What is the best weapon for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3?
The best weapon for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 depends on your playstyle, build, and the specific role you want your Paladin to fulfill in your party. Paladins are versatile melee combatants who excel in dealing high burst damage, providing support through healing and buffs, and tanking damage with their heavy armor and defensive abilities. Choosing the right weapon is crucial to maximizing their effectiveness in combat.
First, let's discuss the mechanics involved. Paladins in Baldur's Gate 3, as in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, as well as heavy armor and shields. This gives them a wide range of weapon options, from one-handed swords and maces to two-handed greatswords and polearms. The choice of weapon often depends on whether you want to focus on damage output, survivability, or a balance of both. Additionally, Paladins have access to Divine Smite, a class feature that allows them to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a successful melee attack. This makes weapons with high base damage or those that can land multiple hits in a turn particularly effective.
For a Paladin focusing on damage, two-handed weapons like greatswords or greataxes are excellent choices. These weapons deal high base damage and benefit from the Great Weapon Fighting fighting style, which allows you to reroll low damage dice. The Everburn Blade, a greatsword found early in the game, is a standout option. It deals additional fire damage, making it a powerful choice for a damage-focused Paladin. To obtain the Everburn Blade, you need to defeat Commander Zhalk on the Nautiloid ship during the prologue. This requires careful positioning and possibly using the Mind Flayer to weaken Zhalk before finishing him off.
If you prefer a more balanced approach, using a one-handed weapon like a longsword or warhammer with a shield is a solid choice. This setup provides a good mix of offense and defense, allowing you to deal respectable damage while maintaining a high Armor Class (AC) to avoid enemy attacks. The Adamantine Shield, found in the Grymforge area, is an excellent shield that reduces incoming damage and can be paired with a one-handed weapon for a tanky Paladin build. To get the Adamantine Shield, you need to craft it using the Adamantine Forge, which requires finding Mithral Ore and a shield mold.
For Paladins who want to focus on support and survivability, using a weapon with additional utility can be beneficial. The Blood of Lathander, a legendary mace found in the Githyanki Creche, is a fantastic option. It provides a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls, deals radiant damage, and has a powerful area-of-effect ability that can blind enemies. Additionally, it grants the wielder the ability to cast Sunbeam, a high-level spell that deals significant radiant damage. To obtain the Blood of Lathander, you need to complete the "Find the Blood of Lathander" quest, which involves solving puzzles and defeating enemies in the Creche.
When optimizing your Paladin's weapon choice, consider the following tips. First, always prioritize weapons that synergize with your chosen fighting style. For example, if you have the Dueling fighting style, which increases damage when wielding a one-handed weapon without a second weapon, focus on using a one-handed weapon and shield. Second, consider the weapon's special properties. Many weapons in Baldur's Gate 3 have unique effects, such as dealing additional elemental damage or providing bonuses to saving throws. These effects can significantly enhance your Paladin's effectiveness in combat. Third, don't overlook the importance of upgrading your weapon. As you progress through the game, you'll find better weapons and materials to enhance your existing gear. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to upgrade your equipment.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your weapon's synergy with your build and failing to adapt your weapon choice to different combat scenarios. For example, using a two-handed weapon might be ideal for dealing with single, high-health targets, but a weapon with area-of-effect capabilities might be better suited for handling groups of weaker enemies. Additionally, don't forget to use your Divine Smite ability strategically. It's a powerful tool that can turn the tide of battle, but it consumes spell slots, so use it wisely.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your Paladin's weapon choice include combining your weapon with other class features and abilities. For example, using the Polearm Master feat with a glaive or halberd allows you to make an additional attack as a bonus action, increasing your damage output. Additionally, combining your weapon with spells like Bless or Shield of Faith can further enhance your combat effectiveness. Finally, consider the role of your Paladin in your party. If you have other melee damage dealers, you might want to focus on tanking and support, while if you're the primary damage dealer, you should prioritize high-damage weapons.
In conclusion, the best weapon for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 depends on your build, playstyle, and the specific challenges you face. Whether you choose a two-handed weapon for maximum damage, a one-handed weapon and shield for balance, or a weapon with unique utility effects, the key is to find a weapon that complements your Paladin's strengths and enhances your party's overall effectiveness. By carefully considering your options and adapting your strategy as needed, you can ensure that your Paladin is a formidable force on the battlefield.
First, let's discuss the mechanics involved. Paladins in Baldur's Gate 3, as in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, as well as heavy armor and shields. This gives them a wide range of weapon options, from one-handed swords and maces to two-handed greatswords and polearms. The choice of weapon often depends on whether you want to focus on damage output, survivability, or a balance of both. Additionally, Paladins have access to Divine Smite, a class feature that allows them to expend spell slots to deal extra radiant damage on a successful melee attack. This makes weapons with high base damage or those that can land multiple hits in a turn particularly effective.
For a Paladin focusing on damage, two-handed weapons like greatswords or greataxes are excellent choices. These weapons deal high base damage and benefit from the Great Weapon Fighting fighting style, which allows you to reroll low damage dice. The Everburn Blade, a greatsword found early in the game, is a standout option. It deals additional fire damage, making it a powerful choice for a damage-focused Paladin. To obtain the Everburn Blade, you need to defeat Commander Zhalk on the Nautiloid ship during the prologue. This requires careful positioning and possibly using the Mind Flayer to weaken Zhalk before finishing him off.
If you prefer a more balanced approach, using a one-handed weapon like a longsword or warhammer with a shield is a solid choice. This setup provides a good mix of offense and defense, allowing you to deal respectable damage while maintaining a high Armor Class (AC) to avoid enemy attacks. The Adamantine Shield, found in the Grymforge area, is an excellent shield that reduces incoming damage and can be paired with a one-handed weapon for a tanky Paladin build. To get the Adamantine Shield, you need to craft it using the Adamantine Forge, which requires finding Mithral Ore and a shield mold.
For Paladins who want to focus on support and survivability, using a weapon with additional utility can be beneficial. The Blood of Lathander, a legendary mace found in the Githyanki Creche, is a fantastic option. It provides a +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls, deals radiant damage, and has a powerful area-of-effect ability that can blind enemies. Additionally, it grants the wielder the ability to cast Sunbeam, a high-level spell that deals significant radiant damage. To obtain the Blood of Lathander, you need to complete the "Find the Blood of Lathander" quest, which involves solving puzzles and defeating enemies in the Creche.
When optimizing your Paladin's weapon choice, consider the following tips. First, always prioritize weapons that synergize with your chosen fighting style. For example, if you have the Dueling fighting style, which increases damage when wielding a one-handed weapon without a second weapon, focus on using a one-handed weapon and shield. Second, consider the weapon's special properties. Many weapons in Baldur's Gate 3 have unique effects, such as dealing additional elemental damage or providing bonuses to saving throws. These effects can significantly enhance your Paladin's effectiveness in combat. Third, don't overlook the importance of upgrading your weapon. As you progress through the game, you'll find better weapons and materials to enhance your existing gear. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to upgrade your equipment.
Common mistakes to avoid include neglecting your weapon's synergy with your build and failing to adapt your weapon choice to different combat scenarios. For example, using a two-handed weapon might be ideal for dealing with single, high-health targets, but a weapon with area-of-effect capabilities might be better suited for handling groups of weaker enemies. Additionally, don't forget to use your Divine Smite ability strategically. It's a powerful tool that can turn the tide of battle, but it consumes spell slots, so use it wisely.
Advanced techniques for optimizing your Paladin's weapon choice include combining your weapon with other class features and abilities. For example, using the Polearm Master feat with a glaive or halberd allows you to make an additional attack as a bonus action, increasing your damage output. Additionally, combining your weapon with spells like Bless or Shield of Faith can further enhance your combat effectiveness. Finally, consider the role of your Paladin in your party. If you have other melee damage dealers, you might want to focus on tanking and support, while if you're the primary damage dealer, you should prioritize high-damage weapons.
In conclusion, the best weapon for a Paladin in Baldur's Gate 3 depends on your build, playstyle, and the specific challenges you face. Whether you choose a two-handed weapon for maximum damage, a one-handed weapon and shield for balance, or a weapon with unique utility effects, the key is to find a weapon that complements your Paladin's strengths and enhances your party's overall effectiveness. By carefully considering your options and adapting your strategy as needed, you can ensure that your Paladin is a formidable force on the battlefield.