Summary
Building a ranged character inBaldur’s Gate 3can seem simple on the surface by just picking up the ranged weapon with the highest enchantment bonus, but with the hundreds of options and unique effects found in all corners of the map, there is always a weapon that can keep you resetting your stats just to accommodate it.
Although not all ranged weapons are equally useable across all classes and proficiencies, all of them can be used by at least one member of your party to ensure they get the most damage potential possible. Although, there is a lot to consider when choosing your next favorite ranged weapon.
Updated Aug 01, 2025, by Matthew Cochran:With every new game mode and addition Larian Studios makes, there are new ways to play Baldur’s Gate 3 that can completely change the tactics and playstyle needed to defeat—or control—the Absolute. With the changes from Honour Mode being made available to slightly more casual players, your build will need the best weapons to ensure you get around the new legendary actions and enhanced bosses. Luckily, there is a ranged weapon for every playstyle that keeps you at a safe distance away while still being the biggest threat on the battlefield.
14Hellfire Hand Crossbow
This +2 hand crossbow isideal for roguesas its main ability is inflicting Burning on targets while hidden or invincible, which deals additional fire damage every turn, and rogues can stealth attack every turn, making the burning effect last as long as you keep hitting your targets.
The crossbow also gives you a free casting of Scorching Ray, which also uses its Hellstalker ability to inflict Burning, and since it casts the spell at third level automatically, you get four rays instead of three. To get theHellfire Engine CrossbowHand Crossbow, you have todefeat Yurgir inside the Gauntlet of Shar, which is a tough fight.
13Gontr Mael
Gontr Maelis a legendary longbow with a +3 enchantment and the opportunity to get a free casting of Guiding Bolt on every weapon attack made with it, which triples its base damage and gives advantage on any next attack against it.
It also comes with an improved version of the Haste spell, which prevents the lethargic effect after it ends but can only be cast on the wielder. You can get Gontr Mael by defeating the steel watcher titan inside the Steel Watch Foundry.
12Blightbringer
Blightbringeris a unique bow in that it increases the damage potential against gnomes and dwarfs, which is pretty situational but will always give you specific targets in humanoid combats. Where this weapon shines is that critical hits made with it will cast Slow on enemies, which slows movement speed, lowers armor class, removes reactions, and more.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, you’re able to also stack effects that lower the critical range of weapon attacks, making this Slow effect happen more often. You can buy Blightbringer at the Danthelon’s Dancing Axe shop in Wyrm’s Crossing.
11Ne’er Misser
As the name implies,Ne’er Misseris a +1 hand crossbow that comes with a free, third level casting of Magic Missile, which deals 5d4 force damage and automatically hits the target regardless of AC. On top of that, normal attacks made with it deal an additional 1d6 force damage, which is a useful damage type as it can break objects and walls easily.
Ne’er Misser is likely a weapon that most players will never find as it involves finding a way to avoid killing a Zhentarim slaver when you first find her. you’re able to buy or loot Ne’er Misser from Roah Moonglow in Moonrise Towers if she survives the goblin camp in Act One.
10Gandrel’s Aspiration
Gandrel’s Aspirationis a +1 heavy crossbow that gives automatic advantage against monstrosity creature types, which come up frequently in your travels across Baldur’s Gate and beyond. As an additional weapon attack, it has an ability that makes all of your attacks in one turn potentially cause undead to flee and waste their action.
When using this weapon on someone with multiple attacks, you can easily remove two undead enemies from combat in one turn. To get Gandrel’s Aspiration, you will have to loot itoff of Gandrel’s corpsenext to the hag’s hut in Act One or later on when he reappears in Wyrm’s Crossing.
9Harold
Haroldis a +1 that forces targets to make con saves or be afflicted with the effects of the Bane spell for two turns. While not more damaging than the other weapons on the list, being able to reduce a target’s attacks and saves by 1d4 without having to concentrate on a spell stacks up quickly in long fights or with characters that have multi-attack.
This means that you can strategize and coordinate attacks with this bow, targeting specific enemies that will have reduced saves so your spellcaster can Enthrall, Polymorph, or Dominate it more easily. To get Harold, you need to choose it as a quest reward forFind the Missing Shipmentat the Zhentarim Hideout.
8Bow Of The Banshee
Bow of the Bansheeis a +1 shortbow that makes targets possibly gain the Frightened condition, which makes them unable to move towards you and have disadvantage on all attacks and ability checks. What makes this bow very powerful is that it gives you a bonus 1d4 damage against all Frightened creatures, no matter what weapon you are using or how the target was Frightened.
Just having the bow equipped, you can use it to justify a build around the Frighten condition that will make you control every battle you are a part of. You can buy or loot the Bow of the Banshee from Corsair Greymon just before the Adamantine Forge.
7Lightning Jabber
While not a traditional ranged weapon, this spear is at its most useful when thrown, dealing an additional 1d4 lightning damage on a throw attack. On top of also being a +1 weapon, it adds a chance to Shock targets, giving them disadvantage on dexterity checks and saves while disabling reactions, allowing you to maneuver away without risking opportunity attacks.
Although it is a spear, the throw distance on it rivals that of hand crossbows, and you can even return it to your hand as a pact of the blade warlock. To getLightning Jabber, you have to retrieve it from the kua-toa in the Festering Cove in the Underdark.
6Hellfire Engine Crossbow
The Hellfire Engine Crossbow is probably one of the more obscure crossbows because of how unlikely you are to find it, but it is easily one of the strongest. It has a +2 enchantment and allows you to cast Lightning Arrow at fourth level, which ironically doesn’t increase the damage from third level.
It also comes with a unique weapon attack called Reposition Malefactor, also used by Steel Watchers, which can pull enemies closer to you. To get the Hellfire Engine Crossbow, you need to assemble it at the Steel Watch Foundry with various components found in the upper level.
The Dead Shotis perfect for assassins or snipers who need to be extra deadly at far ranges. While this bow has a +2 enchantment, it also reduces the number needed to roll a critical hit by one, which stacks up quickly with other crit chance items.
The other main effect of this longbow is that it doubles the proficiency bonus of your attack roll, making your attacks likely to always hit. While this bow doesn’t have flashy abilities or effects, it is a direct upgrade from non-magical longbows and makes its stats perfect for any build.
