Summary
Baldur’s Gate 3features a variety of different classes adapted fromDungeons and Dragons Fifth Editionand provides many options for players to build a character to their heart’s content.Paladin is one of twelve classes on offer, and it combines spellcasting with martial combat, providing a unique experience that allows players to get the best of both worlds and dish out magical damage while allowing enemies to taste their steel.
The Paladin class can be utilized in a variety of ways to create extremely powerful characters that would have enemies thinking twice before taking them on in combat. Here are the top tricks that make Paladin the best class to play inBaldur’s Gate 3.
Updated May 23, 2025, by Hamza Haq:The Paladin class incorporates RP with gameplay better than all other options. Minthara, the only recruitable Paladin companion, is an easily missed character and doesn’t become available until the later stages of the game. It is also a Charisma-based class, which makes it suitable for a face character. All these factors and more make Paladin the most popular class players pick for themselves at the start of a campaign. Still, there are tricks to using a Paladin properly many may not be aware of.
1Oathbreaker
Unique Subclass That Cannot Be Chosen Via Character Creation
The Oathbreaker is a particularly interesting subclass for Paladins,particularly for anyone wanting to dabble in the dark art of necromancy. While playing as a Paladin, the Oath they take should shape how a character is played, as the character should attempt to uphold the tenets of their oath to the best of their ability. For example, if bloodthirsty players harm innocent animals or creatures, or don’t pursue Vengeance, or even dissuade others from seeking vengeance, their Oath could be broken.
The Oathbreaker subclassis not available as an option through normal-level progression, and players must do some action that breaks their oath to gain the subclass features. This will mean that they will lose access to any abilities associated with their oath, but they gain some extra ones that deviate away from what a Paladin is known for.
This subclass allows players to control the undead with their Channel Oath feature, utilize spiteful suffering to deal additional necrotic damage after making an attack roll, or even use the darkness within them to frighten enemies. This subclass is extremely unique to Paladins and provides some exceptional roleplaying opportunities across the course of the campaign. It will also provide some new spells for Paladins to enjoy, such asHellish Rebuke,Inflict Wounds,Crown of Madness,Darkness,Bestow Curse, andAnimate Dead.
2Potent Healer
Heal Everyone With A Single Action
Paladin’s Lay on Hands is one of the earliest healing spells players will encounter inBaldur’s Gate 3, but the class’s heavy focus on melee damage quickly outshines its healing capabilities, encouraging folk to lean more towards the martial side of this class. This often results in players not realizing how effective their Paladin’s healing abilities can be with the right subclass and spell selection.
The Oath of the Ancient Paladin gains access to Healing Radiance as their very first Channel Oath Spell, allowing them to heal every ally in an AoE for their proficiency bonus, plus their Paladin level, plus their Charisma modifier twice during the span of two turns using only one charge. This allows Ancient Paladins to preemptively heal a character, essentially giving them a Heal over Time that triggers on the next turn. Keep in mind that since this is an AoE heal that affects all allies,which includes summons as well. Think of it as a top-up for all friendly characters that—unlike Prayer of Healing—works during combat.
3Minthara’s Soul Branding
Minthara’s Powerful Unique Ability
Minthara is one of the companions that can be recruitedthrough the campaign inBaldur’s Gate 3.She’s a powerful Drow Oath of Vengeance Paladin and possesses a unique passive called Soul Branding, which can be extremely overpowered when used in the right circumstances. This ability increases the movement speed of the target, and allows their next attack to deal additional fire damage. While it may not seem great on the surface, this ability can actually be used multiple times to buff allies.
If Soul Branding is used on a character who throws their weapon, like a Javelin, the condition remains active for the full three turns, instead of ending after just one. Minthara can use this ability multiple times and allow potentially three allies to have this ability active, providing extremely powerful bonuses that add up, allowing allies to hit much harder, which is a nice little trick!
4The Sorcadin
Combine The Powers of Sorcerers And Paladins
Arguably one of the most powerful subclass combinations in all ofBaldur’s Gate 3,this subclass, commonly dubbed “The Sorcadin"combines Paladin and Sorcerer, and is definitely a force to be reckoned with. One of the most popular multiclass combinations in the tabletop game, Sorcadin is an equally viable choice inBaldur’s Gate 3for a variety of reasons, namely additional spell slots of higher levels to allow for even more Divine Smites.
The best way to multiclass these two classes is to take six levels in each, and this will unlock the power of a Paladin while still retaining what makes this class unique. An even split will grant players up to level 5 spell slots, which can be an incredible boon that allows for a Divine Smite that deals an additional 7d8 radiant damage, which is not too shabby at all. Furthermore, Sorcadins will gain Sorcery points, which can be used to dish out spell attacks using a bonus action, while still attacking twice in a single turn, or targeting multiple enemies with the Twinspell feature.
5Vow of Enmity
Gain Advantage On All Allies
Paladins can channel their divinity bestowed upon them by their chosen oath, which all grant different bonuses in combat. There are three Oaths to pick from, and one Oathbreaker subclass, which is possible to take when a Paladin is confronted with the opportunity to break their sacred oath.The Oath of Vengeance is perhaps the most popular, and most common, of the subclasses, and the Vow of Enmity provides a very strong buff that any Paladin will get great value out of.
The Vow of Enmity, which is gained at Level 3 for Oath of Vengeance Paladins, allows the character to select one creature and use one Channel Oath charge, along with a bonus action, to gain advantage on attack rolls against their chosen enemy. There’s an interesting use of this ability, however, as a Paladin can select themselves as the target for this, and will gain advantage on all targets in combat for one minute. What’s more, the Channel Oath charge is replenished after every short rest, meaning Paladins can get up to three uses from their Vow of Enmity on each adventuring day.
This ability makes Paladins especially fearsome in combat, as they will get ample opportunity to hit their marks and potentially use a Divine Smite. What this means is that every time a Paladin attacks an enemy while having the Vow of Enmity on himself, he rolls two times instead of one and takes the higher result. This means the likelihood of a crit is drastically increased, making Divine Smite all the more potent.
Additionally, the Vow of Enmity is a bonus action, which means it can easily be used before performing an Action. If that wasn’t enough, this Channel Oath spell does not require any Concentration. Once cast, it will remain active for the full duration of 10 turns, and the Paladin is free to cast other Concentration spells during this time.
6The Lockadin
Make A Pact With A Patron
Paladins are ripe for multiclassing, and one of the most powerful options available is multiclassing into Warlock. Not only will this provide additional spell slots for Paladins, but it will also help them go further in combat by getting more value out of short rests, which can seriously extend the longevity of the class and ensure they’re never low on spell slots to dish out a Divine Smite.
Not only will this grant Paladins the ability to useEldritch Blast, which can be a fantastic alternative to a melee attack if they find themselves out of range of a target, but Paladins who multiclass into Warlock will gain extra spells and spell slots,which can either be used offensively in battle to buff allies, debuff enemies, or provide some extra spell slots for a Divine Smite. If players opt for five levels in Warlock, they can potentially get a third melee attack to use each turn, which is no small feat. This is a great way to further enhance already powerful Paladins, and the added bonus is Warlocks use Charisma as their primary ability, which works seamlessly with Paladins who also use Charisma for their spells and Channel Oath abilities.
Players can further increase the Lockadin’s effectiveness by casting Haste on their character before a turn, giving them two actions in a single turn, which translates to 6 attacks per turn. On top of that, the Paladin can drink an Elixir of Bloodlust to gainanotherAction for a final count of 9 attacks in a single turn.
