Best Paladin Build in Baldur's Gate 3
A complete Baldur's Gate 3 Paladin build guide covering Oath of Vengeance and Ancients, ability scores, smite tactics, and feat order for a frontline burst caster.
Best Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Paladin blends melee power with divine magic. Divine Smite turns spell slots into guaranteed radiant damage on every hit, making Paladins the best burst melee in the game. This guide builds a frontline smiter.
Why Play a Paladin
- Divine Smite adds 2d8+ radiant per spell level to a melee hit.
- Extra Attack at level 5; Aura of Protection boosts saving throws.
- Strong facing both solo and in a party.
Ability Scores
- Strength 17 (16 + 1 racial bonus)
- Charisma 16
- Constitution 14
Charisma matters — it powers your spell slots, Aura of Protection, and lay on hands. Strength is your attack stat.
Subclass Choice (Oath)
| Oath | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vengeance | Offense | Haste-like Oath of Vengeance, Hunters Mark synergy |
| Ancients | Defense | Aura reduces damage to whole party |
| Devotion | Balanced | Sacred Weapon, clean all-rounder |
Oath of Vengeance is the strongest damage option. Ancients is the best tank for Honor Mode.
Feat Order
- Level 4: Great Weapon Master (two-handed) or Ability Score Improvement (Str 18).
- Level 6: Strength 18/20.
- Level 8: Charisma 18.
- Level 12: Charisma 20 or War Caster.
Smite Strategy
Hold high-level spell slots for Divine Smite on critical hits (smite dice double on crit). Use low slots early, save 3rd/4th-level slots for bosses. Combine with a crit-fishing weapon or Assassin ally for massive bursts.
Final Tips
Paladins break their Oath by violating its tenets — breaking it mid-run can lock you out of features (or trigger the Oathbreaker subclass). Watch your in-game actions. Keep Bless or Wrathful Smite up before big fights.