What is the best multiclass combination for a Fighter in Baldur's Gate 3?
Multiclassing a Fighter in Baldur's Gate 3 can significantly enhance your character's versatility and effectiveness in combat. The Fighter class is already a powerhouse with its high durability, multiple attacks, and access to heavy armor and weapons. However, by multiclassing, you can add new abilities, spells, or utility to your build. One of the best multiclass combinations for a Fighter is pairing it with the Paladin class. This combination, often referred to as the "Fighter-Paladin" or "Fightadin," leverages the strengths of both classes to create a highly durable and damage-dealing character.
The Fighter-Paladin multiclass benefits from the Fighter's Action Surge, Second Wind, and multiple Extra Attacks, combined with the Paladin's Divine Smite, Lay on Hands, and spellcasting abilities. This combination allows you to deal massive burst damage while maintaining high survivability. To achieve this build, you should start as a Fighter for the first few levels to gain access to heavy armor, Second Wind, and Action Surge. These early abilities will give you a strong foundation in combat. After reaching Fighter level 5, which grants you Extra Attack, you can begin multiclassing into Paladin.
When multiclassing, it's important to consider your ability scores. Fighters and Paladins both rely on Strength for melee attacks, so you should prioritize this stat. Charisma is also important for Paladins, as it affects their spellcasting and the effectiveness of their Aura of Protection. Constitution is crucial for both classes, as it increases your hit points and helps you maintain concentration on spells. A good starting point for ability scores would be Strength 16, Constitution 14, and Charisma 14, with the remaining points distributed as needed.
One of the key mechanics of this multiclass is the use of Divine Smite. Divine Smite allows you to expend a spell slot to deal additional radiant damage on a successful melee attack. Since Fighters have multiple attacks per turn, you can use Divine Smite on each hit, resulting in massive burst damage. Action Surge further enhances this by allowing you to take an additional action in a turn, effectively doubling your damage output for that round. This combination is particularly effective against tough enemies or bosses, where you need to deal as much damage as possible in a short amount of time.
Another important aspect of this build is the Paladin's Lay on Hands ability, which provides a pool of healing that can be used to restore hit points to yourself or your allies. This adds a layer of utility to your character, allowing you to support your party in addition to dealing damage. The Paladin's spellcasting also provides access to useful spells like Shield of Faith, which increases your AC, and Bless, which improves your party's attack rolls and saving throws.
When multiclassing, it's important to avoid spreading your levels too thin. A common mistake is taking too many levels in one class and not enough in the other, which can result in a character that is not as effective as it could be. For the Fighter-Paladin multiclass, a good balance is Fighter 5/Paladin 7. This gives you Extra Attack from Fighter, as well as Aura of Protection and Improved Divine Smite from Paladin. You can adjust this balance depending on your playstyle, but this combination provides a strong mix of offense and defense.
Advanced techniques for this build include using your spell slots strategically. Since Divine Smite can be used after you confirm a hit, you can save your spell slots for critical hits to maximize your damage output. Additionally, you can use your Paladin spells to buff yourself or your party before engaging in combat, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the fight ahead.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to note that multiclassing requires meeting the ability score prerequisites for both classes. For Fighter and Paladin, this means having at least Strength 13 and Charisma 13. Additionally, when multiclassing, your spell slots are determined by your combined levels in spellcasting classes. Since Paladin is a half-caster, your total spell slots will be calculated based on your Paladin level divided by two, rounded down, plus your Fighter level divided by three, rounded down.
Specific examples of this build in action include using Action Surge and Divine Smite to take down a powerful enemy in a single turn. For instance, if you are facing a boss with high hit points, you can use your Extra Attack to land multiple hits, each enhanced by Divine Smite, and then use Action Surge to repeat the process. This can result in a significant amount of damage in a short period, potentially turning the tide of the battle in your favor.
In conclusion, the Fighter-Paladin multiclass is a powerful and versatile build that combines the best aspects of both classes. By carefully planning your ability scores, level progression, and spell usage, you can create a character that excels in both offense and defense. This build is particularly effective in challenging combat scenarios, where its high damage output and survivability can make a significant difference. With the right strategy and execution, the Fighter-Paladin multiclass can be one of the most effective builds in Baldur's Gate 3.
The Fighter-Paladin multiclass benefits from the Fighter's Action Surge, Second Wind, and multiple Extra Attacks, combined with the Paladin's Divine Smite, Lay on Hands, and spellcasting abilities. This combination allows you to deal massive burst damage while maintaining high survivability. To achieve this build, you should start as a Fighter for the first few levels to gain access to heavy armor, Second Wind, and Action Surge. These early abilities will give you a strong foundation in combat. After reaching Fighter level 5, which grants you Extra Attack, you can begin multiclassing into Paladin.
When multiclassing, it's important to consider your ability scores. Fighters and Paladins both rely on Strength for melee attacks, so you should prioritize this stat. Charisma is also important for Paladins, as it affects their spellcasting and the effectiveness of their Aura of Protection. Constitution is crucial for both classes, as it increases your hit points and helps you maintain concentration on spells. A good starting point for ability scores would be Strength 16, Constitution 14, and Charisma 14, with the remaining points distributed as needed.
One of the key mechanics of this multiclass is the use of Divine Smite. Divine Smite allows you to expend a spell slot to deal additional radiant damage on a successful melee attack. Since Fighters have multiple attacks per turn, you can use Divine Smite on each hit, resulting in massive burst damage. Action Surge further enhances this by allowing you to take an additional action in a turn, effectively doubling your damage output for that round. This combination is particularly effective against tough enemies or bosses, where you need to deal as much damage as possible in a short amount of time.
Another important aspect of this build is the Paladin's Lay on Hands ability, which provides a pool of healing that can be used to restore hit points to yourself or your allies. This adds a layer of utility to your character, allowing you to support your party in addition to dealing damage. The Paladin's spellcasting also provides access to useful spells like Shield of Faith, which increases your AC, and Bless, which improves your party's attack rolls and saving throws.
When multiclassing, it's important to avoid spreading your levels too thin. A common mistake is taking too many levels in one class and not enough in the other, which can result in a character that is not as effective as it could be. For the Fighter-Paladin multiclass, a good balance is Fighter 5/Paladin 7. This gives you Extra Attack from Fighter, as well as Aura of Protection and Improved Divine Smite from Paladin. You can adjust this balance depending on your playstyle, but this combination provides a strong mix of offense and defense.
Advanced techniques for this build include using your spell slots strategically. Since Divine Smite can be used after you confirm a hit, you can save your spell slots for critical hits to maximize your damage output. Additionally, you can use your Paladin spells to buff yourself or your party before engaging in combat, ensuring that you are well-prepared for the fight ahead.
In terms of related D&D rules and mechanics, it's important to note that multiclassing requires meeting the ability score prerequisites for both classes. For Fighter and Paladin, this means having at least Strength 13 and Charisma 13. Additionally, when multiclassing, your spell slots are determined by your combined levels in spellcasting classes. Since Paladin is a half-caster, your total spell slots will be calculated based on your Paladin level divided by two, rounded down, plus your Fighter level divided by three, rounded down.
Specific examples of this build in action include using Action Surge and Divine Smite to take down a powerful enemy in a single turn. For instance, if you are facing a boss with high hit points, you can use your Extra Attack to land multiple hits, each enhanced by Divine Smite, and then use Action Surge to repeat the process. This can result in a significant amount of damage in a short period, potentially turning the tide of the battle in your favor.
In conclusion, the Fighter-Paladin multiclass is a powerful and versatile build that combines the best aspects of both classes. By carefully planning your ability scores, level progression, and spell usage, you can create a character that excels in both offense and defense. This build is particularly effective in challenging combat scenarios, where its high damage output and survivability can make a significant difference. With the right strategy and execution, the Fighter-Paladin multiclass can be one of the most effective builds in Baldur's Gate 3.