Paladins are quite the amazing class, both in D&D and Baldur’s Gate 3. They act as the party’s support, but also as a tank and hard-hitter. You must follow your Oath, unless you become the Oathbreaker subclass. With four subclasses and the possibility of multiclassing, the builds could be endless. To make your life easier, here are six of the best Paladin builds for Baldur’s Gate 3.
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Baldur’s Gate 3: 6 best Paladin builds
There are numerous differing Paladin builds you can create depending on your subclass, or if you’ve chosen to multiclass. Keep in mind that although your Paladin build may not be like these ones, that doesn’t mean it isn’t just as good. Otherwise, I’ll outline the best Paladin builds per each subclass, and then two possible Paladin multiclass builds you can try out for Baldur’s Gate 3.
Best Oath of the Ancients Paladin build in BG3
Best Ability Scores: Charisma, Constitution, Strength
Best Background: Acolyte, Folk Hero
Best Skills: Medicine, Persuasion, Perception, Athletics
| Level | Features |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Healing Radiance: Heal yourself and all nearby allies for current turn and next turn. |
| 2 | – Protection Fighting Style: When you have a shield, impose Disadvantage on enemies who attack your allies when you’re within 5 ft. |
| 3 | – Oath Spells: Speak with Animals, Ensnaring Strike – Nature’s Wrath: Restrains an enemy, imposes Advantage when attacking them. – Turn the Faithless: Turn nearby Fey and Fiends to move as far away from you as possible. |
| 4 | – Ability Improvement Feat (+2 CHA) |
| 5 | – Oath Spells: Misty Step, Moonbeam |
| 7 | – Aura of Warding: You and nearby allies have Resistance to spell damage. |
| 8 | – Choose Tough Feat: HP maximum increases by 2 per level. |
| 9 | – Oath Spells: Protection from Energy, Plant Growth |
| 12 | – Choose Shield Master Feat: Gain +2 bonus to DEX saving throws when wielding a shield. If a spell forces you to make one, use your Reaction to take half damage on a failed save, no damage on a succeeded save. |
As an Oath of the Ancients Paladin, your job is to act out of mercy and kindness to share the light of hope in the world. You’re here to stand against wickedness, and be the light for others who need your aid. Because of this, if you choose this subclass, I think focusing mostly on Feats and Skills that aid your companions will work best.
The Protection Fighting Style allows you to be up in the front of battle, while also providing protection to your allies. This couples with the Aura of Warding you get at Level 7, which helps your friends even further with spell damage Resistance. I chose Feats that would both improve your overall health, and your ability to succeed DEX saving throws with a shield. Since I chose the Tough Feat, your only Ability Score Improvement should give a +2 bonus to Charisma, as this is your spellcasting modifier.
Best Oath of Devotion Paladin build in BG3
Best Ability Scores: Charisma, Strength, Constitution
Best Background: Acolyte, Soldier
Best Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Persuasion, Insight
| Level | Features |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Holy Rebuke: Grant a vengeful aura that deals 1d4 Radiant damage to anyone who hits them with a melee attack. |
| 2 | – Great Weapon Fighting Style: When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die with a Two-Handed melee weapon, you can reroll the die once. |
| 3 | – Sacred Weapon: Adds your CHA modifier to attack rolls with your weapon. – Turn the Unholy: Turn nearby fey and fiends to move as far away from you as possible – Oath Spells: Protection from Evil and Good, Sanctuary |
| 4 | – Ability Improvement Feat (+1 CHA, +1 STR) |
| 5 | – Oath Spells: Lesser Restoration, Silence |
| 7 | – Aura of Devotion: You and nearby allies can’t be Charmed. |
| 8 | – Choose Tough Feat: HP maximum increases by 2 per level. |
| 9 | – Oath Spells: Remove Curse, Beacon of Hope |
| 12 | – Choose Great Weapon Master Feat: When an attack with a melee weapons lands a Critical Hit or kills a creature, you can make another attack as a Bonus Action. Also, when attacking with a Two-Handed or Versatile melee weapon you’re Proficient in, Attack Rolls take a -5 penalty, but damage increases by 10. |
While you’re still protecting the weak as an Oath of Devotion Paladin, it’s out of duty and honor. You must show compassion, be courageous, and show total honesty. This is a bit more of a Strength-based Paladin build than the last one, which is why I chose the Great Weapon Master and Tough Feats.
You also can’t go wrong with Great Weapon Fighting Style, so make sure this Paladin has a Two-Handed weapon at hand. I also made sure to pick Backgrounds and Skills that would more align with this type of Paladin, leaning more towards Athletics and Intimidation.
Best Oath of Vengeance Paladin build in BG3
Best Ability Scores: Charisma, Strength, Constitution
Best Background: Acolyte, Soldier
Best Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Survival, Deception
| Level | Features |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Inquisitor’s Might: You or an ally’s weapon attacks deal additional Radiant damage equal to your CHA modifier, and can Daze enemies for 2 turns. |
| 2 | – Great Weapon Fighting Style: When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die with a Two-Handed melee weapon, you can reroll the die once. |
| 3 | – Abjure Enemy: Frighten an enemy as an Action. Fiends and undead have Disadvantage on this saving throw. – Vow of Enmity: Gain Advantage on attack rolls against an enemy. – Oath Spells: Bane, Hunter’s Mark |
| 4 | – Ability Improvement Feat (+1 CHA, +1 STR) |
| 5 | – Oath Spells: Misty Step, Hold Person |
| 7 | – Relentless Avenger: If you hit an enemy with an Opportunity Attack, your movement speed increases by 15ft on your next turn. |
| 8 | – Choose Tough Feat: HP maximum increases by 2 per level. |
| 9 | – Oath Spells: Haste, Protection from Energy |
| 12 | – Choose War Caster Feat: Gain Advantage on saving throws to maintain Concentration on a spell. Also, you can use your Reaction to cast Shocking Grasp when an enemy moves out of your melee range. |
This build is a little similar to the last, but an Oath of Vengeance Paladin is a lot less merciful. You must fight the greater evil, and have no mercy for the wicked. You’re not much of a healer as this Paladin build, so I focused on Feats like War Caster and Tough.
War Caster fits perfectly with the Relentless Avenger feature, both working with Opportunity Attacks. I also kept the Great Weapon Fighting Style, and the same Ability Improvement. You can also tell by the Skills listed that this Paladin is a lot less forgiving than the other subclasses.
Best Oathbreaker Paladin build in BG3
Best Ability Scores: Charisma, Strength, Constitution
Best Background: Soldier, Criminal
Best Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Stealth, Deception
| Level | Features |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Spiteful Suffering: Enemy takes 1d4+ CHA modifier Necrotic damage each turn and Attack Rolls against it have Advantage. |
| 2 | – Defense Fighting Style: Gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class while wearing armor. |
| 3 | – Control Undead: Gain control of an undead creature. They’ll follow you around and attack your enemies. – Dreadful Aspect: Frighten nearby enemies. – Oath Spells: Hellish Rebuke, Inflict Wounds |
| 4 | – Ability Improvement Feat (+1 CHA, +1 CON) |
| 5 | – Oath Spells: Crown of Madness, Darkness |
| 7 | – Aura of Hate: You and nearby friends/undead gain additional damage to melee weapon attacks equal to your CHA modifier. |
| 8 | – Choose Heavy Armor Master Feat: Increases your Strength by 1. Also, incoming damage from non-magical attacks decreases by 3 while wearing heavy armor. |
| 9 | – Oath Spells: Bestow Curse, Animate Dead |
| 12 | – Choose War Caster Feat: Gain Advantage on saving throws to maintain Concentration on a spell. Also, you can use your Reaction to cast Shocking Grasp when an enemy moves out of your melee range. |
Here’s the most interesting and fun Paladin subclass! The Oathbreaker Paladin has no rules, because they’ve broken them all. This allows you to do some fun stuff in your build. Because the Oathbreaker has abilities that allow them to control the undead to fight for them, they don’t always have to be the one doing the fighting.
This is why I gave them the Defense Fighting Style and Heavy Armor Master Feat for extra protection. Also, War Caster allows them to keep up spells like Darkness and Bestow Curse. You can also tell from the Skills and Backgrounds that this subclass allows you to be a little more evil than normal.
Related: Best Baldur’s Gate 3 multiclass builds, ranked (BG3)
Best multiclass Paladin builds in BG3
When multiclassing in Baldur’s Gate 3, you have to be mindful of what classes fit best according to your Ability Scores. Seeing as the best Abilities for Paladins are Charisma and Strength, I have two great multiclass options. Here are the best multiclass Paladin builds in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Paladin (8) / Warlock (4)
While your main class would be Paladin, adding Warlock makes sense, since they also use Charisma for their main spellcasting Ability. Multiclassing with a Warlock makes most sense if you’re an Oathbreaker or Oath of Vengeance Paladin, as Warlocks offer darker spells, which aligns with those Paladin Oaths.
- Main Abilities: Charisma, Strength
- Best Backgrounds: Soldier, Charlatan
- Best Subclasses:
- Oathbreaker/Oath of Vengeance, The Fiend
- Best Feats: Alert, Great Weapon Master, War Caster
Paladin (8) / Fighter (4)
Are you wanting a Paladin that has a lot more kick to them? Giving them the Fighter multiclass is a good idea, especially with the Battle Master subclass. This allows your Paladin to learn Battle Maneuvers that can turn the tides of combat. With both high Charisma and Strength, alongside Feats like Savage Attacker and Great Weapon Master, this Paladin is always up in front during combat.
- Main Abilities: Charisma, Strength
- Best Backgrounds: Soldier, Outlander
- Best Subclasses:
- Oath of Devotion/Battle Master
- Best Feats: Durable, Great Weapon Master, Savage Attacker
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