Oathbreaker Paladin BG3

The Best Oathbreaker Paladin Build for Baldur’s Gate 3! The Paladin is a class of Holy knights that uses a mix of powerful melee attacks and spells to destroy enemies. Paladins follow specific tenets in order to obey their Oath and in general rely on the power of Light and Radiant damage to smite down opponents. However it is possible to break their Oath and unlock a special subclass, the Oathbreaker Paladin! The Oathbreaker Paladin in BG3 relies on the power of Darkness to deal damage and can also control Undead.

The Oathbreaker Paladin gameplay is not that much different from that of a normal Paladin with the exception of the special Oathbreaker Spells and actions they unlock while leveling up. This BG3 Guide will show you the best options for this Class, so you can create a powerful character!

Table of Contents

• Paladin Class Mechanics Guide
• Paladin Build Subclass
  • How to Break your Oath
  • How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin
• Paladin Build Race
• Paladin Build Abilities
• Paladin Build Background
  • Paladin Build Skills
• Paladin Build Leveling
  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5
  • Level 6
  • Level 7
  • Level 8
  • Level 9
  • Level 10
  • Level 11
  • Level 12
• Best Gear
  • Best Weapon
  • Best Armor
• Gameplay Tips

Paladin Class Mechanics Guide BG3

The Paladin is the Class of Holy Knights that follow specific tenets to obey their Oath! Oaths are the Class’ Subclasses and give Paladins a purpose. Picking one of the available Oaths in Baldur’s Gate 3 will give you access to certain features but will also force you to follow their tenets. The available Paladin Oaths in BG3 are:

• Oath of the Ancients
• Oath of Devotion
• Oath of Vengeance

If you fail to follow the tenets of your chosen Oath you will become an Oathbreaker, which is the fourth Sub class of Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3!

Paladins are flexible in character creation since you can use a mix of Melee and Spells to attack your enemies. This means that you can invest in various Abilities like Strength, Charisma, Dexterity and Constitution and still be efficient in combat. Paladins also gain access to Lay on Hands spells that can heal and cure you and your allies. As the Holy Knight template Class, a Paladin usually wears Heavy Armor and carries a Shield but it is possible to focus on more offensive setups with the use of Two Handed weapons. If your goal in Baldur’s Gate 3 is to create a Knight that can smite down opponents and use spells to support their party, then the Paladin is the best option for you.

This Oathbreaker Paladin Build is using my Oath of Vengeance Paladin Build as its base. This is a great Build to use if you wish to role play an evil Paladin(Dark Urge run!) or a Paladin that was forced to break their Oath but still use their Dark abilities to help others(Resist Dark Urge!) in Baldur’s Gate 3!

Best Subclass for Paladin Build in BG3

The Best Subclass for the Oathbreaker Paladin is Oathbreaker! However you cannot start the game as an Oathbreaker Paladin. You need to pick one of the three initial Oaths and break it. Pick any Oath and focus on breaking it as soon as possible, in order to become an Oathbreaker Paladin. This guide continues assuming that you have chosen the Oath of Vengeance, which gives you access to the following spells and actions:

• Level 1 – Inquisitor’s Might
• Level 3 – Abjure Enemy, Vow of Enmity, Bane, Hunter’s Mark
• Level 5 – Misty Step and Hold Person
• Level 7 – Relentless Avenger
• Level 9 – Haste and Protection from Energy

The Tenets for the Oath of Vengeance are:

• Fight the Greater Evil. Exerting your wisdom, identify the higher morality in any given instance and fight for it.
• No Mercy for the Wicked. Chasten those who dole out their villainy by wiping their blight from the world forever.

How to Break your Oath as a Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3

Now that you have chosen your Oath, it is time to break it and become an Oathbreaker Paladin in BG3! The easiest way to break your Oath is by killing Scratch! But since you will not be able to live with yourself after that you can just attack or kill(depending on the chosen Oath) any innocent person. For the Oath of Vengeance you can also break your Oath by letting Auntie Ethel live after your confrontation in her house or by assisting Sovereign Glut to overthrow Sovereign Spaw and steal his Myconid Colony in the Underdark(Act 1).

How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin BG3

When you break your Oath, the Oathbreaker Paladin will appear, explain the situation and go to your camp. The Knight will wait for you there. Visit your Camp and talk to the Knight. He will explain what an Oathbreaker is and allow you to continue playing as one. Alternatively you can choose to restore your Oath if you broke it by accident. As an Oathbreaker you unlock different Spells and actions as you level up. Oath Spells are always prepared and ready to use!

• Level 1 – Spiteful Suffering(Deal Necrotic Damage per tun)
• Level 3 – Control Undead, Dreadful Aspect(fear), Hellish Rebuke reaction, Inflict Wounds spell
• Level 5 – Crown of Madness and Darkness Spells
• Level 7 – Aura of Hate(extra damage to melee weapon attacks for you and nearby fiends based on your Charisma modifier)
• Level 9 – Bestow Curse and Animate Dead Spells

Best Race for Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Best Race for the Oathbreaker Paladin Build in BG3 is the Gold Dwarf! The Gold Dwarf Race has the Dwarven Toughness passive, which increases your Hit Point Maximum by 1 and increases by 1 every time you gain a level. Another great Race for the Oathbreaker Paladin is the Half Orc. Half Orc is a nice option thanks to its Relentless Endurance feature, that grants one extra hit point when you reach 0, so you can avoid being Downed. Half Orcs also have the Darkvision and Savage Attacks features. Darkvision allows you to see in the dark while Savage Attacks deal an extra dice of weapon damage when you land a Critical hit with a melee weapon! A few more good Races you can pick for a Paladin Oathbreaker Build in BG3 are:

• Human
• High Elf
• Drow
• Half Elf(High or Drow)

You can pick any of the eleven available Races in BG3 and still have success with the Build! To find out more about all Baldur’s Gate 3 Races and their Sub Races, you can read my Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Race Guide!

Best Abilities for Paladin Oathbreaker Build BG3

The Paladin is a quite flexible Class that relies on Strength to deal damage with melee attacks and Charisma to be efficient with Spells! You can invest in both abilities to maximize your capabilities in combat. Constitution and Dexterity are also quite important abilities. Constitution will boost your overall Health and help you survive while Dexterity will increase your combat initiative! For a powerful Oathbreaker Paladin Build that also has good initiative and survivability, you can use the following abilities setup:

• Strength – 17
• Dexterity – 12
• Constitution – 13
• Intelligence – 8
• Wisdom – 8
• Charisma – 16

Best Background for Oathbreaker Paladin Build BG3

The most important abilities for the Oathbreaker Paladin are Strength and Charisma. To maximize the efficiency of the build you should pick a background that gives access to Skills that rely on Strength and Charisma! The Best Background for the Paladin Build in BG3 is Soldier! Soldier gives you access to Athletics(strength) and Intimidation(Charisma). Athletics is an important ability for a Strength based character while Intimidation will allow you to intimidate others in dialogues. A few more good Backgrounds you can use with the Build are:

• Outlander
• Noble
• Guild Artisan
• Entertainer
• Charlatan

To find more about all available Backgrounds you can read my Baldur’s Gate 3 Backgrounds Guide!

Best Skills for Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Skill proficiencies allow you to pursue different paths when picking dialogue option and can help you solve situations in a variety of ways. When you create your character you can pick two more skills to increase your proficiency with them. Athletics, Intimidation and Persuasion are the best skills to have. You can follow this example or boost the skills of your choice. Skills do not matter in combat but they are always nice to have to advance storytelling.

Paladin Build Leveling Guide in Baldur’s Gate 3

Below you can find the Best options for the Paladin Oathbreaker Build in BG3 for every Level! There are 12 Levels in total and each one unlocks new powerful actions and passives for your Paladin Build!

Level 1 Best Options

Level 1 is basically Character Creation for your Paladin Build in BG3! Pick your Race, Background, Abilities and Skills as shown above. At this level you gain access to Spiteful Suffering from your Oathbreaker Subclass. This action makes a target to take Necrotic damage every turn and Attack Rolls against them have Advantage.

Level 2 Best Options

At level 2 you gain access to Divine Smite that will define your Gameplay! You can also pick a Fighting Style and prepare your Spells! Divine Smite deals additional Radiant Damage to fiends and undead and is also available as a Reaction. There are four Fighting Styles you can choose from:

• Defense
• Duelling
• Great Weapon Fighting
• Protection

For the purposes of the Build pick the Protection Fighting Style, which imposes a Disadvantage on an attack against your allies when you are within 1.5m and carry a shield. For a more offensive approach you can pick Great Weapon Fighting. Finally you can prepare five spells at this level. Prepare the following:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds

Level 3 Best Options

At Level 3 you gain the Divine Health Feature that prevents disease from affecting you, the Control Undead action that allows you to control Undead, Dreadful Aspect that frightens enemies and the two Oath Spells(always ready), Hellish Rebuke and Inflict Wounds. Hellish Rebuke is a powerful reaction while Inflict Wounds, deals necrotic damage in melee range. You can now prepare six spells:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Heroism

Level 4 Best Options

When you hit level 4 you unlock your first Feat. Feats are powerful passive effects that can enhance your play style or help you alter your build! You can pick 3 Feats for your Paladin Build at levels 4, 8 and 12! Picking Feats is quite important for the effectiveness of your Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. For the first Feat, pick Ability Improvement and add 2 points to Strength. Like this your Strength score will rise up to 19 if you have followed the above recommendations and your Oathbreaker Paladin will be more effective with melee attacks. Prepare the following seven spells:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Heroism
• Searing Smite

Level 5 Best Options

When you hit level 5 you gain the Extra Attack Passive, which allows you to make an additional free attack after making an unarmed or weapon attack. You also unlock level 2 Spells and gain access to Crown of Madness and Darkness from your Subclass(always ready)! You can now prepare eight Spells:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Aid
• Branding Smite
• Magic Weapon

Level 6 Best Options

At level 6 you unlock Aura of Protection and can prepare nine spells. Aura of Protection gives you and your allies a bonus to saving throws. Prepare the following Spells:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Aid
• Branding Smite
• Magic Weapon
• Lesser Restoration

Level 7 Best Options

At level 7 you unlock Aura of Hate and can prepare ten Spells. With Aura of Hate you and nearby fiends gain extra damage to melee weapon attacks equal to your Charisma modifier! Prepare these spells:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Aid
• Branding Smite
• Magic Weapon
• Lesser Restoration
• Shield of Faith

Level 8 Best Options

When you hit level 8 you can pick a second Feat. Pick Savage Attacker. With this Feat when you make melee weapon attacks you roll your damage dice twice and use the highest result. You can now prepare eleven Spells:

• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Compelled Duel
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Aid
• Branding Smite
• Magic Weapon
• Lesser Restoration
• Shield of Faith
• Protection from Evil and Good

Level 9 Best Options

At level 9 you unlock level 3 Spells and gain two new Oath Spells(always ready), Bestow Curse and Animate Dead. You can now prepare twelve Spells:

• Blinding Smite
• Crusader’s Mantle
• Warden of Vitality
• Revivify
• Branding Smite
• Compelled Duel
• Aid
• Lesser Restoration
• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds

Level 10 Best Options

At level 10 you unlock the Aura of Courage, which prevents you and your allies from being frightened. You can now prepare thirteen Spells:

• Blinding Smite
• Crusader’s Mantle
• Warden of Vitality
• Revivify
• Branding Smite
• Compelled Duel
• Aid
• Lesser Restoration
• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Magic Weapon

Level 11 Best Options

When you reach Level 11 you gain Improved Divine Smite, that makes melee Weapon attacks to deal extra Radiant Damage and can prepare fourteen Spells:

• Blinding Smite
• Crusader’s Mantle
• Warden of Vitality
• Revivify
• Branding Smite
• Compelled Duel
• Aid
• Lesser Restoration
• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Magic Weapon
• Remove Curse

Level 12 Best Options

Finally at level 12 you get your final Feat. For your third Feat pick Shield Master! Shield Master grants a +2 bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws while wielding a Shield. If a spell forces you to make a Dexterity Saving Throw, you can use a reaction to shield yourself and diminish the effect’s damage. On a failed Saving Throw, you only take half damage. On a successful Saving Throw you do not take any damage.

You can now prepare fifteen Spells:

• Blinding Smite
• Crusader’s Mantle
• Warden of Vitality
• Revivify
• Branding Smite
• Compelled Duel
• Aid
• Lesser Restoration
• Wrathful Smite
• Divine Favor
• Thunderous Smite
• Cure Wounds
• Magic Weapon
• Remove Curse
• Elemental Weapon

Best Gear for Paladin Build BG3

Below you can find the Best Gear for the Oathbreaker Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. The Best Weapons and Armor for the Paladin, as well as alternative options that can help you early in the game!

What is the Best Weapon for Paladin in BG3

The Best Weapon for the Oathbreaker Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3, is The Blood of Lathander! A Legendary Mace that deals Bludgeoning and Radiant Damage, that also offers:

• Lathander’s Blessing – Once per Long Rest, when your hit points are reduced to 0, you regain 2-12 hit points. Allies within 9m also regain 1-6 hit points.
• Lathander’s Light – Sheds holy light in a 6m radius. In combat, fiends and undead standing in the light are Blinded, unless they succeed a Constitution Saving Throw.
• Weapon Enchantment +3
• Sunbeam Level 6 Evocation Spell

A powerful Weapon for the Paladin Oathbreaker Build that you can find early in the game(Githyanki Creche, Act 1) and use until the end! If you have chosen a more offensive setup and the Great Weapon Fighting Style you can use the Balduran’s Giantslayer instead which is one of the Best Greatswords in the game. To complement The Blood of Lathander use the Viconia’s Walking Fortress Shield! A Legendary Shield that you can get from Viconia DeVir in Act 3! Viconia’s Walking Fortress offers:

• Rebuke of the Mighty: When a foe hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to deal force damage and knock them prone unless they succeed a Dexterity Saving Throw.
• Spellguard: You gain advantage on Saving Throws against Spells. Spell Attack Rolls against you have Disadvantage.
• Reflective Shell
• Warding Bond

Early in the game you can use the Adamantine Shield by crafting it at the Adamantine Forge in Act 1! Complement the Build with a Ranged Weapon of your choice if you wish! The table below shows you the best Gear for the Oathbreaker Paladin Build, as well as good alternative options to use early in BG3!

Piece	Best	Early Game
Head	Helm of Balduran	Helmet of Smiting
Cape	Mantle of the Holy Warrior	Cloak of Protection
Chest	Helldusk Armor	Adamantine Splint Armor
Gloves	Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength	Gloves of Power
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Boots of Speed
Necklace	Amulet of Greater Health	Surgeon’s Subjucation Amulet
Ring	Killer’s Sweetheart	Ring of Mental Inhibition
Ring	Ring of Regeneration	Ring of Protection
Melee Weapon	The Blood of Lathander	The Blood of Lathander
Shield	Viconia’s Walking Fortress	Adamantine Shield
Ranged Weapon	Any	Any

What is the Best Armor for Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Helm of Balduran is the best head Armor for the Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can get it by completing the Wyrmway Trials, along with the Balduran’s Giantslayer! This Helmet offers:

• Balduran’s Vitality: The helmet heals you 2 hit points at the beginning of every turn.
• Balduran’s Favour: You have a +1 bonus to Armour Class and Saving throws.
• Stun Immunity: You can’t be Stunned.
• Attackers can’t land Critical Hits on the wearer.

The Mantle of the Holy Warrior is a Very Rare Cloak that grants you the Crusader’s Mantle Spell. You can use this Cloak and pick another Spell to prepare like this. You can buy the Cloak from Vicar Humbletoes in Stormshore Tabernacle, Act 3!

The Helldusk Armor is the best Armor option for Chest! A legendary Heavy Armor that you can loot from Raphael in House of Hope(Act 3). The Armor offers:

• Helldusk Armor: You are considered Proficient with this armor while wearing it.
• Infernal Retribution: When you succeed a Saving Throw, the caster receives Burning for 3 turns.
• Prime Aegis of Fire: You have resistance to Fire damage and cannot be Burned. You take 3 less damage from all sources.
• Fly level 3 Spell

Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength is the best Armor for Gloves. Very Rare Armor that you can get in House of Hope and Sets the wearer’s Strength to 23. The enchantment has no effect if their Strength score is higher without it. It also grants Strength Saving Throws +1. The Helldusk Boots is a nice boots option that you can get by looting a gilded chest in Gortash’s room on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress. With them you get:

• Steadfast: You cannot be forcibly moved by a foe’s spells or actions, and you ignore the effects of Difficult Terrain.
• Infernal Evasion: When you fail a Saving Throw, you may use your reaction to succeed instead.
• Hellcrawler Class Action

The Amulet of Greater Health is the Best Amulet for the Build, which you can get in the House of Hope and Sets the Wearer’s Constitution to 23. It also grants advantage on Constitution Saving Throws Checks.

Killer’s Sweatheart and Ring of Regeneration are finally the best ring options for the Paladin Vengeance Build in Baldur’s Gate 3! You can get the Killer’s Sweatheart ring by defeating yourself in the Self-Same Trial inside the Gauntlet of Shar(Act 2). The ring grants you the Executioner effect: When you kill a creature, your next Attack Roll will be a Critical Hit. Once spent, this effect refreshes after a Long Rest. You can buy the Ring of Regeneration from Rolan at the Sorcerous Sundries in Act 3 and get Combat Regeneration: At the beginning of your turn, the ring activates and heals you for 1-4 hit points.

There are a few great alternative items that you can get early and will help you advance your game until you can get one of the Best Armor pieces above.

• Helmet of Smiting grants temporary hit points when you apply a condition with a smite and you can get it inside a locked chest in the Selunite Outpost in Underdark, Act 1.
• Cloak of Protection offers a +1 to Armor Class and Saving Throw and is a nice Cape Armor that you can get from Quartermaster Talli(loot or buy) in the Last Light Inn in Act 2.
• Adamantine Splint Armor is an excellent Heavy Armor that you can craft at the Adamantine Forge. It reduces incoming damage, sends enemies reeling and attackers cannot land Critical Hits on the wearer.
• Gloves of Power inflicts penalties to enemies hit and grants Sleight of Hand +1. You can loot it from Za’Krug in front of the Grove in Act 1.
• Boots of Speed grant you a burst of speed and make it difficult for enemies to land attacks of opportunity. You can get them from Thulla in the Myconid Colony(Act 1).
• Surgeon’s Subjucation Amulet allows you to paralyze an enemy and you can get it from Malus Thorm at the House of Healing(Act 2).
• Ring of Mental Inhibition affects with Mental Fatigue foes for 2 turns when they fail a Saving Throw against one of your spells or actions and you can get it from a locked chest in the Ruined Battlefield, in Shadow Lands(Act 2).
• Ring of Protection grants +1 to Armor Class and Saving Throw and you can get it as a reward from Mol for stealing the Druids’ Idol(Act 1).

Paladin Oathbreaker Build Gameplay Tips in BG3

The gameplay for an Oathbreaker Paladin is very similar to that of a normal Paladin! A Holy or Unholy Knight that deals strong melee damage but also provides support to their group! This Oathbreaker Paladin Build is focusing on using powerful Smite attacks and Spells to defeat enemies but also heal and protect your allies. Provoke stronger enemies with Compelled Duel and hit with your powerful Smite attacks. You can command Undead to attack your enemies and deal Necrotic Damage over Time if you wish. The Oathbreaker Paladin is a flexible Build that can help you defeat tough enemies while protecting your allies with your Shield and Protection focused actions and Feat.