Malice: Very Rare Shortsword
Malice is a Very Rare shortsword in Baldur's Gate 3, notable for its offensive capabilities that increase when the wielder is at lower health.
Properties and Effects
- Item Type: Shortsword
- Rarity: Very Rare
- Damage: 1d6 Piercing
- Weapon Enchantment: +2
- Special Feature - Malicious Attacks: When the wielder is at 50% Hit Points or less, attacks with Malice deal an additional 1d4 Necrotic damage.
- Weapon Action - Lacerate: Deals weapon damage and inflicts Bleeding (1d4 Slashing damage per turn, Disadvantage on Constitution Saving Throws) for 2 turns.
Acquisition
Malice can be acquired by purchasing it from Lann Tarv. This Bugbear merchant is located in the main hall of Moonrise Towers during Act 2.
Strategic Utility
The primary strength of Malice lies in its Malicious Attacks passive, rewarding aggressive play or providing an offensive edge when the wielder is injured. The Lacerate action offers both direct damage and a useful debuff that can hinder enemy constitution-based saves. It is particularly effective for characters who frequently engage in melee combat and can benefit from the increased damage output at lower health thresholds, such as Rogues or dual-wielding builds seeking to maximize offensive pressure.
