How do I create a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
Creating a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves a combination of careful stat allocation, strategic spell and ability choices, and thoughtful equipment selection. Paladins are naturally durable due to their high hit points, heavy armor proficiency, and access to healing spells, but optimizing them for tanking requires a deeper understanding of the mechanics and how to leverage them effectively.
First, let's discuss the core mechanics. Paladins 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 defensive bonuses to themselves and nearby allies. To build a tanky Paladin, you need to focus on maximizing survivability while maintaining enough offensive capability to draw enemy attention.
Start with your ability scores. Strength is your primary stat for melee attacks, so aim for at least 16. Constitution is crucial for hit points, so prioritize it as well, aiming for 14-16. Charisma is important for your spellcasting and Aura bonuses, so don't neglect it. A good starting spread might be 16 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 14 Constitution, 8 Intelligence, 10 Wisdom, and 14 Charisma. You can adjust these based on your race and any bonuses you receive.
Next, choose your race. Races like Half-Orc, Dragonborn, or Dwarf are excellent choices for a tanky Paladin. Half-Orcs get Relentless Endurance, which allows them to avoid dropping to 0 HP once per long rest. Dragonborn have a breath weapon that can be useful in certain situations, and Dwarves get bonus hit points and resistance to poison. Each race also provides ability score bonuses that can complement your build.
For your background, consider something that boosts your survivability or utility. Acolyte can give you additional healing options, while Soldier provides proficiency in Athletics, which is useful for grappling and shoving enemies. Your background also influences your dialogue options and roleplay opportunities, so choose one that fits your character concept.
When it comes to class features, focus on those that enhance your tanking capabilities. At level 2, you gain access to Divine Smite, which allows you to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a hit. While this is primarily an offensive ability, it can also help you eliminate threats quickly, reducing the damage you take in the long run. At level 3, you choose your Sacred Oath. Oath of Devotion is a strong choice for a tanky Paladin, as it provides features like Sacred Weapon, which boosts your attack rolls, and Aura of Devotion, which protects you and your allies from charm effects.
At level 6, you gain Aura of Protection, which adds your Charisma modifier to saving throws for you and nearby allies. This is one of the most powerful defensive features in the game, so make sure to position yourself to maximize its benefit. At higher levels, you gain access to more powerful spells and abilities, such as Aura of Courage, which makes you and your allies immune to fear.
For spells, prioritize those that enhance your survivability and control the battlefield. Shield of Faith is a great early-game spell that boosts your AC. Cure Wounds and Lay on Hands provide healing, while spells like Command and Hold Person can disable enemies, reducing the damage they deal. At higher levels, consider spells like Protection from Energy and Aura of Vitality for additional defensive options.
Equipment is another critical aspect of building a tanky Paladin. Heavy armor is a must, so look for the best plate armor you can find. Shields also provide a significant AC boost, so always equip one if possible. Weapons should be chosen based on your playstyle, but a one-handed weapon like a longsword or warhammer pairs well with a shield. Look for magical items that provide additional defensive bonuses, such as rings or cloaks that boost AC or saving throws.
In combat, your role as a tanky Paladin is to draw enemy attention and protect your allies. Use your high AC and hit points to absorb damage, and position yourself to control the battlefield. Use your Auras to support your allies and your spells to disable or weaken enemies. Don't be afraid to use Divine Smite to eliminate high-priority targets quickly.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your Charisma, which weakens your Auras and spellcasting, and focusing too much on offense at the expense of defense. Remember, your primary role is to tank, so prioritize survivability over damage. Also, be mindful of your positioning. Aura of Protection and other Auras have limited ranges, so stay close to your allies to maximize their effectiveness.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing for additional defensive options. For example, a dip into Fighter can give you Second Wind for extra healing and Action Surge for additional actions in combat. Alternatively, a level in Sorcerer or Warlock can provide additional spell slots for more Divine Smites and access to powerful defensive spells like Shield.
In summary, building a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves careful stat allocation, strategic spell and ability choices, and thoughtful equipment selection. Focus on maximizing your survivability while maintaining enough offensive capability to draw enemy attention. Use your Auras and spells to support your allies and control the battlefield, and don't neglect your positioning. With the right build and tactics, you can create a Paladin that is nearly unkillable and a true asset to any party.
First, let's discuss the core mechanics. Paladins 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 defensive bonuses to themselves and nearby allies. To build a tanky Paladin, you need to focus on maximizing survivability while maintaining enough offensive capability to draw enemy attention.
Start with your ability scores. Strength is your primary stat for melee attacks, so aim for at least 16. Constitution is crucial for hit points, so prioritize it as well, aiming for 14-16. Charisma is important for your spellcasting and Aura bonuses, so don't neglect it. A good starting spread might be 16 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 14 Constitution, 8 Intelligence, 10 Wisdom, and 14 Charisma. You can adjust these based on your race and any bonuses you receive.
Next, choose your race. Races like Half-Orc, Dragonborn, or Dwarf are excellent choices for a tanky Paladin. Half-Orcs get Relentless Endurance, which allows them to avoid dropping to 0 HP once per long rest. Dragonborn have a breath weapon that can be useful in certain situations, and Dwarves get bonus hit points and resistance to poison. Each race also provides ability score bonuses that can complement your build.
For your background, consider something that boosts your survivability or utility. Acolyte can give you additional healing options, while Soldier provides proficiency in Athletics, which is useful for grappling and shoving enemies. Your background also influences your dialogue options and roleplay opportunities, so choose one that fits your character concept.
When it comes to class features, focus on those that enhance your tanking capabilities. At level 2, you gain access to Divine Smite, which allows you to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a hit. While this is primarily an offensive ability, it can also help you eliminate threats quickly, reducing the damage you take in the long run. At level 3, you choose your Sacred Oath. Oath of Devotion is a strong choice for a tanky Paladin, as it provides features like Sacred Weapon, which boosts your attack rolls, and Aura of Devotion, which protects you and your allies from charm effects.
At level 6, you gain Aura of Protection, which adds your Charisma modifier to saving throws for you and nearby allies. This is one of the most powerful defensive features in the game, so make sure to position yourself to maximize its benefit. At higher levels, you gain access to more powerful spells and abilities, such as Aura of Courage, which makes you and your allies immune to fear.
For spells, prioritize those that enhance your survivability and control the battlefield. Shield of Faith is a great early-game spell that boosts your AC. Cure Wounds and Lay on Hands provide healing, while spells like Command and Hold Person can disable enemies, reducing the damage they deal. At higher levels, consider spells like Protection from Energy and Aura of Vitality for additional defensive options.
Equipment is another critical aspect of building a tanky Paladin. Heavy armor is a must, so look for the best plate armor you can find. Shields also provide a significant AC boost, so always equip one if possible. Weapons should be chosen based on your playstyle, but a one-handed weapon like a longsword or warhammer pairs well with a shield. Look for magical items that provide additional defensive bonuses, such as rings or cloaks that boost AC or saving throws.
In combat, your role as a tanky Paladin is to draw enemy attention and protect your allies. Use your high AC and hit points to absorb damage, and position yourself to control the battlefield. Use your Auras to support your allies and your spells to disable or weaken enemies. Don't be afraid to use Divine Smite to eliminate high-priority targets quickly.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your Charisma, which weakens your Auras and spellcasting, and focusing too much on offense at the expense of defense. Remember, your primary role is to tank, so prioritize survivability over damage. Also, be mindful of your positioning. Aura of Protection and other Auras have limited ranges, so stay close to your allies to maximize their effectiveness.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing for additional defensive options. For example, a dip into Fighter can give you Second Wind for extra healing and Action Surge for additional actions in combat. Alternatively, a level in Sorcerer or Warlock can provide additional spell slots for more Divine Smites and access to powerful defensive spells like Shield.
In summary, building a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves careful stat allocation, strategic spell and ability choices, and thoughtful equipment selection. Focus on maximizing your survivability while maintaining enough offensive capability to draw enemy attention. Use your Auras and spells to support your allies and control the battlefield, and don't neglect your positioning. With the right build and tactics, you can create a Paladin that is nearly unkillable and a true asset to any party.