Highlights
- Some outfits in Baldur’s Gate 3 are impractical for battle due to their lack of protection and excessive exposure, such as Karlach’s Barbarian Clothes and the Anarchic Outfit.
- The Mesmerizing Circus Outfit and Drow Outfit also leave the wearer vulnerable in combat due to their visibility and lack of coverage.
- The Wavemother’s Robe, Elegant Robe, and Angelic Scion outfits may look good, but they offer limited protection and pose risks during battle.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is filled to the brim with various types of armor and clothing. From scary to revealing, there’s plenty on offer for all types of styles. However, some are certainly more practical than others. When charging headfirst into a chaotic and dangerous adventure, it’s vital to be dressed appropriately. Chain mail? Great. Armor covered in spikes? Even better. A spicy black outfit from a brothel? Probably best to keep it in the bedroom.
If defeating enemies was based on how good a fighter looked, these clothes would guarantee a win. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter how incredibly one is dressed in the Forgotten Realms. There are a number of extremely strong armor sets to acquire in the game, but this means there is also a considerable amount of extremely useless outfits too.
8 Karlach’s Barbarian Clothes
Reason: Too Many Holes
- Value: Free
- Location: Southeast area of The Risen Road (worn by Karlach in Act 1)
While Karlach rocks this outfit, this tattered and torn ensemble seems extremely impractical on the field. There is some extra layering over her heart, but the leather scraps appear to be held together with only a few metal links with plenty of holes to get stabbed through.
Since these are Barbarian clothes, one could assume the wearer would simply be too lethal to need heavy protection. However, there are so many important body parts exposed with this outfit, leaving the wearer open to some deadly hits.
7 Anarchic Outfit
Reason: Too Exposing
- Value: 65 gold
- Location: Facemaker’s Boutique in the Lower City (sold by Figaro Pennygood in Act 3)
This risque little garb looks very fancy and flattering, but it’s certainly not the type of outfit one would wear charging into battle. It leaves the chest and entire back exposed, giving enemies plenty of opportunity to end the wearer with one good hit. Made from a simple fabric, it offers little protection even on the parts it does cover.
There is no valid reason to willingly wear this in a fight. Perhaps if the plan was to ‘distract’ the enemies, then this could have some potential. Otherwise, it’s an outfit that’s best suited for the city.
6 Mesmerizing Circus Outfit
Reason: Too Visible
- Value: 14 gold
- Location: Circus of The Last Days (found under the table near where players first see Dribbles in Act 3)
This outfit is extremely useful for players who have always dreamed of looking like clowns. However, it isn’t great for those who value stealth. In combat, the wearer of this outfit would be a sitting duck. Or is the phrase “sitting clown”? Regardless, this attire’s bright clothing draws too much attention to itself and would make anyone wearing it an easy target.
Judging by the materials, it also doesn’t give fighters any protection in terms of thickness, so any weapon would easily pierce it. While it does look fun to wear, it would not be recommended to plan an ambush while sporting it.
5 Drow Outfit
Reason: Not Enough Coverage
- Value: 20 gold
- Location: Shattered Sanctum in the Goblin Camp (clothes worn by Minthara in Act 1)
Attempting to seduce a companion? Perfect. Heading into battle? Not so perfect. Similar to the Anarchic Clothing, this outfit has several lethal openings. The chest, back, and arms are completely exposed, making it easy for enemies to land deadly blows.
Whilst the leather material would offer some low-level protection in some areas like the shoulders and top of the back, it certainly wouldn’t stop a longsword from being brought down on the wearer.
4 Wavemother’s Robe
Reason: Too Spicy
This fan-favorite outfit looks undeniably good on any companion. However, it would be extremely impractical in an actual fight. The scale material would offer some protection in some areas, but the chest is still exposed. Not to mention the fact that there are huge slits running from the hips all the way down the legs. One good slice in these areas could certainly immobilize the wearer.
Depending on what is worn underneath, there is also the risk of the wearer accidentally flashing enemies during combat. This could potentially be a useful tactic in some situations, but is it really worth the risk?
3 Elegant Robe
Reason: Weak Fabric & Highly Exposing
- Value: 170 gold
- Location: Szarr Palace (on the padded sofa in the Chamberlain’s Office)
Elegant? Yes. Practical? Not so much. This outfit is impractical in all aspects. While it certainly covers more skin than other outfits available to players in Baldur’s Gate 3, the weak material makes the coverage obsolete. A blade or arrow could easily pierce it, deeming the entire garb relatively useless in any battle scenario.
However, as it was found inside Szarr Palace, it’s clearly intended to never see the sun, as it is likely best suited to be worn by a vampire. Luckily for the wearer, it’s highly unlikely they’d have to do more than lounge around and look lavish in it.
2 Flare Leather Outfit
Reason: Entire Torso Exposed
In terms of protection, this outfit is undeniably useless. It has absolutely zero coverage of the torso, allowing a clear shot to the heart. The trousers, made of leather, do offer some slight protection in important areas. However, these slight perks are completely nullified by the fact that the entire chest is exposed.
Considering this outfit is found in a brothel, it should certainly be the type of clothing that belongs in the bedroom and not on a battlefield.
1 Angelic Scion
Reason: Zero Protection At All
- Value: 135 gold
- Location: Facemaker’s Boutique in the Lower City (sold by Figaro Pennygood in Act 3)
Taking the top spot as the most impractical outfit in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Angelic Scion. This outfit speaks for itself. Wearing this in combat would be extremely unwise, as it leaves the wearer completely exposed. All vital organs are just begging to be pierced in this attire.
Yes, it’s hard to deny how easily each party member can pull it off. However, any pleasure gained from wearing this would be short-lived in a fight. Before equipping this outfit, Baldur’s Gate 3 players should remember that looking like a Greek God does not automatically grant the powers of one.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Platform(s)
- PC, Stadia, macOS, PS5
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
