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When playing Baldur’s Gate 3, you will find many items of equipment, and almost all of them will have effects that will help you in battle. Due to the large number of additional effects and their mechanics, players sometimes get confused and do not understand how they work. Now you will learn what Lightning Charges are in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can find items that have this effect in Act 1, and newcomers do not always understand what benefits they get. For you to avoid such difficulties, we will provide all the necessary information below.
BG3: What are Lightning Charges?
Baldur’s Gate 3 has more than one item with the Lightning Charges effect. In fact, choosing gear and weapons with this effect will be a wise decision at the beginning of the game. The whole point is that you can accumulate these charges to get additional effects for your attacks.
Basically, when you stack them, you can deal additional damage. We can divide equipment into those that accumulate charges and those that consume them, which is a rather long topic, so we will divide this guide into 2 parts to talk about each category.
BG3: Equipment for Accumulating Lightning Charges
As for the items that you can use to accumulate charges, each of them requires a specific action to get what you want. In total, there are 6 main items that will provide you with charges, namely:
Item | Type | Action |
The Watersparkers | Boots | You get 3 charges each time you start your turn in electrified water. |
The Joltshooter | Bow | You get 2 charges each time you deal damage. |
The Spellsparkler | Staff | You get 2 charges each time you deal damage. |
The Sparkle Hands | Gloves | Get charges every time you attack unarmed opponents. |
The Speedy Lightfeet | Boots | You get 3 charges every time you use the Dash skill. |
The Sparky Points | Spear | You get 2 charges each time you deal damage. |
Among them all, we recommend choosing The Speedy Lightfeet, as they will be extremely useful for creating a good offensive strategy. If you like mobility and an aggressive playstyle, you will be able to spam your Dash skill to stack charges and then use them immediately, thanks to items that allow you to do so.
BG3: Equipment for Using Lightning Charges
Unlike equipment that accumulates charges, items that consume them are no less important and provide you with useful buffs and effects. If you have already equipped an item that accumulates charges, then be sure to find another one that will spend them. Well, here are the ones you can choose from:
Item | Type | Effect |
The Real Sparky Sparkswall | Shield | When you use the effect, it creates a lightning aura that deals 1d6 damage to all targets in range and jolts them (4 charges cost). |
Blast Pendant | Necklace | Each time you take a long rest, you can use an effect that will provide you with powerful buffs. The next cantrip or lightning spell you cast is guaranteed to gain a bonus to lightning damage equal to the number of charges you stack (if you hit the target, they are spent). |
The Protecty Sparkswell | Chest | You gain a +1 bonus to your Armour Class and Saving Throws as long as you have Lightning Charges. |
Jolty Vest | Chest | The one who attacks must make a Dexterity saving throw if they strike the character with Lightning Charges, in case of failure, they will be shocked |
The Life Bringer | Helmet | When you receive a lightning charge, you gain 3 temporary health points. |
Also, keep in mind that in addition to the main effects provided by the equipment, you also get a buff from the charges themselves. Charges decay 1 per turn, so make sure you always have them stacked. If you have accumulated charges, you also get an additional buff, namely +1 to Attack Rolls, and deal an additional 1 Lightning damage.
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Regardless of the number of items and stacks you have accumulated, the damage from the effect will not increase, but other benefits will appear. When you accumulate 5 charges, they will automatically be used during your next attack, dealing an additional 1d8 Lightning damage.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is currently available on PC.