How do I build a Paladin for both tanking and smiting in Baldur's Gate 3?
Building a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 for both tanking and smiting requires a balance between survivability and offensive power. Paladins are naturally durable due to their heavy armor proficiency and access to healing spells, but they also excel at dealing burst damage through their Divine Smite ability. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide to creating a Paladin that can effectively tank and smite.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the 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 nearby allies. Tanking involves drawing enemy attention and surviving their attacks, while smiting focuses on dealing high damage to eliminate threats quickly. To achieve both, you need to prioritize Strength for melee attacks, Constitution for hit points, and Charisma for spellcasting and aura effectiveness.
For race selection, consider options that complement your PaladinÔÇÖs role. Half-Orcs are excellent for their Relentless Endurance, which allows them to survive a killing blow, and their Savage Attacks, which increase critical hit damage. Humans are versatile with their bonus skill proficiency and extra carrying capacity. Dragonborn offer a breath weapon and resistance to a damage type, adding utility and survivability. Tieflings, with their innate spellcasting and fire resistance, can also be a strong choice.
When assigning ability scores, prioritize Strength as your primary stat for melee attacks and damage. Aim for at least 16 Strength at level 1. Constitution should be your second priority, with a score of 14 or 15 to boost your hit points and survivability. Charisma is important for your spellcasting and aura bonuses, so aim for 14 or 15 as well. Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom can be lower, but donÔÇÖt dump Dexterity entirely, as it affects your initiative and AC if youÔÇÖre not wearing heavy armor.
For your background, choose one that complements your role. Soldier provides Athletics and Intimidation, which are useful for tanking and roleplay. Acolyte offers Insight and Religion, which can be helpful for dialogue and understanding the world. Noble provides Persuasion and History, enhancing your social interactions.
At level 1, youÔÇÖll gain your Paladin features, including Lay on Hands and Divine Sense. Lay on Hands is a versatile healing tool, while Divine Sense helps detect hidden enemies. At level 2, youÔÇÖll gain access to Divine Smite, which allows you to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a hit. This is your primary source of burst damage, so use it strategically against tough enemies.
For your Fighting Style at level 2, choose Defense for a +1 bonus to AC, enhancing your tanking capabilities. Alternatively, Dueling increases your damage output if youÔÇÖre using a one-handed weapon and shield. Protection is another option, allowing you to impose disadvantage on attacks against allies, but it requires careful positioning.
At level 3, youÔÇÖll choose your Sacred Oath. Oath of Devotion is a strong choice for tanking, as it provides features like Sacred Weapon, which boosts your attack rolls, and Turn the Unholy, which can control undead enemies. Oath of the Ancients offers healing and crowd control abilities, while Oath of Vengeance focuses on dealing damage and hunting down specific foes. Choose the oath that best fits your playstyle and party needs.
As you level up, prioritize feats that enhance your tanking and smiting capabilities. Great Weapon Master is excellent for increasing your damage output if youÔÇÖre using a two-handed weapon, but it comes with a trade-off in accuracy. Shield Master can improve your survivability by allowing you to add your shieldÔÇÖs AC bonus to Dexterity saving throws and providing a bonus action shove. Sentinel is another strong choice, as it allows you to punish enemies who attack your allies and prevent them from moving away from you.
In combat, your role as a tank is to draw enemy attention and protect your allies. Use your high AC and hit points to absorb damage, and position yourself to block enemy movement. Use your Divine Smite ability to deal burst damage to priority targets, such as enemy spellcasters or high-damage dealers. Be mindful of your spell slots, as they are a limited resource. Use them strategically, especially in longer fights.
Common mistakes to avoid include overextending in combat, which can leave you isolated and vulnerable. Always stay within range of your allies to benefit from your auras and provide support. Another mistake is using Divine Smite too early in a fight, leaving you without resources for later encounters. Pace yourself and use your abilities wisely.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing to enhance your capabilities. A popular option is to dip into Sorcerer or Warlock for additional spell slots and utility. Sorcerer provides access to spells like Shield and Misty Step, increasing your survivability and mobility. Warlock offers short-rest spell slots, which can be used for more Divine Smites, and invocations that provide additional utility. However, multiclassing requires careful planning to avoid weakening your core Paladin abilities.
In summary, building a Paladin for both tanking and smiting in Baldur's Gate 3 involves balancing Strength, Constitution, and Charisma, choosing the right race and background, and selecting feats and abilities that enhance your role. Use your Divine Smite strategically, position yourself to protect your allies, and avoid common mistakes like overextending or wasting resources. With careful planning and execution, your Paladin can be a formidable tank and damage dealer, capable of handling any challenge the game throws at you.
First, letÔÇÖs discuss the 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 nearby allies. Tanking involves drawing enemy attention and surviving their attacks, while smiting focuses on dealing high damage to eliminate threats quickly. To achieve both, you need to prioritize Strength for melee attacks, Constitution for hit points, and Charisma for spellcasting and aura effectiveness.
For race selection, consider options that complement your PaladinÔÇÖs role. Half-Orcs are excellent for their Relentless Endurance, which allows them to survive a killing blow, and their Savage Attacks, which increase critical hit damage. Humans are versatile with their bonus skill proficiency and extra carrying capacity. Dragonborn offer a breath weapon and resistance to a damage type, adding utility and survivability. Tieflings, with their innate spellcasting and fire resistance, can also be a strong choice.
When assigning ability scores, prioritize Strength as your primary stat for melee attacks and damage. Aim for at least 16 Strength at level 1. Constitution should be your second priority, with a score of 14 or 15 to boost your hit points and survivability. Charisma is important for your spellcasting and aura bonuses, so aim for 14 or 15 as well. Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdom can be lower, but donÔÇÖt dump Dexterity entirely, as it affects your initiative and AC if youÔÇÖre not wearing heavy armor.
For your background, choose one that complements your role. Soldier provides Athletics and Intimidation, which are useful for tanking and roleplay. Acolyte offers Insight and Religion, which can be helpful for dialogue and understanding the world. Noble provides Persuasion and History, enhancing your social interactions.
At level 1, youÔÇÖll gain your Paladin features, including Lay on Hands and Divine Sense. Lay on Hands is a versatile healing tool, while Divine Sense helps detect hidden enemies. At level 2, youÔÇÖll gain access to Divine Smite, which allows you to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a hit. This is your primary source of burst damage, so use it strategically against tough enemies.
For your Fighting Style at level 2, choose Defense for a +1 bonus to AC, enhancing your tanking capabilities. Alternatively, Dueling increases your damage output if youÔÇÖre using a one-handed weapon and shield. Protection is another option, allowing you to impose disadvantage on attacks against allies, but it requires careful positioning.
At level 3, youÔÇÖll choose your Sacred Oath. Oath of Devotion is a strong choice for tanking, as it provides features like Sacred Weapon, which boosts your attack rolls, and Turn the Unholy, which can control undead enemies. Oath of the Ancients offers healing and crowd control abilities, while Oath of Vengeance focuses on dealing damage and hunting down specific foes. Choose the oath that best fits your playstyle and party needs.
As you level up, prioritize feats that enhance your tanking and smiting capabilities. Great Weapon Master is excellent for increasing your damage output if youÔÇÖre using a two-handed weapon, but it comes with a trade-off in accuracy. Shield Master can improve your survivability by allowing you to add your shieldÔÇÖs AC bonus to Dexterity saving throws and providing a bonus action shove. Sentinel is another strong choice, as it allows you to punish enemies who attack your allies and prevent them from moving away from you.
In combat, your role as a tank is to draw enemy attention and protect your allies. Use your high AC and hit points to absorb damage, and position yourself to block enemy movement. Use your Divine Smite ability to deal burst damage to priority targets, such as enemy spellcasters or high-damage dealers. Be mindful of your spell slots, as they are a limited resource. Use them strategically, especially in longer fights.
Common mistakes to avoid include overextending in combat, which can leave you isolated and vulnerable. Always stay within range of your allies to benefit from your auras and provide support. Another mistake is using Divine Smite too early in a fight, leaving you without resources for later encounters. Pace yourself and use your abilities wisely.
Advanced techniques include multiclassing to enhance your capabilities. A popular option is to dip into Sorcerer or Warlock for additional spell slots and utility. Sorcerer provides access to spells like Shield and Misty Step, increasing your survivability and mobility. Warlock offers short-rest spell slots, which can be used for more Divine Smites, and invocations that provide additional utility. However, multiclassing requires careful planning to avoid weakening your core Paladin abilities.
In summary, building a Paladin for both tanking and smiting in Baldur's Gate 3 involves balancing Strength, Constitution, and Charisma, choosing the right race and background, and selecting feats and abilities that enhance your role. Use your Divine Smite strategically, position yourself to protect your allies, and avoid common mistakes like overextending or wasting resources. With careful planning and execution, your Paladin can be a formidable tank and damage dealer, capable of handling any challenge the game throws at you.