Features in Baldur’s Gate 3 are special abilities available to a select number of classes, subclasses, and races. Not to be confused with Traits that are purely defined by your race.
Unarmored Defense is a unique Class Feature available to all Barbarians and Monks (should they choose to make use of it). Lean into your animalistic side or embrace the Kung Fu and forgo armor entirely and still get incredible decent defenses.
Updated by Hamza Haq on August 21, 2023: New links have been incorporated into the content to reflect the most recent information available for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Which Classes Get Unarmored Defense?
Only two classes get access to Unarmored Defense
All subclasses of Barbarians and Monks get access to this class feature, as they all learn it at level 1. Unarmored Defense essentially makes it so that Barbarians and Monks get an AC (Armour Class) bonus when not wearing armor. The specifics of the ability are different for both classes.
Barbarian’s Unarmored Defense
Barbarians add their Constitution (CON) modifier + their Dexterity (DEX) modifier + their base AC (10) to their overall AC. For example, if a Barbarian has 12 Dexterity and 17 Constitution, their armor class would be 10 + 1 (DEX modifier) + 3 (CON modifier) = 14 AC.
Monk’s Unarmored Defense
Monks add their Wisdom (WIS) modifier + their Dexterity (DEX) modifier + their base AC (10) to their overall AC. For example, if a Monk has 12 Dexterity and 18 Wisdom, their armor class would be 10 + 1 (DEX modifier) + 4 (WIS modifier) = 15 AC.
Unarmored Defense is not negated by Clothes, rings, necklaces, or items that don’t have the “Armor” denomination. Barbarians and Monks can still use Armor Dye on Clothes to customize their look.
To activate this class feature, your character needs to be completely devoid of armor. That means no helmets or accessories that say have the word ‘armor’ anywhere in their description.
Does Unarmored Defense Stack?
Unfortunately, as per the D&D ruleset, Unarmored Defenses do not stack for any reason. If you pick a Monk and multiclass into Barbarian, you will only get access to Monk’s version of Unarmored Defense. The opposite is also true; Barbarians multiclassing into Monks retain Barbarians’ version of Unarmored Defense.
Unarmored Defense is not negated by Clothes, rings, necklaces, or items that don’t have the “Armor” denomination. Barbarians and Monks can still use Armor Dye on Clothes to customize their look.