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.
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 August 4, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: With the full release of Baldur's Gate 3 a lot of things have changed from the Early Access version. Thanks to the new subclasses and expanded maximum level, players' ideas about the best Paladin build in BG3 have changed, and will very likely continue to evolve as fans get deeper into the game. This guide has been updated to be accurate to the full release version of Baldur's Gate 3, but it doesn't recommend build choices past Level 5. Check back regularly for more advice on how to make the best Paladin build as the Baldur's Gate 3 community continues to learn more about how the class plays at higher levels.
As a guide-in-progress, this build will be continually updated with more information about choices in the mid to late game as players make their way through the expansive Baldur's Gate 3.
Best Paladin Build Overview
"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 the 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). This is one of the best Paladin BG3 builds because of their strong healing spells and variety of weapon and armor proficiencies, making them less strong than pure Caster support classes.
Oath of Devotion Paladin Character Creation
Best Paladin Race: Gold Dwarf
The Gold Dwarf is one of the best Baldur's Gate 3 subraces because it gives characters an extra HP point at the beginning of the game and at every level-up. This adds up to just 5 HP, which might not seem like a lot, but by the end of the game a Gold Dwarf will find their HP is bounds ahead of the next heartiest Race. Their resistance to Poison and Darkvision as the base Dwarven racials are just the cherry on top.
Best Paladin Subclass: Oath of Devotion
The Oath of Devotion Paladin is essentially a typical Paladin, a warrior dedicated to a higher purpose. The Oath of Devotion opens the Paladin up to several useful supportive spells that make them the keystone player in the party. When the Oath of Devotion Paladin goes down, the rest of the party can be thrown into disarray.
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 gains Protection from Evil and Good, Sanctuary, Lesser Restoration, and Silence always prepared by Level 5.
Best Paladin Proficiencies and Background: Noble or Soldier
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, which goes right along with their Oath. As such, choose a Background that can take advantage of this tendency, such as the Noble or Folk Hero. 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 Persuasion, though Religion can come in handy if you are going for a true Holy warrior.
Best Oath of Devotion Fighting Style
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 Disadvantage on enemy rolls nearby, but requires a Shield.
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. However, players who don't mind getting a little more advanced should go with Protection and ready their shield.
Best Oath of Devotion Paladin Spells
Level 2: Bless, Searing Smite
Level 4: Shield of Faith
Level 5: Heroism, Branding Smite, Aid
Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.