Baldur's Gate 3: Paladin - best build Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough

Pladins are sanctified warriors supported by the intercession of divine beings. On this guide page you will learn how to build a paladin class to get the best results in battle.

Last update: 27 November 2023

Paladin is a class that is mainly focused on close combat. A properly developed build allows your character to endure a lot of damage and deal a considerable amount of it. From this guide, you will learn how to use class abilities, which feats to buy, and which subclass to choose to make your Paladin the strongest in the game.

• Character creation wizard
• Class progression
• Ilithild Powers
• Party members - their skills and spells
• Equipment and bonuses from it
• Consumables

Character creation wizard

As with the Warrior and Barbarian, the best class for a Paladin is Half-Orc. His abilities are perfect for a character engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Inflicting additional damage with a Critical Hit and regaining 1HP upon being knocked down are too good skills to skip.

In the case of background, it is worth considering Noble, thanks to which you will gain Proficiency in Persuasion that scales with your Charisma - one of the most vital attributes for a Paladin.

Class progression

1. At the first level, unlike some classes, Paladin instantly chooses his subclass called Oath. This guide describes the build for the Oath of Vengeance, which is the strongest one available. Additionally, a Paladin at the first level receives a healing ability called Lay on Hands. You will also receive the Divine Sense, providing an advantage on attacks against celestial, fiends, and undead as a bonus action. Inquisitor's Might is an ability that causes a character's weapon to deal an additional 2 points of Radiant damage.

1. The second level involves choosing spells, fighting style, and the Divine Smite ability. As for the fighting style, choose Great Weapon Fighting, which provides higher damage when using two-handed weapons. In turn, Divine Smite allows you to deal additional Radiant damage if you hit an opponent in exchange for your spell slot.
2. Level three gives you another spell slot for first-level spells, one additional prepared spell, a Divine Health ability that keeps your character from getting sick, and two subclass abilities - Abjure Enemy and Vow of Enmity. The first one is action allowing you to frighten the opponent. The second is a bonus action providing an advantage in the next attack.
3. The fourth level is Feat and another charge of Lay on Hands. For feat, it is best to choose ability improvement, in this case, Strength.
4. Level five will grant you an additional attack - an ability that will double your effectiveness in combat.
5. On the sixth level, you will get Aura of Protection, which causes allies within a radius of three meters to gain a bonus equal to your Charisma modifier for Saving Throws.
6. At level seven, you get the subclass feature - Relentless Avenger, which means that if you hit an opponent with an Opportunity Attack, you will receive a speed bonus of 4.5 m in the next turn.
7. The eighth level is another Feat - in this case, it is recommended to take Great Weapon Master, which will allow you to deal a bonus of 10 damage in exchange for a penalty of -5 to attack roll.
8. The ninth level is bonus spells.
9. The tenth level provides another charge for Lay on Hands and Aura of Courage ability. It makes you and your allies immune to the effect of Frightened status.
10. On the eleventh level, you receive an Improved Divine Smite, which makes your attacks deal an additional 1d8 Radiant damage.
11. The last level is a Feat - you can take Tough for an extra 24 HP or Savage Attacker if you feel like you need to deal more damage.

Ilithild Powers

Don't be afraid to unlock and use these skills - focus especially on Cull the Weak, Repulsor and Black Hole. Unleashing the full power of Ilithild Powers doesn't affect the character negatively, so leave all tadpoles for yourself.

Party members - their skills and spells

As a Paladin, you can be a one-man army, but if you want to increase your team potential, add a Rogue or a Bard to the party, thanks to which you will be able to use the skill Sleight of Hand. Additionally, Bard will provide access to unique support spells.

On the other hand, if you need more ranged damage, then a Wizard, Sorcerer, or Warlock will definitely be suitable for this task.

In the case of spells, during the game, you should focus on three of them - Hunter's Mark, Shield of Faith, and Haste. Hunter's Mark is a bonus action and increases the damage you deal. The Shield of Faith provides a bonus of 2 to AC, and Haste gives an additional action - however, you only unlock these at the ninth level.

Equipment and bonuses from it

As a Paladin, you are tough and deal a lot of damage, but one of the biggest problems is the lack of mobility. Be sure to obtain the Amulet of Misty Step in the first act in the Goblin Camp.

Additionally, in the Underdark, at the Selunite Outpost, you will find the Helmet of Smiting, which means that when you apply an effect with one of your Smites, you receive bonus HP in the form of a Charisma bonus.

As for weapons, complete the first part of the quest for Karlach to defeat the false paladins. One of them will have the Sword of Justice, which grants free use of the Shield of Faith.

At the end of the game, aim for Balduran's Giantslayer - a legendary two-handed sword that doubles the bonus from Strength to damage, and Helldusk Armor, which provides a base 21AC, the ability to fly, and resistance to fire.

Consumables

Below you will find a list of consumables that will make your Paladin even stronger.

1. Oil of Accuracy - provides +2 to Attack Rolls.
2. Elixir of Heroism - gives additional 10HP temporarily and applies "Blessed" status.
3. Potion of Flying - additional mobility is something that is always needed.
4. Potion of Hill Giant Strength - perfect if you don't have 20 Strength yet.
5. Elixir of Vigilance - provides +5 to Initiative, make sure to drink it before tougher battles.