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Discover the best Paladin weapons in Baldur’s Gate 3, equipping your class with the top 10 early and end-game choices.
With martial weapon proficiency, the Paladin has a variety of weapons to choose from. When selecting a weapon choice option, Paladin should decide to use one hand and shield for a “tank” defensive playstyle or a two-handed melee weapon for damage. The current meta-strategy with the Paladin is two-handed greatswords because they produce the most damage for the class regardless of Act. In this guide, we share with you our top 10 best Paladin weapons and how to use them.
What is the Best Weapon for the Paladin Class in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Balduran’s Giantslayer is the best weapon for the Paladin due to its overall damage and unique weapon actions. The Balduran enhances damage to larger bosses and adds a Strength modifier to overall damage. The +3 bonus to attack and damage rolls makes it very accurate and effective, and the advantage against larger creatures makes it perfect for beating the hardest bosses in BG3. Additionally, if you are a fan of Baldur’s Gate lore, you will appreciate the unique backstory of Balduran’s Githslayer alongside its raw power to destroy any creature in the game.
Typically, the Paladin weapon loadout is one of two styles. One Hand and Shield for more of a “tank” defensive style gameplay. Since the Paladin can wear heavy armor, cast spells, particularly healing and buffs, this is a popular playstyle. The alternative meta playstyle is a Two-Handed weapon. The Paladin and the Fighter are the only two classes that can select the Great Weapon Fighting style. When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack with a two-handed melee weapon, that dies is rerolled once.
The Paladin’s offensive spells and skills lean toward high-damage Smite. What makes it even better is the ability to wear heavy armor. The Paladin then becomes one of the only classes that can play an aggressive melee fighter with spells and high damage.
Top 10 Weapons for the Paladin Class
Below is a list of the best 10 weapons for Paladin Class in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3):
- Balduran’s Giantslayer: Best all around due to damage and weapon actions.
- Nyrulna: combined with Bhaalist armour for double piercing damage!
- Phalar Aluve: the unique effect that triggers extra damage for everyone.
- The Blood of Lathander: highest survivability one handed weapon.
- Darkfire Shortbow: gains resistance and haste.
- Hellrider Longbow: +3 to initiative passively.
- Silver Sword of the Astral Plane: the legendary sword can be obtained in Act 1.
- Soulbreaker: Great mid-game Weapon, Even Stronger for Githyanki
- Adamantine Longsword: Fantastic Tank Setup, Extra Shield Protection
- Everburn Blade: Strong early-game greatsword
10 Everburn Blade
Everburn Blade features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 2D6 Slashing, 1D4 Fire
- Type: Two-Handed Greatsword
- Requirements: Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Location: Commander Zhalk on Nautiloid, Prologue
The Everburn Blade remains the best-starting weapon in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can obtain this from the Prologue by killing Commander Zhalk. The weapon’s damage with Slashing combined with extra Fire leaves it as the best option for many hours into the game.
It isn’t until much later in Act 1 that you can encounter a similar damage output weapon, the Sword of Justice. Instead of flame damage, you can cast a defensive spell. However, this isn’t a good alternative choice since the Paladin is loaded with healing and defensive spells. I used this Greatsword until the end of Act 1, even on Tactician difficulty, making it the best weapon for the Paladin starting the game.
9 Adamantine Longsword
Adamantine Longsword features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage
- 1d8+1 Slashing (One-Handed)
- 1d10+1 Slashing (Two-Handed)
- Type: Versatile, Longsword
- Requirements: Greatsword Proficiency or Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Rare
- Location: Grymforge (X: -626 Y: 405), Crafted from Longsword Mould and Mithral Ore, Act 1
For those Paladins who prefer the “tank” setup, the Adamantine Longsword makes a great choice. With weapon and armour proficiencies, you can carry a shield and a longsword. This gives you a higher Armour Class (AC), which helps you avoid attacks. Longswords can also do some heavy damage, and this one, in particular, comes from the Grymforge and can be obtained in Act 1.
The Adamantine Longsword also has a Pommel Strike ability which is useful to Daze enemies. Rush Attack is particularly useful because it can proc the status effect Off Balance. The affected entity has a Disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity Checks, and Attack Rolls against it have an Advantage. Consider this attack a debuff, though not meant for damage it can help against strength and dexterity-based weapon users. And lastly, the item has 1d8+1 and 1d10+1 damage. While not as high as later game items, this Longsword packs a punch and is a worthwhile pickup in Act 1!
8 Soulbreaker
Soulbreaker features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 2D6+1 Slashing, 1D4 Psychic (If you are Githyanki)
- Type: Two-Handed Greatsword
- Requirements: Greatsword Proficiency or Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Rare
- Location: Kith’rak Therezzyn in Creche, Creche Y’llek, Mountain Pass
The next fantastic Baldur’s Gate 3 weapon for the Paladin class is the Soulbreaker, available in the later stages transitioning from Act 1 and 2. The weapon is meant for a Githyanki because of the Githborn Psionic Weapon passive, but any class or race can use it. Two things make this extraordinarily strong, one being Seldom Caught Unaware. The Paladin isn’t known for having high Initiative. This is one of the major downsides to the class: going later in the round and risking the chance of being crowd-controlled and skipping your turn.
Having a +2 bonus to Initiative rolls doesn’t seem that useful, but it’s the difference between you going first and killing an enemy or them going first and incapacitating you. There’s a useful feat that can complement this effect called Alert. This gives a +5 to Initiative and you cannot be surprised. This allows you to almost always go first, regardless of your Dexterity rating, and never skip the opening turn because of surprise.
The other strength of this weapon is an extra skill Soulbreaker. This does minimal Psychic damage but you can stun a target. Having the chance to stun the target with just a weapon skill rather than a spell is super helpful. Also, the percentage chance to stun can be very high. This is recommended when you just need to prevent that annoying Githyanki Fighter from taking another turn and attacking 7 times.
7 Silver Sword of the Astral Plane
Silver Sword of the Astral Plane features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 2d6 + 3 Slashing
- Type: Greatsword
- Range: 1.5 meters
- Requirements: Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Legendary
- Location: Act 1 commander Kith’rak Voss, or Act 3 Orphic Hammer quest.
The best weapon in Act 1 is the Silver Sword of the Astral Plane. However, it takes a bit of cheese using the command spell to force the rider to drop the weapon while in dialogue with Lae’zel. If you can do this with a low percentage change or save scumming, you’ll gain a better version of the Soulbreaker. Using a Githyanki or when needing a stun, the Silver Sword is a perfect weapon for any Paladin. However, the power fades in Act 3, so we don’t rank it higher on our top 10 best weapons list.
6 Hellrider Longbow
Hellrider Longbow features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 1d8 + 1 piercing
- Type: Longbow
- Range: 18 meters
- Requirements: Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Location: Act 3 sold from Ferg Drogher in Rivington.
One of the weaknesses of the Paladin is a lower dexterity score due to the use of heavy armor. With a 10 Dex score, you will go much later in the turn order and are likely to be immobilized or stunned. However, the Hellrider Longbow can solve that issue, granting you a +3 bonus to initiative rolls. You can passively equip this in your range slot and gain the +3 bonus without ever using the weapon. We’d rank the weapon higher if there we another spell or some other advantage to the bow besides Initiative.
5 Darkfire Shortbow
Darkfire Shortbow features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 1d6 + 2 piercing
- Type: Shortbow
- Range: 18 meters
- Requirements: Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Rare
- Location: Sold by Dammon in Act 2 of the Last Light Inn.
The best passive ranged weapon is the Darkfire Shortbow. You equip this weapon and gain resistance to Fire and Cold and the Haste spell. This weapon is obtained in Act 2, and is one of the best in the game due to the free spell and two resistances. Either Hellrider or Darkfire should be on your back bar at all times as a Paladin due to their passives buffs.
4 The Blood of Lathander
The Blood of Lathander features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 1D6+2 + Strength Modifier + 3, Bludgeoning,
- Type: Maces
- Requirements: Simple Weapons
- Rarity: Legendary
- Location: Underneath Rosymorn Monastery in Mountain Pass, Solve the Puzzle to Get Dawnmaster’s Crest First
Coming in our number two spot is a legendary found in Act 2, The Blood of Lathander. This is meant for tank-focused Paladins running this Mace and a Shield. The benefits are pretty obvious here, but it prevents you from dying once per Long Rest and gives you one health. Allies regenerate health in 9m which is a wide radius.
The most beneficial and slightly roleplay-centric ability is Lathander’s Light. In a 6m radius, fiends and undead or blinded unless they succeed in a Constitution saving throw. Blinded is a status effect, in which range attackers suffer a disadvantage on attack rolls, and attack rolls against blinded creatures have an advantage. This is literally a perfect fit for a holy warrior who smites the undead!
You also get a free Sunbeam 5-48 Radiant damage spell of 18m. This weapon does everything, including offensive and defensive support and amazing Paladin roleplay.
Also Check:- BG3 Interactive Map
3 Phalar Aluve
Silver Sword of the Astral Plane features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage
- 1d8+1 Slashing (One-Handed)
- 1d10+1 Slashing (Two-Handed)
- Type: Longsword
- Range: 1.5 meters
- Requirements: martial weapon proficiency
- Rarity: Rare
- Location: Act 1 in the Underdark at coordinates X: 116 Y: -192.
What makes Phalar Aluve an overpowered weapon for the Paladin is its two Melodies skills, either buffing allies or debuffing enemies. Phalar Aluve Melody cost action, with a duration of 5 turns and can trigger the effect Sing or Shriek:
- Phalar Aluve: Sing – All allies within 6 meters have a 1d4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Charisma, Wisdom, and Intelligence Saving Throws.
- Phalar Aluve: Shriek – All enemies within 6 meters have a 1d4 penalty to all Saving throws. Affected creatures receive an extra 1d4 Thunder damage.
Once triggered, a large area circle appears, either buffing your party or debuffing the enemy.
Once enemies enter the circle, they are debuffed red with Shriek active. What’s deceptive about the power of Shriek is that it debuffs those within the radius. Any ranged damage dealer can stay back, cast spells, or shoot arrows and still gain the advantage of Shriek’s increased thunder damage. This weapon is perfect to use for a Paladin front line fight that prefers to debuff enemies and use a shield with a longsword.
2 Nyrulna
Nyrulna features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage
- 1d6 + 3 piercing one-handed
- 1d8 + 3 piercing two-handed
- Type: Trident
- Range: 1.5 meters
- Requirements: Martial Weapon Proficiency
- Rarity: Legendary
- Location: Act 3, steal ring from Akabi in Circus of the Last Days during game.
The most damage you can produce on a Paladin is with Nyrulna and Bhaalist Armour combination. This generates a 3-meter field doubling piercing damage. Tridents are piercing damage, so you combine the field with the Nyrulna legendary weapons to get 50-70 damage per hit. Add on top of that Divine Smite, and each attack can produce 100 damage.
The major downside to this combination is that Bhaalist has light armor and will not have the same AC as Helldusk Armor. Moreover, you need to make an evil decision; thus, it’s best to play as an Oathbreaker or Dark Urge build. But the rawest melee damage is in this combination, and you should use it for an honor mode playthrough late in Act 3.
1 Balduran’s Giantslayer
Balduran’s Giantslayer features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Damage: 2D6+Strenght Modifier + 3, Slashing
- Type: Two-Handed, Greatsword
- Requirements: Non
- Rarity: Legendary
- Location: Ansur in Dragon’s Sanctum, First solve Puzzle in The Wyrmway passage, Act 3
Coming in at number one is the ultimate two-handed damage-dealing weapon Balduran’s Giantslayer! The weapon deals 2d6 + Strength Modifier damage. It also has a perk that doubles the damage from your strength modifier.
Paladin’s main ability is Strength, meaning you want the highest possible value (cap at 20 unless specified in the item’s tooltip). However, you can get much more damage from this weapon if you drink the Elixir of Cloud Giant Strength. This bonus action-based single-use consumable skyrockets your strength to 27, and it last until long rest, making it a great combination. Also, if you take the Great Weapon Master feat, you can proc an additional attack when you critical strike or kill a target. Paladins receive an extra attack at a certain level, and with the potion active you are likely to kill a target, which will give you yet another attack.
This weapon is also designed for “Big Folk,” aka the game’s biggest and nasties monsters and enemies. The feature deals additional damage equal to your Proficiency Bonus. On a hit, Large, Huge, or Gargantuan creatures take an additional 2-12 Slashing damage and must succeed in a Strength Saving Throw or fall prone. This weapon makes you the God Slayer of Baldur’s Gate 3, and while painful to obtain, it is the best weapon for Paladin in the game.
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