Flawed Helldusk Armor: Why Most BG3 Players Are Using It All Wrong

You've finally made it to the Last Light Inn. The Shadow-Cursed Lands are oppressive, your party is exhausted, and then you see him—Dammon. He's standing there at the forge, a familiar face from the Grove. If you’ve been hoarding Infernal Iron like a dragon, this is the moment your inventory management pays off. He offers to craft you something special. Something "hellish."

The Flawed Helldusk Armor isn't just a consolation prize for not being in Act 3 yet. It’s a mid-game powerhouse that people often dismiss because they compare it to the legendary version Raphael wears. That's a mistake. Honestly, by the time you're level 7 or 8, this set provides a utility spike that can carry a Paladin or a Fighter through the toughest fights in Moonrise Towers.

But there is a "but." A big one.

Most players just slap the chest piece on and forget about the rest. Or worse, they waste their precious iron on the wrong pieces first. If you want to actually optimize your Act 2 experience, you need to understand how this gear interacts with the mechanics of the Shadow-Cursed Lands.

How to Get the Flawed Helldusk Armor (The Right Way)

Dammon is the key. You won't find this armor in a chest or on a corpse. You have to bring him materials. Specifically, you need Infernal Iron.

If you've been thorough, you probably found your first piece in the Blighted Village basement or Dror Ragzlin’s treasure pile. Maybe you even grabbed the Infernal Alloy from the Stonemason in Grymforge. Dammon treats these as currency.

Here is the deal: he crafts the set in a specific order.

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1. The Flawed Helldusk Armor (Chest) comes first.
2. The Flawed Helldusk Helmet is second.
3. The Flawed Helldusk Gloves are the final piece.

Wait. Don't just spam the dialogue.

If you're also trying to complete Karlach’s personal quest, "The Hellion's Heart," you need to prioritize her engine upgrades. The good news? Dammon can usually do both if you have enough iron. I’ve seen players panic thinking they have to choose between Karlach’s soul and a shiny new plate. You don't. Just make sure you have at least four pieces of iron total to get the full set and her upgrades.

Where to find that "Missing" Iron

If you’re short, check the Zhentarim Hideout behind the burning inn (Waukeen's Rest). There’s a locked room in the back with a chest. Another one is often missed in the Grymforge—if you pass the checks with Kith the Stonemason, he just hands it to you. If you failed those, well, you can always try a little light pickpocketing.

Is the Flawed Helldusk Armor Actually Good?

Let’s look at the stats. It’s Heavy Armor. AC 18. That’s solid for Act 2.

The main draw is Lesser Infernal Retribution. When a foe hits you within 2 meters, they might take 1d4 Fire damage. It sounds small. But in BG3, "small" adds up, especially against mobs of low-HP shadows or Harper-turned-undead.

It also has Superior Plate, which reduces all incoming Piercing damage by 1. Again, it's not the -3 damage reduction you get from the Act 3 legendary version, but it’s enough to keep your frontliner standing when archers start spamming arrows.

The Real Stars: The Helmet and Gloves

The chest piece gets the name, but the accessories are secretly better.

• The Helmet: Gives +2 to Saving Throws against spells. In a land full of Shadow Creepers and Casters, this is a lifesaver.
• The Gloves: These are incredible. They add 1d4 Fire damage to weapon attacks and 1d4 Necrotic to unarmed strikes. If you're running a Tavern Brawler Monk or a multi-attacking Fighter, this is a flat damage buff to every single swing.

I’ve seen people argue that the Adamantine Splint Armour from the Grymforge is better because it prevents Critical Hits. They aren't wrong. If you only have one heavy armor user, stick with Adamantine. But if you have Minthara AND a Paladin main character? Give the Flawed Helldusk to the person who isn't the primary tank.

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The Confusion Between "Flawed" and "Perfect"

There is a lot of misinformation floating around about "upgrading" this set. Let's clear the air.

You cannot upgrade Flawed Helldusk Armor into the legendary Helldusk Armor. They are completely separate items. The legendary set belongs to Raphael. To get that, you have to break into the House of Hope in Act 3 and pry it off his cold, devilish ribs.

The "Flawed" version is an imitation. Dammon is a genius, but he’s working with scrap metal in a barn. He’s doing his best!

Also, don't go looking for the Flawed Helldusk Boots. They don't exist. The game files don't have them, and Dammon won't make them. The only Helldusk Boots in the game are the ones you find in Gortash’s chest in Act 3. If you want a "full set" in Act 2, you're going to have a gap in your footwear. Just use the Boots of Striding or something similar; the aesthetic matches well enough.

Strategy: Who Should Wear This?

Don't just give it to the person with the highest Strength.

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The Paladin Choice:
If your Paladin is your main damage dealer, the gloves are mandatory. The extra fire damage procs on every hit, meaning your Smites just got a little bit meaner.

The Monk Curveball:
While the chest piece is Heavy Armor (which ruins Monk movement), the Flawed Helldusk Gloves are not. A Way of the Open Hand Monk with these gloves deals Necrotic damage and can potentially cause Bleeding. It’s a fantastic way to bypass physical resistances on certain enemies.

The "Explosive Blood" Synergy:
In Act 2, you can encounter Araj Oblodra at Moonrise Towers. If you give her your blood, she can give you a potion that makes your blood literally explode when you take damage. Mix that with the Fire Retribution from the armor, and suddenly your character is a walking bomb. It’s chaotic. It’s dangerous. It’s very Baldur's Gate.

Actionable Next Steps for Your Playthrough

If you're currently staring at Dammon at the Last Light Inn, do this:

1. Count your Iron. If you have less than three, go back to the Grymforge or the Blighted Village. You want the full set for the damage bonuses.
2. Check your Proficiency. Ensure the character wearing the chest piece actually has Heavy Armor proficiency. You’d be surprised how many people put it on a Ranger or a Warlock and wonder why they can't cast spells.
3. Dye it. Seriously. The default look is a bit "rusty scrap heap." Using a Black and Furnace Red dye or a Black and Jade dye makes the "Flawed" set look nearly as intimidating as the legendary version.
4. Save your Enriched Infernal Iron. You might find "Enriched" versions of the metal later in Act 3. Dammon cannot use these for the Flawed set. Don't wait around thinking he'll make you a "Super Flawed" version. Use the regular stuff now.

The Flawed Helldusk Armor is a bridge. It’s the gear that gets you through the darkness so you can eventually face the devil himself. It’s not perfect—the name literally tells you that—but in the hands of a smart player, it's more than enough to turn the tide of the Absolute's war.