BG3: 8 BEST Heavy Armor [Expert’s Opinion]

The Armor of Devotion is a valuable acquisition due to its striking resemblance to regular Plate Armor. It can be obtained during Act 2 in Moonrise before the seige.

• Versatile Suitability: Not only does it mimic full plate armor, but it’s also highly appropriate for use by Paladins.
• Armor Class (AC): Boasting an Armor Class of 18, the Armor of Devotion provides substantial protection.
• Eternal Devotion: Paladins wearing Armor of Devotion can restore their Oath Charge once per day without requiring an extended rest.
• The provision becomes especially advantageous considering the limited resources that Paladins have in Baldur’s Gate 3.

The Dwarven Splintmail Armor offers a balanced combination of defensive perks and strength augmentation. I would recommended using it with characters who prioritize resilience and physical prowess.

• Superior Plate: The trait reduces the Piercing damage you take by 1, bolstering your resilience in battle.
• Body Aid: Enjoy a +1 bonus to Strength Saving Throws and Checks, enhancing your physical capabilities and prowess.
• Disadvantage on Stealth Checks: Remember that the Dwarven Splintmail Armor hinders your Stealth Checks, making it more suited for direct engagements.
• Constitution +2 (up to 20): The armor substantially boosts your Constitution, influencing your ability to withstand damage.

You can acquire Dwarven Splintmail Armor from Lann Tarv, a bugbear merchant located in the Moonrise Towers. 

The Cerebral Citadel Armor is a strategic choice that offers protection from specific effects and enhances saving throws. While it may not be suited for stealthy approaches, its benefits make it ideal for Fighters and Paladins.

• Frightened Immunity: Cerebral Citadel Armor guards against the Frightened Status effect.
• Armor Class (AC): With an AC of 18, it provides solid protection.
• Illithid Protection: Especially beneficial for characters dealing with tadpole infection as it grants a +1 bonus to intelligence, wisdom, and charisma saving throws
• Stealth Check Disadvantage: Keep in mind that there are disadvantages to Stealth Checks.
• Ideal for Fighters and Paladins: Due to the Stealth Check disadvantage, the Cerebral Citadel suits Fighters and Paladins.
• Location: The Cerebral Citadel Armor can be found in the Emperor’s Hideout Wardrobe. To access the Emperor’s Old Hideout, you’ll need to eliminate tough Githyanki opponents.

The Armor of Persistence stands as a noteworthy selection, featuring a unique ability to mitigate incoming damage by 2—an attribute especially advantageous amid Act Three’s trials. I recommend using this on your fighters a lot because it boosts their frontlining capabilities immensely with ease.

• Armor Class (AC): With an AC of 20, Armor of Persistence offers robust defense, enhancing your battle survivability.
• Legendary Persistence: The Armor of Persistence provides resistance against the three primary weapon damage types: Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing, ensuring formidable protection against various threats.
• Magical Plate: The Armor of Persistence holds its ground, and all incoming damage is reduced by 2.
• Fighter’s Excellence: Especially notable for Fighters, Armor of Persistence significantly elevates their combat effectiveness, making it an exceptional choice for dominating the battlefield.

Upon encountering Ketheric Thorm in Baldur’s Gate 3, players might be captivated by his distinct plate armor, particularly its chest plate resembling a ribcage. 

• Armor Class (AC): Wearing Reaper’s Embrace yields a notable AC of 19. Crafted from Magical Plate,
• Magical Plate: It grants a permanent -2 reduction to all incoming damage.
• Reaper’s Rigidity: A distinctive attribute of the armor, Reaper’s Rigidity renders players impervious to involuntary movement caused by spells or actions. 
  • This immunity encompasses effects like telekinesis spells and protection against falls from Thunderwave spells. 
  • However, the benefit comes with a trade-off: it imposes a Disadvantage on Dexterity Saving Throws. 
• Howl of the Dead Cantrip: Wearers gain access to the spell, which numbs all nearby creatures.

Among the apprentices under the tutelage of the forger Carixim of Avernus, Dammon of the Emerald Grove stands out as an authority in infernal metallurgy beyond the fiery realms. When players engage with him in Act 2, he presents them with the Flawed Helldusk Armor—an emulation of an original armor, though its power is merely a fraction of the original’s.

• Superior Plate: One of its attributes, the Superior Plate quality, diminishes all incoming attacks by -1 Piercing Damage.
• Lesser Infernal Retribution: The armor’s Lesser Infernal Retribution inflicts 1-4 Fire Damage upon an enemy within a 2-meter radius of the player who struck you. 
• This modest yet crucial damage becomes invaluable, as it can eliminate even a 1 HP opponent, proving particularly advantageous when facing overwhelming numbers.
• Armor Class (AC): With an Armor Class of 18, the Flawed Helldusk Armor offers substantial protection to its wearer and is considered one of the Best Heavy Armor.

One of its most significant advantages is its availability; it can be purchased from Dammon early in Baldur’s Gate 3. While particularly advantageous for Paladins, the armor holds value for a number of classes due to its distinctive attributes and defensive benefits.

Upon reaching Grymforge in their Baldur’s Gate 3 journey, players can forge potent Adamantine armaments using Mithral Ore and the Splint Mould. The Adamantine Splint Armor boasts exceptional early-game defenses among Heavy Armors.

• Adamantine Backlash: An inherent property similar to potent Illithid Powers of Cerebral Citadel Armor, the Intense Adamantine Backlash engages when foes fail to hit the player. 
• This causes the attackers to Reel for 3 turns, imposing a -1 penalty on their Attack Rolls.
• The Adamantine Splint Armor is particularly recommended for Cleric and Fighter classes, aligning well with their roles and attributes.
• Magical Plate: Once worn, the armor not only reduces inflicted damage by 2 but also offers protection against Critical Hits.

In the fiery forges of Avernus, the Helldusk Armor, a regal and demonically influenced creation, showcases the irresistible pull of demonic power upon players. Acquired at the House of Hope, one of the Best Heavy Armor boasts an impressive Armor Class of 21, coupled with the Helldusk Armor feature that immediately imparts Proficiency to its wearer. 

• Prime Aegis of Fire: Possessing the Prime Aegis of Fire, the armor endows users with immunity to Burning, Resistance to Fire Damage, and a substantial -3 reduction to all incoming damage. 
• Helldusk Armor: The Helldusk Armor is a remarkable choice well-suited for all classes, as putting it grants instant Proficiency in heavy armor.
• Infernal Retribution: Upon a successful Saving Throw, the caster of a spell is afflicted with the Burning status for a duration of 3 rounds.
• Additional Perk: A notable bonus is the grant of a Fly spell, which lets you or your ally the ability to fly.
• Drawback: The absence of Disadvantage on Stealth and Dexterity Saving Throws—common drawbacks associated with heavy armor.

The Helldusk Armor is the holy grail for every Paladin. In my playthroughs exploring Paladins and Fighters, I was not able to find any armor that could supersede its utility in and out of battle.