Equipping Baldur’s Gate 3 players with the best gear can get tricky later, especially with the complete game experience offering more challenging midgame-to-endgame encounters for players. While helmets add some visual flair to a character’s overall fit, most also benefit characters with various effects. For players who want to kit their characters with the best gear, the right helmet can transform stylish characters into gameplay juggernauts.

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With the right Baldur’s Gate 3 helmets, characters can get access to special bonuses and even spells they otherwise need levels for. And with the game’s encounters getting increasingly more difficult as the plot progresses, players may need all the bonuses they could get. Without further ado, here are the best helmets in Baldur's Gate 3.

Updated April 12, 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With Baldur's Gate 3 enjoying even more accolades in 2024 with its acclaimed take on a D&D RPG courtesy of winning Best Game at the 2024 BAFTA Awards, fans of the title may be interested in dabbling into yet another playthrough as Faerun's saviors. Such a run may involve creating or using existing characters to become the souls who make a difference in the ongoing Mindflayer invasion of the Forgotten Realms - and such heroes (or perhaps villains) may need the best headgear to look the part of the role they've chosen. Among must-have Helms for Baldur's Gate 3 players are those listed below, and this list has been updated to include hats that incentivize buffing others, one that grants access to more invisibility opportunities, and a Druid's go-to helmet for more shots at changing their animal shapes.

1 Shapeshifter Hat

Allows Druids To Be More Tactical With Their Wild Shapes

Wild Shape is one of the most fundamental aspects of a Druid’s toolkit in both Baldur’s Gate 3 and Dungeons & Dragons, with Shapeshifter Hat providing that extra oomph to a Druid who wants to go out of their way to become a productive participant in combat. Thanks to Wild Shape, Druids can take on more practical forms to solve various situations both inside and outside of combat. However, the skill’s per-Long Rest limitation does pose the risk of Druids choosing to either not have the means to contend with foes with larger forms, or to not have that perfect animal shape to scout areas or bypass security.

The Shapeshifter Hat bypasses this issue with a simple solution: give Druids another Wild Shape charge. As long as the Druid wears the Shapeshifter Hat, this extra charge is also carried over whenever they get Long Rests. This gives Druids much-needed versatility with their skills, as they can choose to Wild Shape inside and outside of encounters, or even Wild Shape twice to counter enemy combatants.

2 Cap Of Curing

Get Healed For Inspiring Others

A healer in a game like Baldur’s Gate 3 can guarantee the survival of the entire party, and the Cap of Curing further incentivizes their healing capabilities. This hat is in a chest close to the Tiefling bard Alfira’s original location inside the Druid Grove.

When used, the Cap of Curing gives Bards a much-needed restorative boost. Whenever they use Bardic Inspiration on an ally, they can also heal them for 1d6 HP. Despite its low healing numbers, just 1 HP should be enough to get a partner up and running to kill enemies or make a better recovery. With Bardic Inspiration being a resource Bards can restore, this can be much more efficient than a Potion of Healing.

3 Shadow Of Menzoberranzan

Add Extra Invisibility Options

Players who have heard of the Forgotten Realms campaign setting have likely heard of Menzoberranzan, possibly the most popular Drow city in the Underdark. When players enjoying their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay enter the Myconic Colony in the Underdark, they’re tasked to eliminate Duergar roaming the area. This quest grants players access to the Shadow of Menzoberranzan, a hooded cowl that reflects the affinity of the Drow to the dangerous shadows of the Underdark.

When equipped, this Helmet gives players the Shrouded in Shadow Action. Using this turns players Invisible in an instant, broken only when they do anything activity that is another Action, when they Attack, or when they take damage. This Action does require Concentration and is only usable once every Long Rest.

4 Wapira’s Crown

Get Rewarded For Healing Others

The Druids of Baldur’s Gate 3 boast quite an impressive aesthetic with their heavily nature-inspired designs, something Wapira’s Crown offers players as soon as they finish “Save the Refugees” in the Emerald Grove. With Druids being protectors of nature, Wapira’s Crown also helps players become more efficient support units.

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When equipped, Wapira’s Crown bestows upon players the Crowning Glory ability. These users will be healed for 1d6 HP whenever they heal another creature, making this a much-needed free heal. Its 1d6 HP worth of healing makes it a decent substitute for Potion of Healing without needing resources such as Actions and Consumables.

5 Birthright

CHA Boosts Fit For The Party’s Style

When players reach Sorcerous Sundries in the eponymous Baldur’s Gate, their spellcaster allies can equip themselves with some of the game’s deadliest wizarding armaments: with Birthright being exactly the kind of hat a pompous child of magic users would wear. Despite resembling quite the ornamental hat, the Very Rare Helmet comes with a straightforward effect: +2 CHA.

However, it comes with a not-so-obvious secondary ability, in that it also extends the wearer’s Charisma limit to 22. This makes the helmet extremely useful for CHA-reliant Classes, such as the Bard, Sorcerer, and Warlock, where this addition to Charisma can vastly improve the overall strength of their abilities.

6 Circlet Of Hunting

Multi-Hit Enhancements Can Facilitate Powerful Ranger Builds

Upon its purchase from Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers, players enjoying their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay may notice how the Circlet of Hunting does for buff-reliant attackers what Birthright does for CHA-based spellcasters. This Very Rare Helmet is a circlet befitting the lithe huntresses of Toril, whose reliance on the sounds (or lack thereof) of the forest allows them to become the deadliest huntresses in the land.

In the game, this translates to Hunter’s Eye, an ability that provides +1d4 to all Attack Rolls against creatures affected by Faerie Fire, Guiding Bolt, Hunter’s Mark, and True Strike. Despite its measly +1d4 Bonus, the fact that the bonus is added every time an affected enemy is attacked by this item’s wearer means it suits builds that rely on multi-hit attacks.

7 Fistbreaker Helm

Spellcasting Buffs Can Lead To More Potent Mages

A spellcaster is only as potent as their spells allow them and Fistbreaker Helm ensures enemies have a harder time dodging their Spells in Baldur’s Gate 3 combat. When bought from Lann Tarv in the Moonrise Towers, this Rare Helm resembles swirling pieces of wood sculpted to fit the head.

Unlike helmets that usually fit the likes of warriors, the elegance in the Fistbreaker Helm befits a magic user. With Seldom Caught Unawares, its spellcaster wearer gets a +1 Bonus to Initiative Rolls to ensure they get to sling their spells before opponents. Not only that, High Spellcasting secures a +1 Bonus to their Spell Save DC, further increasing the difficulty that enemies have to bypass to dodge their attacks.

8 Pyroquickness Hat

Fire Boosts Encourage More Destructive Plays

Fire is the cleanser, both in meme pages and especially in Baldur’s Gate 3 combat where the Pyroquickness Hat can boost the potency of Spells that can burn enemies to a crisp. Resembling a stylish wizard’s hat, the Pyroquickness Hat is a Very Rare Helmet found in Elminster’s Vault, which in itself is located in the Sorcerous Vault. Similar to other powerful treasures in the area, players need See Invisibility to claim this item.

Such a security measure is suited for its special ability. Fiery Return ensures that whenever its wearer upcasts any leveled Fire Spell, they also get another Bonus Action during this round. When combined with the likes of Freecast (Illithid Power) that reverses Actions and Bonus Actions, spellcasters can abuse their spells quickly.

9 Assassin Of Bhaal Cowl

Bonus Initiative, Invisible Sight Incentivizes First-Strike Rogues

Should players become an Unholy Assassin in the Murder Tribunal, they can purchase the Assassin of Bhaal Cowl from Echo of Abazigal to look the part. In the Baldur’s Gate installment, this Cowl is a Very Rare Helm that represents the cultists willing to wait for Bhaal’s return. When his assassins wield this Cowl, they gain See Invisibility (2nd-Level Divination), which allows them to see even other assassins who try to outwit them.

Moreover, they also gain Murderous Sight, giving them +2 to Initiative Rolls on top of seeing in the dark up to three meters. Such bonuses suit stealthy builds such as the Assassin Rogue, whose ability to jump the gun even on Invisible opponents ensures their capacity to win against all odds.

10 Horns Of The Berserker

Extra Necrotic Damage Enhances Multi-Hit Builds

When players get to Baldur’s Gate in Act 3, they can obtain Horns of the Berserker from Danthelon’s Dancing Axe. The humorous nature of the store is reflected in the peculiar origins of the Very Rare Helm, in that its effects represent the rocky divorce of its creators, a designer, and an enchanter. This patchwork-looking Helm befits the visage of an enraged fighter, especially with its Seeking Blood giving its wearer +2 to Attack Rolls when they attack targets who already took damage.

Meanwhile, Blood Thirst guarantees an extra 2 Necrotic Damage to all unarmed and melee attacks provided the wearer isn’t at full health, which this effect conveniently guarantees courtesy of a 1d4 Necrotic Damage punishment for not dealing any damage at the end of any turn. As such, this Helm fits the likes of the Barbarian and the Monk, whose reliance on melee and unarmed strikes can take advantage of this item’s bonuses.

11 Helldusk Helmet

Fire Damage With Extra Defense Fit For Tanks

Should players reach the House of Hope, their Baldur’s Gate 3 playthrough can take them to a hidden door that contains the Helldusk Helmet provided they pass a DC 10 Wisdom and DC 20 Arcana Check. Doing so reveals the infernal Helldusk Helmet, with its only holes reserved for the eyes, rumored to be forged by the fiendish titan Carixim whose body contains 20,000 souls.

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The Helm’s infernal origins reflect its effects. Its Immolating Gaze alone can deal 2d8 Fire Damage across three turns with an INT Save, with an additional 2d16 Fire Damage to Burning foes. In addition, Magical Durability gives its user +2 to Saves against Spells, Infernal Sight disables Blinding effects on top of a 12-meter sight across any type of darkness, and the Helm disables any Critical Hits on the wearer.

12 Circlet Of Fire

Free Scorching Ray Improves Any Character’s DPS

Fire is one of the most common damage types in Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay, especially with its spells capable of inflicting debilitating burns on opponents. It’s fire’s accessibility that makes Fireball such an infamous spell in D&D and explains why Circle of Fire is from either Waukeen’s Rest or the Shattered Sanctum’s vault.

At its core, equipping the Circlet of Fire bestows upon players the Fiery Return feature. With this benefit, players regain access to a Bonus Action whenever they use a non-Cantrip spell that deals Fire damage. This can quickly incentivize spellcasters and players with access to attacks such as Scorching Ray, which they can use to damage opponents and their immediate environment while at the same time regaining yet another Bonus Action to use.

13 Circlet Of Blasting

Extra Scorching Ray Boosts Any Character’s Arsenal

Despite their lack of direct defensive boosts, helmets become crucial to a player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay. And this is not just for aesthetic value but also for the effects they can provide. With the game’s D&D mechanics giving players specific rules on the kind of abilities their characters have, getting the Circlet of Blasting from Blurg in Ebonlake Grotto can boost their arsenal despite its Rare nature.

This weapon grants players the ability of Scorching Ray, a 2nd-level Evocation spell that lets players target three opponents with three rays of fire. This has a distance of 18 meters, with each blast capable of releasing 2d6 Fire Damage. This extra combat spell can be useful regardless of the character equipping it, with a spellcaster using this to free up a spell slot or a non-mage using this to bolster their ranged options to ensure they have something to do and not waste their turns.

14 Headband Of Intellect

INT Buff Can Improve A Spellcaster’s Capabilities

For a Rare Item in a player’s Baldur’s Gate 3 experience, the Headband of Intellect can transform spellcasters into juggernauts. Acquired after defeating the Ogre Lump the Enlightened in the Blighted Village, the Headband of Intellect boosts the user’s Intelligence to 19. This makes the Headband of Intellect one of the few items that bestow the player a specific Ability Score value.

However, despite this straightforward boost, the Headband of Intellect’s perk does have vast implications. Being at Intelligence 19 gives players a +4 bonus to all Intelligence-related checks, practically making information easier to spot inside and outside dialogue. Not only that, Wizards can use this +4 bonus to almost always guarantee their spell attacks.

15 Grymskull Helm

Tanks With High AC Can Guarantee Attack Roll Penalties

Players enjoying their Baldur’s Gate 3 gameplay may notice that they can only access the full offerings of the Adamantine Forge after defeating Grym. This should allow them to forge Adamantine pieces that, akin to their similarly characteristic cousin, the Tolkien Mithril, give players sleek-looking armaments with the statistics to match. Among its offerings is the Grymskull Helm, which, when worn, has spiked details that provide quite the familiar silhouette of the Witch-King of Angmar.

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Pleasing aesthetic aside, the Grymskull Helm boasts a nifty perk that can boost the defenses of its wearers. Called the Adamantine Backlash, enemies who miss hitting the players will get a -1 Attack Roll for two turns, resembling the debuffs from Illithid Powers. Moreover, enemies no longer hit the players if they score Critical Hits.

16 Bonespike Helmet

AOE Psychic Damage At WIS Save Can Boost A Melee Fighter’s Arsenal

When Baldur’s Gate 3 players acquire equipment that looks like bones and leaves, it’s a safe assumption that it’s connected to nature. Such is the case with the Bonespike Helmet, acquired from Voiceless Penitent Bareki at the Lower City Sewers. In the lore, the Bonespike Helmet had been created from the tibia of a storm giant, one of the most fearsome monsters in D&D.

And like how giants are fearsome beings, so too is a Raging Barbarian wearing the Bonespike Helmet. When equipped, all hostile creatures within 3 meters of a Barbarian undergoing Rage must succeed a WIS Save or take 1d8 Psychic Damage. The Helm also grants +2 Intimidation and access to the Menacing Attack Action.

17 Hood Of The Weave

Spellcaster Boosts Can Greatly Improve Magic DPS

In Greyhawk, the first-ever campaign setting of Dungeons & Dragons, the fabled mage Mordenkainen created the Circle of Eight to help guard their world of Oerth from various threats. One of its members, the Wizard Tenser, wore the Hood of the Weave during his induction among their ranks. Now acquired from Mystic Carrion, the Hood of the Weave proves beneficial for most spellcasters.

When equipped, the Hood of the Weave is a cloth cowl that gives its users an Arcane Enchantment of +2. This gives them a +2 bonus not just to Spellcasting Modifiers, but also to Spell Save DC, making it much easier for spellcasters to hit hard while making it much harder for enemies to avoid their spells.

18 Sarevok’s Horned Helmet

Easier Access To Critical Encourages Multi-Hit Builds

At first glance, Sarevok’s Horned Helmet immediately gives the impression of dread, possessing a jaw that opens up above the eyes and below the jaw with enormous teeth, pairs of horns protruding upwards and downwards, and a silvered top adorned with the upper face of a skull. Players can acquire this from the being of the same name, encountered during “Investigate the Murders.”

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When equipped, players become Dauntless, meaning they can’t be affected by effects or spells that alter emotions such as being Frightened. They also gain Deathbringer’s Sight, wherein they gain 3-meter Darkvision or enhance existing Darkvision to 15 meters. Moreover, it gives a -1 to the total value players need to score a Critical Hit, which can stack with other abilities.

19 Dark Justiciar Helmet

Magic Defenses Perfect For Mage Slaying

When players find Ketheric Thorm’s relic inside the Gauntlet of Shar in their Baldur’s Gate 3 experience, they’re rewarded with the Dark Justiciar Helmet, a Very Rare helmet with a fully-covered front adorned by a halo that goes to the back of the head.

It’s said that the helmet’s face has alien-like features that resemble the alienness of Shar, and with the helmet comes various effects. The helm has Magical Durability, wherein wielders have a +1 bonus to Spell Saves, making this efficient for mage slayer builds. Moreover, it has Covert Critical that reduces the roll total players need for a Critical Hit by 1, an effect that can stack with other bonuses.

20 Helmet Of Grit

Extra Bonus Action At Half Health Encourages Risky Plays

A mask-wearing hero often finds a way to survive even the most disastrous of circumstances, and the masquerade mask that is the Helmet of Grit has the same properties when found in the Szarr Palace during “The Pale Elf” Quest. When equipped, this Light Armour grants players +1 to DEX Saves, providing many benefits when trying to dodge spells.

However, its biggest benefit comes from Grit. With this ability, as soon as its user hits 50% HP or less, they will get another Bonus Action. This incentivizes players to get careless, as a Rogue like Astarion could make multiple attacks at once with the right setup.