BG3: Ultimate Guide On The Best Race For Paladin [Top 4]

This guide contains information about the most suitable races that can be used for the best Paladin Builds in Baldur's Gate 3.

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. 

Key Takeaways
  • 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.

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 PaladinsSub-raceSubclassBest For
DwarfShield DwarfOath of Devotion, Oath of AncientBest Endurance.
Half-ElfHigh Half-ElfOath of Devotion, Oath of AncientBest Versatility.
HumanNoneOath of Devotion, Oath of AncientBest Weapon Proficiency.
GithyankiNoneOath of Devotion, Oath of AncientBest 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

Best Endurance In BG3.
Dwarf Race
Baldur’s Gate 3 Race: 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

Best Race For Versatility.
Half-Elf Race
Half-Elf Race
  • 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

Best Weapon Proficiency.
Human Race
Baldur’s Gate 3 Race: 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

Best Race For Mobility.
Githyanki Race
Baldur’s Gate 3 Race: 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 BuildAll Companions in Baldurs Gate 3, Best Druid Builds, and many more have been covered.


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Image Credit: Spud The King

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Ibrahim Akhtar is a guides & features writer at eXputer. He uses his passion for gaming to provide insightful takes in his articles. Ibrahim spends most of his time defending Baldur's Gate from the forces of the Absolute. He has accumulated more than 15 years of gaming experience, having 1000 hours in The Witcher 3 and twice as much on Skyrim V. Ibrahim has previously worked at TopTierList. You can keep up with his Steam account to stay up to date on his latest explorations.

Experience: 1+ Years || Previously Worked for TopTierList || Education: Bachelors in Data Science.

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