Despite offering a nearly endless supply of game-altering choices, Baldur’s Gate 3 ironically has very few options when crafting new gear. Most of the items that can be crafted are all part of the same side quest—The Adamantine Forge, which helps you craft six Adamantine Forge items.
What is the Adamantine Forge in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The Adamantine Forge is an optional quest line that occurs towards the end of Act One as players prepare to enter the Cursed Shadow-Lands via the Underdark. The quest starts in Grymforge, an ancient city now inhabited by Duergar, and ends with the option to craft two Adamantine Items in the forge beneath the city.
While you can only craft two pieces of equipment, there are six options: three armor pieces and three weapons.
Each piece has its own unique mould that must be found in the area surrounding the Adamantine Forge (we’ll cover where to find moulds as part of each item description).
Adamantine Mace
To be blunt (get it?), the Adamantine Mace is difficult to justify over the other two weapons. It also has a +1 Enchantment but deals significantly less damage than a Longsword. It’s also the heaviest of the three weapons. Given that all Adamantine Weapons also ignore Resistance, there isn’t a situational angle to justify choosing this weapon either. But hey, flavor comes first—if you want to rock a mace, rock a mace.
If you want a mace for one of your companions, get the Blood of Lathandar from Rosymorn Monastery, as it’s one of the best weapons in BG3.
Adamantine Mace stats
- 1d6 +Modifier Bludgeoning Damage
- +1 to Attack and Damage Rolls
- Ignores Bludgeoning Resistance
- Automatic Critical Hits when attacking inanimate objects
The mould for the Adamantine Mace is one of the more straightforward finds. As soon as you access the Adamantine Forge area, you can find the mould sitting atop a stone table (x: -609, y: 284).
Adamantine Longsword
The Adamantine Longsword is the most versatile weapon choice and arguably the best in all but a select few unique circumstances. Aside from literally having the Versatile Feature, meaning it can be wielded with either one or two hands, Longswords can be a solid choice of weapon for almost every Class in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Adamantine Longsword stats
- 1d8 (equipped in one hand) or 1d10 (equipped in two hands) +Modifier Slashing Damage.
- +1 to Attack and Damage Rolls with this weapon.
- Ignores Slashing Damage Resistance.
- Automatic Critical Hits when attacking inanimate objects.
To find the mould for the Adamantine Longsword, you must gain access to the metal catwalk suspended above Grymforge. This can be done in several different ways, the most straightforward of which is to simply jump onto it with any high-Strength character or a spell/potion to enhance your jump. Here is the exact location on the map:
Once you’re on the catwalk, follow it as far north as possible—you’ll find the mould waiting to be looted (x: -625, y: 410).
Adamantine Scimitar
While still not as solid or universal as the Adamantine Longsword, the Adamantine Scimitar has a few key properties that make it the best option for specific scenarios. This weapon has the Light Property, meaning it can wielded in the off-hand slot. It also has the Finesse Property, which allows for using Dexterity instead of Strength when attacking with this weapon. This makes it the best option for Rogues and Monks who need Dexterity to be their highest stat.
Adamantine Scimitar stats
- 1d6 +Modifier Slashing Damage
- +1 to Attack and Damage Rolls
- Ignores Slashing Resistance
- Automatic Critical Hits when attacking inanimate objects
- Light and Finesse Properties
Finding this mould is relatively easy. On the way to the Adamantine Forge, you must access two levers to move the sky platform. The mould can be looted from a skeleton on the ground directly beneath these levers (x: -607, y: 322).
Adamantine Shield
The Adamantine Shield is easily a top three choice of the six. Almost every party composition will have a shield on at least one character—a Fighter, a Cleric, or a Paladin. In addition to an AC boost, this shield inflicts a debuff on enemies every time they miss an attack, prevents Critical Hits from affecting you, AND enables you to knock enemies prone.
Adamantine Shield stats
- +2 AC
- Reeling (-1 to Attackers Rolls for two after when they miss)
- Attacks cannot Critically Hit the wielder
- Shield Bash—Knock an enemy-prone
This might be the most inconvenient mould to acquire, but it is well worth the effort. Jump off the catwalk where the Longsword mould is in front of a locked iron door. You’ll need to pick the lock, but it is relatively easy with a DC of 12.
Once inside, head upstairs to the very back of the room. In its inventory, you can find a skeleton with the Adamantine Shield mould (x: -559, y: 410).
While you’re here, make sure you explore this room a bit. There’s some fantastic lore to be found in there.
Adamantine Scale Mail
The Adamantine Scale Mail is the more versatile of the two armor options because it is in the Medium Armor category—however, both are solid choices. If you’re trying to decide between the two, the only thing you really can ask yourself is whether you need Medium Armor or Heavy Armor. The only thing we don’t recommend is choosing both armors as your two items.
Adamantine Scale Mail stats
- 16 AC
- Reeling (-1 to Attackers Rolls for two turns after they hit you)
- Attacks cannot Critically Hit the wielder
- Disadvantage on Stealth Checks
This mould is another easy find. Fast travel to the Adamantine Forge Waypoint and walk ever so slightly southwest. The mould is on the ground next to a group of skeletons (x: -621, y: 260). Be wary—the skeletons may be dead, but their armor isn’t.
Adamantine Splint Armor
This is a Heavy Armor option for Adamantine items, meaning it is stronger but isn’t as universal as Scale Mail. The Adamantine Splint Armor is likely your best choice if you have a Fighter or Paladin in your party. If you pair this armor with the Adamantine Shield, you can make a character unkillable. Ultimately, it depends on your Armor Proficiency and personal preference.
Adamantine Splint Armor stats
- 18 AC
- Reduces all incoming damage by 2.
- Reeling (-1 to Attackers Rolls for three turns after they hit you)
To get the mould for the Adamantine Splint Armor, fast travel to the Adamantine Forge Waypoint. Head east a very short distance and then slightly north, where you’ll see a staircase. The mould is at the top of these stairs on the left side, sitting on the ground next to a skeleton (x: -597, y: 309).
Every Adamantine Forge item in BG3, ranked
Although there are six Adamantine Forge items, the three best are the Adamantine Shield, Adamantine Scale Mail, and the Adamantine Splint Armor. We’ve ranked all six Adamantine Forge items, as follows:
- Adamantine Splint Armor
- Adamantine Scale Mail
- Adamantine Shield
- Adamantine Scimitar
- Adamantine Longsword
- Adamantine Mace
If we had to choose the best Adamantine Forge item, it would be the Adamantine Splint Armor because the incoming damage is reduced by two, your attacker can’t critically hit you, and you can send your attacker reeling for a few rounds. Unfortunately, it can only be used by those proficient in heavy armor, such as Karlach, Lae’zel, Shadowheart, Clerics, Fighters, and Paladins.
As you can only craft two Adamantine Forge items because Mithral Ore is valuable, and you have to defeat Grym, a formidable opponent, to gain access to the forge, you do have to choose your Adamantine Forge items wisely.
Hopefully, with this ranked Adamantine Forge items list, you can craft the best items for your characters. Good luck with your adventuring!