How do I create a dual-wielding Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
Creating a dual-wielding Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 is a powerful and versatile build that combines the Paladin's divine smites with the ability to attack multiple times per turn using two weapons. This build focuses on maximizing damage output while maintaining the Paladin's durability and utility. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to achieve this.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Dual-wielding in Baldur's Gate 3 allows you to wield a weapon in each hand, enabling you to make an additional attack with your off-hand weapon as a bonus action. However, this comes with some restrictions. By default, you can only dual-wield light weapons unless you have the Dual Wielder feat, which allows you to use non-light weapons and grants a +1 bonus to AC while dual-wielding. Paladins are naturally durable due to their high hit points and access to heavy armor, but dual-wielding requires careful consideration of ability scores and feats to optimize both offense and defense.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to choose a race that complements the PaladinÔÇÖs strengths. Races like Half-Orc, Human, or Dragonborn are excellent choices due to their racial bonuses to Strength or Charisma, which are key stats for Paladins. Half-Orcs, for example, gain a bonus to Strength and have the Relentless Endurance trait, which can save you from being knocked out in combat. Humans, on the other hand, gain a bonus to all ability scores, making them versatile.
Next, focus on your ability scores. Strength should be your primary stat, as it determines your melee attack and damage rolls. Charisma is also crucial for Paladins, as it affects your spellcasting and the effectiveness of your Aura of Protection. Constitution is important for increasing your hit points, while Dexterity can be useful for initiative and AC if youÔÇÖre not wearing heavy armor. Aim for a starting spread like 16 Strength, 14 Constitution, and 14 Charisma, with the remaining points distributed as needed.
When selecting your Paladin subclass, consider the Oath of Vengeance or Oath of Devotion. Oath of Vengeance is particularly well-suited for dual-wielding, as it provides abilities like Vow of Enmity, which grants advantage on attack rolls against a chosen enemy. Oath of Devotion, on the other hand, offers Sacred Weapon, which adds your Charisma modifier to attack rolls, making it easier to hit enemies.
At level 4, youÔÇÖll want to take the Dual Wielder feat. This feat is essential for dual-wielding Paladins, as it allows you to use non-light weapons, increasing your damage potential. It also provides a +1 bonus to AC, which helps offset the loss of a shield. If youÔÇÖre using light weapons, you can delay taking this feat until later levels, but itÔÇÖs still highly recommended for the AC bonus.
In combat, your strategy will revolve around using your bonus action to attack with your off-hand weapon while using your main hand for powerful smites. Divine Smite is a key feature of the Paladin class, allowing you to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a hit. Since dual-wielding gives you more attacks, youÔÇÖll have more opportunities to trigger Divine Smite, making this build particularly devastating against tough enemies.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your AC. While dual-wielding, you lose the ability to use a shield, which can make you more vulnerable to attacks. To mitigate this, consider wearing heavy armor and taking the Defense fighting style at level 2, which grants a +1 bonus to AC. Additionally, the Dual Wielder featÔÇÖs +1 AC bonus helps compensate for the lack of a shield.
Advanced techniques for this build include multiclassing into Fighter or Warlock. A two-level dip into Fighter grants you Action Surge, allowing you to take an additional action on your turn, which can be used for even more attacks. Warlock, on the other hand, provides access to the Hex spell, which adds extra damage to your attacks, and the Pact of the Blade feature, which allows you to use Charisma for attack and damage rolls with your pact weapon.
In terms of related D&D rules, itÔÇÖs important to note that dual-wielding requires the Two-Weapon Fighting style to add your ability modifier to the damage of your off-hand attack. Unfortunately, Paladins do not have access to this fighting style, so youÔÇÖll need to multiclass into Fighter or Ranger to gain it. However, the damage from Divine Smite often makes up for this limitation.
In specific scenarios, such as fighting a boss or a group of enemies, your dual-wielding Paladin can shine. Use your Vow of Enmity to gain advantage on attacks against a tough enemy, then unleash a flurry of attacks with Divine Smite to quickly take them down. Against groups, consider using spells like Thunderous Smite or Branding Smite to deal area damage or control the battlefield.
In conclusion, a dual-wielding Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 is a potent build that combines high damage output with the PaladinÔÇÖs natural durability. By carefully selecting your race, ability scores, and feats, and by using advanced techniques like multiclassing, you can create a character that excels in both single-target and group combat. Just remember to balance your offense with defense, and youÔÇÖll be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics involved. Dual-wielding in Baldur's Gate 3 allows you to wield a weapon in each hand, enabling you to make an additional attack with your off-hand weapon as a bonus action. However, this comes with some restrictions. By default, you can only dual-wield light weapons unless you have the Dual Wielder feat, which allows you to use non-light weapons and grants a +1 bonus to AC while dual-wielding. Paladins are naturally durable due to their high hit points and access to heavy armor, but dual-wielding requires careful consideration of ability scores and feats to optimize both offense and defense.
To start, youÔÇÖll need to choose a race that complements the PaladinÔÇÖs strengths. Races like Half-Orc, Human, or Dragonborn are excellent choices due to their racial bonuses to Strength or Charisma, which are key stats for Paladins. Half-Orcs, for example, gain a bonus to Strength and have the Relentless Endurance trait, which can save you from being knocked out in combat. Humans, on the other hand, gain a bonus to all ability scores, making them versatile.
Next, focus on your ability scores. Strength should be your primary stat, as it determines your melee attack and damage rolls. Charisma is also crucial for Paladins, as it affects your spellcasting and the effectiveness of your Aura of Protection. Constitution is important for increasing your hit points, while Dexterity can be useful for initiative and AC if youÔÇÖre not wearing heavy armor. Aim for a starting spread like 16 Strength, 14 Constitution, and 14 Charisma, with the remaining points distributed as needed.
When selecting your Paladin subclass, consider the Oath of Vengeance or Oath of Devotion. Oath of Vengeance is particularly well-suited for dual-wielding, as it provides abilities like Vow of Enmity, which grants advantage on attack rolls against a chosen enemy. Oath of Devotion, on the other hand, offers Sacred Weapon, which adds your Charisma modifier to attack rolls, making it easier to hit enemies.
At level 4, youÔÇÖll want to take the Dual Wielder feat. This feat is essential for dual-wielding Paladins, as it allows you to use non-light weapons, increasing your damage potential. It also provides a +1 bonus to AC, which helps offset the loss of a shield. If youÔÇÖre using light weapons, you can delay taking this feat until later levels, but itÔÇÖs still highly recommended for the AC bonus.
In combat, your strategy will revolve around using your bonus action to attack with your off-hand weapon while using your main hand for powerful smites. Divine Smite is a key feature of the Paladin class, allowing you to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a hit. Since dual-wielding gives you more attacks, youÔÇÖll have more opportunities to trigger Divine Smite, making this build particularly devastating against tough enemies.
One common mistake to avoid is neglecting your AC. While dual-wielding, you lose the ability to use a shield, which can make you more vulnerable to attacks. To mitigate this, consider wearing heavy armor and taking the Defense fighting style at level 2, which grants a +1 bonus to AC. Additionally, the Dual Wielder featÔÇÖs +1 AC bonus helps compensate for the lack of a shield.
Advanced techniques for this build include multiclassing into Fighter or Warlock. A two-level dip into Fighter grants you Action Surge, allowing you to take an additional action on your turn, which can be used for even more attacks. Warlock, on the other hand, provides access to the Hex spell, which adds extra damage to your attacks, and the Pact of the Blade feature, which allows you to use Charisma for attack and damage rolls with your pact weapon.
In terms of related D&D rules, itÔÇÖs important to note that dual-wielding requires the Two-Weapon Fighting style to add your ability modifier to the damage of your off-hand attack. Unfortunately, Paladins do not have access to this fighting style, so youÔÇÖll need to multiclass into Fighter or Ranger to gain it. However, the damage from Divine Smite often makes up for this limitation.
In specific scenarios, such as fighting a boss or a group of enemies, your dual-wielding Paladin can shine. Use your Vow of Enmity to gain advantage on attacks against a tough enemy, then unleash a flurry of attacks with Divine Smite to quickly take them down. Against groups, consider using spells like Thunderous Smite or Branding Smite to deal area damage or control the battlefield.
In conclusion, a dual-wielding Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 is a potent build that combines high damage output with the PaladinÔÇÖs natural durability. By carefully selecting your race, ability scores, and feats, and by using advanced techniques like multiclassing, you can create a character that excels in both single-target and group combat. Just remember to balance your offense with defense, and youÔÇÖll be a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.