Why Play a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?

The Paladin is one of the most powerful and versatile classes in Baldur's Gate 3. Combining heavy armor proficiency, powerful melee attacks, healing spells, and the legendary Divine Smite, Paladins can fill the role of tank, damage dealer, and support all at once. This guide builds the most effective Paladin for both combat dominance and role-playing depth.

Choosing Your Subclass (Sacred Oath)

Your Sacred Oath defines your Paladin's identity and unlocks unique abilities. Here's how the three main options compare:

Oath Playstyle Best For
Oath of Devotion Balanced, protective warrior New players, support roles
Oath of the Ancients Nature-themed, resistance-heavy Survivability, tanking
Oath of Vengeance Aggressive, damage-focused hunter Pure damage, boss kills

Recommended pick: Oath of Vengeance. The bonus spells (Bane, Hunter's Mark, Hold Person) and Channel Divinity options make you a terrifying single-target destroyer. Hold Person combined with Divine Smite while a target is paralyzed results in automatic critical hits — the highest burst damage in the game.

Optimal Ability Score Distribution

Using the Standard Array or Point Buy at character creation, prioritize these scores:

  • Strength: 17 — Your primary attack stat; bump to 18 at level 4 with Ability Score Improvement.
  • Constitution: 14 — Essential for concentration spells and hit points.
  • Charisma: 14 — Powers your Aura of Protection (adds CHA modifier to all saving throws nearby).
  • Dexterity: 10 — You'll be in heavy armor, so Dex matters less.
  • Wisdom: 10, Intelligence: 8 — Dump these safely.

Level-by-Level Progression Highlights

  1. Level 1: Divine Smite comes online. Start using spell slots to smite on every hit opportunity.
  2. Level 2: Choose Divine Smite and access to Fighting Style — pick Great Weapon Fighting for two-handers or Defense for +1 AC.
  3. Level 4: First Ability Score Improvement — take Ability Score Improvement to bring Strength to 18, or consider the Polearm Master feat for bonus attacks.
  4. Level 5: Extra Attack activates. Now you attack twice per action AND smite on each.
  5. Level 6: Aura of Protection — arguably the best level-up in the game. All nearby allies add your Charisma modifier to saving throws.

Multiclassing Option: Paladin/Warlock (Padlock Build)

The classic "Padlock" multiclass (6 Paladin / 6 Warlock) is devastatingly effective. Here's why: Warlock spell slots are short-rest recoverable and always cast at the highest available level. Since Divine Smite uses spell slots, you effectively get unlimited high-damage smites with frequent short rests. Add Eldritch Blast as a ranged backup and the Pact of the Blade for Charisma-based melee attacks.

Best Spells to Prepare

  • Bless — Concentration spell that adds 1d4 to attack rolls and saving throws for three allies. Game-changing.
  • Shield of Faith — +2 AC concentration buff; great for tanking specific encounters.
  • Wrathful Smite / Thunderous Smite — Smite spells that add crowd control on top of damage.
  • Misty Step — Teleport for gap-closing and escaping grapples.

With this build, you'll be an unstoppable force on the battlefield while having meaningful dialogue options throughout the story. Remember: breaking your Oath turns you into an Oathbreaker Paladin — which is also genuinely fun to explore.