attack, once per short rest, the character can spin themselves and the glaive around, striking all nearby enemies.

9 Githyanki Shortsword

A great Act One finesse weapon is the Githyanki Shortsword, which can be found either after battling the githyanki patrol or on a githyanki corpse in the Mountain . The shortsword does 1d6 piercing damage with a chance to deal an extra 1d4 psychic damage if the target has less than 50% of their hit points. Wielding two of these not only looks very cool but can also quickly finish off wounded opponents.

8 Stillmaker

Stillmaker is a very rare dagger found in a cave during the quest "Solve the Open Hand Temple Murders" at the beginning of Act Three, with this Baldur's Gate 3 loot well hidden in a hole. While it doesn't do a massive amount of damage, 1d4+7 piercing, it comes with the spell hold person. Hold person is a fantastic crowd control spell, but when used by a rogue, it will guarantee sneak attack damage as well as make all other attack critical hits.

7 Speedy Reply

Speedy Reply is an awesome early-game scimitar that can be found on a dead caravan agent on the Risen Road, directly north of the Blighted Village. It deals a decent 1d6 slashing damage and has the feature Nimble Attack. Nimble Attack will give the wielder momentum for two turns when they hit an enemy with Speedy Reply. Momentum increases that character's speed, making it easier for them to move around the battlefield.

6 The Adamantine Scimitar

The Adamantine Scimitar is one of three weapons that can be created at the Adamantine Forge in Grymforge and is the only finesse option. This rare blade does 1d6+1 slashing damage and ignores resistances against slashing damage. But the best feature of the Adamantine Scimitar is Diamondsbane, which means that any hit with this weapon is an automatic crit.

5 Phalar Aluve

Down in the Underdark, close to the Selune Temple, there is a blade embedded in the rock; this is the rare longsword Phalar Aluve. A character will need to either a Strength or Religion check to get the sword from the stone, but if they , the party will have a great finesse weapon. Phalar Aluve does 1d10+5 slashing damage, but its best feature is the Singing Sword ability.

Once per short rest, the wielder can choose to either buff their allies with Sing or debuff enemies with Shriek. Sing gives all allies within 6 meters +1d4 on attack rolls and saving throws that use Charisma, Wisdom, or Intelligence. Shriek debuffs all enemies in the same radius with -1d4 to their saves and deals out 1-4 thunder damage to them as well.

4 The Duellist's Prerogative

The Duellist's Prerogative is a legendary rapier found in Act Three by completing the quest "Save Vanra." The rapier does 1d8 piercing and 1d4 necrotic damage, and if used solo with nothing in the character's off-hand, will allow the wielder to crit on a 19 as well as gain an additional reaction per turn. This comes in hand with the blade's other feature, which allows the wielder to deal additional necrotic damage on a hit by using their reaction.

The Duellist's Prerogative also has two more features: Challenge to Duel and Dueller's Enthusiasm. Challenge to Duel is a spell the wielder can gain, which does exactly as it sounds, challenging an enemy to attack only the caster and inflicting bleeding on them. Dueller's Enthusiasm is the rapier's special action, letting the wielder use their bonus action to make an additional melee attack if they are not dual-wielding.

3 Sussur Dagger

The Sussur Dagger is one of three weapons that can be forged when completing the quest "Finish the Masterwork Weapon" in Act One. The dagger gives +1 to attack and damage rolls as well as dealing 1d4 piercing damage. However, what makes the Sussur Dagger special is that it will Silence enemies on a hit, making it especially effective against enemy spellcasters.

2 Crimson Mischief

Crimson Mischief is one of two excellent finesse weapons obtained by defeating Orin near the end of Baldur’s Gate 3. Crimson Mischief is a legendary shortsword that deals 1d6+2 piercing and 1d4 necrotic damage but can inflict more damage on targets if they have fewer than 50% of their total hit points left. When used in the wielder's main hand, Crimson Mischief deals an extra seven points of piercing damage on attacks made with advantage. However, when used as an off-hand weapon, the shortsword allows the wielder to add their ability modifier to the damage, making it fantastic in the hands of a rogue.

1 Bloodthirst

Bloodthirst is the companion weapon to Crimson Mischief and also provides different benefits depending on whether it is the main hand or off-hand weapon. Bloodthirst also comes with Improved Critical, which reduces the number needed for a critical hit by one, and best of all, this effect can stack. This legendary dagger comes with the cantrip true strike and will inflict vulnerability onto enemies on a hit, doubling all piercing damage done to them. If Bloodthirst is used as an off-hand weapon, it casts true strike onto enemies who miss with their attacks, giving the wielder an advantage on their next attack roll against that enemy in Baldur’s Gate 3.