The best Baldur’s Gate 3 Paladin build turns one of the most popular BG3 classes into an exceptional jack-of-all-trades. Paladins can withstand most attacks, support party members, distract enemies, and even take down the toughest foes. Navigating its subclasses is a little tricky, although if you end up as an Oathbreaker, it’s not exactly the end of the world. The Paladin is ideal for players of all skill levels, and our BG3 Paladin build guide explains how to get the most out of it.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Paladin overview
Paladins are as close to a tank class as you’ll get in Baldur’s Gate 3. They excel at close-range combat with heavy weapons, can wear all armor types, and have some moderate spellcasting utility. Paladins are also capable of light healing and deal with the undead quite well.
This class is unique in BG3 in that your choices determine what subclass you stay in. You might start as an Oath of the Ancients devotee, for example, but if you go against that oath – by acting cruelly toward others, for example – you lose access to that subclass and remain an Oathbreaker until you find a way to fix it.
Subclass nuance aside, if you’re new to D&D-style combat and want a class that’s easy to understand and get going with, the Paladin is for you.
BG3 Paladin build - Best Paladin stats and proficiencies
Here’s what the Paladin starts with.
- Paladin weapon proficiencies: Simple weapons, martial weapons
- Paladin armor proficiencies: Light armor, medium armor, heavy armor, shields
- Paladin skill proficiencies (choose 2): Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion
- Paladin saving throws: Wisdom, Charisma
The best proficiencies to choose depend on which race and background you pick. Intimidation and Persuasion are always strong choices, since both let you handle pretty much any social situation with ease. If you opt for a race or background that has one of those built in, then Insight and Athletics are the two best alternatives.
Paladin stats
- Strength: 17
- Dexterity: 10
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 10
- Charisma: 15
Paladin skills scale on strength and charisma. Strength is already pretty high to begin with, so we recommend only adding +1 or +2 to that. Split your remaining points between constitution – which governs your HP – and charisma.
BG3 Paladin build - Best Paladin Oath subclass
Oath of Devotion is your best pick. While it’s easier to stay on track with Oath of Vengeance, the Devotion subclass gives you a solid mix of support and offensive skills. Just make sure to treat everyone fairly, and you’ll be in good shape.
Oath of Vengeance has slightly less to offer, though it gives you more freedom to act in, if not evil ways, then ways that are slightly less than morally sound.
BG3 Paladin build - Best Paladin race and background
There’s a broad range of possibilities for your Paladin’s race. Half-Orc is popular for tank builds, since it comes with strong Darkvision, an attribute that lets you survive a fatal blow, and proficiency in intimidation, the latter of which frees you to pick a background that grants you proficiency in some other skill.
Zariel Tiefling is another solid choice. While you miss out on special attributes like the Half-Orc has, you gain two powerful attacks – Branding Smite and Searing Smite, both of which suit the Paladin’s abilities well.
As for background, Guild Artisan gives you insight and persuasion, both of which would complement choices in athletics and intimidation. Solider is another popular pick, since it gives you athletics and intimidation.
BG3 Paladin build - Best Paladin spells and skills
Divine Smite, a skill you learn at level two, is the cornerstone of any Paladin build. It’s where most of your damage comes from, and it’s particularly useful in Act 2, when you face the undead in greater number.
Best level 1 spells for Paladin
- Protection from Good and Evil
- Bless
- Thunderous Smite
- Compelled Duel
Thunderous Smite deals thunder damage and pushes foes away, while Compelled Duel makes them focus on you. Bless powers up several allies. Protection from Good and Evil has its uses in places such as Auntie Ethel’s lair, though if you’re not bothered by dealing with charm or fear, you could replace it with Favor. Favor lets your strikes deal extra Radiant damage
Best level 2 spells for Paladin
- Silence
- Magic Weapon
- Lesser Restoration
Enemy magic users are a nightmare, and silence gives you a chance to render them harmless while you deal with other threats. Magic Weapon boosts your weapon’s power, and Lesser Restoration removes certain status ailments from your allies – not a huge problem in Act 1, but a helpful support option in Act 2.
Best level 3 spells for Paladin
- Warden of Vitality
- Crusader’s Mantle
- Beacon of Hope
I opted for a support build here. Warden of Vitality lets you cast a healing spell as a bonus action, and Beacon of Hope ensures your allies will recover the maximum amount of healing possible from any healing spell. Crusader’s Mantle adds some extra Radiant damage to your allies’ weapon attacks.
BG3 Paladin build - Best Paladin feats
Here’s what you should prioritize for your feats.
- Level 4 feat: Ability Improvement (enhance stats)
- Level 8 feat: Savage Attacker (lets you roll two attack dice and pick the highest number)
- Level 12 feat: Athlete (raises strength)
If you’re playing on PC and want to spice up your adventure, check out our roundup of the best BG3 mods.
Written by Josh Broadwell on behalf of GLHF
