How do I build a support-focused Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
Building a support-focused Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves creating a character who excels at bolstering allies, healing, and providing utility while still maintaining a strong presence in combat. Paladins are naturally versatile due to their access to healing spells, auras, and smites, but focusing on support requires careful planning to maximize their utility. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to help you create an effective support Paladin.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Paladins in Baldur's Gate 3 are based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. They are a hybrid class, combining martial prowess with divine magic. Their key features include Lay on Hands for healing, Divine Smite for burst damage, and auras that provide passive bonuses to allies. For a support-focused build, youÔÇÖll want to prioritize abilities and spells that enhance your alliesÔÇÖ survivability and effectiveness.
When creating your character, choose a race that complements a support role. Half-Elves are an excellent choice due to their +2 Charisma bonus and additional skill proficiencies, which are useful for dialogue and exploration. Humans also work well, offering a bonus to all ability scores. For ability scores, prioritize Charisma, as it affects your spellcasting and the effectiveness of your auras. Constitution is also important for survivability, followed by Strength or Dexterity for combat. A typical spread might look like this: Strength 16, Dexterity 10, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, Charisma 16.
For your Paladin subclass, the Oath of Devotion is ideal for a support build. Its features, such as Sacred Weapon and Aura of Devotion, enhance your alliesÔÇÖ combat effectiveness and provide protection against charm effects. Alternatively, the Oath of the Ancients offers healing and crowd control abilities, making it another strong choice for support.
In terms of spells, focus on those that provide utility and healing. Bless is a must-have, as it boosts your alliesÔÇÖ attack rolls and saving throws. Cure Wounds and Lesser Restoration are essential for healing and removing debuffs. At higher levels, consider spells like Aura of Vitality for sustained healing and Revivify to bring fallen allies back to life. Remember that Paladins prepare spells after each long rest, so adjust your spell list based on the challenges you expect to face.
Combat tactics for a support Paladin involve positioning yourself to maximize the benefits of your auras. Stay close to your allies to ensure they benefit from your Aura of Protection, which adds your Charisma modifier to their saving throws. Use your Lay on Hands ability sparingly, saving it for emergencies when an ally is at risk of dying. In combat, focus on protecting weaker party members by drawing enemy attention and using your Divine Smite to eliminate threats quickly.
One common mistake is neglecting your own survivability. While your role is to support, you still need to stay alive to provide that support. Invest in good armor and shields, and consider taking the Shield Master feat to improve your defenses. Another mistake is overusing Divine Smite, which can drain your spell slots quickly. Use it strategically, especially against tough enemies or bosses.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing to enhance your support capabilities. A dip into the Sorcerer or Bard class can provide additional spell slots and access to more utility spells. For example, a Sorcerer multiclass allows you to use Metamagic to twin spells like Cure Wounds, effectively healing two allies at once. However, multiclassing requires careful planning to avoid weakening your Paladin abilities.
In terms of related D&D rules, remember that Paladins rely on their Oaths for their powers. Breaking your Oath can result in losing access to certain abilities, so make choices that align with your characterÔÇÖs moral code. Additionally, Paladins have limited spell slots, so manage them wisely. Use cantrips like Sacred Flame for consistent damage without expending resources.
Specific examples of a support Paladin in action include using Bless at the start of combat to boost your partyÔÇÖs accuracy, then positioning yourself to protect a squishy spellcaster with your Aura of Protection. In a tough fight, you might use Lay on Hands to heal a critically injured ally, then follow up with a Divine Smite to take down a dangerous enemy. Outside of combat, your high Charisma makes you an effective party face, capable of negotiating with NPCs and resolving conflicts peacefully.
In summary, a support-focused Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a balance of healing, utility, and combat effectiveness. Prioritize Charisma and Constitution, choose the right subclass, and select spells that enhance your alliesÔÇÖ abilities. Position yourself strategically in combat, and avoid common mistakes like neglecting your own defenses or overusing Divine Smite. With careful planning and execution, your support Paladin will be an invaluable asset to your party.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics. Paladins in Baldur's Gate 3 are based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition rules. They are a hybrid class, combining martial prowess with divine magic. Their key features include Lay on Hands for healing, Divine Smite for burst damage, and auras that provide passive bonuses to allies. For a support-focused build, youÔÇÖll want to prioritize abilities and spells that enhance your alliesÔÇÖ survivability and effectiveness.
When creating your character, choose a race that complements a support role. Half-Elves are an excellent choice due to their +2 Charisma bonus and additional skill proficiencies, which are useful for dialogue and exploration. Humans also work well, offering a bonus to all ability scores. For ability scores, prioritize Charisma, as it affects your spellcasting and the effectiveness of your auras. Constitution is also important for survivability, followed by Strength or Dexterity for combat. A typical spread might look like this: Strength 16, Dexterity 10, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, Charisma 16.
For your Paladin subclass, the Oath of Devotion is ideal for a support build. Its features, such as Sacred Weapon and Aura of Devotion, enhance your alliesÔÇÖ combat effectiveness and provide protection against charm effects. Alternatively, the Oath of the Ancients offers healing and crowd control abilities, making it another strong choice for support.
In terms of spells, focus on those that provide utility and healing. Bless is a must-have, as it boosts your alliesÔÇÖ attack rolls and saving throws. Cure Wounds and Lesser Restoration are essential for healing and removing debuffs. At higher levels, consider spells like Aura of Vitality for sustained healing and Revivify to bring fallen allies back to life. Remember that Paladins prepare spells after each long rest, so adjust your spell list based on the challenges you expect to face.
Combat tactics for a support Paladin involve positioning yourself to maximize the benefits of your auras. Stay close to your allies to ensure they benefit from your Aura of Protection, which adds your Charisma modifier to their saving throws. Use your Lay on Hands ability sparingly, saving it for emergencies when an ally is at risk of dying. In combat, focus on protecting weaker party members by drawing enemy attention and using your Divine Smite to eliminate threats quickly.
One common mistake is neglecting your own survivability. While your role is to support, you still need to stay alive to provide that support. Invest in good armor and shields, and consider taking the Shield Master feat to improve your defenses. Another mistake is overusing Divine Smite, which can drain your spell slots quickly. Use it strategically, especially against tough enemies or bosses.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing to enhance your support capabilities. A dip into the Sorcerer or Bard class can provide additional spell slots and access to more utility spells. For example, a Sorcerer multiclass allows you to use Metamagic to twin spells like Cure Wounds, effectively healing two allies at once. However, multiclassing requires careful planning to avoid weakening your Paladin abilities.
In terms of related D&D rules, remember that Paladins rely on their Oaths for their powers. Breaking your Oath can result in losing access to certain abilities, so make choices that align with your characterÔÇÖs moral code. Additionally, Paladins have limited spell slots, so manage them wisely. Use cantrips like Sacred Flame for consistent damage without expending resources.
Specific examples of a support Paladin in action include using Bless at the start of combat to boost your partyÔÇÖs accuracy, then positioning yourself to protect a squishy spellcaster with your Aura of Protection. In a tough fight, you might use Lay on Hands to heal a critically injured ally, then follow up with a Divine Smite to take down a dangerous enemy. Outside of combat, your high Charisma makes you an effective party face, capable of negotiating with NPCs and resolving conflicts peacefully.
In summary, a support-focused Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 requires a balance of healing, utility, and combat effectiveness. Prioritize Charisma and Constitution, choose the right subclass, and select spells that enhance your alliesÔÇÖ abilities. Position yourself strategically in combat, and avoid common mistakes like neglecting your own defenses or overusing Divine Smite. With careful planning and execution, your support Paladin will be an invaluable asset to your party.