What are the best starting abilities for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?

When creating a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3, the starting abilities you choose are crucial for determining your character's effectiveness in combat, roleplay, and exploration. Paladins are versatile characters who excel in melee combat, support, and utility, thanks to their divine magic and strong martial abilities. To optimize your Paladin, you need to focus on ability scores, racial bonuses, and background choices that complement the class's strengths.

First, let's discuss ability scores. Paladins rely heavily on Strength for melee attacks, Charisma for spellcasting and class features like Aura of Protection, and Constitution for survivability. When assigning ability scores during character creation, prioritize Strength and Charisma, followed by Constitution. A common starting spread for a Paladin might look like this: Strength 16, Dexterity 10, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, Charisma 16. This setup ensures you hit hard in melee combat, have a decent pool of hit points, and can effectively use your spells and class features.

Next, consider your race. Some races offer bonuses that synergize well with the Paladin class. For example, the Half-Orc provides a bonus to Strength and Constitution, along with the Relentless Endurance trait, which allows you to avoid dropping to 0 hit points once per long rest. The Dragonborn is another strong choice, offering a bonus to Strength and Charisma, as well as a breath weapon that can be useful in combat. Humans are also a solid option, as they gain a bonus to all ability scores, making them versatile and well-rounded.

Your background choice can also impact your Paladin's effectiveness. Backgrounds like Soldier or Noble provide skills that complement the Paladin's role as a frontline fighter and leader. Soldier, for instance, grants proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation, which are useful for both combat and dialogue. Noble, on the other hand, offers proficiency in Persuasion and History, making your Paladin more effective in social interactions and lore-based checks.

When it comes to combat tactics, Paladins are most effective when they can close the distance to their enemies and engage in melee combat. Use your Divine Smite ability to deal extra radiant damage on a successful attack, especially against undead or fiends. This ability is a key feature of the Paladin class and should be used strategically to maximize damage output. Additionally, consider using spells like Shield of Faith to boost your AC or Bless to enhance your party's attack rolls and saving throws.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Charisma. While it might be tempting to focus solely on Strength for melee damage, Charisma is essential for your spellcasting and class features. A high Charisma score improves your spell save DC, making it harder for enemies to resist your spells, and enhances your Aura of Protection, which provides a bonus to saving throws for you and nearby allies.

Advanced techniques for optimizing your Paladin include multiclassing and feat selection. Multiclassing into Sorcerer or Warlock can provide additional spell slots for Divine Smite and access to powerful spells and class features. For example, a Paladin/Warlock multiclass can use the Warlock's Pact Magic to regain spell slots on a short rest, allowing for more frequent use of Divine Smite. Feats like Great Weapon Master or Polearm Master can further enhance your combat effectiveness by increasing your damage output or providing additional attack opportunities.

In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to understand how Paladin abilities interact with the game's systems. For instance, Divine Smite can be used after you confirm a hit, allowing you to decide whether to expend a spell slot for extra damage. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for finishing off tough enemies or dealing with high-priority targets. Additionally, the Paladin's Lay on Hands ability provides a pool of healing that can be used to restore hit points or cure diseases and poison, making it a valuable resource for both combat and exploration.

Specific examples and scenarios can help illustrate these concepts. Imagine you're facing a group of undead enemies. As a Paladin, you can use your Divine Sense to detect their presence and prepare for combat. Once engaged, you can use Divine Smite to deal extra radiant damage, which is particularly effective against undead. If an ally is injured, you can use Lay on Hands to heal them, ensuring they stay in the fight. In a social scenario, your high Charisma and proficiency in Persuasion or Intimidation can help you negotiate with NPCs or intimidate enemies into backing down.

In conclusion, building an effective Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 requires careful consideration of ability scores, race, background, and combat tactics. By prioritizing Strength and Charisma, choosing a race with complementary bonuses, and selecting a background that enhances your skills, you can create a powerful and versatile character. Avoid common mistakes like neglecting Charisma, and consider advanced techniques like multiclassing and feat selection to further optimize your build. With the right choices and strategies, your Paladin will be a formidable force on the battlefield and a valuable asset to your party.