Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Rapiers, Ranked

Highlights

• Rapiers in Baldur’s Gate 3 deal Piercing damage and can use either Strength or Dexterity as the damage modifier.
• The best Rapiers have unique effects that can turn the tides of a fight.
• Players can find and purchase different Rapiers throughout the game, with varying damage and rarity levels.

Rapiers are one-handed melee weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3, and characters must have Martial Weapon Proficiency to get the most out of them. They deal Piercing damage and, thanks to Finesse, the character’s Strength or Dexterity can be used as the damage modifier, whichever stat is highest.

All Rapiers, at the very least, have three special attacks, namely, Piercing Strike, Weakening Strike, and Flourish. Flourish in particular is great as it can be used as a Bonus Action to finish tantalizingly low health targets off, and can also knock opponents off balance. The best Rapiers in Baldur’s Gate 3 naturally deal the most damage but also have unique and often magical effects that can turn the tides of a fight.

Updated on January 8, 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 adventure, having all the stats and effects of relevant weapons becomes even more important. Accordingly, this list has been updated to include all the Rapiers in BG3, allowing players to more easily find the best one-handed weapon for piercing foes, no matter which stage of the game they are at. While the best Rapiers are naturally found in Act 3, there are still some great options that can be picked up earlier.

9 Rapier

Base Damage: 1~8

Outside of the early stages of the game, the standard Rapier doesn’t really have much use, as its basic damage will quickly hinder players. However, if players are roleplaying as a character who has a great disdain for magic, it is the only non-magical Rapier, thus giving it a potential use.

The Rapier can be found in multiple locations in Act 1, with some merchants selling it when players are low levels, and plenty of enemies dropping it as loot.

8 Rapier +1

Base Damage: 2~9

There isn’t too much to get excited about when it comes to the Rapier +1 is BG3, although the +1 Weapon Enchantment should never be overlooked as it not only provides extra damage but also adds 1 to Attack Rolls, meaning attacks are more likely to hit.

The Rapier +1 can be purchased for a very reasonable price from Roah Moonglow at the Shattered Sanctum or from Dammon the Infernal Mechanic at the Emerald Grove.

7 Rupturing Blade

Base Damage: 1~8

The Rupturing Blade Rapier is an interesting weapon due to the Searing Blood action that players can take with it. This action is for those who like playing on the edge, as it not only deals extra damage to the target but also causes the wielder to take damage. Other than that, there is nothing special about the blade, which in fact only has the most basic stats of the standard Rapier.

To get their hands on this weapon, players will find the Rupturing Blade in the Zhentarim Hideout, which is one of the secret areas that players often miss in Act 1. However, this weapon will only be available for purchase if players have completed the Find the Missing Shipment quest.

6 Rapier +2

Base Damage: 3~10

The Rapier +2 is a very standard weapon with no additional effects, but its base Piercing damage of 1d8 + 2 means it can still compete with the other top Rapiers. As it is a non-magical weapon, it can be the perfect option for players looking to role-play in Baldur’s Gate 3, if they wish to play as a character who has disdain for sorcery.

Finding the Rapier +2 is fairly easy as it is sold by various merchants, although players will need to wait till the later stages of the game when they are at a high enough level for it to appear.

5 Sword Of Screams

Base Damage: 2~12

Sword of Screams is a Rapier with high potential because if players get lucky and roll well for both the Piercing and Psychic damage, then it can deal a surprising amount of damage. Having two different damage types is also useful in general, as different enemies might have resistance to one of these.

Players who choose to get to Act 2 in BG3 by going through the Underdark, will be able to pick up the Sword of Screams if they choose to kill Nere in the Grymforge.

4 Harmonic Dueller

Base Damage: 2~9

Players looking for great Bard builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 should definitely consider finding the merchant Entharl Danthelon on Wyrm’s Crossing just before they reach the city of Baldur’s Gate, as he sells a Rapier perfect for musicians.

The Mellow Harmony weapon skill for the Harmonic Dueller Rapier allows Bards or other characters who can perform, to use their high Charisma for extra damage.

3 Infernal Rapier

Base Damage: 3~10

Wyll with his high sense of honor and duty is easily one of the best characters and strongest companions in Baldur’s Gate 3, and if players want a weapon that is described as his ‘soul summarised in steel’ then the aptly named Infernal Rapier is available to those who complete his companion quest and ask for a reward.

This Rapier has very high base damage and is great for spellcasters thanks to its weapon skills. The Planar Ally: Cambion spell that is unlocked, allows a Fiend to be summoned by the player for support in combat.

2 Pelorsun Blade

Base Damage: 3~13

If players are ever facing off against vast swathes of undead enemies in Baldur’s Gate 3, then the Pelorsun Blade is the best Rapier for the job outside of the Legendary Duellist’s Prerogative which is superior in every situation.

It gives the wielder Advantage against the Undead, which means two dice will be rolled instead of one with the highest number being used. Understanding core concepts such as this is crucial for becoming a pro at BG3’s combat. The extra Radiant damage is also hugely beneficial, and Pelorsun Blade can be found inside a Rosewood Casket in Cazador’s Dungeon.

1 Duellist’s Prerogative

Base Damage: 5~15

Duellist’s Prerogative is not only by far the best Rapier in Baldur’s Gate 3, but also one of the best melee weapons in the entire game. It has incredible base Piercing damage, as well as bonus Necrotic damage. To get the most out of the weapon, players should not attempt to duel wield even with the best Scimitars for example, as activating Elegant Duellist is crucial to success.

The Legendary Duellist’s Prerogative comes with a few other skills, a spell, and a unique weapon action making it an extremely overpowered pickup. To get their hands on this Rapier, players simply need to complete the ‘Save Vanra’ quest in Act 3.