It’s difficult to pinpoint the ideal Paladin build for Battlegrounds 3, but players that wish to be both a support and a bruiser should heed my advice.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Paladin Class is among the most limited in the game since its spells and basic class characteristics are dictated by an oath they must uphold. The Paladin class uses heavy armor and has support and healing skills similar to clerics. However, if you make a mistake in combat or outside of it, you might lose access to your Oath-based capabilities, which are the foundation of any Paladin construct.
At character creation in Baldur’s Gate 3, Paladins can select from three subclasses, or Oaths: Oath of the Ancients, Oath of Devotion, and Oath of Vengeance. The Oath of Devotion is the ideal one to begin with as it bestows many more beneficial Always-Ready spells that are focused on combat. If you follow your oath, you won’t become an Oathbreaker, which is the fourth secret subclass of Paladins.
Updated by Erik Petrovich on March 8, 2024: As the game progresses, players must make several decisions in order to create the ideal Paladin build for Baldur’s Gate 3. When leveling a Paladin, one of the decisions that has the most influence is feat selection, which is done on a frequent basis. Players should prioritize fighting and ability-oriented feats while building the strongest Paladin construct; avoid selecting feats that boost your out-of-combat talents. The greatest Baldur’s Gate 3 Paladin build isn’t as much influenced by feats that raise your skill checks and other roleplaying abilities as it is by the choices that are suggested.
Overview & Introduction to the Paladin Class
Paladin Playstyle & Signature Abilities
The Paladin proved to be the game’s most popular class over its launch weekend according to Larian Studios. Indeed, the class is impressively versatile and powerful, almost no matter which way one takes the class. The one condition of playing a Paladin is that RP can often be affected by one’s chosen Oath. Paladins are the only class that must abide by their Oath, chosen at character creation, in all situations. If they break their chosen Oath’s tenets, they may become an Oathbreaker, a secret fourth unlockable subclass for the Paladin.
Three special abilities are gained by the class at varying degrees by paladins. Paladins may cast the spell Lay on Hands, which is limited by Lay on Hands charges and can heal or cure sickness and poison ailments, during Character Creation. They also acquire Channel Oath charges and abilities, which power special capabilities associated with one’s selected Oath. In Baldur’s Gate 3, Paladins are the strongest option for a Tank and Support combination as they acquire the Aura of Protection feature at Level 6.
Paladin Subclasses
- Oath of the Ancients: Nature-oriented Oath that grants a selection of Druid-like abilities. Focuses on supporting allies and controlling enemies.
- Oath of Devotion: Classic Holy warrior with both damaging and supporting abilities, especially for nearby allies. Grants a number of always-prepared Holy spells.
- Oath of Vengeance: Damage-oriented melee fighter with some debuffing capabilities and access to Misty Step.
- Oathbreaker: Automatically unlocks upon breaking your Oath as a paladin. Necromantic, Curse, and other spells of darkness and control unlock, replacing other Oath spells.
Paladin Class Proficiencies
- Paladin Armor Proficiencies: Light Armor, Medium Armor, Heavy Armor, & Shields
- Paladin Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Weapons & Martial Weapons
- Paladin Saving Throws: Wisdom & Charisma
- Paladin Skill Proficiency Choices: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion
Paladin Class Features – Level By Level
| Class Feature | Proficiency Bonus | |
|---|---|---|
| Paladin Lvl 1 | Lay On Hands Charges: 3Subclass/Oath ChoiceChannel OathActionOptions unlock based on Subclass/Oath choiceDivine SenseBonus ActionGain Advantage against Celestials, Fiends, & Undead | +2 |
| Paladin Lvl 2 | SpellcastingFighting Style ChoiceDivine SmiteActionDeals extra 2d8 Radiant damage for a Spell Slot | +2 |
| Paladin Lvl 3 | Divine HealthPassive AbilityPaladin becomes immune to Disease | +2 |
| Paladin Lvl 4 | Lay On Hands Charges: 4Feat Choice | +2 |
| Paladin Lvl 5 | Extra AttackCan take another attack without spending an Action after an attack | +3 |
| Paladin Lvl 6 | Aura of ProtectionPassive Ability (must be enabled)Adds CHA modifier as bonus to Saving Throw rolls for nearby allies | +3 |
| Paladin Lvl 7 | Subclass Feature | +3 |
| Paladin Lvl 8 | Feat Choice | +3 |
| Paladin Lvl 9 | Subclass Feature | +4 |
| Paladin Lvl 10 | Lay On Hands Charges: 5Aura of CouragePassive Ability (must be enabled)Nearby allies cannot be Frightened | +4 |
| Paladin Lvl 11 | Divine Smite ImprovementAdds another 1d8 Radiant damage | +4 |
| Paladin Lvl 12 | Feat Choice | +4 |
Paladin Spell Slots & Prepared Spells – Level By Level
| Prepared Spells | Lvl 1 Slots | Lvl 2 Slots | Lvl 3 Slots | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paladin Lvl 1 | 1 + CHA modifier | – | – | – |
| Paladin Lvl 2 | 2 + CHA modifier | 2 | – | – |
| Paladin Lvl 3 | 3 + CHA modifier | 3 | – | – |
| Paladin Lvl 4 | 4 + CHA modifier | 3 | – | – |
| Paladin Lvl 5 | 5 + CHA modifier | 4 | 2 | – |
| Paladin Lvl 6 | 6 + CHA modifier | 4 | 2 | – |
| Paladin Lvl 7 | 7 + CHA modifier | 4 | 3 | – |
| Paladin Lvl 8 | 8 + CHA modifier | 4 | 3 | – |
| Paladin Lvl 9 | 9 + CHA modifier | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Paladin Lvl 10 | 10 + CHA modifier | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Paladin Lvl 11 | 11 + CHA modifier | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Paladin Lvl 12 | 12 + CHA modifier | 4 | 3 | 3 |
Best BG3 Paladin Build: Oath of Devotion Overview
What Makes the Best BG3 Paladin Subclass, Oath of Devotion?
The Devotion Oath The Paladin is a formidable weapon with devastating damage output, healing assistance, and buffs. Being the only Class constrained by roleplay is the price paid for having such a diverse and well-rounded class. Paladins are required to abide by their Oath; for example, the Oath of Devotion forbids players from attacking innocent people, abandoning those in need, or tricking their opponents to get the upper hand in battle. These are the warriors of a higher order, the “true” paladins, whose powers are physically linked to this pledge.
They are excellent in close quarters combat, particularly when there is another friendly melee fighter nearby to benefit from the Paladin’s close-quarters assistance and boosts (as well as Lay on Hands’ restricted range). Oath of Devotion Paladins’ first Channel Oath ability, Holy Rebuke, which does damage to melee enemies, is unlocked at Level 1. At Level 3, Turn the Unholy and Sacred Weapon become new Channel Oaths that contribute CHA to Attack rolls. In addition, Oath of Devotion Paladins receive Sanctuary, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Evil and Good, and Silence that is always ready by Level 5.
Because of their powerful healing spells and wide range of weapon and armor proficiencies, which make them more adaptable than pure Caster support classes, this is one of the greatest Paladin BG3 setups. However, the rest of the group may become chaotic if the Oath of Devotion Paladin fails.
Oath of Devotion Subclass Features – Level By Level
| Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 1 | Channel Oath Abilities: Holy RebukeDeals 1d4 Radiant damage to melee attackers |
|---|---|
| Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 3 | Channel Oath AbilitiesSacred Weapon: Adds CHA modifier to Attack rollsTurn the Unholy: turns Fey and FiendsAlways Prepared Level 1 Oath SpellsProtection from Evil and GoodSanctuary |
| Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 5 | Always Prepared Level 2 Oath SpellsLesser RestorationSilence |
| Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 7 | Aura of DevotionPassive Ability (must be enabled)Nearby allies cannot be Charmed |
| Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 9 | Always Prepared Level 3 Oath SpellsRemove CurseBeacon of Hope |
Best BG3 Paladin Build: Roleplay & Character Creation Choices
Githyanki is the best BG3 Paladin Race.
Thanks to its very potent racial skills and passives, the Githyanki race is one of Baldur’s Gate 3’s unsung heroes. They may be ugly, but it’s difficult to disagree with a free Misty Step at Level 5. In fact, Githyanki can use this spell once every extended rest at Level 5, in addition to Level 3’s Enhance Jump and Level 1’s enhanced Mage Hand. Paladins may easily enter and exit combat with these skills, and Mage Hand can be used to divert opponents.
But in addition to these potent perks, Githyanki also acquire the immensely potent Astral Knowledge talent. The player will become proficient in every skill associated with a certain Ability (such as athletics and the strength skill) until the following extended rest. Githyanki Paladins are among the finest party members for dice rolls in discourse when combined with their own naturally high Charisma.
A melee support role like as the Oath of Devotion Paladin may benefit from other races’ higher HP or Strength, but this one skill will open up a lot more doors, both literally and figuratively.
The Greatest BG3 Paladin Backgrounds: Folk Hero or Noble
Due to their Oath, Paladins are more likely than other classes to provide inspirational moments; after all, the class three Oath choices essentially require players to portray nice guys. Therefore, pick a Background (like the Noble or Folk Hero) that may capitalize on this inclination.
Nobles become skilled at persuasion and history, and they frequently become inspired when they engage with strong, recognizable Sword Coast characters like Ketheric or His Majesty, the hairless cat, or when they carry out heroic deeds like attempting to save the Duke from the burning building.
Folk Heroes, on the other hand, become skilled in the handling and survival of animals and get inspired when they do acts of heroism, although in a more mythological and limited sense. Examples of these actions include liberating the Hag’s thralls, rescuing named NPCs, and providing various forms of assistance to the poor and defenseless.
The two greatest BG3 Paladin skill sets are persuasion and insight.
The Paladin’s proficiencies will include Persuasion if they select the Noble background. Choose between Insight and Religion from the remaining Class proficiencies; nevertheless, if you want to become a genuine Holy fighter, Religion might be useful.
However, if you choose the Folk Hero background, choose Persuasion and Insight from the Paladin beginning skill list. Gaining proficiency in the Insight and Persuasion talents is highly recommended for almost all characters that have access to them, since they are often utilized in dialogue tests throughout Guild Wars 3.