Which Arcane Shot Is The Best In BG3?

Summary

• Fighters excel as ranged characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, especially the Arcane Archer subclass with potent Arcane Shots.
• Various Arcane Shots offer unique benefits such as dealing extra damage, causing conditions, and providing tactical advantages.
• Leveraging the right Arcane Shots like Banishing Arrow can effectively control the battlefield and take out enemies strategically.

When you want to make a ranged martial character in Baldur’s Gate 3, you don’t usually look at fighters, who are typically associated with being a melee class. That said, fighters are actually one of the best ranged options in the game, with the iconic Battle Master being efficient at both melee and ranged combat.

That said, patch eight introduced new subclasses, including the Arcane Archer, which isn’t just a subclass that works at a range – its features are dedicated to ranged combat. Its Arcane Shots can make your attacks cause extra damage and many different effects similar to spells without being actual spells. Which Arcane Shots are worth getting, though?

8

Piercing Arrow

Simple Area Of Effect

Though Piercing Arrow is the least useful Arcane Shot, it’s worth noting that even the worst one is still pretty good. Piercing Arrow causes damage to people directly in front of you, allowing you to pick multiple targets – just be careful with allies that are close by.

As one of the two options that target multiple people, this Arcane Shot is particularly strong when used repeatedly due to Extra Attack and Action Surge. Unfortunately, the damage output is pretty low and requires a dexterity saving throw, which enemies tend to be good at.

7

Beguiling Arrow

A Charming Archer

Beguiling Arrows cause an extra 2d6 psychic damage and have a chance to charm the enemy, which prevents enemies from attacking whoever charms them. While the condition is good, there are better options among the other Shots.

In fact, what makes Beguiling Arrow tempting is that it causes psychic damage in the first place, as it is a good damage type to have in the game. That said, Shadow Arrow does the same damage type.

6

Enfeebling Arrow

Weaken Thy Foes

Enfeebling Arrow’s extra 2d6 damage is necrotic rather than psychic, and it can cause the feeble condition to enemies, which decreases the damage they do by half – if they use strength for their attacks, though, meaning it’s effective against melee enemies.

Still, even if the condition is useless on ranged enemies or spellcasters, there are many melee enemies in the game, making it worth it. Just be careful with the necrotic damage since some enemies are resistant to it.

5

Grasping Arrow

Don’t Move!

Grasping Arrow also causes 2d6 extra damage, but it’s the poison type, which is not a good one since many enemies are resistant or immune to it. However, the condition is very powerful, as it takes away ten feet (3m) of the enemy’s movement speed, and if they move, they take an extra 2d6 slashing damage.

This is another great option on melee enemies, as they may not have enough movement to get to you, forcing them to waste a turn dashing, and that will also cause more damage, making this the only Arcane Shot with a 4d6 extra damage, making it powerful even though poison and slashing are resisted often.

4

Seeking Arrow

Faerie Missile

Seeking Arrow has the weakest damage bonus, with it being only 1d6 force damage (force damage is rarely resisted, though). However, it works similarly to the Magic Missile spell, meaning the arrow has a 100 percent chance of hitting someone. In other words, you can’t miss your shots.

It also forces the enemy into a saving throw, potentially giving it an effect similar to the Faerie Fire spell – which gives advantage to whoever attacks your target. Your whole group having advantage against the enemy is a powerful bonus, and having a guaranteed hit is satisfying.

3

Banishing Arrow

Time Out!

Banishing Arrow doesn’t offer extra damage, but it’s basically a free cast of the Banishment spell – well, you still consume an Arcane Arrow, but other than that, it’s a free cast. Banishment forces enemies into a charisma saving throw, too, which is something people often fail.

Because these shots aren’t spells, enemies can’t use Counterspell against it, too, and you can use it with multiple attacks as it doesn’t force concentration on you, potentially banishing multiple people. Thus, you can temporarily remove multiple enemies from the fight or save your Shots to remove the same, harder enemy every time they come back so you can take care of minions.

2

Shadow Arrow

Seeking Arrow, But Different

If you like the idea of giving your allies advantage against an enemy like Seeking Arrow does, Shadow Arrow might appeal to you. It can give enemies the blinded condition, which gives you advantage against them and gives them disadvantage against you.

It also causes 2d6 psychic damage, which is a powerful damage type to have, as stated earlier. The only downside compared to Seeking Arrow is that it’s not a guaranteed hit, so you can miss this one. But there are many ranged weapons that give you powerful bonuses to hit, plus the Archery fighting style, so you’ll be good.

1

Bursting Arrow

Beautiful Area Of Effect

Bursting Arrow causes 2d6 extra force damage to whoever you hit, but it also causes 2d6 force damage to anyone within 17ft (5m) of your original target. Your target will suffer considerable damage, and others will also take a bit of damage because of the AoE damage.

What makes this one particularly interesting is that you can spam these attacks. With enough Arcane Arrows, Extra Attack, and Action Surge (if necessary), you can destroy whole hoards of enemies in the very first round of combat. As good as giving conditions to enemies is, just killing everyone outright is too good to pass up.

If possible, switch up whoever is the main target so you can spread out the damage of your main attack with the extra damage everyone receives.