By
Em Stonham,Brandon Rad,WizardPhD,+27 more
updated
Paladin is a playable class in Baldur’s Gate 3. This guide will provide an overview of this supportive class, including Paladin subclass options, class features, and class actions in BG3.
“Fuelled by the Oaths you swore to uphold justice and righteousness, you are a beacon of hope in dark times.”
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Paladin Class Features
Class features are benefits to your character. As a Paladin, you gain the following class features:
- Lay on Hands: Use your blessed touch to heal a creature or cure it of all diseases and poisons.
- Divine Sense: Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against celestials, fiends, and undead.
- Channel Oath Charges: 1: You gain the ability to channel the power contained in your Paladin Oath, which you can use to fuel certain actions.
Paladin Proficiencies
Weapon and armour proficiencies do not impose disadvantage on Attack rolls or prevent the casting of spells.
Paladins are proficient with the following Weapons:
- Simple Weapons
- Martial Weapons
Paladins are proficient with the following Armour:
- Light Armour
- Medium Armour
- Heavy Armour
- Shields
Additionally, Paladins may choose two skill proficiencies from the list below. You cannot choose a skill that already has proficiency from your Background or Race.
- Athletics
- Religion
- Insight
- Medicine
- Intimidation
- Persuasion
Skill proficiency adds a bonus to those skill checks, making you more likely to succeed.
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Best Feats for Paladins
The Paladin is an excellent front-line fighter. Paladins tend to have high AC, lots of hit points, and defensive spells that further enhance their survivability. The following are the best feats to make the most of the Paladin's substantial abilities.
| Best Feats for Paladins | |
|---|---|
| Charger | You gain Charger: Weapon Attack and Charger: Shove. |
| Heavy Armor Master | Your Strength increases by 1, to a maximum of 20. Incoming damage from non-magical attacks also decreases by 3 while you're wearing armor. |
| Shield Master | You gain a +2 bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws while wielding a shield. If a spell forces you to make a Dexterity Saving Throw, you can use a reaction to shield yourself and diminish the effect's damage. On a failed Saving Throw, you only take half damage. On a successful Saving Throw, you don't take any damage. |
Paladin Subclasses
At character creation, choose one of the following subclasses:
- Oath of the Ancients
- Oath of Devotion
- Oath of Vengeance
- Oathbreaker (available only after character creation)
Oath of the Ancients Features
"You fight on the side of light in the cosmic struggle against darkness to preserve the sanctity of life and the beauty of nature."
In addition to Paladin class features, Oath of the Ancients has the following subclass features:
- Healing Radiance: Heal yourself and all nearby allies for 5 hit points. Regain another 5 hit points next turn.
Oath of the Ancients paladins abide by the following tenets:
- Kindle the Light. Through acts of kindness, enkindle the light of hope in the bleakest hollows of despair.
- Shelter the Light. Where love blooms, stand against the devilry that would snip its stem.
- Preserve Your Own Light. Delight in culture and small joys to preserve the light in your own heart.
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Oath of Devotion Features
"Following the ideal of the knight in shining armour, you act with honour and virtue to protect the weak and pursue the greater good."
In addition to Paladin class features, Oath of Devotion has the following subclass features:
- Holy Rebuke: Grant an ally a vengeful aura that deals 1-4 Radiant damage to anyone who hits them with a melee attack.
Oath of Devotion paladins abide by the following tenets:
- Courage. Stride dauntlessly into action.
- Compassion. Show clemency when prudent, and lend your arm to those in need.
- Duty. Tend your responsibilities, obey just laws, and support those entrusted to your care.
Oath of Vengeance Features
"You have set aside even your own purity to right wrongs and deliver justice to those who have committed the most grievous sins."
In addition to Paladin class features, Oath of Vengeance has the following subclass features:
- Inquisitor’s Might: You or an ally’s weapon attacks deal an additional 2 Radiant damage and can daze enemies for 1 turn.
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Oath of Vengeance paladins abide by the following tenets:
- Fight the Greater Evil. Exerting your wisdom, identify the higher morality in any given instance, and fight for it.
- No Mercy for the Wicked. Chasten those who dole out their villainy by wiping their blight from the world forever.
Oathbreaker Features
"You have broken your sacred Oath in pursuit of power and ambition. Only darkness remains to fuel you now."
Oathbreaker is a hidden subclass that triggers when you break your oath. You cannot choose the Oathbreaker subclass in character creation because you need an oath first in order to break it.
Find out more about How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin from our full guide!
Once you break your oath, the Oathbreaker Knight will appear and temporarily prevent you from using your channel oath abilities. Speak with him to unlock the Oathbreaker subclass and replace your previous channel oath abilities with the following features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Spiteful Suffering (at Level 1) | Steep an enemy in the darkness that churns within you. The target takes 1d4 + Charisma Modifier Necrotic damage each turn and Attack Rolls against it have Advantage. |
| Control Undead (at Level 3) | Use the power of your Oath to gain control over an undead creature. The undead will follow you around and attack your enemies. The target's level must be lower than yours. |
| Dreadful Aspect (at Level 3) | Let your darkest emotions burst forth as a menacing pulse to Frighten nearby enemies. |
Up Next: How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin
Top Guide Sections
- Beginner's Guide - Essential Tips and Tricks
- Walkthrough
- Things to Do First
- Things Baldur's Gate 3 Doesn't Tell You
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