What is the best multiclass option for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
Multiclassing a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 can significantly enhance your character's versatility and effectiveness in both combat and roleplay scenarios. The Paladin class is inherently strong due to its combination of martial prowess, divine spellcasting, and the ability to smite enemies with divine energy. However, multiclassing can further amplify these strengths or compensate for some of the Paladin's weaknesses. One of the best multiclass options for a Paladin is combining it with the Sorcerer class, creating a powerful hybrid known as the "Sorceradin." This build leverages the Sorcerer's spell slots and metamagic abilities to fuel the Paladin's Divine Smite, while also providing additional utility and flexibility.
To begin with, the mechanics of multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 follow the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition rules. When you multiclass, you gain the abilities of both classes, but some features, such as spellcasting, are combined in specific ways. For a Paladin/Sorcerer multiclass, you will need to meet the ability score prerequisites: at least 13 Strength or Dexterity and 13 Charisma for the Paladin, and 13 Charisma for the Sorcerer. Charisma is particularly important for this build, as it affects both your Paladin spells and your Sorcerer spells, as well as your ability to smite effectively.
A common strategy for this multiclass is to start as a Paladin for the first few levels to gain access to heavy armor proficiency, martial weapons, and the Divine Smite feature. Typically, you would take Paladin levels up to level 2 or 3. At level 2, you gain the ability to use Divine Smite, which allows you to expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage on a melee attack. At level 3, you can choose a Paladin Oath, which provides additional abilities and spells. The Oath of Devotion, for example, offers abilities like Sacred Weapon, which enhances your attack rolls, and Turn the Unholy, which can be useful against undead enemies.
After reaching Paladin level 2 or 3, you would then start taking levels in Sorcerer. The Sorcerer class provides a wealth of benefits, including a larger pool of spell slots, which can be used to fuel your Divine Smites. Additionally, Sorcerers gain access to metamagic at level 3, allowing you to modify your spells in powerful ways. For example, the Twinned Spell metamagic can be used to target two creatures with a single-target spell, such as Hold Person, effectively doubling your control over the battlefield. The Quickened Spell metamagic allows you to cast a spell as a bonus action, freeing up your action for a melee attack or another spell.
One of the key advantages of this multiclass is the synergy between the Paladin's Divine Smite and the Sorcerer's spell slots. Since Divine Smite can be used with any spell slot, having more spell slots from the Sorcerer class means you can smite more frequently and with greater power. Additionally, the Sorcerer's flexible casting feature allows you to convert sorcery points into spell slots, giving you even more resources to fuel your smites.
When building a Paladin/Sorcerer multiclass, it's important to consider your ability scores. Charisma should be your highest stat, as it affects both your spellcasting and your Paladin abilities. Strength or Dexterity should be your next priority, depending on whether you plan to use heavy armor and melee weapons or lighter armor and finesse weapons. Constitution is also important for increasing your hit points and maintaining concentration on spells.
A common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Constitution score. While it may be tempting to focus solely on Charisma and Strength/Dexterity, having a low Constitution can make you more vulnerable in combat, especially since you will often be in melee range. Additionally, be mindful of your spell selection. While it can be tempting to load up on offensive spells, don't overlook utility and defensive spells that can enhance your survivability and versatility.
Advanced techniques for this build include using the Sorcerer's metamagic to maximize the effectiveness of your spells and smites. For example, you can use Quickened Spell to cast a spell like Hold Person as a bonus action, then follow up with a melee attack and a Divine Smite on the same turn. This can result in a devastating combination that can quickly turn the tide of battle. Another advanced technique is to use the Sorcerer's Subtle Spell metamagic to cast spells without verbal or somatic components, allowing you to cast spells in situations where you might otherwise be silenced or restrained.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to understand how multiclass spellcasting works. When you multiclass as a Paladin and Sorcerer, you determine your available spell slots by adding together your levels in both classes and using the multiclass spellcaster table. However, you prepare and learn spells separately for each class. This means that while you may have access to higher-level spell slots, you can only prepare or learn spells of the levels available to your individual class levels.
Specific examples of this build in action include scenarios where you can use your Sorcerer spells to control the battlefield while your Paladin abilities allow you to deal massive damage in melee combat. For instance, you could cast Hold Person to paralyze an enemy, then move in and deliver a critical hit with a Divine Smite, dealing double damage. Alternatively, you could use the Sorcerer's Shield spell to increase your AC as a reaction, making you more difficult to hit in combat.
In conclusion, the Paladin/Sorcerer multiclass is a powerful and versatile build that combines the best aspects of both classes. By carefully planning your ability scores, spell selection, and metamagic usage, you can create a character that excels in both combat and roleplay. Whether you're smiting enemies with divine energy or casting powerful spells to control the battlefield, this multiclass offers a wide range of options to suit your playstyle. Just be sure to avoid common pitfalls, such as neglecting your Constitution or overloading on offensive spells, and you'll be well on your way to creating a formidable Sorceradin.
To begin with, the mechanics of multiclassing in Baldur's Gate 3 follow the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition rules. When you multiclass, you gain the abilities of both classes, but some features, such as spellcasting, are combined in specific ways. For a Paladin/Sorcerer multiclass, you will need to meet the ability score prerequisites: at least 13 Strength or Dexterity and 13 Charisma for the Paladin, and 13 Charisma for the Sorcerer. Charisma is particularly important for this build, as it affects both your Paladin spells and your Sorcerer spells, as well as your ability to smite effectively.
A common strategy for this multiclass is to start as a Paladin for the first few levels to gain access to heavy armor proficiency, martial weapons, and the Divine Smite feature. Typically, you would take Paladin levels up to level 2 or 3. At level 2, you gain the ability to use Divine Smite, which allows you to expend a spell slot to deal extra radiant damage on a melee attack. At level 3, you can choose a Paladin Oath, which provides additional abilities and spells. The Oath of Devotion, for example, offers abilities like Sacred Weapon, which enhances your attack rolls, and Turn the Unholy, which can be useful against undead enemies.
After reaching Paladin level 2 or 3, you would then start taking levels in Sorcerer. The Sorcerer class provides a wealth of benefits, including a larger pool of spell slots, which can be used to fuel your Divine Smites. Additionally, Sorcerers gain access to metamagic at level 3, allowing you to modify your spells in powerful ways. For example, the Twinned Spell metamagic can be used to target two creatures with a single-target spell, such as Hold Person, effectively doubling your control over the battlefield. The Quickened Spell metamagic allows you to cast a spell as a bonus action, freeing up your action for a melee attack or another spell.
One of the key advantages of this multiclass is the synergy between the Paladin's Divine Smite and the Sorcerer's spell slots. Since Divine Smite can be used with any spell slot, having more spell slots from the Sorcerer class means you can smite more frequently and with greater power. Additionally, the Sorcerer's flexible casting feature allows you to convert sorcery points into spell slots, giving you even more resources to fuel your smites.
When building a Paladin/Sorcerer multiclass, it's important to consider your ability scores. Charisma should be your highest stat, as it affects both your spellcasting and your Paladin abilities. Strength or Dexterity should be your next priority, depending on whether you plan to use heavy armor and melee weapons or lighter armor and finesse weapons. Constitution is also important for increasing your hit points and maintaining concentration on spells.
A common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Constitution score. While it may be tempting to focus solely on Charisma and Strength/Dexterity, having a low Constitution can make you more vulnerable in combat, especially since you will often be in melee range. Additionally, be mindful of your spell selection. While it can be tempting to load up on offensive spells, don't overlook utility and defensive spells that can enhance your survivability and versatility.
Advanced techniques for this build include using the Sorcerer's metamagic to maximize the effectiveness of your spells and smites. For example, you can use Quickened Spell to cast a spell like Hold Person as a bonus action, then follow up with a melee attack and a Divine Smite on the same turn. This can result in a devastating combination that can quickly turn the tide of battle. Another advanced technique is to use the Sorcerer's Subtle Spell metamagic to cast spells without verbal or somatic components, allowing you to cast spells in situations where you might otherwise be silenced or restrained.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to understand how multiclass spellcasting works. When you multiclass as a Paladin and Sorcerer, you determine your available spell slots by adding together your levels in both classes and using the multiclass spellcaster table. However, you prepare and learn spells separately for each class. This means that while you may have access to higher-level spell slots, you can only prepare or learn spells of the levels available to your individual class levels.
Specific examples of this build in action include scenarios where you can use your Sorcerer spells to control the battlefield while your Paladin abilities allow you to deal massive damage in melee combat. For instance, you could cast Hold Person to paralyze an enemy, then move in and deliver a critical hit with a Divine Smite, dealing double damage. Alternatively, you could use the Sorcerer's Shield spell to increase your AC as a reaction, making you more difficult to hit in combat.
In conclusion, the Paladin/Sorcerer multiclass is a powerful and versatile build that combines the best aspects of both classes. By carefully planning your ability scores, spell selection, and metamagic usage, you can create a character that excels in both combat and roleplay. Whether you're smiting enemies with divine energy or casting powerful spells to control the battlefield, this multiclass offers a wide range of options to suit your playstyle. Just be sure to avoid common pitfalls, such as neglecting your Constitution or overloading on offensive spells, and you'll be well on your way to creating a formidable Sorceradin.