Longsword
The Longsword is a versatile martial melee weapon in Baldur's Gate 3, effective when wielded in one hand with a shield or in two hands for greater damage potential.
Key Takeaways
Longsword is a martial, versatile melee weapon whose main choice is whether to use it with one hand or commit both hands to its larger damage die.
Versatile damage profile
The base Longsword deals 1d8 slashing damage in one hand or 1d10 slashing damage when used with both hands, before enchantments and other bonuses.
Martial proficiency matters
Longsword proficiency is required for effective use of its weapon actions; it is not a Finesse weapon, so it does not normally offer Dexterity as an alternative ability modifier.
Shield flexibility is its main advantage
Its one-handed mode leaves the other hand available for a shield or another off-hand choice, while two-handed use increases the weapon's base damage die.
Not a Finesse option
Characters built around Dexterity-based melee weapons generally cannot treat the ordinary Longsword as a Finesse substitute without a separate game mechanic changing how it is used.
Ordinary availability, variable sources
The standard Longsword is a non-unique weapon that can appear through ordinary loot and vendor inventories; its exact source depends on the act and vendor context rather than one fixed quest route.
Enchantment and named variants are separate considerations
A Longsword's enchantment bonus and any named variant effects should be evaluated separately from the base weapon's versatile profile; a special longsword may offer benefits beyond its damage die.
A middle ground among heavy melee weapons
Compared with a dedicated two-handed weapon such as a Greatsword, Longsword gives up some two-handed damage potential in exchange for the option to fight one-handed with a shield.
Overview
Longsword is a standard martial melee weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3, defined by its versatile handling: it can support a one-handed setup or be committed to with both hands. It is a conventional progression weapon rather than a named quest reward or unique item.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, Longsword belongs to the martial melee weapon roster and fills a straightforward frontline role. It is not a legendary or iconic named weapon, and the standard category should not be confused with individual named longswords that may carry additional effects. Its appeal is dependable weapon access and flexible handling rather than a singular passive or story association.
The defining choice is whether to keep the Longsword in one hand or use it with both hands. That makes it more adaptable than a strictly two-handed weapon, while its lack of the Finesse property separates it from weapons such as the Rapier when a character’s build is organized around finesse weapon rules. The choice also affects how it fits beside a shield or another off-hand item.
Longsword is therefore most useful as a conventional martial option for characters who want a slashing melee weapon without committing to a permanently two-handed setup. It can serve during ordinary equipment progression and does not require the page to assume a particular class, subclass, or ability-score plan. Proficiency and the character’s broader combat setup still determine whether it is an appropriate practical choice.
Compared with the Greatsword, the Longsword offers more flexible hand usage but does not occupy exactly the same dedicated two-handed role. Compared with the Battleaxe, it fills a similar broad melee niche, so the deciding factors are the individual weapon’s properties, available actions, enchantment, and any unique effects rather than the shared idea of being a martial weapon. This page concerns the standard Baldur’s Gate 3 item category, including the base game’s normal equipment context rather than a separate DLC variant.
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 Damage1d8
- Damage TypeSlashing
- RarityCommon
- Weight1.35 kg
- Value40 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longsword | 1d8 | Slashing | — | 1.35 kg | 40 gp |
| Phalar Aluve | 1d8+1 | Slashing | +1 | 1.35 kg | 250 gp |
| Adamantine Longsword | 1d8+1 | Slashing | +1 | 1.35 kg | 100 gp |
| Adamantine Scimitar | 1d6+1 | Slashing | +1 | 1.35 kg | 190 gp |
| Duke Ravengard's Longsword | 1d8+1 | Slashing | +1 | 1.35 kg | 250 gp |
Damage is the dice expression; weight and value are the game’s own figures. From Consolidated Game Weapons Database.
How to Obtain
- Reach the Emerald Grove in Act 1. No DLC, NG+, or special quest completion is required. The weapon is not a unique one-per-playthrough reward, but the exact vendor stock should be confirmed before relying on this route.
- 01In Act 1, visit Dammon at the tiefling smithy in the Emerald Grove and check his weapons for a standard Longsword. Vendor inventories can vary with progression, so if it is absent, recheck after advancing or use another ordinary weapon vendor; this is not a quest reward or boss drop.
Mechanics and Handling
Versatile handling
The Longsword’s Versatile property lets it be used in one hand or wielded with both hands. That makes its handling adaptable: one-handed use leaves the other hand available for a shield, while two-handed use trades that defensive flexibility for the weapon’s larger damage die. The weapon does not have a built-in ranged, thrown, or resource-ammunition behaviour.
Weapon actions
Longswords support Lacerate, a slashing weapon action that can inflict Bleeding, and Pommel Strike, a close-range non-lethal attack that can Daze its target. These actions add control and condition pressure to the ordinary melee sequence rather than changing the weapon into a separate stance or mode. Their use is limited by the weapon-action recharge, so they are tactical options rather than attacks to repeat every turn.
Spacing and commitment
The Longsword is a conventional close-range weapon: its practical reach is the normal melee distance, with no Reach property to extend it. Its choice is therefore mainly about hand usage, damage type, and access to its weapon actions. Switching between one- and two-handed use is most valuable when the encounter alternates between protecting concentration or benefiting from a free hand and committing to heavier melee attacks.
Strengths, Weaknesses and Best Uses
Strengths
- Versatile lets the wielder switch between one-handed use with a shield or free off-hand and two-handed use when more weapon damage is preferred.
- As a martial melee weapon, it supports straightforward frontline attacks without requiring a specialized weapon gimmick.
- Its standard melee role fits characters who want access to longsword weapon actions while retaining flexible hand use.
Weaknesses
- Using it one-handed gives up the larger two-handed damage profile available to a versatile weapon.
- Using it two-handed prevents simultaneous shield use and may compete with other benefits that require a free off-hand.
- It requires martial weapon proficiency; characters without it do not receive the full benefit of weapon attacks.
Best uses
- Frontline martial characters who want to alternate between shield-based defense and two-handed attacks.
- Characters whose equipment or party situation changes between fights, making hand flexibility more valuable than a fixed two-handed or one-handed weapon role.
- General melee loadouts where dependable slashing attacks and adaptable weapon handling matter more than a unique passive or specialized damage type.
Compared With Similar Weapons
| Weapon | Base damage | Properties | Role difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longsword | Versatile; Martial | Balanced one-handed or two-handed option | — |
| Battleaxe | Versatile; Martial | Comparable versatile slashing alternative | — |
| Warhammer | Versatile; Martial | Comparable option when bludgeoning damage is preferred | — |
| Greatsword | Two-Handed; Martial; Heavy | Higher-die dedicated two-handed alternative; does not support shield use | — |