Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Paladin Build for Minthara – Everything about Subclass, Attributes and Talents

The Paladin is one of the strongest classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. This time we show you a Paladin build with the subclass: Oath of Vengeance. This way, you can get the best out of Minthara or your own Paladin.

Who is Minthara? Minthara is a companion in Baldur’s Gate 3 that you must first unlock. The Drow is a Paladin and follows the Oath of Vengeance. If you are not playing as a Paladin yourself, then Minthara is your only option. Alternatively, you can reset your character with Withers and choose a new class. The same option is available for your companions.

• This is how you can recruit Minthara

What defines the Paladin? The Paladin is the epitome of the classic hero class, endowed with holy powers to combat evil and protect the weak. He draws from divine energy to deal enormous damage or to act as a tank.

Additionally, he can support his allies with spells. You can play as a tank, supporter, or a DD (Damage Dealer).

As one of the iconic classes, the Paladin is known for his moral conviction to follow a code of honor. As a Paladin, you have sworn an oath to a god and theoretically, you do not want to break it. If you do, you become an Oathbreaker.

• For an Oathbreaker build, go here: Baldur’s Gate 3: Oathbreaker Build

Best Paladin Build – Subclass: Oath of Vengeance

What defines the subclass? Paladins of the Oath of Vengeance are driven by a strong urge for revenge against evil and injustice. They use their divine powers to punish those who threaten innocent lives or cause suffering.

With this showcased build, you will play a Paladin who enters combat wielding a two-handed sword. The build focuses on dealing significant damage with the Paladin. Nonetheless, you are also tanky, as you can wear heavy armor and have a high AC (Armor Class). Therefore, you choose the fighting style Great Weapon Fighting.

Distributing Attribute Points

Which attributes do I choose? As a Paladin (Oath of Vengeance), Strength is your primary attribute. And a high Charisma allows you to be more persuasive in dialogues, making it easier to assert your intentions, which makes you an outstanding main character.

What else is Charisma good for: Charisma also influences the buying and selling value of goods from merchants. In Honor mode, this can save your butt, as the prices are significantly higher. Additionally, a high Charisma means that enemies must roll higher against your spells (saving throw), thus increasing your chances of success.

This is how you can distribute your attribute points:

Talents

• At Level 4: Ability Score Improvement, +2 to Strength

• At Level 8: Great Weapon Master 

• At Level 12: Ability Score Improvement, +2 to Strength

Best Paladin Build – Most Important Spells and Abilities

Smite is your most important ability

What does Smite do? As a Paladin, Divine Smite is your most important source of damage. With Smite, you empower your next attack against an enemy with a spell slot. This adds additional radiant damage (2d8) to your attack. Another 1d8 per spell level (upcast). Therefore, per Smite, you can cause between 40 and 90 damage.

From level 11 onwards, your attacks deal an additional 1d8 radiant damage, as you unlock the passive Improved Smite. This applies whether you use Smite or make a normal attack. The 1d8 is always added. If you use Smite against undead and fiends, an additional 1d8 radiant damage is dealt.

Oath of Vengeance – Spells 

Which spells are useful? As a Paladin, you can swap out your prepared spells at any time. This allows you to choose the best spells for your needs and test which ones suit your group best.

You will unlock the following Oath spells:

• Inquisitor’s Might (Level 1): Your weapon attacks or those of an ally deal additional radiant damage equal to your Charisma modifier and can stun enemies for one turn.

• Oath of Enmity (Level 3): You have advantage on attack rolls against an enemy for (10 turns). 

• Condemn Opponent (Level 3): Frightens an enemy, making them disadvantaged on ability checks and attack rolls. Additionally, they cannot move. If they succeed on the saving throw, they are instead slowed. Undead and fiends are at disadvantage on this saving throw.

• Hold Person (Level 5): With the subclass Oath of Vengeance, you gain access to the spell Hold Person at Level 5. This works particularly well in combination with Smite. For if Hold Person succeeds on your target (humanoid), you automatically deal critical damage. This only counts for melee attacks. Thus, you can deal double damage with Smite. The spell is a concentration spell and can last up to 10 turns.

• Step of Mist (Level 5): The spell makes you incredibly mobile by allowing you to teleport to a free, visible location (18 m) – usable even in combat. You can use this as a bonus action.

• Haste (Level 9): This spell is very powerful, as the target receives a +2 bonus to Armor Class (AC). Furthermore, it gains advantage on Dexterity saving throws, double movement speed, and an additional action per turn. This lasts for 10 turns (concentration spell). If the effect ends, you become lethargic, meaning you cannot move or take any action for one turn.

Auras

What do Auras do? As a Paladin, you receive auras that can strengthen yourself and your team members. They do not consume a spell slot and can simply be activated. The auras provide permanent benefits for the team and all auras can be active simultaneously.

Aura of Protection: This aura grants you and nearby allies a bonus of +X (dependent on Charisma) to your saving throws. 

Aura of Courage: When you have this aura active, you and nearby allies cannot be frightened. 

These were the most important points. If this Paladin build does not meet your expectations, you can easily adjust this build. This is just one way to shape your Paladin. 

The Paladin is the most popular choice among players, but why is that? We revealed it to you here: Why is the Paladin actually the most popular class in Baldur’s Gate?