How to Get Heavy Armor Proficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3

Some of the best armor in Baldur’s Gate 3 is heavy armor, but not everyone can use it. If you equip heavy armor to someone who isn’t proficient in it, they won’t be able to use any of their spells in battle. This can be absolutely devastating if the character in question relies on their magic to fight. Thankfully, you can upgrade your character to get heavy armor proficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3.

How to Get Heavy Armor Proficiency via Multiclassing in Baldur’s Gate 3

The secret to making any character proficient with heavy armor in Baldur’s Gate 3 is multiclassing or feats. From level 2, you can decide to add another class to your character instead of leveling up your original class by clicking the icon in the top right corner of the level-up window. If you choose a second class that is proficient with heavy armor, those skills will transfer to your character.

There is, however, a catch. When multiclassing in Baldur’s Gate 3, you don’t automatically get all of that class’s proficiencies. You gain the proficiencies of the subclass. For example, multiclassing into a Paladin won’t grant you heavy armor proficiency. Multiclassing into a War Cleric, however, will, because the heavy armor proficiency belongs to the subclass.

There is also another variable to consider when multiclassing. Baldur’s Gate 3 only allows your character to reach level 12, and you can only level up one class at a time. That means that you will automatically be unable to reach the highest level with your original class when multiclassing. This means you might miss out on some benefits, but being able to use heavy armor might be worth it for you.

You are also unable to multiclass if you’re playing on Explorer difficulty. So, if you’ve been searching for the icon in vain but can’t seem to find it, that could be why. This can be mitigated by switching to another difficulty, multiclassing, then switching back to Explorer.

How to Get Heavy Armor Proficiency via Feats

As you progress through the game and level up your character, you will get the opportunity to improve your Ability Score at levels 4, 6, and 12. If you want to expand your skills and gain heavy armor proficiency, you can choose a Feat instead.

If your character is already proficient with medium armor, you will be able to select the Heavily Armored feat to gain heavy armor proficiency as well. Any level 4 or higher class can choose this, as long as you are already proficient with medium armor.

For more tips and tricks, check out Baldur’s Gate 3: Act 3 Checklist.