Equipping an offhand weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox allows players to take advantage of dual wielding, offering more attacks per turn and new tactical possibilities in combat. While the PC version uses a drag-and-drop interface with mouse clicks, console players must rely on gamepad controls and menu navigation. Learning how to equip your offhand weapon on Xbox requires a good understanding of the inventory system, character build limitations, and the game’s dual wielding mechanics. Once mastered, this feature can greatly enhance your damage output and combat versatility.
Understanding Offhand Weapons in BG3
What Is an Offhand Weapon?
The offhand weapon refers to the secondary weapon your character can equip in the left hand, used when dual wielding. This allows for bonus attacks using your bonus action during combat. Not every character can dual wield effectively from the start, and certain requirements must be met before equipping a second weapon becomes viable.
- Offhand weapons must be light (unless you have the Dual Wielder feat)
- You must have a free bonus action to use the offhand attack in combat
- Only certain classes benefit fully from dual wielding (e.g., Ranger, Rogue, Fighter)
Make sure you understand whether your character is built to take advantage of this feature before using up equipment slots.
Prerequisites for Equipping Offhand
Basic Requirements to Dual Wield
Before attempting to equip an offhand weapon on Xbox, make sure your character meets the following conditions:
- You have two weapons of the ‘light’ category (e.g., dagger, shortsword, handaxe)
- Your character is not already using a two-handed weapon or a weapon with a shield
- Your class or build allows for bonus action attacks (or you’ve taken the Dual Wielder feat)
Once those conditions are met, you can proceed with equipping the offhand item using the game’s console interface.
Navigating Inventory on Xbox
How to Open and Use the Inventory Screen
Accessing your inventory on Xbox requires the use of the controller’s specific buttons and UI navigation. Follow these steps to get started:
- Press the Menu button (≡) on your controller to bring up the radial menu
- Select the Inventory option using the left stick
- Highlight the character you want to manage if playing with a party
You’ll see your character’s currently equipped gear, backpack contents, and item slots. The inventory UI is organized into weapon slots, armor, accessories, and consumables.
How to Equip Offhand Weapon
Step-by-Step Instructions
Once inside the inventory, here’s how you equip a weapon in your offhand slot:
- Navigate to the weapon you want to equip in your inventory (must be a light weapon)
- Highlight it using the left stick and press the A button to select it
- A sub-menu will appear with several equip options
- Choose Equip in Offhand (or similar, depending on patch/update)
- The weapon will now appear in the offhand weapon slot on your character
If the weapon can’t be equipped in the offhand due to weight class or other restrictions, the option will be greyed out or not appear at all.
Using Dual Wielding in Combat
Triggering Offhand Attacks
Equipping an offhand weapon isn’t enough you’ll also need to understand how to use it in battle. In BG3, offhand attacks use your Bonus Action. Here’s how to attack with your offhand weapon during combat:
- Start your turn and use your main hand weapon with a standard Attack Action
- Ensure you still have your Bonus Action available (not used for something else)
- Open the radial menu during combat and select the Offhand Attack option
- Target the enemy and confirm with A to complete the offhand strike
If your bonus action was used (e.g., hiding, jumping, or casting a spell), you won’t be able to use your offhand attack that turn.
Dual Wielder Feat for More Options
Expanding Weapon Compatibility
By default, only light weapons can be dual wielded in BG3. However, if you want to dual wield non-light weapons like rapiers or scimitars, you’ll need the Dual Wielder feat.
- Unlock the feat at level-up (usually level 4 or later)
- Go to the Level Up menu and select Feats
- Choose Dual Wielder to allow equipping non-light weapons in offhand
This feat also gives you a +1 bonus to AC when dual wielding, making it a valuable pick for offensive melee builds that favor survivability.
Managing Weapon Sets and Switching Loadouts
Quick Access to Different Builds
BG3 on Xbox allows players to manage weapon sets for faster switching during combat. If you like having multiple builds one for ranged combat and one for dual wielding you can prepare alternate weapons in advance:
- Equip your primary set (e.g., dual daggers)
- Scroll to the second weapon set slot in the inventory
- Equip alternate weapons like a bow or two-handed sword
- Use the D-Pad or radial menu during battle to switch sets
This allows flexibility and better control of action economy based on the situation.
Unequipping and Replacing Offhand Weapons
Making Changes to Your Loadout
If you want to remove or replace your offhand weapon, return to the inventory menu:
- Highlight the offhand weapon slot (left of your character’s hands)
- Press A to open the interaction menu
- Select Unequip to remove it or Equip Another Item to swap it
You can now replace it with another compatible item or go back to using a shield or single weapon as needed.
Best Classes for Offhand Weapon Builds
Who Benefits Most from Dual Wielding
Not every class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is optimized for dual wielding. Here are the best classes to use offhand weapons:
- Rogue: Can use bonus actions for Sneak Attack and benefit from dual strikes
- Ranger: Has access to dual wielding fighting style and high Dexterity
- Fighter: Can use Action Surge for more attacks in a single round
Combining dual wielding with class features makes these classes more deadly and mobile in battle.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Preventing Equipment Errors
New players often run into problems when trying to dual wield on Xbox. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Trying to dual wield two heavy or two-handed weapons without the correct feat
- Using your bonus action before attempting offhand attacks
- Equipping a shield and trying to dual wield at the same time
- Not checking if the weapon is classified as light
Make sure to check weapon properties and class features before building around dual wielding mechanics.
Equipping an offhand weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox is a rewarding mechanic that allows for dynamic and aggressive gameplay. By understanding the inventory system, using light weapons, and managing your bonus actions wisely, you can unleash powerful combos and optimize melee builds. With the right gear, class, and tactics, dual wielding becomes a reliable and exciting way to dominate the battlefield. Whether you’re playing a stealthy rogue or a relentless fighter, mastering the offhand slot gives you more tools to conquer every encounter in the game.