Bane every time you attack in Baldur's Gate 3 explained

Baldur's gate 3 Goblin leaders
(Image credit: Larian Studios)

Without a Mark of the Absolute, the Gloves of Power inflict Bane whenever you attack in BG3. These early-game gloves give you a boost to your attacks if you have been blessed by Priestess Gut, one of the three Goblin Leaders in BG3. They're only really useful if you've let yourself be branded with the Absolute's mark, since if you haven't, items like the Gloves of Power will punish you for your lack of faith. They do make great food for Gale's voracious magical appetites, though.

Bane deducts 1d4 from attacks and saving throws when you're affected by it, but it's also a rare enough spell that it can seem like it's happening for no reason. Actually, there is a cause for it, and it's one of the first magic items you'll get in Baldur's Gate 3. We'll explain why it's affecting you with the Bane spell in BG3, how you can stop it, and what the other effects of these gloves are.

Recent updates

Since Baldur's Gate 3 has entered its full release, the Gloves of Power no longer inflict the Bane Status on players and characters wearing it without the brand of the Absolute. The information on this guide applies to pre-release versions of the game, but not the current build.

Why am I getting Bane every time I attack in Baldur's Gate 3?

Finding the Gloves of Power in Baldur's Gate 3

(Image credit: Larian Studios)

As mentioned, the reason the Bane spell is affecting you each time you attack in Baldur's Gate 3 is almost certainly because you have the Gloves of Power equipped on your character. These magic gloves are obtained from the goblins attacking the Druid Grove, the first major friendly area and where to go after the crashed ship in Baldur's Gate 3.

The effect of the Gloves of Power are as follows:

  • Absolute's Bane: When the wearer hits a creature with a weapon attack, it receives a -1d4 penalty to attack rolls and saving throws. The same penalty applies to anyone using these gloves without bearing the Absolute's Brand.

Obviously, it's the second part of this that's the issue - the Brand is a specific mark that has to be obtained from Priestess Gut, who dwells as one of the leaders in the Shattered Sanctum in the Baldur's Gate 3 Goblin Camp. To get it, you'll need to get into the camp by talking your way in, which the guide above will explain how to do. Then speak to Priestess Gut and she'll offer you the Brand of the Absolute. Alternatively, you can use items like this for Gale - who can get a very specific function out of them.

© 12DOVE. Not to be reproduced without permission

Joel Franey
Guides Writer

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.

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