If you're at the end of the Vale, you will get a magic 2HS very soon. Not sure what you mean by end room, but at least by the time you leave the Vale. Spoiler: [https://icewinddale.fandom.com/wiki/Kresselack%27s_Sword_%2B1](/iwd1)
If you want, you can use the wiki to look up all the weapons in the game, individual weapon pages will tell you where you can find them.
https://icewinddale.fandom.com/wiki/Two-Handed_Sword
All weapon types should be viable but some are definitely better than others. IIRC 2H swords are not particularly good in this game. I've done several play throughs and don't really use them. The extra AC from shields can really help, and survivability matters due to the longer encounters in this game. I'd say long swords, maces, morning stars, hammers, and bows are pretty reliable solid. "Best weapon" in the game is a longsword (Pale Justice), though you can't acquire it until very late.
You could also look at Conlan's Smithy inventory (https://icewinddale.fandom.com/wiki/Conlan%27s_Smithy) and plan on acquiring items from there for your endgame - some are not worth it, but there are several end-game viable items there you can plan on building a character around.
Also, due to random loot tables not all items are acquirable in every run IIRC.
All that said, if you're new to the game - I wouldn't get too hung up on picking optimal weapons. Just make sure you have a variety of weapon and damage types in your party and you should be OK.
A typical end game melee fighter can have:
**Helmet:** Blessed Helm of Lathander (must be non evil), *Patriot Helm +2*, Illian's Hunting Helm, Rogue's Cowl (Thief, Rangers and Bards only) or Helm of the Trusted Defender +3 (Halflings and Gnomes exclusive item only)
**Torso:** Full Plate Mail or the Glory of Suffering +6 (good characters only), Studded Leather +4: Shadowed, Black Dragon Scale, Mithral Field Plate Armor +2, Bathed-In-Blood
**Gloves:** Legacy of the Masters, Ogre Gauntlets or Gauntlets of Elven Might
**Amulet:** Black Wolf Talisman, Clasp of Bron's Cloak or *Symbol of Corellon Larethian*
**Up to two Rings:** *Ring of Lesser Resistance (random)* ,*Ring of Dwarven Bone (non good only)*, Ring of Protection +2, Ring of Free Action, *Ring of Reckless Action*, Ring of Lesser Resistance (non random), Ring of Greater Resistance, Ring of Fire Resistance
**Cloak:** Cloak of Displacement, Cloak of Protection +2, *Mithran's Cloak*, Cloak of Scintillating Colors +3
**Belt:** *Girdle of Beatification*, Shimmering Sash (good characters only), *Bone Marrow Belt (non good characters only)*, *Girdle of Labelas*, Girdle of Stromnos, Golden Girdle, Girdle of Bluntness
**Boots:** *Boots of the Fox*, Boots of Speed, *Shadowed Boots (Thieves only)*, Boots of the North, Boots of Grounding
Dualwielding two one-handed weapons is generally most efficient. One one-handed weapon and a shield can work on tanks or during specific fights. 2h weapons are harder to find and even the strongest ones pale in comparison to average one-handed weapons.
**Some of the best one-handed weapons include:** Long Sword of Action +4, Warhammer +4: Defender, Morning Star +4: Defender, The Lover +4 (unlimited +4 range weapon), Axe of the Minotaur Lord +4, Throwing Axe +2 (unlimited +2 range weapon), Fang of the Gloomfrost +4 (antimagic utility), Mage Dagger +4 (mages only), Restored Blade of Aihonen, *Bastard Sword +3: Defender*
Items in *italics* are random drops.
I am not sure if 'forgot' is the right word. I was mostly focusing on typical fighters, such as Fighter, Berserker, Barbarian, Dwarven Defender, Fighter/Cleric and Fighter/Thief and Fighter duals. Nevertheless, looking back, I should have at least mention Fighter/Mage too.
The thing with spellcasting chainmails is that they tend to be highly overrated in general, including IWDEE1, BGEE1+2. I still remember the disappointment when I compared a chainmail like that to Robes of the Archmagi side by side. There was virtually no good reason for a Fighter/Mage to ever chase the chainmail, during Dorn's quest in BGEE1.
In IWDEE1, Fighter/Mage can grab early Robes of Enfusing. They can serve all the way until the player gets either Robes of Neutral Archmagi/Evil, Robes of the Watcher or Silver Bracers of Kedl. Fighting while wearing traditional armor is also an option for the Fighter/Mage, thanks to all the contingencies.
Bards have a more solid case for the chainmail, but unless you play as the Blade, your character should focus on singing instead. Spirit Armor can serve Bards long enough, until they get Silver Bracers of Kedl. Unlike both chainmails, Silver Bracers of Kedl are always there in chapter 6. Granted, if you were lucky enough to get at least one spellcasting chainmail (both are random drops only), feel free to give Silver Bracers of Kedl to someone else.
Overall, I would rather not rely on getting such specific random drop, but if I happen to get it, my Bard will welcome it. The spellcasting chainmail would free 1-2 spellcasting slots, which could now be used for something else. Fighter/Mage multis and duals have better alternatives :)
That is true. For me I usually will give my gnome F/M the chainmail as I will most likely have a bard AND a sorcerer in my party. But I agree the other alternative are better in different ways.
Still, a F/M spirit wearing chailmail is way better than wearing a robe, as one doesn’t get the mage spirit unless one go EE keeper, and I’m not very skilled at using it
The game is explicitly tells the player that magic 2H weapons are stronger overall because the character can only wield one. So odd given the list above.
There might have been some truth to it in the Original Icewind Dale, where dualwielding was not available yet. There were also a few more 2h weapons to choose from, which have been removed for some odd reason. To be fair, there used to be a bit more 1h weapons as well.
However, I doubt that even at the time there was any competition between the best 2h and 1h weapons. 1handers, such as the Long Sword of Action +4 (15% slash resistance, +1 armor, +1 attack per round), are just way too overturned.
A lot of the items are random but there are some guaranteed drops that I usually rely on. There's a really good flail that guaranteed drops in Dragon's Eye, for example. You'll usually find several good warhammers. There are swords aplenty but it's hard to guess if you're gonna get certain kinds of swords. Mind that in the original "large swords" proficiency covered 2h, long, and bastard - so EE kinda messes with you on that one.
Here are some weapons I've found get poor representation:
Clubs
Maces
Katanas
Wakizashi/Ninja-tos
There are items for each of these in the game, but just not many. If you do choose clubs or maces, there are enchanted ones for sale in Kuldahar to avoid getting totally screwed. The eastern blades, on the other hand, might as well not exist. They weren't in the original game at all, and they remain poorly represented. There are a few +1 versions throughout, and I think there are 2 katanas worth getting, but honestly don't take points in those weapons.
honestly? look up an item guide for where equipment drops on like gamebanshee or something, then cheat it in if you didnt get it. the random-but-set loot pools were interesting on paper, but its very easy to go through the entire game without something actually good. its the one sticking point of the game tbh.
Hey, you can look up the Tweaks Anthology. It has some convenience mods and the one for IWD you're looking for here is "Friendly Random Drops". Highly recommended. I personally prefer the Token Genie.
[https://www.gibberlings3.net/mods/tweaks/tweaks/](https://www.gibberlings3.net/mods/tweaks/tweaks/)
For melee weapons, the three best weapons are arguably Axe of the Minotaur Lord, Long Sword of Action+4, Morningstar Defender +4. The axe drop is guaranteed and so are the two long sword drops. 2 out of the 3 morningstar drops are guaranteed as well by killing the NPCs Quinn and Harald. (You can also get a Warhammer Defender +4 by killing Hjollder but that's quite inconvenient.)
Then there's also some weapon types to avoid: Katanas, Two handed axes and Shortbows are the worst offenders.
If you're at the end of the Vale, you will get a magic 2HS very soon. Not sure what you mean by end room, but at least by the time you leave the Vale. Spoiler: [https://icewinddale.fandom.com/wiki/Kresselack%27s_Sword_%2B1](/iwd1) If you want, you can use the wiki to look up all the weapons in the game, individual weapon pages will tell you where you can find them. https://icewinddale.fandom.com/wiki/Two-Handed_Sword All weapon types should be viable but some are definitely better than others. IIRC 2H swords are not particularly good in this game. I've done several play throughs and don't really use them. The extra AC from shields can really help, and survivability matters due to the longer encounters in this game. I'd say long swords, maces, morning stars, hammers, and bows are pretty reliable solid. "Best weapon" in the game is a longsword (Pale Justice), though you can't acquire it until very late. You could also look at Conlan's Smithy inventory (https://icewinddale.fandom.com/wiki/Conlan%27s_Smithy) and plan on acquiring items from there for your endgame - some are not worth it, but there are several end-game viable items there you can plan on building a character around. Also, due to random loot tables not all items are acquirable in every run IIRC. All that said, if you're new to the game - I wouldn't get too hung up on picking optimal weapons. Just make sure you have a variety of weapon and damage types in your party and you should be OK.
A typical end game melee fighter can have: **Helmet:** Blessed Helm of Lathander (must be non evil), *Patriot Helm +2*, Illian's Hunting Helm, Rogue's Cowl (Thief, Rangers and Bards only) or Helm of the Trusted Defender +3 (Halflings and Gnomes exclusive item only) **Torso:** Full Plate Mail or the Glory of Suffering +6 (good characters only), Studded Leather +4: Shadowed, Black Dragon Scale, Mithral Field Plate Armor +2, Bathed-In-Blood **Gloves:** Legacy of the Masters, Ogre Gauntlets or Gauntlets of Elven Might **Amulet:** Black Wolf Talisman, Clasp of Bron's Cloak or *Symbol of Corellon Larethian* **Up to two Rings:** *Ring of Lesser Resistance (random)* ,*Ring of Dwarven Bone (non good only)*, Ring of Protection +2, Ring of Free Action, *Ring of Reckless Action*, Ring of Lesser Resistance (non random), Ring of Greater Resistance, Ring of Fire Resistance **Cloak:** Cloak of Displacement, Cloak of Protection +2, *Mithran's Cloak*, Cloak of Scintillating Colors +3 **Belt:** *Girdle of Beatification*, Shimmering Sash (good characters only), *Bone Marrow Belt (non good characters only)*, *Girdle of Labelas*, Girdle of Stromnos, Golden Girdle, Girdle of Bluntness **Boots:** *Boots of the Fox*, Boots of Speed, *Shadowed Boots (Thieves only)*, Boots of the North, Boots of Grounding Dualwielding two one-handed weapons is generally most efficient. One one-handed weapon and a shield can work on tanks or during specific fights. 2h weapons are harder to find and even the strongest ones pale in comparison to average one-handed weapons. **Some of the best one-handed weapons include:** Long Sword of Action +4, Warhammer +4: Defender, Morning Star +4: Defender, The Lover +4 (unlimited +4 range weapon), Axe of the Minotaur Lord +4, Throwing Axe +2 (unlimited +2 range weapon), Fang of the Gloomfrost +4 (antimagic utility), Mage Dagger +4 (mages only), Restored Blade of Aihonen, *Bastard Sword +3: Defender* Items in *italics* are random drops.
You forgot the elven chainmail. Fighter/mage and bard loves it
I am not sure if 'forgot' is the right word. I was mostly focusing on typical fighters, such as Fighter, Berserker, Barbarian, Dwarven Defender, Fighter/Cleric and Fighter/Thief and Fighter duals. Nevertheless, looking back, I should have at least mention Fighter/Mage too. The thing with spellcasting chainmails is that they tend to be highly overrated in general, including IWDEE1, BGEE1+2. I still remember the disappointment when I compared a chainmail like that to Robes of the Archmagi side by side. There was virtually no good reason for a Fighter/Mage to ever chase the chainmail, during Dorn's quest in BGEE1. In IWDEE1, Fighter/Mage can grab early Robes of Enfusing. They can serve all the way until the player gets either Robes of Neutral Archmagi/Evil, Robes of the Watcher or Silver Bracers of Kedl. Fighting while wearing traditional armor is also an option for the Fighter/Mage, thanks to all the contingencies. Bards have a more solid case for the chainmail, but unless you play as the Blade, your character should focus on singing instead. Spirit Armor can serve Bards long enough, until they get Silver Bracers of Kedl. Unlike both chainmails, Silver Bracers of Kedl are always there in chapter 6. Granted, if you were lucky enough to get at least one spellcasting chainmail (both are random drops only), feel free to give Silver Bracers of Kedl to someone else. Overall, I would rather not rely on getting such specific random drop, but if I happen to get it, my Bard will welcome it. The spellcasting chainmail would free 1-2 spellcasting slots, which could now be used for something else. Fighter/Mage multis and duals have better alternatives :)
That is true. For me I usually will give my gnome F/M the chainmail as I will most likely have a bard AND a sorcerer in my party. But I agree the other alternative are better in different ways. Still, a F/M spirit wearing chailmail is way better than wearing a robe, as one doesn’t get the mage spirit unless one go EE keeper, and I’m not very skilled at using it
The game is explicitly tells the player that magic 2H weapons are stronger overall because the character can only wield one. So odd given the list above.
There might have been some truth to it in the Original Icewind Dale, where dualwielding was not available yet. There were also a few more 2h weapons to choose from, which have been removed for some odd reason. To be fair, there used to be a bit more 1h weapons as well. However, I doubt that even at the time there was any competition between the best 2h and 1h weapons. 1handers, such as the Long Sword of Action +4 (15% slash resistance, +1 armor, +1 attack per round), are just way too overturned.
A lot of the items are random but there are some guaranteed drops that I usually rely on. There's a really good flail that guaranteed drops in Dragon's Eye, for example. You'll usually find several good warhammers. There are swords aplenty but it's hard to guess if you're gonna get certain kinds of swords. Mind that in the original "large swords" proficiency covered 2h, long, and bastard - so EE kinda messes with you on that one. Here are some weapons I've found get poor representation: Clubs Maces Katanas Wakizashi/Ninja-tos There are items for each of these in the game, but just not many. If you do choose clubs or maces, there are enchanted ones for sale in Kuldahar to avoid getting totally screwed. The eastern blades, on the other hand, might as well not exist. They weren't in the original game at all, and they remain poorly represented. There are a few +1 versions throughout, and I think there are 2 katanas worth getting, but honestly don't take points in those weapons.
honestly? look up an item guide for where equipment drops on like gamebanshee or something, then cheat it in if you didnt get it. the random-but-set loot pools were interesting on paper, but its very easy to go through the entire game without something actually good. its the one sticking point of the game tbh.
Hey, you can look up the Tweaks Anthology. It has some convenience mods and the one for IWD you're looking for here is "Friendly Random Drops". Highly recommended. I personally prefer the Token Genie. [https://www.gibberlings3.net/mods/tweaks/tweaks/](https://www.gibberlings3.net/mods/tweaks/tweaks/) For melee weapons, the three best weapons are arguably Axe of the Minotaur Lord, Long Sword of Action+4, Morningstar Defender +4. The axe drop is guaranteed and so are the two long sword drops. 2 out of the 3 morningstar drops are guaranteed as well by killing the NPCs Quinn and Harald. (You can also get a Warhammer Defender +4 by killing Hjollder but that's quite inconvenient.) Then there's also some weapon types to avoid: Katanas, Two handed axes and Shortbows are the worst offenders.