Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn/Weapons & Armor

In Baldur's Gate II there are many types of weapons and armor. Your choice of equipment can be the difference between life and reloading, so choose wisely!

Armor
Armor decreases the AC of a character. The lower a character's AC, the less likely they will be hit by physical attacks. The minimum AC (most effective) is -26.

Ranged Weapons
Ranged weapons are good for disrupting enemy spellcasters and destroying melee foes before they can close in on your position. The drawback to using them is that most ranged weapons have limited ammunition.

Bows & Arrows
There are three types of bow: the Short Bow, the Long Bow and the Composite Long Bow, and they are all 2 handed weapons. Bows allow one extra attack per round. Unnamed enchanted bows only gain a bonus to hit - they do not receive the additional bonus to damage. Normal arrows deal 1d6 damage.

If your character is a Cleric, Druid, Mage, Sorcerer, or Monk, they will not be able to use bows.

Short Bow
Associated Proficiency: Short Bow

The Short Bow is the weakest of the 3 bows. It has a range of 2 and a speed factor of 6. This is the only type of bow that a Thief can use.

Long Bow
Associated Proficiency: Long Bow

The Long Bow is better than the Short Bow, as it has a +1 bonus to hit. It has a speed factor of 7. Bards can use this bow and the Short Bow.

Composite Long Bow
Associated Proficiency: Long Bow

The Composite Long Bow is more flexible than the Long Bow because it is made up of many materials instead of just one. It also has a speed factor of 7, but it gives a +1 bonus to damage in addition to the +1 bonus to hit.

Crossbows
Crossbows use bolts instead of arrows as ammunition and have less range than bows. Unnamed enchanted crossbows receive both the bonus to damage and to hit. Normal bolts deal 1d8 damage.

Mages, Clerics, Druids, Sorcerers, and Monks cannot use crossbows.

Light Crossbow
Associated Proficiency: Crossbow

The Light Crossbow is the weaker of the two Crossbows. It has a speed factor of 5 and gives no additional bonuses. This is the only Crossbow usable by Thieves.

Heavy Crossbow
Associated Proficiency: Crossbow

The Heavy Crossbow is slower than the Light Crossbow, with a speed factor of 10, but gives a +2 bonus to damage.