Is a Maul a great weapon in BG3?

Yes, in Baldur's Gate 3, a Maul is definitively considered a two-handed Heavy weapon, classifying it within the general category of "great weapons" due to its design, damage capabilities, and the combat styles it benefits from.

Maul Classification and Characteristics in BG3

Mauls are powerful melee weapons designed for significant bludgeoning damage, requiring both hands to wield effectively. This makes them a prime choice for character builds focused on raw physical power.

• Weapon Type: Two-handed, Heavy
• Damage Type: Bludgeoning
• Primary Ability Score: Strength (used for attack rolls and damage calculations)

Benefits of Wielding a Maul

Wielding a Maul allows characters to leverage several powerful combat mechanics and abilities that enhance their effectiveness:

• Great Weapon Fighting Style: This fighting style, available to classes like Fighters and Paladins, allows you to re-roll a damage die that results in a 1 or 2 when you make an attack with a two-handed weapon. You must use the new roll, even if it's another 1 or 2, significantly increasing average damage.
• Great Weapon Master Feat: This highly impactful feat provides two main benefits:
  • You can choose to take a -5 penalty to your attack roll for a +10 bonus to damage when attacking with a heavy weapon you are proficient with.
  • On a critical hit or when you reduce a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack, you can make an additional melee weapon attack as a bonus action.

Unique Properties and Effectiveness of Mauls

Beyond their base damage and two-handed benefits, some Mauls in Baldur's Gate 3 possess distinctive properties that set them apart.

• Reactive Damage on Misses: Interestingly, certain Mauls in BG3 feature a unique reaction ability. If an attack made with the Maul misses its target, it can still deal a small amount of bludgeoning damage. This supplemental damage scales with the wielder's Strength, ensuring that even a failed attack can contribute to weakening an enemy.
• Potent Unique Effects: While the variety of Mauls available might not be as vast as other weapon types, the best Mauls in the game come equipped with powerful and unique effects. These special properties can elevate their performance significantly, placing them on par with some of the most potent melee weapons in all of Baldur's Gate 3.

Comparing Mauls to Other Two-Handed Weapons

Mauls fit squarely into the "great weapon" category alongside other prominent two-handed armaments.

As the table illustrates, Mauls share the core characteristics and benefit from similar tactical approaches as other large, two-handed weapons, solidifying their status as "great weapons."