InBaldur’s Gate 3, Paladins are one of the strongest classes for boss fights, as their burst damage potential is extremely high. They are often on the frontlines, tanking and soaking up damage to mitigate losses for the rest of the party.Increasing a Paladin’s Armour Class is imperative, as this will allow them to stay in the fight for as long as possible.
While two-handed weapons are incredibly strong, I typically recommend using a shield for Paladins, as their damage can still be extremely high with a one-handed weapon. Paladins can greatly benefit from using a shield, as there are plenty of strong options to choose from throughoutBaldur’s Gate 3. And as strong as the Paladin class is on its own, they are also an incredibly versatile class and are used quite frequently in multiclass builds, as only two levels are required to access Divine Smite.
10Cloak of Protection
Bonus to Armour Class
The Cloak of Protection can be bought or stolen in Act 2 from Quartermaster Talli in the courtyard of the Last Light Inn. It grants the wearer a+1 to Armour Class and a +1 to Saving Throws, which is invaluable for front-line martial classes. Paladins will often take the most hits since they like getting close range during combat.
The Cloak of Displacement is also a great choice is the Cloak of Protection could be better used on another party member.
All Paladins get Auras at certain levels,such as Aura of Protection, which provides a bonus to all Saving Throws. Stacking this with the Cloak of Protection means that the Paladin’s Aura will get even stronger. A higher bonus on all Saving Throws also means Paladins can afford to make use of items like the Risky Ring, which imposes Disadvantage on Saving Throws.
9Fey Semblance Amulet
Advantage on Saving Throws
TheFey Semblance Amuletcan be obtained as a reward in Act 3 for completing the quest: Avenge the Hag Survivors in the Lower City. It grants the wearerAdvantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma Saving Throws. It is an incredibly useful amulet, especially for a class like Paladin that already has such a high bonus to Saving Throws.
Having Advantage on so many different types of Saving Throws makes a Paladin much more resistant against spellcasters, especially those who utilize enchantment spells. This can be utilized in tandem with theOath of Ancients' Aura of Warding, which grants Resistance to damage from spells, for an especially tanky Paladin. Many of thehardest bosses inBaldur’s Gate 3utilize high spellcasting, which a Paladin can directly counter.
8Killer’s Sweetheart
Guaranteed Critical Hit
TheKiller’s SweetheartRing can be looted in Act 2 after successfully completing the Self-Same Trial withinthe Gauntlet of Shar. When attempting the trials,ensure to have Shadowheart in your party, as she will offer her blood to the Goddess Shar. This ring is an incredible option for a Paladin, considering they can stack additional damage from Divine Smite on top of a Critical Hit’s base damage.
Divine Smite’s bonus Radiant damage will also gain the increased damage from a Critical Hit, which can lead to massive burst damage.
It provides the user with the Executioner ability, whichguarantees one critical hit on an enemy per Long Rest. This ability is invaluable in boss fights, as choosing when to land a Critical Hit could mean defeating the boss before they have a chance to use their turn again. This ring is at its strongest when used by a Paladin because Paladins can utilize Divine Smite as a reaction to add additional Radiant damage on top of the Critical Hit.
7Risky Ring
Advantage on Attack Rolls
TheRisky Ringcan be bought or stolen in Act 2 from thevendor Araj Oblodrain Moonrise Towers. This ringgrants the wearer Advantage on all of their Attack Rolls, but Disadvantage on all their Saving Throws. However, due to Paladin’s high bonus to Saving Throws, the adverse effects of this ring are hardly noticed.
If another party member requires the Risky Ring, make use of the Ring of Regeneration and Periapt of Wound Closure to heal 4HP every turn.
The Risky Ring is a perfect option for a Paladin in order to guarantee maximum damage on a target.This ring makes Critical Hits more commonto land for any class, which can greatly benefit a Paladin through the use of Divine Smite. Also, because Paladins do not get Improved Extra Attack like Fighters, landing both attacks in a turn is incredibly important.
6Disintegrating Night Walkers
Immune to Surface Conditions
The Disintegrating Night Walkers can be acquired in Act 1 by looting or pickpocketing them fromTrue Soul Nereat the Grymforge. These boots are arguably the best early-game item and can be used effectively in any class for the whole playthrough.Shark Ron YouTube recommends players getting it early as they grant the wearer afree use of Misty Step once per Short Rest andimmunity to being Enwebbed, Entangled, Ensnared, or slipping on Grease or Ice.
Other Boots Options
Boots of Persistence
Legendary Mobility: Gain Freedom of Movement and Longstrider Dexterity Saving Throws: +1
Helldusk Boots
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
Blackguard’s Greaves
Strider Movement: Gain Longstrider. Athletics: +1
These boots are especially effective for classes that don’t have access to the Misty Step spell. While the Oath of Vengeance Paladin can use Misty Step, the other Paladin subclasses cannot. Theimmunity to slipping and being restrainedcan also open up opportunities for a Paladin to move through difficult terrain with impunity.
5Viconia’s Walking Fortress
The Only +3 AC Shield
Viconia’s Walking Fortressis a shield that can be looted in Act 3 from Viconia DeVir, the Mother Superior of theHouse of Griefin Baldur’s Gate. This shield isthe only Legendary shield in the game, and it offers +3 AC, unlike most shields, which only offer +2 AC. Combined with the Defensive Fighting Style that Paladins can use, their AC can reach at least 25, making them borderline invincible.
Make use of Reflective Shell when fighting against enemies with bows or crossbows or against spell casters.
Viconia’s Walking Fortress has many useful features, such as its special Shield Bash called Rebuke of the Mighty, which deals additional Force damage. It also has a passive effect that grants its wielderAdvantage on Saving Throws against spellsand Spell Attack Rolls against the user have Disadvantage. It also has a free cast of the Warding Bond spell and the unique Class Action Reflective Shell, which reflects all projectile damage back to its point of origin.
4Gloves of Dexterity
Set Dexterity to 18
TheGloves of Dexteritycan be bought or stolen in Act 1 from A’jak’nir Jeera in Crèche Y’llek. These gloves are one of the best early-game items, especially for characters that don’t have high base Dexterity. Theyset the wearer’s Dexterity score to 18 and provide a +1 bonus to all Attack Rolls, including Spell Attack rolls.
17
8
16
10
Charisma
14
In order to utilize the Gloves of Dexterity effectively, I recommend arespec to dump the Paladin’s Dexterityto 8 or 10 so that these extra points can be used in either Strength, Charisma, or Constitution.18 Dexterity will allow a Paladin to roll higher in the initiative order, so they will often go first during combat encounters. Given how much burst damage Paladins can dish out, going first can often mean the difference between defeating an enemy or letting them act.
3Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength
Set Strength to 23
TheGauntlets of Hill Giant Strengthare an interesting piece of armor, as they automaticallyset the wearer’s Strength stat to 23. These gauntlets can be stolen fromRaphael’s House of Hope, located deep into Act 3. For a visual aid, you can also check outNicoGamingLive’s video above for the gauntlet’s exact location. They are located on the left side of the Archive atop a trapped pedestal that can be disarmed in order to pick up the gear safely.
Paladins should already have a high Strength ability score, so these gauntlets could be given to another party member who could also utilize Strength. However, if that is not the case,Paladins could respec and dump their Strengthin order to take higher Constitution, Charisma, and Dexterity, ultimately making them much stronger than before. This also means that with higher Dexterity, the Paladin will have a higher initiative and be higher in the turn order in combat encounters.
2Armour of Persistence
Free Resistances
TheArmour of Persistencecan be bought or stolen in Act 3 from Dammon at the Forge of the Nine in the Lower City. Its Armour Class is 20, which is only 1 less than the Helldusk Armour,which should be reserved for party members that don’t have Heavy Armour Proficiency. As such, for Paladins who are already proficient with Heavy Armor, theArmour of Persistence is essential.
The Armour of Persistence permanentlygrants the wearer the effects of Resistance and Blade Ward. Resistance provides a +1d4 bonus to all Saving Throws, and Blade Ward provides resistance to Slashing, Piercing, and Bludgeoning damage. This is wonderful for a Paladin, as Resistance to all Physical damage makes being in close combat much safer.
1Diadem of Arcane Synergy
Permanent Damage Buff
TheDiadem of Arcane Synergycan be looted in Act 1 from Ardent Jhe’rezath in the Inquisitor’s Chamber within Crèche Y’llek. It grants the wearer two turns of Arcane Synergy whenever they inflict a Condition, as seen inConsumed Gaming’s video above. Arcane Synergy makesweapon attacks deal additional damage equal to the affected entity’s Spell Casting Ability Modifier.
Because a Paladin’s Aura is considered a Condition, this buff can be activated simply by standing near another party member. As such,Paladins wearing this piece of gear should always have Arcane Synergy active. Paladins can plot their movement in advance to ensure they stay within a certain range of other party members, so not only is the rest of the party benefitting, but the Paladin is as well.
