Baldur’s Gate 3: The 8 BEST Legendary Items & Locations

The player base adores the fancy list of Baldur’s Gate 3 legendary items, and players are consistently eager to acquire these prized possessions in the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. The title generously features a comprehensive list of these BG3 legendary items, sparking a spirited competition among players as they ardently compete to attain these remarkable in-game treasures at the earliest possible juncture.

The Best Legendary Items in BG3

Here is my overview of these eight legendary items in-game, along with their location in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Acts in which they unlock, and their effects:

Item Name	Available in Act	Location	Effects Summary
Helm Of Balduran	3	Wyrm's Rock prison	The helmet provides constant healing, Armor Class and Saving Throw bonuses, stun immunity, and prevents critical hits.
The Blood of Lathander	1	Githyanki Creche	The item offers self-healing upon reaching 0 hit points, healing for allies, emits a blinding light affecting fiends and undead, and enables casting the Sunbeam spell.
Gloves Of Soul Catching	3	House of Hope	The gloves enhance unarmed attacks with force damage, provide self-healing or advantage on attacks/saves, and offer a +2 Constitution bonus.
The Red Knight's Final Stargem	3	Sorcerous Vault	Provides the scroll of "Artistry of War," allowing casting of a Level 5 Evocation spell dealing 18-78 Force Damage, summoning 6 master strategists to deal additional damage on hit.
The Annals Of Karsus	3	Sorcerous Vault	Grants the Dethrone scroll dealing Necrotic damage, tearing at a foe's essence through Weave manipulation.
Caution Before The Seelie	3	Sorcerous Vault	Provides the Scroll of Bestial Communion, enabling the Deva to cast wrathful smite, Revivify, and Concussive Smash.
Tharchiate Codex	3	Sorcerous Vault	The book lowers the reader's Constitution by 5 (curse), grants 20 temporary HP after Long Rest, and allows the player to read the Necromancy of Thay.
Viconia's Walking Fortress	3	House of Grief	The shield enables counter-attacking when struck, provides spell protection advantages, offers defensive class actions, and unlocks the Level 2 Abjuration spell Warding Bond.

8. Helm Of Balduran

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Helmet
Weight Class	Medium Armor
Item Effect	Balduran’s Vitality: The helmet heals you 2 hit points at the beginning of every turn. Balduran’s Favour: You have a +1 bonus to Armor Class and Saving Throws. Stun Immunity: You can’t be Stunned. Attackers can’t land Critical Hits on the wearer.
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	1
Price	760

The Helm of Balduran is a coveted treasure in Baldur’s Gate 3, shrouded in mystery and guarded by the formidable Ansur the Dragon. This impressive helmet is significant for players seeking protection and power and is also one of the best armor pieces in BG3.

Here are the steps you need to follow to get the location of one of the legendary items BG3:

1. To access Ansur’s hidden chamber, navigate through Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.
2. Descend to the prison area, locating two dragon head torches.
3. When struck with lightning magic, these torches reveal a concealed passageway.
4. Beyond the passage lies a locked door leading to four trials: the Chamber of Justice, Courage, Strategy, and Insight.
5. Successfully completing these trials grants access to Ansur’s lair.

Upon discovering the mighty dragon, a fierce battle commences. Defeating Ansur offers the chance to claim the Helm of Balduran and Balduran’s Giantslayer. The Helm of Balduran, positioned near Ansur’s resting place, can be found after the battle. 

7. The Blood of Lathander

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Mace
Effect	Lathander’s Blessing: Once per Long Rest, when your hit points are reduced to 0, you regain 2-12 hit points. Allies within 30ft also regain 1-6 HP. Lathander’s Light: Sheds holy light in a 20ft radius. In combat, Fiends and undead standing in the light are Blinded unless they succeed in a Constitution Saving Throw.
Weapon Enchantment	+3
Spells	Sunbeam (Level 6 Evocation Spell)
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	3.6
Price	640

The Blood of Lathander stands among the initial legendary items attainable in Baldur’s Gate 3, holding unparalleled significance for adventurers. Encountered during Act One, it emerges as a vital asset for formidable boss battles, boasting the ability to avert death’s grasp.

Process to Obtain the Blood of Lathander:

1. Reach Rosymorn Monastery and obtain the Ceremonial Mace, Warhammer, and Battleaxe.
2. Place these weapons on their designated altars to obtain the Dawnmaster’s Crest.
3. Go to Creche Y’llek Below the Monastery.
4. Reach the Captain’s Quarters and access the Inquisitor’s Chambers.
5. Solve the Statues puzzle to reveal a secret door.
6. Navigate through the Secret Chamber by disengaging yellow barriers, disarming traps, or breaking bright crystals.
7. Enter the central room with a shiny pedestal.

After successfully navigating the traps and challenges, the Blood of Lathander awaits in the last room. It hovers at the platform’s end, imbued with levitation. Employ the Dawnmaster’s Crest to acquire one of the legendary items, BG3.

6. Gloves Of Soul Catching

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Gloves
Effect	Soul Fist: Your unarmed attacks deal 1-10 force damage. Soul Catching: Once per turn on an unarmed hit, you regain 10 HP. Alternatively, You may also forgo the healing to gain an advantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of your turn. +2 Constitution (up to 20).
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	0.5
Price	960

Venturing into the treacherous realm of Hell in Baldur’s Gate 3 unveils a thrilling quest to obtain the coveted Gloves of Soul Catching. The journey begins in Act Three with Raphael’s quest, and it is important to have the Orphic Hammer to acquire this legendary item.

To unlock the portal leading to the House of Hope to find these legendary gloves, the following setup is required:

• Skull Placement: Position the Skull on the star point adjacent to Helsik’s desk.
• Coin of Mammon: Place the Coin of Mammon to the right of the Skull.
• Diamond Placement: Continue clockwise, placing the Diamond on the subsequent point.
• Incense Placement: Proceed by positioning the Incense after the Diamond.
• Infernal Marble: Finally, center the Infernal Marble in the star’s heart.

BG3 does warn you about the difficulty of Hell, and don’t ignore the warning since, in the end, you will have to face level 10 Raphael. 

1. At the House of Hope, a spectral figure named Hope seeks liberation.
2. Agreeing triggers the “Rescue Hope” quest, advancing the story.
3. Free Hope by using the Orphic Hammer to break her shackles in her prison.
4. Protect Hope during the battle with Raphael, your primary objective.

5. The Red Knight’s Final Stargem

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Book
Scroll	Artistry of War
Scroll Effect	Deals 18-78 Force Damage. Summon the apparitions of 6 master strategists. Each apparition strikes 8-18 force damage on hit. (Level 5 Evocation) (Wizard Class)
Item Description	WARNING: Extremely powerful knowledge and may include curses.
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	0.5
Price	2000

Obtaining the legendary item in BG3 is simpler than it seems since the book’s location is right next to the portal.

Follow my steps to get your hands on Red Knight’s Final Stargem:

1. After exiting the portal, find a button behind you.
2. Press the button to reveal a hidden wall.
3. Inside, in a hall filled with boxes, there’s a transparent display case.
4. Unlock it with a Dexterity check (DC 20) to obtain the Red Knight’s Final Stargem book.

With some luck and skill, you’ll unlock the showcase, gaining access to the invaluable Red Knight’s Final Stargem book. Once opened, just read the book, and you will receive Scroll Of Artistry Of War, a very rare scroll. 

4. The Annals Of Karsus

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Book
Scroll	The Scroll of Dethrone
Scroll Effect	Deals 38-80 Necrotic damage. Shred a foe’s very essence by pulling on strands of the Weave. (Level 5 Necromancy) (Wizard Class)
Item Description	WARNING: Extremely powerful knowledge and may include curses.
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	0.5
Price	2000

The Annals Of Karsus Book is part of the Wizard Of Waterdeep questline.

You can get your hands on this legendary book by following my steps:

1. Go through the oak door after teleporting.
2. Lockpick or break the Ramazith door.
3. Enter doors in this order (watch for traps):
   • Silverhand
   • Abjuration
   • Silver
4. Toggle the lever in the last Silver door to unlock the Karsus Vault path.
5. Enter the Demon door, and the Karsus door in the next room is unlocked.
6. Find the Karsus vault inside.

Inside the Vault, on top of the shelf, is the Annals Of Karsus. Read the book to get the very rare scroll: Scroll Of Dethrone.  

3. Caution Before The Seelie

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Book
Scroll	The Scroll Of Bestial Communion
Scroll Effect	The deva can cast wrathful smite, Revivfy, and Concussive Smash.
Item Description	A text dealing with the Seelie courts of the fae realms: summer, winter, and sarcastic octopus.
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	0.5
Price	2000

Another hidden legendary item in the sorcerous sundries. The legendary book Caution Before The Seelie provides the Scroll Of Bestial Communion upon reading. The scroll is rare and can grant three powerful spells, rated among the best spells, in one go. 

To get the legendary item Caution Before The Seelie, all you need to do is:

1. Go through the Oak door right in front of you as you leave the portal.
2. Head right into the invisible path in the hallway. 
3. Interact with the chest and go through the wall behind it (it’s an illusion).
4. There will be a book placed on the bookshelf.

That book is the Caution Before The Seelie legendary book, and read it to get the Scroll Of Bestial Communion. 

2. Tharchiate Codex/Necromancy Of Thay

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Book
Book Effect	Tharchiate Withering: reduces the reader’s Constitution by 5 Tharchiate Vigor: gives the reader 20 temporary HP after every Long Rest Enables players to read Necromancy of Thay
Item Description	WARNING: Extremely powerful knowledge. It may include curses.
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	0.5
Price	2000

The Tharchiate Codex gives players some really powerful and game-changing effects. Not only that but with the combination of Necromancy Of Thay, the codex gives the player a totally broken spell. It makes the Tharchiate Codex one of the most powerful legendary items in Baldur’s Gate 3. 

To find out the location of this legendary item in Baldur’s Gate 3, follow my steps:

1. Go through the oak door after teleporting through the portal.
2. Lockpick or break the Ramazith door.
3. Enter doors in this order (watch for traps):
   • Silverhand
   • Evocation
   • Wish 
4. Activate the lever in the Wish room to unlock the path to Elminster Vault.
5. Enter doors in this order:
   • Gate
   • Illusion
   • Elminster
6. Find the Tharchiate Codex inside a display case in the Elminster Vault.

With the Tharchiate Codex read, try reading the Necromancy Of Thay, which you should have from Act One. You will get the ‘Danse Macabre’ Spell that summons six ghouls, which is pretty powerful and one of the reasons why Tharchiate Codex is among the best legendary items.

1. Viconia’s Walking Fortress

ATTRIBUTE	DESCRIPTION
Item Type	Shield
Armor Class	+3
Armor Effect	Rebuke of the Mighty: When a foe hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction, dealing it 2-8 Force damage and knocking it Prone unless it succeeds a Dexterity Saving Throw. Spellguard: You gain an Advantage on Saving Throws against spells. Spell Attack Rolls against you have a Disadvantage.
Skills / Spell Unlockables	Reflective Shell (Class Actions) Warding Bond (Level 2 Abjuration spell)
Rarity	Legendary
Weight	2.7
Price	760

Among the list of the most powerful legendary items is the shield Viconia’s Walking Fortress. It can be attained in Act Three and is closely linked to Nightshadow’s quest.

To find Viconia’s Walking Fortress shield in Baldur’s Gate 3, follow my steps:

1. Locate the House of Grief north of Lady Jannath’s Estate, west of Basilisk Gate in the Lower City.
2. Access the Cloister of Somber Embrace by performing the Mapping of the Heart ritual or, alternatively, find a hidden button with an Investigation Check (DC20).
3. Talk to Mother Superior Viconia DeVir and engage in a battle with Sharran Cultists.
4. Defeat them and loot Viconia’s Walking Fortress shield from her prone form.

In that way, you can get Viconia’s Walking Fortress shield and decide the fate of Viconia DeVir without the shield affecting your judgment. Note that if you don’t loot the shield when Viconia DeVir is prone and instead choose to spare her, she will take the shield with her. 

What I Think Is The Best Legendary Item

After 30+ hours with the game, I would say that the Tharchiate Codex, especially when combined with the Necromancy of Thay, stands out as the ultimate legendary item in Baldur’s Gate 3. Its ability to summon six ghouls as companions becomes a game-changer in challenging battles where sheer numbers prove more advantageous than relying on a single powerful attack.

While you are here, look at all the romance options BG3 has to offer, or if you are confused about the best party composition, I have a detailed guide on that, too. Or if you think BG3 is too difficult, I also have a compiled list of Baldur’s Gate 3 cheats for you.

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