Greatsword
The Greatsword is a two-handed martial melee weapon in Baldur's Gate 3, built around high single-hit damage, Strength-based attacks, and powerful weapon actions.
Key Takeaways
Heavy two-handed weapon
Greatsword is a Martial melee weapon that deals 2d6 slashing damage and requires both hands, preventing shield or off-hand weapon use.
Proficiency matters
Characters need Martial Weapon Proficiency to use it effectively; this is a proficiency requirement, not a Strength or Dexterity minimum.
Committed slashing attacks
Its large damage die and two-handed handling support strong direct melee attacks, while the lack of an off-hand limits defensive and dual-wielding options.
Variants replace the baseline
Enchanted and named greatswords can add bonuses, passives, or special actions, so the ordinary Greatsword is a starting weapon type rather than a single unique item.
Compared with a greataxe
A greataxe uses a different damage profile, while a greatsword's 2d6 slashing die makes it the relevant alternative for characters choosing between large two-handed weapons.
Overview
Greatsword is Baldur’s Gate 3’s standard two-handed sword category: a martial melee weapon built around committed, high-impact attacks rather than finesse or shield use.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, a greatsword is a conventional martial melee weapon rather than one uniquely named item. Its defining identity is the two-handed sword moveset and the Heavy property, making it a natural choice for characters who can use martial weapons and intend to fight in close quarters.
The category suits Strength-focused front-line characters, although the weapon’s usefulness ultimately depends on the individual character’s proficiency, feats, equipment and attack modifiers. It does not provide the finesse-based flexibility associated with weapons such as rapiers or shortswords, and equipping it occupies both hands rather than leaving room for a shield or another off-hand weapon.
Greatswords occupy the straightforward heavy-blade role in the base game’s weapon progression. Mundane examples can be replaced by enchanted or named greatswords as characters advance, with those variants potentially adding bonuses, damage riders, actions or other effects. Those individual properties belong to the specific weapon, not to every greatsword.
The category is distinct from other two-handed martial weapons because its identity is tied to a sword-based moveset and heavy melee damage, while alternatives such as greataxes and polearms trade that profile for different weapon identities, reach options or special actions. No separate DLC-only greatsword category is required for the standard game weapon type.
Statistics
This game publishes dice damage rather than 0–100 bars, so the verified damage, enchantment, weight and value are listed instead. Taken from the project's verified weapons database, not from generated text.
- Base Damage2d6
- Damage TypeSlashing
- RarityCommon
- Weight2.7 kg
- Value65 gp
- Entry TypeStandard / enhancement variant
Figures verified against Consolidated Game Weapons Database.
Compared to similar slashing weapons
| Weapon | Base Damage | Damage Type | Enchantment | Weight | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greatsword | 2d6 | Slashing | — | 2.7 kg | 65 gp |
| Everburn Blade | 2d6 | Slashing | — | 2.7 kg | 130 gp |
| Sorrow | 1d10+1 | Slashing | +1 | 2.7 kg | 380 gp |
| Balduran's Giantslayer | 2d6+3 | Slashing | +3 | 2.7 kg | 1300 gp |
| Silver Sword of the Astral Plane | 2d6+3 | Slashing | +3 | 2.7 kg | 1300 gp |
Damage is the dice expression; weight and value are the game’s own figures. From Consolidated Game Weapons Database.
How to Obtain
- No DLC, NG+, or quest prerequisite is required; the character must be able to use martial weapons effectively, or accept the usual consequences of lacking proficiency.
- 01Purchase a Greatsword from a trader whose inventory includes common martial weapons, such as Arron in the Hollow of the Druid Grove during Act 1. Trader inventories can vary with progression and rest, so check the weapon section rather than assuming it is stocked.
- 02Alternatively, obtain one as ordinary loot from humanoid enemies or containers that use greatswords. These sources are not a guaranteed named drop, and the weapon may be replaced by another item in a given encounter.
Availability
Requires No ability-score requirement; Martial weapon proficiency is required to use the weapon proficiently.
The generic Greatsword has no separate DLC, difficulty, New Game Plus, or special progression gate. Its availability depends on the relevant vendor stock or loot source encountered during the campaign.
Mechanics and Handling
As a two-handed martial weapon, the Greatsword is handled as a committed melee option rather than a flexible one-handed sidearm. Its attacks use the weapon’s slashing damage profile, while its two-handed property prevents simultaneous use of a shield or off-hand weapon. The basic attack pattern is direct and close-range; it has no ammunition, reload, durability, or return mechanic.
Weapon actions and crowd control
Greatswords provide access to weapon actions suited to front-line combat, including Cleave, Pommel Strike, and Rush Attack where the wielder has the required proficiency and the action is available. Cleave trades single-target focus for a way to threaten multiple nearby enemies, while Pommel Strike offers a close-range control option. Rush Attack is useful for closing distance, but its value depends on positioning and the target’s defenses. Individual named greatswords may add separate passives, spells, or action effects; those should not be treated as properties of the generic weapon type.
Handling and build interaction
The two-handed format makes reach, positioning, and action commitment more important than defensive flexibility. Great Weapon Master can substantially change how a character evaluates its attacks, but the feat is a build choice rather than an inherent Greatsword mechanic. Extra attacks and class features can improve the weapon’s action economy without changing its basic moveset.
Strengths, Weaknesses and Best Uses
Strengths
- Its two-handed 2d6 slashing profile supports strong single-target weapon attacks and benefits from effects that improve two-handed melee damage.
- Cleave can pressure multiple nearby enemies when positioning allows, while Lacerate adds a way to apply Bleeding.
- It suits martial characters who already have Martial Weapon Proficiency and want a straightforward Strength-oriented frontline weapon.
Weaknesses
- The Two-Handed property prevents using a shield or off-hand weapon, so it gives up defensive or dual-wielding options.
- It has no ranged function and requires close positioning, making disengagement, elevation, or inaccessible targets costly.
- Cleave depends on enemies being grouped and within its attack area; separated targets reduce the value of that weapon action.
Best uses
- Frontline martial characters making repeated melee attacks.
- Encounters where enemies can be clustered for Cleave without exposing the wielder unnecessarily.
- Two-handed damage builds using effects or feats that specifically reward heavy melee weapons.
Compared With Similar Weapons
| Weapon | Base damage dice | Damage type | Properties | Role distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greatsword | Slashing | Heavy; Two-Handed | High two-handed weapon damage without Reach | — |
| Greataxe | Slashing | Heavy; Two-Handed | Similar heavy-weapon role with a different damage die | — |
| Maul | Bludgeoning | Heavy; Two-Handed | Matches the Greatsword's base dice while changing damage type | — |
| Halberd | Slashing | Heavy; Reach; Two-Handed | Trades some base-die size for Reach and polearm positioning | — |