The Gloves of the Automaton are a magic item you can get in Baldur’s Gate 3 that enhances the Strength of whoever wields them, along with a powerful Class Action ability. Gauntlets and other hand armor in this massive RPG aren’t anything special, with very few options other than simple protection. This makes the Automaton gloves a unique item to find as a reward for keeping an often-overlooked friendship forged in your travels.
Those who rely on at least one martial character in their party should consider hunting down the Gloves of the Automaton, since this artifact works best on someone who fights up close. The Fighter, Barbarian, Paladin, and Monk class in Baldur’s Gate 3 wield this item the best due to the gauntlets’ boons to Strength. Companions like Karlach or Lae’Zel could use the gloves effectively if your custom character can’t.
Finding the Gloves of the Automaton
The Gloves of the Automaton are sold by an NPC named Barcus Wroot, a gnome kidnapped by goblins in Act 1 that can be saved before they sell the armor piece in Act 2. You will find Wroot for the first time tied to a windmill as goblins in Baldur’s Gate 3 mock him spinning around on the blades. Either killing the goblins or convincing them to leave lets you activate the windmill brake to free the gnome, who leaves after a short conversation.
Barcus Wroot leaves a backpack filled with items that you and your party can collect after you free him from the windmill. You might see to the right of the windmill in a nearby cellar.
The next time you’ll see Barcus Wroot is at the Grymforge, a large dungeon where many gnomes have been captured by Duergar, or dark dwarves. Siding with the Absolute here kills every gnome, preventing you from ever getting the Gloves of the Automaton. Make sure to free every gnome to finally earn Wroot’s trust, which gives you the choice to have him return to your Camp in Baldur’s Gate 3.
From here, proceed to Act 2 where Barcus Wroot becomes a vendor at the Last Light Inn, a refuge from the Shadow Curse in Baldur’s Gate 3 that plagues the land. There are plenty of items for sale with Wroot, including the Gloves of the Automaton. While you could pay 900 Gold for this magical armor piece, those with a high enough Sleight of Hand score could also steal the gloves if they want.
Using the Gloves of the Automaton
When you equip the Gloves of the Automaton, you automatically have +1 on Strength saving throws, and have access to a Class Action ability called Circuitry Interface. When you use this trait as a bonus action, the character wielding the gloves gains advantage on all weapon attacks for the next 10 turns. Most combat encounters barely reach 7 turns, making this magic excellent to use once per short rest in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Activating Circuitry Interface also makes your character considered a construct until the effect wears off, in addition to lightning resistance against electric attacks. Spells like Shocking Grasp will only deal half damage to whatever character is wearing the gloves when its ability is active. When you get the Gloves of the Automaton in Baldur’s Gate 3, make sure to attack it to a character who may be exposed to that damage type more.
Franchise: Baldur’s Gate
Platform(s): macOS, Microsoft Windows
Released: 2023-08-31
Developer(s): Larian Studios
Publisher(s): Larian Studios
Genre(s): RPG
Multiplayer: Larian Studios
ESRB: M
Summary: Baldur’s Gate 3 is a long-anticipated sequel to Baldur’s Gate 2, released in 2000 from BioWare and now being handled by Larian Studios. Set 120 years after the events of Shadows of Amn, Baldur’s Gate 3 puts players in the role of a customizable protagonist who has been captured and infected with a parasite that will turn them into a mind flayer. Before the process is complete, the ship they are on crashes, leaving them on a quest to cure themselves as they meet up with other survivors. Gameplay is turn-based and can be played co-operatively online or tackled alone in a single-player campaign with NPC allies.
How Long To Beat: 22h 21m
Prequel: Baldur’s Gate 2
