How do I create a high-damage Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
Creating a high-damage Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves a combination of careful planning, understanding the game mechanics, and optimizing your character's abilities and equipment. Paladins are a powerful class due to their ability to deal significant burst damage through their Divine Smite feature, while also being durable and versatile in combat. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you build a high-damage Paladin.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Paladins are a martial class that relies on Strength or Dexterity for weapon attacks and Charisma for their spellcasting and class features. The key to maximizing damage as a Paladin lies in the Divine Smite ability, which allows you to expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage on a successful melee attack. This ability scales with the level of the spell slot used, making higher-level spell slots extremely valuable for dealing massive damage. Additionally, Paladins have access to various spells and class features that can enhance their combat effectiveness, such as the Oath of DevotionÔÇÖs Sacred Weapon or the Oath of VengeanceÔÇÖs Vow of Enmity.
To start building your high-damage Paladin, you should focus on your ability scores. Strength should be your primary stat, as it directly affects your melee attack rolls and damage. Aim for a Strength score of at least 16 or 17 at character creation. Charisma is also important, as it affects your spellcasting and the saving throws of your enemies against your spells and abilities. Constitution is crucial for survivability, so aim for a score of at least 14. Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom can be lower, but donÔÇÖt neglect them entirely, as they can still be useful for saving throws and skill checks.
When choosing your race, consider options that provide bonuses to Strength, Charisma, or Constitution. For example, the Half-Orc race offers a bonus to Strength and Constitution, along with the Savage Attacks feature, which increases your critical hit damage. The Dragonborn race provides a bonus to Strength and Charisma, making it a strong choice for a Paladin. The Human race offers a balanced set of bonuses and an extra skill proficiency, which can be useful for versatility.
Next, select your Paladin Oath. The Oath of Vengeance is particularly well-suited for a high-damage build, as it provides features like Vow of Enmity, which grants advantage on attack rolls against a chosen enemy, and Relentless Avenger, which allows you to move after making an opportunity attack. The Oath of Devotion is also a solid choice, with features like Sacred Weapon, which adds your Charisma modifier to your attack rolls, and Turn the Unholy, which can be useful against certain enemies.
As you level up, prioritize abilities that enhance your damage output. At level 2, you gain access to Divine Smite, which should be your primary source of burst damage. Use your spell slots wisely, saving higher-level slots for critical hits or tough enemies. At level 4, consider taking the Great Weapon Master feat, which allows you to take a -5 penalty to your attack roll in exchange for a +10 bonus to damage. This feat synergizes well with the PaladinÔÇÖs high attack bonuses and can significantly increase your damage output. Alternatively, you could take the Ability Score Improvement to boost your Strength or Charisma.
In combat, focus on positioning and timing to maximize your damage. Use your movement to get into melee range of high-priority targets, and use your Divine Smite on critical hits or when you need to finish off a tough enemy. Be mindful of your spell slots, as they are a limited resource. Use your spells strategically, such as casting Shield of Faith to increase your AC or Bless to improve your attack rolls and saving throws.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your defenses. While itÔÇÖs tempting to focus solely on damage, a dead Paladin deals no damage. Make sure to invest in good armor and consider taking the Tough feat or increasing your Constitution to improve your hit points. Additionally, donÔÇÖt forget to use your Lay on Hands ability to heal yourself or your allies when needed.
For advanced optimization, consider multiclassing. A popular choice is to take a few levels in the Sorcerer or Warlock class. Sorcerer levels can provide additional spell slots for more Divine Smites, as well as access to powerful spells like Shield and Misty Step. Warlock levels can grant you access to the Hex spell, which adds extra damage to your attacks, and the Eldritch Invocation feature, which can provide additional utility or damage. However, be cautious when multiclassing, as it can delay your access to higher-level Paladin features.
In summary, building a high-damage Paladin in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 requires careful attention to your ability scores, race, and Oath selection. Focus on maximizing your Strength and Charisma, and use your Divine Smite ability strategically to deal massive burst damage. Consider taking feats like Great Weapon Master to further enhance your damage output, and donÔÇÖt neglect your defenses. With the right build and tactics, your Paladin will be a formidable force on the battlefield, capable of dealing devastating damage to your enemies.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Paladins are a martial class that relies on Strength or Dexterity for weapon attacks and Charisma for their spellcasting and class features. The key to maximizing damage as a Paladin lies in the Divine Smite ability, which allows you to expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage on a successful melee attack. This ability scales with the level of the spell slot used, making higher-level spell slots extremely valuable for dealing massive damage. Additionally, Paladins have access to various spells and class features that can enhance their combat effectiveness, such as the Oath of DevotionÔÇÖs Sacred Weapon or the Oath of VengeanceÔÇÖs Vow of Enmity.
To start building your high-damage Paladin, you should focus on your ability scores. Strength should be your primary stat, as it directly affects your melee attack rolls and damage. Aim for a Strength score of at least 16 or 17 at character creation. Charisma is also important, as it affects your spellcasting and the saving throws of your enemies against your spells and abilities. Constitution is crucial for survivability, so aim for a score of at least 14. Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom can be lower, but donÔÇÖt neglect them entirely, as they can still be useful for saving throws and skill checks.
When choosing your race, consider options that provide bonuses to Strength, Charisma, or Constitution. For example, the Half-Orc race offers a bonus to Strength and Constitution, along with the Savage Attacks feature, which increases your critical hit damage. The Dragonborn race provides a bonus to Strength and Charisma, making it a strong choice for a Paladin. The Human race offers a balanced set of bonuses and an extra skill proficiency, which can be useful for versatility.
Next, select your Paladin Oath. The Oath of Vengeance is particularly well-suited for a high-damage build, as it provides features like Vow of Enmity, which grants advantage on attack rolls against a chosen enemy, and Relentless Avenger, which allows you to move after making an opportunity attack. The Oath of Devotion is also a solid choice, with features like Sacred Weapon, which adds your Charisma modifier to your attack rolls, and Turn the Unholy, which can be useful against certain enemies.
As you level up, prioritize abilities that enhance your damage output. At level 2, you gain access to Divine Smite, which should be your primary source of burst damage. Use your spell slots wisely, saving higher-level slots for critical hits or tough enemies. At level 4, consider taking the Great Weapon Master feat, which allows you to take a -5 penalty to your attack roll in exchange for a +10 bonus to damage. This feat synergizes well with the PaladinÔÇÖs high attack bonuses and can significantly increase your damage output. Alternatively, you could take the Ability Score Improvement to boost your Strength or Charisma.
In combat, focus on positioning and timing to maximize your damage. Use your movement to get into melee range of high-priority targets, and use your Divine Smite on critical hits or when you need to finish off a tough enemy. Be mindful of your spell slots, as they are a limited resource. Use your spells strategically, such as casting Shield of Faith to increase your AC or Bless to improve your attack rolls and saving throws.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your defenses. While itÔÇÖs tempting to focus solely on damage, a dead Paladin deals no damage. Make sure to invest in good armor and consider taking the Tough feat or increasing your Constitution to improve your hit points. Additionally, donÔÇÖt forget to use your Lay on Hands ability to heal yourself or your allies when needed.
For advanced optimization, consider multiclassing. A popular choice is to take a few levels in the Sorcerer or Warlock class. Sorcerer levels can provide additional spell slots for more Divine Smites, as well as access to powerful spells like Shield and Misty Step. Warlock levels can grant you access to the Hex spell, which adds extra damage to your attacks, and the Eldritch Invocation feature, which can provide additional utility or damage. However, be cautious when multiclassing, as it can delay your access to higher-level Paladin features.
In summary, building a high-damage Paladin in BaldurÔÇÖs Gate 3 requires careful attention to your ability scores, race, and Oath selection. Focus on maximizing your Strength and Charisma, and use your Divine Smite ability strategically to deal massive burst damage. Consider taking feats like Great Weapon Master to further enhance your damage output, and donÔÇÖt neglect your defenses. With the right build and tactics, your Paladin will be a formidable force on the battlefield, capable of dealing devastating damage to your enemies.