What is the best background for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?

Choosing the best background for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves understanding how backgrounds influence your character's roleplay, dialogue options, and skill proficiencies. Paladins are a class that thrives on strength, charisma, and a strong moral compass, often serving as the party's frontline tank and moral guide. The background you choose should complement these traits while also providing useful skills for exploration, combat, and social interactions.

First, let's discuss the mechanics of backgrounds in Baldur's Gate 3. Backgrounds provide two skill proficiencies, which are crucial for your character's effectiveness in and out of combat. They also influence your character's story and dialogue options, giving you unique ways to interact with the world and NPCs. For a Paladin, the ideal background should enhance your ability to lead, persuade, and survive in combat.

One of the best backgrounds for a Paladin is the Noble background. This background provides proficiency in History and Persuasion. History is useful for understanding the lore of the world, which can be helpful in certain dialogue options and quests. Persuasion is a key skill for Paladins, as it allows you to influence NPCs, resolve conflicts peacefully, and rally your allies. The Noble background also fits thematically with the Paladin's role as a leader and protector, often coming from a position of authority or high status.

Another strong option is the Soldier background. This background grants proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation. Athletics is useful for physical challenges, such as climbing, jumping, and grappling, which can be important in both exploration and combat. Intimidation is another social skill that allows you to assert dominance and control in conversations, which can be useful for a Paladin who needs to enforce their will or protect their allies. The Soldier background also aligns well with the Paladin's martial prowess and disciplined nature.

For a more versatile approach, consider the Acolyte background. This background provides proficiency in Insight and Religion. Insight is valuable for reading people and understanding their motives, which can be crucial in dialogue and social interactions. Religion is important for understanding the divine and the various gods and their followers, which is central to a Paladin's identity and role. The Acolyte background also fits well with the Paladin's connection to their deity and their role as a holy warrior.

When choosing a background, it's important to consider your party composition and the skills they bring to the table. If your party lacks a charismatic leader, the Noble background can fill that gap. If you need more physical prowess, the Soldier background is a strong choice. If your party lacks someone with deep knowledge of the divine, the Acolyte background can provide that expertise.

Common mistakes to avoid include choosing a background that doesn't align with your character's role or the needs of your party. For example, the Criminal background, which provides proficiency in Deception and Stealth, might not be the best fit for a Paladin, as it conflicts with their lawful and honorable nature. Similarly, the Sage background, which provides proficiency in Arcana and History, might not be as useful for a Paladin who relies more on physical and social skills.

Advanced techniques involve optimizing your skill proficiencies to cover as many bases as possible. For example, if you choose the Noble background, you might want to take the Skill Expert feat at level 4 to gain proficiency in Insight or Athletics, rounding out your skill set. This allows you to be more versatile in both social and physical challenges.

In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to remember that skill proficiencies can be used in a variety of ways. Persuasion and Intimidation can be used to influence NPCs, while Athletics and Insight can be used to overcome physical and social obstacles. Religion and History can provide valuable information and context for your adventures.

Specific examples and scenarios include using Persuasion to convince a hostile NPC to stand down, using Athletics to climb a wall and gain a tactical advantage in combat, or using Religion to identify a holy relic and gain the favor of a deity. These skills can make a significant difference in how your character interacts with the world and overcomes challenges.

In conclusion, the best background for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 depends on your playstyle, party composition, and the role you want your character to fulfill. The Noble, Soldier, and Acolyte backgrounds are all strong choices that provide useful skills and align well with the Paladin's identity. By carefully considering your options and optimizing your skill proficiencies, you can create a Paladin who is both effective in combat and a compelling leader in the story.