Baldur’s Gate 3 features a total of 11 classes for its players to make builds of their own choice. It also offers nine races to select from, each with its different sub-races. If you plan to play as a Paladin, there is nothing to worry about, as I will mention BG3’s Best Race for Paladins, along with its features and traits.
- There are 10+ races featured in Baldur’s Gate 3.
- Players can make builds of their own choice by different combinations of Classes and Races.
- The best races that can be used in the Paladin Build are Dwarf, Half-Elf, Human, & Githyanki
- Dwarf is included in the list due to its extraordinary race features, resilience, and combat skills.
- The Dwarf subrace used for the Paladin build is the Shield Dwarf.
- Half-Elf takes the second spot due to its versatile gameplay.
- The Human race is listed as third to its unbound growth strength.
- The final spot is given to Githyanki due to its race Cantrips, which unlocks as players progress through the game.
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Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Race For Paladin
Almost every race in Baldur’s Gate 3 can be used for Paladins build, but the four most suitable races that can be used for the best paladin builds are mentioned below, along with their most suitable sub-races:
Best Race for Paladins | Sub-race | Subclass | Best For |
---|---|---|---|
Dwarf | Shield Dwarf | Oath of Devotion, Oath of Ancient | Best Endurance. |
Half-Elf | High Half-Elf | Oath of Devotion, Oath of Ancient | Best Versatility. |
Human | None | Oath of Devotion, Oath of Ancient | Best Weapon Proficiency. |
Githyanki | None | Oath of Devotion, Oath of Ancient | Best Mobility. |
As for the Subclass, the Oath of Devotion is more focused on damage dealing, while the Oath of Ancient is more heal and sustain-focused subclass. Players can choose the subclasses according to their preferences.
1. Dwarf
- Why I Chose This: Dwarfs are a top-tier pick for a Paladin because they offer great overall endurance and darkvision. Not to mention Sheild Dwarfs give you increased armor proficiency.
BG3 best race for Paladin is the Dwarf race. I start off things with my favorite race, Dwarf. Dwarves are a very old, proud, and stubborn race who mostly inhabit their mountain fortresses. They are known for their durability, resilience, and combat skills. If I talk about the subrace, then the fittest subrace of the Dwarf for the Paladin is the Shield Dwarf.
Race Features
The following are the race features of the Dwarf, on the basis of which I think that the Dwarf race is a perfect fit for the Paladin Class.
- Dwarven Resilience: This feature provides resistance to poisons.
- Constitution +2: This feature can be used to increase the HP.
- Darkvision: It grants the ability to see in the dark out to a range of 12m.
- Battleaxe Proficiency.
- Handaxe Proficiency.
- Light Hammer Proficiency.
- Warhammer Proficiency.
Subrace Traits
Following are the traits of the Shield Dwarf subrace:
- Base Racial Speed.
- Strength +2.
- Light Armor Proficiency.
- Medium Armor Proficiency.
Ability Points Distribution
Now, moving on to the Ability points distribution, you can assign the ability points however it seems fit for you. Still, if you are confused about point distribution, you can use the table below to assign points to all the available abilities.
Abilities | Points |
Strength | 17 |
Dexterity | 14 |
Constitution | 17 |
Intelligence | 8 |
Wisdom | 10 |
Charisma | 8 |
- Resistance to poison.
- Good combat.
- Slow movement speed.
2. Half-Elf
- Why I Chose This: As a High Half-Elf, you will get free cantrip, which you don’t have as a Paladin. The 2 extra attribute points are also very useful.
Now, moving on to the second best race for Paladins is the Half-Elf. The reason why I ranked it second on the list is due to its versatility. In the case of Half-Elf, there are two subraces that can be seen fit for the Paladin Class. These subraces include:
- High Half-Elf.
- Drow Half-Elf.
Race Features
- +2 Ability Improvements.
- Charisma +2.
- Darkvision.
- Fey Ancestry: This feature provides an advantage on saving throws against being Charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Subrace Traits
The subrace traits of High Half-Elf and Drow Half-Elf are mentioned as under:
High Half-Elf
- Acid Splash: Hurl a bubble of acid that damages each creature it hits.
- Blade Ward: Gain resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage from weapon attacks.
- Bone Chill: Prevent the target from healing until your next turn. An undead target receives a disadvantage on Attack Rolls.
- Dancing Lights: Create wisps of light that illuminate a 12m radius.
- Fire Bolt: Hurl is a mote of fire that deals damage and creates a flammable surface.
- Friends: Enchant a non-hostile creature to gain an advantage on Charisma checks against it.
- Light: Infuse an object with an aura of light.
- Mage Hand: Create a spectral hand to manipulate and interact with objects.
- Minor Illusion: Create an illusory image that distracts nearby creatures, compelling them to investigate.
You can remain hidden while casting this spell. - Poison Spray: Project a puff of toxic gas that deals Poisonous damage.
- Ray of Frost: Call forth a frigid beam of blue-white light. This beam damages the enemies and reduces the target’s speed by 3m.
- Shocking Grasp: The target cannot use reactions. This spell has an advantage over creatures with metal armor.
- True Strike: Gain advantage on your next Attack Roll.
Drow Half-Elf
- Base Racial Speed.
- Dancing Lights: Create wisps of light that illuminate a 12m radius.
Ability Points Distribution
The ability points for both of the subraces of the Half-Elf can be distributed in the following manner:
Abilities | Points |
Strength | 15 |
Dexterity | 13 |
Constitution | 13 |
Intelligence | 8 |
Wisdom | 11 |
Charisma | 16 |
- Adds +2 to charisma.
- 2 extra attribute points.
- Buffs to movement speed.
- Mediocre intelligence.
3. Human
- Why I Chose This: You will be proficient in many more weapons as a human. The extra weight you can carry will also be more useful than you might think.
On the third number, I have placed the Human race as a fit for the Paladin Class. The Human race might seem to be the most common race in Baldur’s Gate 3, and it does not have any subraces associated with it. However, the Human race is known for its tenacity, creativity, and endless capacity for growth.
Race Features
- Base Racial Speed.
- Strength +1.
- Dexterity +1.
- Constitution +1.
- Intelligence +1.
- Wisdom +1.
- Charisma +1.
Ability Point Distribution
For the Human race, I have distributed the ability points in the following manner:
Abilities | Points |
Strength | 16 |
Dexterity | 16 |
Constitution | 16 |
Intelligence | 9 |
Wisdom | 9 |
Charisma | 9 |
- Proficient in a lot of weapons.
- Can carry extra weight.
- No darkvision.
- Lacks racial buffs
4. Githyanki
- Why I Chose This: It’s worth going for Giths simply because of the vast amount of movement options they offer. Not only can you jump higher, but you can also teleport.
For the last race on the list, I have selected Githyanki as the fourth fit for the Paladin Class. Githyanki is a nice pick for the Paladin due to its +2 Strength feature that it provides as it will give you more power and damage. Apart from that, Githyanki has race Cantrips that will be unlocked over time. Just like the Human race, Githyanki also does not have any subrace.
Race Features
- Base Racial Speed.
- Intelligence.
- Strength +2.
- Light Armor Proficiency.
- Medium Armor Proficiency.
- Shortsword Proficiency.
- Longsword Proficiency.
- Greatsword Proficiency.
Ability Point Distribution
It is definitely a good idea to just press the Use Recommended button for the Githyanki, as it will give you a very balanced character. However, I have listed my point distribution below:
Abilities | Points |
Strength | 17 |
Dexterity | 14 |
Constitution | 14 |
Intelligence | 9 |
Wisdom | 10 |
Charisma | 10 |
- Astral Knowledge.
- More movement options.
- Not good with resistance.
My Thoughts
My personal favorite race for the Paladin has to be the Dwarf race. The advantages this race gives Paladins are too much to overlook. From Darkvision to +2 in Strength with the Shield Dwarf, this might be the best race for your Paladin.
With all the information provided above, my guide on BG3 Best Race for Paladin ends. This guide contains the top 4 best races that can be used for building the Paladin Class in Baldur’s Gate 3. Although any race can be used for building the Paladin Class, the mentioned races are the most suitable of them all.
While you are at it, make sure to check out the other guides on Baldurs Gate 3. All of these guides can help you in different ways while you are on your journey in Baldurs Gate 3. Guides such as Best Sorcerer Build, All Companions in Baldurs Gate 3, Best Druid Builds, and many more have been covered.
Next:
- Baldurs Gate 3 Max Level
- Baldur’s Gate 3: Ranger Gloom Stalker Build
- Baldur’s Gate 3: Cleric Class Guide
- Baldur’s Gate 3: Character Creator
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