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The Paladin Class in Baldur's Gate 3 is one of the game's most restrictive, as their core Class features and spells are determined by an Oath they are bound to. The Paladin Class is a Heavy armor user with Cleric-like healing and support abilities, but make a wrong move either in or out of combat, and you might lose access to Oath-based powers, the core part of each Paladin build.

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Baldur's Gate 3: Every Paladin Subclass, Ranked

The Divine Might of the Paladin can be a great addition to any Baldur's Gate 3 Party, with each subclass offering a different Oath and set of powers.

In Baldur's Gate 3, Paladins have three subclasses, or Oaths, to choose from at character creation: Oath of the Ancients, Oath of Devotion, and Oath of Vengeance. The Oath of Devotion is the best one to start with as it grants much more useful Combat-oriented always-prepared spells. Just remember to keep to your Oath, and you won't turn into an Oathbreaker – the fourth, hidden subclass for Paladins.

Updated May 25, 2024 by Erik Petrovich: Now that Baldur's Gate 3 has been out for nearly a whole year, players have a pretty good grasp on what choices you need to make to create the best Paladin build BG3 offers. Though our recommended BG3 best Paladin build hasn't changed much, basic information on the Paladin class itself has been described in more detail below. In addition to the removal of the "guide-in-progress" warning for this guide to the best BG3 Paladin Build, this guide has been updated to include more digestible information in the Specs and Proficiencies sections. Look for more insights into the Paladin BG3 class in these sections, including a more elaborate description of what abilities and features you can use when you select your Paladin subclass.

Paladin Class Introduction & Overview

A half elf Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3

Paladin Playstyle & Signature Abilities

"Fuelled by the Oaths you swore to uphold justice and righteousness, you are a beacon of hope in dark times."

The Paladin proved to be the game's most popular class over its launch weekend, according to Larian Studios. Indeed, the class is impressively versatile and powerful, almost no matter which way one takes the class. The one condition of playing a Paladin is that RP can often be affected by one's chosen Oath. Paladins are the only class that must abide by their Oath, chosen at character creation in all situations. If they break their chosen Oath's tenets, they may become an Oathbreaker, a secret fourth unlockable subclass for the Paladin.

Paladins have three unique features that the class gains at different levels. At Character Creation, Paladins gain access to Lay on Hands, a spell that can heal or cure disease and poison afflictions and is limited by Lay on Hands charges. They also gain Channel Oath abilities and charges, which fuel unique skills related to one's chosen Oath. At Level 6, Paladins get the Aura of Protection feature, solidifying them as the best choice for a Tank and Support build in Baldur's Gate 3.

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Base Paladin Class Proficiencies: Armor, Weapons, Saving Throws, & Skill Choices

Proficiency Type

Proficiencies Granted/Choices Offered

Paladin Armor Proficiencies

  • Light Armor
  • Medium Armor
  • Heavy Armor
  • Shields

Paladin Weapon Proficiencies

  • Simple Weapons
  • Martial Weapons

Paladin Saving Throws

  • Wisdom
  • Charisma

Paladin Skill Proficiency Choices

  • Choose three of the following Skill proficiencies;
    • Athletics
    • Insight
    • Intimidation
    • Medicine
    • Persuasion
    • Religion

All Paladin Subclasses

Subclass Name

Base Spec Features

Special Spec Proficiencies

Spells & Abilities

Oath of the Ancients

  • Channel Oath: Healing Radiance
    • Bonus Action
    • Heal allies in the immediate area once now and once next turn
    • HP recovered equals Proficiency Bonus + CHA Modifier + Paladin Lvl

  • Later levels grant more CC and Utility abilities, like Turn the Faithless, Nature's Wrath, and Misty Step

N / A

N / A

Oath of Devotion

  • Channel Oath: Holy Rebuke
    • Action
    • Deals 1d4 Radiant damage to enemies that hit the Paladin with melee attacks

  • Later levels grant the Sacred Weapon Channel Oath, as well as a variety of Support/Healing abilities like Lesser Restoration and Aura of Devotion

N / A

N / A

Oath of Vengeance

  • Channel Oath: Inquisitor's Might
    • Bonus Action
    • Grant yourself or an Ally extra Radiant damage on their attacks, equal to your CHA Modifier
    • These attacks have a chance to inflict the Daze effect for two turns

  • Later levels grant more Combat-oriented abilities and Channel Oaths, like Abjure Enemy, Vow of Enmity, and Relentless Avenger

N / A

N / A

Oathbreaker

  • Channel Oath: Spiteful Suffering
    • Action
    • Deals 1d4 Necrotic damage to a target and grants Advantage against them

  • Later levels grant more Necrotic and Necromantic abilities, like Control undead, Crown of Madness, Animate Undead, and Aura of Hate

N / A

N / A

Paladin Class Features – Level By Level

Class Feature

Proficiency Bonus

Paladin Lvl 1

  • Lay On Hands Charges: 3
  • Subclass/Oath Choice
  • Channel Oath
    • Action
    • Options unlock based on Subclass/Oath choice

  • Divine Sense
    • Bonus Action
    • Gain Advantage against Celestials, Fiends, & Undead

+2

Paladin Lvl 2

  • Spellcasting
  • Fighting Style Choice
  • Divine Smite
    • Action
    • Deals extra 2d8 Radiant damage for a Spell Slot

+2

Paladin Lvl 3

  • Divine Health
    • Passive Ability
    • Paladin becomes immune to Disease

+2

Paladin Lvl 4

  • Lay On Hands Charges: 4
  • Feat Choice

+2

Paladin Lvl 5

  • Extra Attack
    • Can take another attack without spending an Action after an attack

+3

Paladin Lvl 6

  • Aura of Protection
    • Passive Ability (must be enabled)
    • Adds CHA modifier as bonus to Saving Throw rolls for nearby allies

+3

Paladin Lvl 7

  • Subclass Feature

+3

Paladin Lvl 8

  • Feat Choice

+3

Paladin Lvl 9

  • Subclass Feature

+4

Paladin Lvl 10

  • Lay On Hands Charges: 5
  • Aura of Courage
    • Passive Ability (must be enabled)
    • Nearby allies cannot be Frightened

+4

Paladin Lvl 11

  • Divine Smite Improvement
    • Adds another 1d8 Radiant damage

+4

Paladin Lvl 12

  • Feat Choice

+4

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Paladin Spell Slots & Prepared Spells – Level By Level

Prepared Spells

Lvl 1 Slots

Lvl 2 Slots

Lvl 3 Slots

Paladin Lvl 1

1 + CHA modifier

–

–

–

Paladin Lvl 2

2 + CHA modifier

2

–

–

Paladin Lvl 3

3 + CHA modifier

3

–

–

Paladin Lvl 4

4 + CHA modifier

3

–

–

Paladin Lvl 5

5 + CHA modifier

4

2

–

Paladin Lvl 6

6 + CHA modifier

4

2

–

Paladin Lvl 7

7 + CHA modifier

4

3

–

Paladin Lvl 8

8 + CHA modifier

4

3

–

Paladin Lvl 9

9 + CHA modifier

4

3

2

Paladin Lvl 10

10 + CHA modifier

4

3

2

Paladin Lvl 11

11 + CHA modifier

4

3

3

Paladin Lvl 12

12 + CHA modifier

4

3

3

Best BG3 Paladin Build: Oath of Devotion Overview

Baldurs Gate 3 Devotion Paladin Character Creation

What Makes Oath of Devotion the Best BG3 Paladin Subclass?

"Following the ideal of the knight in shining armour, you act with honour and virtue to protect the weak and pursue the greater good."

The Oath of Devotion Paladin is a powerhouse of buffs, healing support, and brutal damage output. The trade-off for such a well-rounded Class is that it is the only one restricted by roleplay. By choosing an Oath, Paladins must do everything to live by it – the Oath of Devotion means that players can't attack innocents, turn their back on those in dire need, or deceive their enemies to gain an advantage in combat. These are "true" paladins, warriors of a higher order who literally tie their powers to this promise.

They are fantastic in melee, especially with at least another allied melee fighter in range who can take advantage of the Paladin's buffs and close-range support (and the limited range of Lay on Hands). At Level 1, Oath of Devotion Paladins get their first Channel Oath ability: Holy Rebuke, which damages melee attackers. At Level 3, Sacred Weapon adds CHA to Attack rolls as a new Channel Oath, alongside Turn the Unholy. Oath of Devotion Paladins also gain Protection from Evil and Good, Sanctuary, Lesser Restoration, and Silence always, prepared by Level 5.

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This is one of the best Paladin BG3 builds because of their strong healing spells and variety of weapon and armor proficiencies, making them more versatile than pure Caster support classes. But when the Oath of Devotion Paladin goes down, the rest of the party can be thrown into disarray.

Oath of Devotion Subclass Features – Level By Level

Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 1

  • Channel Oath Abilities: Holy Rebuke
    • Deals 1d4 Radiant damage to melee attackers

Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 3

  • Channel Oath Abilities
    • Sacred Weapon: Adds CHA modifier to Attack rolls
    • Turn the Unholy: turns Fey and Fiends

  • Always Prepared Level 1 Oath Spells
    • Protection from Evil and Good
    • Sanctuary

Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 5

  • Always Prepared Level 2 Oath Spells
    • Lesser Restoration
    • Silence

Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 7

  • Aura of Devotion
    • Passive Ability (must be enabled)
    • Nearby allies cannot be Charmed

Oath of Devotion Paladin Lvl 9

  • Always Prepared Level 3 Oath Spells
    • Remove Curse
    • Beacon of Hope

Best BG3 Paladin Build: Roleplay & Character Creation Choices

baldurs gate 3 house of hope hope

Best BG3 Paladin Race: Githyanki

The Githyanki race is one of the unsung powerhouses of Baldur's Gate 3 thanks to its incredibly powerful racial abilities and passives – they might be hard to look at, but it's hard to argue with a free Misty Step at Level 5. Indeed, Githyanki is able to cast this spell once per long rest at Level 5, alongside Enhance Jump at Level 3 and an improved version of Mage Hand from Level 1. These abilities can get Paladins in and out of combat with ease and distract enemies with Mage Hand.

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Aside from these powerful bonuses, though, Githyanki also gains the incredibly powerful Astral Knowledge ability. Until the next Long Rest, the player will gain Proficiency in all skills related to a specific Ability (like Athletics and Strength skill). Paired with the Paladin's own naturally high Charisma, this makes Githyanki Paladins some of the best party members for dice rolls in dialogue.

Some other races may offer more HP or Strength, which can be beneficial for a melee support role like the Oath of Devotion Paladin, but this single ability will unlock many more doors – figuratively and literally.

Best Paladin Backgrounds in BG3: Noble or Folk Hero

Because of their Oath, Paladins tend to create moments of positive Inspiration more often than other classes – players are basically forced to roleplay a good guy, after all, as mandated by the class's three Oath choices. As such, choose a Background that can take advantage of this tendency, such as the Noble or Folk Hero.

Nobles get proficiency in History and Persuasion, and tend to trigger Inspiration when performing acts of great heroism, like trying to save the Duke from the burning building, or when interacting with the iconic and powerful figures of the Sword Coast, like Ketheric or His Majesty, the hairless cat.

Folk Heroes, on the other hand, gain proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival and trigger inspiration when doing acts of heroism but more in a mythical and localized sense, like freeing the Hag's thralls, rescuing named NPCs, and otherwise working to help the downtrodden and helpless.

Best BG3 Paladin Skill Proficiencies: Insight and Persuasion

If one chooses the Noble background, Persuasion will be added to the Paladin's proficiencies. From the remaining Class proficiencies to choose from, consider either Insight or Religion, though Religion can come in handy if you are going for a true Holy warrior.

If you go for the Folk Hero background, though, pick up Insight and Persuasion from the list of Paladin starting skill choices. The Insight and Persuasion skills see a lot of use in dialogue checks throughout BG3, and are worth becoming proficient in for virtually every character that has access to them.

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Best BG3 Paladin Fighting Style for Oath of Devotion: Defence or Protection

Oath of Devotion Paladins can choose from four Fighting Styles at Level 2: Defence, Duelling, Great Weapon Fighting, or Protection. The Defence bonus is the most widely applicable with a simple +1 to AC when wearing any Armor. The Protection Fighting Style offers a new Reaction that imposes a Disadvantage on enemy rolls nearby, but requires the Paladin to have a Shield equipped.

Of these two choices, go with the Defence fighting style to make it harder for enemies to hit you, as it will be active all the time and doesn't require players to remember to toggle a Reaction. It's the most applicable in most situations and doesn't require Paladins to have a specific equipment loadout.

However, players who don't mind getting a little more advanced should go with Protection and prepare their shield. Remember to toggle the reaction and take it when surrounded by enemies in close combat.

Best BG3 Paladin Feats: Alert, Sentinel, Tough

  • Alert Effects: You gain +5 to Initiative and can't be Surprised
  • Sentinel Effects: Grants three new abilities, Sentinel: Vengeance, Sentinel: Snare, and Sentinel: Opportunity Advantage
    • Vengeance lets you use a Reaction to make a basic weapon attack against any enemy that attacks an ally, within melee range
    • Snare nullifies movement for any enemy you hit with an Attack of Opportunity
    • Opportunity Advantage grants Advantage on all Opportunity Attacks

  • Tough Effects: +2 HP for every level (up to a max of +24 at Level 12). Works retroactively.

Best Paladin Ability Scores & Stat Distribution

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Base

16

10

14

8

10

16

Modifier

+3

0

+2

-1

0

+3

Feats, Spells, & Leveling Choices For Oath of Devotion Builds

Baldurs Gate 3_Paladin_Oath of Devotion

Class Level

Choices & Recommendations

Level 1

  • Subclass Choice
    • Oath of Devotion

Level 2

  • Fighting Style Choice
    • Defense or Great Weapon Fighting

  • Recommended level 2 Paladin Spell Choices
    • Bless, Searing Smite, Shield of Faith (Lvl 1 Slot)

Level 3

  • NONE

Level 4

  • Feat Choice
    • Alert or Tough

  • Recommended level 4 Paladin Spell Choices
    • Thunderous Smite and/or Protection from Evil and Good (Lvl 1 Slot)

Level 5

  • NONE

Level 6

  • Recommended level 6 Paladin Spell Choices
    • Aid (Lvl 2 Slot)

Level 7

  • NONE

Level 8

  • Feat Choice
    • Sentinel

  • Recommended level 2 Paladin Spell Choices
    • Branding Smite (Lvl 2 Slot)

Level 9

  • NONE

Level 10

  • Recommended level 10 Paladin Spell Choices
    • Warden of Vitality (Lvl 3 Slot)

Level 11

  • NONE

Level 12

  • Feat Choice
    • Tough or Sentinel (whichever wasn't already selected)

  • Recommended level 12 Paladin Spell Choices
    • Branding Smite or Elemental Weapon (Lvl 3 Slot)

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Best Paladin Equipment: Armor & Accessories

A Paladin as a Healer

This section covers the best equipment for Oath of Devotion Paladins in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.

  • Items with bolded names are new options for the build in each Act, and may replace older pieces of equipment.
  • Items with unbolded names must be acquired in earlier Acts, but are strong enough that they don't need to be replaced in Acts 2 or 3.

Best Oath of Devotion Paladins Items & Equipment: Act 1

Name

Effect

Location

Head

Helmet of Smiting

  • When a Smite cast by the wearer applies a condition,they gain Temporary Hp equal to CHA modifier

Chest in the Selunite Outpost of the Underdark

Cloak

None Available (except Deathstalker Mantle)

N/A

N/A

Chest

Plate Armor +1

  • 19 base AC

Sold by a number of traders throughout Act 1

Gloves

Gloves of Heroism

  • When the wearer uses Channel Oath, they gain Heroism

Found in the basement of the Risen Road tollhouse

Boots

Boots of Aid and Comfort

  • When the wearer heals a target, that target gets an extra 3 Temporary HP

Purchased from Grat the Trader at the Goblin Camp

Neck

Periapt of Wound Closure

  • The wearer automatically stabilizes on their turn after being Downed.
  • Additionally, HP restored for the wearer is always maximized

Purchased from Lady Esther just outside the Rosymorn Monastery

Ring 1

Ring of Salving

  • When the wearer heals another target, they restore an extra 2 HP

Purchased from Omeluum in the Myconid Colony

Ring 2

The Whispering Promise

  • When the wearer heals another target, it gets a 1d4 bonus to Attacks and Saving Throws
  • Lasts two turns

Purchased from Grat in the Goblin Camp, or Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout

Main Weapon

Blood of Lythander

  • Once per long rest, heals for 2d12 HP upon reaching 0 HP
  • Nearby allies gain 1d6 HP.
  • Sheds light that blinds Fiends and Undead who fail a CON save.
  • Grants the Sunbeam spell

Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it.

Offhand

Adamantine Shield

  • Missed attacks on the wearer send the attackers Reeling for two turns
  • Grants the Shield Bash ability
    • Wearer cannot be hit by Critical Hits

One of the possible rewards for completing the "The Adamantine Forge" questline

Best Oath of Devotion Paladins Items & Equipment: Act 2

Name

Effect

Location

Head

Helmet of Smiting

  • When a Smite cast by the wearer applies a condition,they gain Temporary Hp equal to CHA modifier

Chest in the Selunite Outpost of the Underdark (Act 1)

Cloak

Vivacious Cloak

  • When the wearer casts a spell while in melee combat, they gain 7 temporary HP

Found a chest in the Grand Mausoleum in the Gauntlet of Shar

Chest

Dwarven Splintmail

  • Wearer takes 1 less Piercing damage
  • Grants +2 CON
  • Adds +1 to STR checks and saving throws

Purchased from Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers

Gloves

Gloves of Heroism

  • When the wearer uses Channel Oath, they gain Heroism

Found in the basement of the Risen Road tollhouse

Boots

Boots of Aid and Comfort

  • When the wearer heals a target, that target gets an extra 3 Temporary HP

Purchased from Grat the Trader at the Goblin Camp (Act 1)

Neck

Periapt of Wound Closure

  • The wearer automatically stabilizes on their turn after being Downed.
  • Additionally, HP restored for the wearer is always maximized

Purchased from Lady Esther just outside the Rosymorn Monastery (Act 1)

Ring 1

Ring of Salving

  • When the wearer heals another target, they restore an extra 2 HP

Purchased from Omeluum in the Myconid Colony (Act 1)

Ring 2

The Whispering Promise

  • When the wearer heals another target, it gets a 1d4 bonus to Attacks and Saving Throws
  • Lasts two turns

Purchased from Grat in the Goblin Camp, or Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout (Act 1)

Main Weapon

Blood of Lythander

  • Once per long rest, heals for 2d12 HP upon reaching 0 HP
  • Nearby allies gain 1d6 HP.
  • Sheds light that blinds Fiends and Undead who fail a CON save.
  • Grants the Sunbeam spell

Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it (Act 1)

Offhand

Shield of Devotion

  • Grants an additional Lvl 1 Spell Slot
  • Grants Shield Of Devotion: Aid spell
  • Also grants Shield Bash reaction

Purchased from Quartermaster Talli in the Last Light Inn

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Best Oath of Devotion Paladins Items & Equipment: Act 3

Name

Effect

Location

Head

Helmet of Smiting

  • When a Smite cast by the wearer applies a condition,they gain Temporary Hp equal to CHA modifier

Chest in the Selunite Outpost of the Underdark (Act 1)

Cloak

Mantle of the Holy Warrior

  • Grants Crusader's Mantle, a level 3 spell that emboldens nearby allies

Purchased from Vicar Humbletoes at the Stormshore Tabernacle

Chest

Dwarven Splintmail

  • Wearer takes 1 less Piercing damage
  • Grants +2 CON
  • Adds +1 to STR checks and saving throws

Purchased from Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers (Act 2)

Gloves

Gloves of Missile Snaring

  • Incoming projectile damage can be reduced by 1d10+DEX modifier at will

Purchased from Arron in the Druid Grove (Act 1)

Boots

Boots of Aid and Comfort

  • When the wearer heals a target, that target gets an extra 3 Temporary HP

Purchased from Grat the Trader at the Goblin Camp (Act 1)

Neck

Periapt of Wound Closure

  • The wearer automatically stabilizes on their turn after being Downed.
  • Additionally, HP restored for the wearer is always maximized

Purchased from Lady Esther just outside the Rosymorn Monastery (Act 1)

Ring 1

Ring of Salving

  • When the wearer heals another target, they restore an extra 2 HP

Purchased from Omeluum in the Myconid Colony (Act 1)

Ring 2

The Whispering Promise

  • When the wearer heals another target, it gets a 1d4 bonus to Attacks and Saving Throws
  • Lasts two turns

Purchased from Grat in the Goblin Camp, or Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout (Act 1)

Main Weapon

Blood of Lythander

  • Once per long rest, heals for 2d12 HP upon reaching 0 HP
  • Nearby allies gain 1d6 HP.
  • Sheds light that blinds Fiends and Undead who fail a CON save.
  • Grants the Sunbeam spell

Explore the depths of the Rosymorn Monastery, after collecting all Ceremonial Weapons and earning the right to collect it (Act 1)

Offhand

Shield of Devotion

  • Grants an additional Lvl 1 Spell Slot
  • Grants Shield Of Devotion: Aid spell
  • Also grants Shield Bash reaction

Purchased from Quartermaster Talli in the Last Light Inn (Act 2)

Best Paladin Multiclass Choices & Builds

A close up of Wyll the Warlock in Baldur's Gate 3

Players can choose to Multiclass beginning at Level 2. Look for the "Add Class" button on the top right of the level up overview menu – this will open up a new menu where players can allocate the level to any other class in Baldur's Gate 3 when selected.

Bard Multiclass – Paladin 2/Bard 10

Affectionately called the Bardadin by many in the BG3 and Dungeons and Dragons community, this multiclass is one of the game's most powerful. Though it's possible to make a Bardadin that is primarily a Paladin, it's actually better to put the majority of levels in the Bard class and put just two into Paladin.

A Level 10 Bard who goes with the College of Swords subclass gets extra attacks as well as access to improved versions of Bards' most useful support skills, like Bardic Inspiration. Then two levels in Paladin unlocks the class' Smite abilities, allowing for a strong offensive melee presence to complement the Bard and Paladin's intrinsic support skills.

Sorcerer Multiclass – Paladin 6/Sorcerer 6

Multiclassing with the Sorcerer class as a Paladin can be tricky, even though both classes rely on Charisma for their abilities. It's important for melee characters to unlock their extra attacks, which the Paladin gets at Level 5, but Paladins also get a powerful Aura at Level 6. This leaves just 6 levels for the Sorcerer multiclass.

At Level 2, Sorcerers unlock the Metamagic system, which uses Sorcery Points to alter the way spells work for that turn. For instance, a Sorcerer can use a Twinned Spell to duplicate the next spell cast, with the ability to target different options. Putting 6 levels into Sorcerer and 6 into Paladin strikes a good balance of the benefits of both classes without sacrificing too much of their most powerful skills.