How do I build a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
Building a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves focusing on high durability, strong defensive capabilities, and the ability to protect allies while dealing respectable damage. Paladins are naturally durable due to their heavy armor proficiency, access to healing spells, and the ability to use their Lay on Hands feature to restore health. However, to maximize their tankiness, you need to carefully consider your race, ability scores, feats, and spell selection.
First, let's discuss race. While any race can work for a Paladin, some races offer natural advantages that complement a tanky build. For example, the Half-Orc is an excellent choice due to their Relentless Endurance feature, which allows them to drop to 1 HP instead of 0 once per long rest. This can be a lifesaver in tough battles. Alternatively, the Shield Dwarf provides a bonus to Constitution and proficiency with medium armor, which can be useful if you want to focus on Constitution for extra hit points. The Githyanki also offers medium armor proficiency and the ability to use Mage Hand, which can be useful for utility.
Next, let's talk about ability scores. As a Paladin, your primary ability scores should be Strength and Charisma. Strength is essential for melee attacks and damage, while Charisma boosts your spellcasting and the effectiveness of your Aura of Protection, which grants a bonus to saving throws for you and nearby allies. Constitution is also crucial for a tanky build, as it increases your hit points and makes you harder to kill. A good starting spread might be 16 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 14 Constitution, 8 Intelligence, 10 Wisdom, and 16 Charisma. You can adjust these based on your race's bonuses.
When leveling up, prioritize increasing your Strength and Charisma. At level 4, consider taking the Ability Score Improvement feat to boost these stats. Alternatively, you can take the Tough feat, which increases your hit points by 2 per level, making you even more durable. Another excellent feat for a tanky Paladin is Sentinel, which allows you to make opportunity attacks against enemies who attack your allies, and reduces their speed to 0 if you hit. This can help you control the battlefield and protect your party.
For your Paladin subclass, the Oath of Devotion is a strong choice for a tanky build. Its Sacred Weapon feature allows you to add your Charisma modifier to your attack rolls, making you more accurate in combat. Additionally, the Aura of Devotion grants immunity to charm effects for you and nearby allies, which can be invaluable in certain encounters. The Oath of the Ancients is another good option, as its Aura of Warding grants resistance to spell damage, further increasing your durability.
In terms of combat tactics, your role as a tanky Paladin is to draw enemy attention and protect your allies. Use your high AC and hit points to stand on the front lines, and use your Lay on Hands feature to heal yourself or allies as needed. Your Divine Smite ability is a powerful tool for dealing damage, but be mindful of your spell slots. Use it strategically, especially against tougher enemies or bosses. Your Aura of Protection is one of your most valuable abilities, so try to position yourself near your allies to give them the saving throw bonus.
When it comes to spell selection, focus on spells that enhance your durability or protect your allies. Shield of Faith is a great early-game spell that increases your AC by 2, making you even harder to hit. Cure Wounds can be used to heal yourself or allies, and Lesser Restoration can remove harmful conditions like poison or disease. At higher levels, consider spells like Aura of Vitality, which allows you to heal yourself or allies as a bonus action, and Circle of Power, which grants advantage on saving throws and resistance to spell damage.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Charisma. While it might be tempting to focus solely on Strength and Constitution, Charisma is crucial for your spellcasting and Aura of Protection. Another mistake is overusing Divine Smite. While it's a powerful ability, it consumes spell slots quickly, so use it wisely. Finally, don't forget to use your Lay on Hands feature. It's a valuable source of healing that doesn't consume spell slots, so make sure to use it when needed.
For advanced techniques, consider multiclassing into Sorcerer or Warlock. Sorcerer can give you access to more spell slots for Divine Smite, as well as useful spells like Shield and Absorb Elements. Warlock can provide short-rest spell slots, which recharge on a short rest, allowing you to use Divine Smite more frequently. However, multiclassing requires careful planning, as it can delay your access to higher-level Paladin abilities.
In summary, building a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves focusing on high Strength, Constitution, and Charisma, choosing a race that complements your build, and selecting feats and spells that enhance your durability and protective capabilities. By carefully managing your abilities and positioning yourself strategically in combat, you can become an unbreakable shield for your party, capable of withstanding even the toughest challenges.
First, let's discuss race. While any race can work for a Paladin, some races offer natural advantages that complement a tanky build. For example, the Half-Orc is an excellent choice due to their Relentless Endurance feature, which allows them to drop to 1 HP instead of 0 once per long rest. This can be a lifesaver in tough battles. Alternatively, the Shield Dwarf provides a bonus to Constitution and proficiency with medium armor, which can be useful if you want to focus on Constitution for extra hit points. The Githyanki also offers medium armor proficiency and the ability to use Mage Hand, which can be useful for utility.
Next, let's talk about ability scores. As a Paladin, your primary ability scores should be Strength and Charisma. Strength is essential for melee attacks and damage, while Charisma boosts your spellcasting and the effectiveness of your Aura of Protection, which grants a bonus to saving throws for you and nearby allies. Constitution is also crucial for a tanky build, as it increases your hit points and makes you harder to kill. A good starting spread might be 16 Strength, 10 Dexterity, 14 Constitution, 8 Intelligence, 10 Wisdom, and 16 Charisma. You can adjust these based on your race's bonuses.
When leveling up, prioritize increasing your Strength and Charisma. At level 4, consider taking the Ability Score Improvement feat to boost these stats. Alternatively, you can take the Tough feat, which increases your hit points by 2 per level, making you even more durable. Another excellent feat for a tanky Paladin is Sentinel, which allows you to make opportunity attacks against enemies who attack your allies, and reduces their speed to 0 if you hit. This can help you control the battlefield and protect your party.
For your Paladin subclass, the Oath of Devotion is a strong choice for a tanky build. Its Sacred Weapon feature allows you to add your Charisma modifier to your attack rolls, making you more accurate in combat. Additionally, the Aura of Devotion grants immunity to charm effects for you and nearby allies, which can be invaluable in certain encounters. The Oath of the Ancients is another good option, as its Aura of Warding grants resistance to spell damage, further increasing your durability.
In terms of combat tactics, your role as a tanky Paladin is to draw enemy attention and protect your allies. Use your high AC and hit points to stand on the front lines, and use your Lay on Hands feature to heal yourself or allies as needed. Your Divine Smite ability is a powerful tool for dealing damage, but be mindful of your spell slots. Use it strategically, especially against tougher enemies or bosses. Your Aura of Protection is one of your most valuable abilities, so try to position yourself near your allies to give them the saving throw bonus.
When it comes to spell selection, focus on spells that enhance your durability or protect your allies. Shield of Faith is a great early-game spell that increases your AC by 2, making you even harder to hit. Cure Wounds can be used to heal yourself or allies, and Lesser Restoration can remove harmful conditions like poison or disease. At higher levels, consider spells like Aura of Vitality, which allows you to heal yourself or allies as a bonus action, and Circle of Power, which grants advantage on saving throws and resistance to spell damage.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your Charisma. While it might be tempting to focus solely on Strength and Constitution, Charisma is crucial for your spellcasting and Aura of Protection. Another mistake is overusing Divine Smite. While it's a powerful ability, it consumes spell slots quickly, so use it wisely. Finally, don't forget to use your Lay on Hands feature. It's a valuable source of healing that doesn't consume spell slots, so make sure to use it when needed.
For advanced techniques, consider multiclassing into Sorcerer or Warlock. Sorcerer can give you access to more spell slots for Divine Smite, as well as useful spells like Shield and Absorb Elements. Warlock can provide short-rest spell slots, which recharge on a short rest, allowing you to use Divine Smite more frequently. However, multiclassing requires careful planning, as it can delay your access to higher-level Paladin abilities.
In summary, building a tanky Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 involves focusing on high Strength, Constitution, and Charisma, choosing a race that complements your build, and selecting feats and spells that enhance your durability and protective capabilities. By carefully managing your abilities and positioning yourself strategically in combat, you can become an unbreakable shield for your party, capable of withstanding even the toughest challenges.