BG3 Polearm Master Quarterstaff Build Guide Optimal Strategy

The much-anticipated Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3) has introduced a plethora of new features, including a variety of weapons to choose from. Among these, the Quarterstaff, a versatile and powerful polearm, has caught the eye of many players. In this guide, we'll delve into the world of BG3's Quarterstaff, focusing on the Polearm Master feat and how to master it.

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Before we dive into the intricacies of the Quarterstaff and the Polearm Master feat, let's briefly explore what makes the Quarterstaff such an appealing weapon in BG3.

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The Quarterstaff: A Versatile Polearm

The Quarterstaff is a simple yet effective weapon in BG3. It's a versatile polearm that can be used to great effect in both melee and ranged combat. Its reach allows you to strike enemies from a distance, while its damage output can be significant with the right build.

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But what truly sets the Quarterstaff apart is its ability to be used as a versatile tool. With the right proficiencies, a Quarterstaff can be used to disarm foes, trip them up, or even perform improvised medicine checks. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for many playstyles.

Quarterstaff Damage Output

The damage output of a Quarterstaff is respectable, dealing 1d6 bludgeoning damage. While it may not match the raw power of weapons like the greatsword or the warhammer, the Quarterstaff's versatility more than makes up for it.

Moreover, with the right feats and abilities, the damage output of a Quarterstaff can be significantly increased. The Polearm Master feat, for instance, allows you to deal extra damage with your Quarterstaff, making it a formidable weapon in the right hands.

Quarterstaff Proficiencies

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The Quarterstaff's proficiencies are what truly set it apart. With the right build, you can use a Quarterstaff to disarm foes, trip them up, or even perform improvised medicine checks. These proficiencies make the Quarterstaff an excellent choice for many playstyles, from melee fighters to ranged attackers.

For instance, the Sentinel feat allows you to make opportunity attacks when an enemy enters or leaves your reach. This feat is particularly powerful when used with a Quarterstaff, as it allows you to make opportunity attacks even when the enemy is outside your normal reach.

The Polearm Master Feat

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The Polearm Master feat is a powerful ability that can significantly enhance your Quarterstaff's capabilities. This feat allows you to make a bonus action attack with your Quarterstaff when you take the Attack action, and it also gives you a reach of 10 feet.

But the real power of the Polearm Master feat lies in its ability to deal extra damage. When you hit with your bonus action attack, you can deal extra damage equal to 1d4. This damage increases as you gain levels, making the Polearm Master feat a powerful choice for any Quarterstaff-wielding character.

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Polearm Master Feat: Bonus Action Attack

The bonus action attack granted by the Polearm Master feat is a significant boon. This attack allows you to strike at enemies even when they might otherwise be out of reach, making it an excellent choice for controlling the battlefield.

Moreover, the bonus action attack can be used in conjunction with other feats and abilities to great effect. For instance, the Sharpshooter feat allows you to make a ranged attack as a bonus action when you take the Attack action. This feat can be used in conjunction with the Polearm Master feat to make two attacks as a bonus action, one with your Quarterstaff and one with a ranged weapon.

Polearm Master Feat: Reach

The reach granted by the Polearm Master feat is another significant benefit. This reach allows you to strike at enemies from a distance, keeping you safe from many of their attacks. This reach is particularly useful when combined with the Sentinel feat, as it allows you to make opportunity attacks even when the enemy is outside your normal reach.

Moreover, the reach granted by the Polearm Master feat can be used to great effect in crowd control. With a reach of 10 feet, you can strike at enemies even when they're surrounded by allies, making it an excellent choice for breaking up enemy formations.

Building a Quarterstaff-Wielding Character

Building a character around the Quarterstaff and the Polearm Master feat can be a rewarding experience. The versatility of the Quarterstaff makes it an excellent choice for many playstyles, and the Polearm Master feat can significantly enhance its capabilities.

When building a Quarterstaff-wielding character, consider focusing on feats that enhance the weapon's versatility. The Sentinel feat, for instance, can be used to great effect with a Quarterstaff, as can the Sharpshooter feat. Moreover, consider investing in abilities that increase your strength and dexterity, as these will increase your Quarterstaff's damage output.

Strength or Dexterity: Which to Focus On?

When building a Quarterstaff-wielding character, you'll need to decide whether to focus on strength or dexterity. Both stats can be used to great effect with a Quarterstaff, but they have different playstyles.

Strength-based Quarterstaff builds focus on dealing high damage in melee combat. These builds typically invest heavily in strength, using feats like Sentinel to enhance their damage output. Dexterity-based Quarterstaff builds, on the other hand, focus on dealing damage from a distance. These builds typically invest heavily in dexterity, using feats like Sharpshooter to enhance their ranged capabilities.

Race and Background

When choosing a race and background for your Quarterstaff-wielding character, consider those that enhance the weapon's versatility. The Wood Elf race, for instance, grants you proficiency with martial weapons and an increase to your dexterity, making it an excellent choice for a dexterity-based Quarterstaff build.

Similarly, the Fighter background grants you proficiency with martial weapons and a fighting style. This background can be used to great effect with a Quarterstaff, as it allows you to choose a fighting style that enhances the weapon's capabilities.

In the ever-evolving world of BG3, the Quarterstaff and the Polearm Master feat offer a unique and powerful playstyle. Whether you're focusing on melee damage or ranged attacks, a Quarterstaff-wielding character can be a formidable force on the battlefield. So, grab your Quarterstaff and get ready to master the art of polearm combat in BG3!