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, as in D&D 5E, are a hybrid class that combines 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 partyÔÇÖs survivability and effectiveness. This means focusing on healing, buffing, and crowd control rather than raw damage output.
When choosing your race, consider options that complement a support role. Half-Elves are a strong choice due to their bonus to Charisma, which is crucial for Paladin spells and auras, and their extra skill proficiency. Humans also work well, as they gain an additional skill and can carry more equipment, which is useful for a support character who might need to carry healing items or scrolls. For ability scores, prioritize Charisma first, as it affects your spellcasting and aura bonuses. Follow this with Strength or Dexterity for combat effectiveness, and Constitution for survivability. Wisdom and Intelligence can be lower, as they are less critical for a Paladin.
For your background, choose one that provides useful skills for a support role. Acolyte is a good choice, as it grants Insight and Religion, which are helpful for understanding enemies and interacting with the world. Alternatively, the Folk Hero background provides Animal Handling and Survival, which can be useful for exploration and roleplay.
At level 1, youÔÇÖll gain Lay on Hands, which allows you to heal allies by touching them. This is a key ability for a support Paladin, as it provides reliable healing without using spell slots. YouÔÇÖll also gain your first set of spells. For a support build, focus on spells like Bless, which boosts attack rolls and saving throws for your party, and Cure Wounds for additional healing. Shield of Faith is another excellent choice, as it provides a significant AC boost to an ally.
As you level up, youÔÇÖll gain access to more powerful spells and abilities. At level 2, youÔÇÖll unlock Divine Smite, but as a support Paladin, youÔÇÖll want to use this sparingly, saving your spell slots for healing and buffing. At level 3, youÔÇÖll choose your Sacred Oath. For a support-focused build, the Oath of Devotion is ideal, as it provides access to spells like Sanctuary and Lesser Restoration, which are excellent for protecting and healing allies. The Oath of the Ancients is another strong option, as it offers healing and crowd control spells like Ensnaring Strike and Moonbeam.
At level 6, youÔÇÖll gain your Aura of Protection, which adds your Charisma modifier to saving throws for you and nearby allies. This is one of the most powerful support abilities in the game, as it significantly boosts your partyÔÇÖs survivability. Make sure to position yourself strategically in combat to maximize the auraÔÇÖs effectiveness.
For combat tactics, focus on staying near your allies to provide them with your aura bonuses. Use your spells to buff and heal as needed, and donÔÇÖt be afraid to use your Lay on Hands ability liberally. In terms of equipment, prioritize items that enhance your support capabilities. Look for armor that boosts your AC and saving throws, and weapons that allow you to control the battlefield, such as those with reach or crowd control effects.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your Charisma, as this directly impacts your spellcasting and aura effectiveness. Also, avoid overusing Divine Smite, as it can deplete your spell slots quickly, leaving you without resources for healing and buffing. Finally, donÔÇÖt forget to use your Lay on Hands ability, as itÔÇÖs a reliable source of healing that doesnÔÇÖt consume spell slots.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing to enhance your support capabilities. For example, taking a level in Cleric can grant you access to additional healing spells and domain abilities. The Life Domain is particularly synergistic, as it enhances your healing capabilities. Alternatively, a level in Sorcerer can provide more spell slots and access to metamagic, allowing you to twin buff spells like Haste or extend the duration of your auras.
In summary, a support-focused Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 is a powerful and versatile character who can significantly enhance your partyÔÇÖs effectiveness. By prioritizing Charisma, choosing the right spells and abilities, and positioning yourself strategically in combat, you can create a Paladin who excels at keeping your allies alive and thriving. Remember to use your Lay on Hands ability liberally, avoid overusing Divine Smite, and consider multiclassing for additional support options. 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, as in D&D 5E, are a hybrid class that combines 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 partyÔÇÖs survivability and effectiveness. This means focusing on healing, buffing, and crowd control rather than raw damage output.
When choosing your race, consider options that complement a support role. Half-Elves are a strong choice due to their bonus to Charisma, which is crucial for Paladin spells and auras, and their extra skill proficiency. Humans also work well, as they gain an additional skill and can carry more equipment, which is useful for a support character who might need to carry healing items or scrolls. For ability scores, prioritize Charisma first, as it affects your spellcasting and aura bonuses. Follow this with Strength or Dexterity for combat effectiveness, and Constitution for survivability. Wisdom and Intelligence can be lower, as they are less critical for a Paladin.
For your background, choose one that provides useful skills for a support role. Acolyte is a good choice, as it grants Insight and Religion, which are helpful for understanding enemies and interacting with the world. Alternatively, the Folk Hero background provides Animal Handling and Survival, which can be useful for exploration and roleplay.
At level 1, youÔÇÖll gain Lay on Hands, which allows you to heal allies by touching them. This is a key ability for a support Paladin, as it provides reliable healing without using spell slots. YouÔÇÖll also gain your first set of spells. For a support build, focus on spells like Bless, which boosts attack rolls and saving throws for your party, and Cure Wounds for additional healing. Shield of Faith is another excellent choice, as it provides a significant AC boost to an ally.
As you level up, youÔÇÖll gain access to more powerful spells and abilities. At level 2, youÔÇÖll unlock Divine Smite, but as a support Paladin, youÔÇÖll want to use this sparingly, saving your spell slots for healing and buffing. At level 3, youÔÇÖll choose your Sacred Oath. For a support-focused build, the Oath of Devotion is ideal, as it provides access to spells like Sanctuary and Lesser Restoration, which are excellent for protecting and healing allies. The Oath of the Ancients is another strong option, as it offers healing and crowd control spells like Ensnaring Strike and Moonbeam.
At level 6, youÔÇÖll gain your Aura of Protection, which adds your Charisma modifier to saving throws for you and nearby allies. This is one of the most powerful support abilities in the game, as it significantly boosts your partyÔÇÖs survivability. Make sure to position yourself strategically in combat to maximize the auraÔÇÖs effectiveness.
For combat tactics, focus on staying near your allies to provide them with your aura bonuses. Use your spells to buff and heal as needed, and donÔÇÖt be afraid to use your Lay on Hands ability liberally. In terms of equipment, prioritize items that enhance your support capabilities. Look for armor that boosts your AC and saving throws, and weapons that allow you to control the battlefield, such as those with reach or crowd control effects.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your Charisma, as this directly impacts your spellcasting and aura effectiveness. Also, avoid overusing Divine Smite, as it can deplete your spell slots quickly, leaving you without resources for healing and buffing. Finally, donÔÇÖt forget to use your Lay on Hands ability, as itÔÇÖs a reliable source of healing that doesnÔÇÖt consume spell slots.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing to enhance your support capabilities. For example, taking a level in Cleric can grant you access to additional healing spells and domain abilities. The Life Domain is particularly synergistic, as it enhances your healing capabilities. Alternatively, a level in Sorcerer can provide more spell slots and access to metamagic, allowing you to twin buff spells like Haste or extend the duration of your auras.
In summary, a support-focused Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 is a powerful and versatile character who can significantly enhance your partyÔÇÖs effectiveness. By prioritizing Charisma, choosing the right spells and abilities, and positioning yourself strategically in combat, you can create a Paladin who excels at keeping your allies alive and thriving. Remember to use your Lay on Hands ability liberally, avoid overusing Divine Smite, and consider multiclassing for additional support options. With careful planning and execution, your support Paladin will be an invaluable asset to your party.