Baldur’s Gate 3: How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin

Find out How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3, and what kind of powers this can grant your character!

Oathbreaker Paladin Build

Becoming an Oathbreaker Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a unique and challenging path that offers a different perspective on the classic Paladin class. This guide will walk you through the steps to transform your character into an Oathbreaker Paladin, exploring the darkness within and embracing a different set of powers.

How to Break Your Oath

Baldur's Gate 3 Breaking Your Oath

Unlike the other Paladin subclasses, you do not choose to become an Oathbreaker Paladin during character creation. Instead, you’ll need to choose one of the other subclasses. Thereby, making the Oath you will be then choosing to break. Assuming that you have already determined to take the actions necessary to become an Oathbreaker Paladin the subclass you choose in character creation doesn’t particularly matter. We recommend Devotion as this is the more ‘pure’ class and therefore more easily broken, but if you prefer something else for roleplaying purposes another subclass will do just fine.

Once you are off of the Nautiloid ship and on the ground, there are multiple ways to become an Oathbreaker Paladin if you wish to try this challenging but powerful subclass. In order to do this you will need to break your promise or oath, which simply involves attacking and/or killing an innocent NPC. 

One of the easiest ways to do this early in the game at Level 2 is by by tricking the two Tieflings holding Lae’zel hostage. Another way would be to kill an innocent NPC while they are sleeping. 

The Oathbreaker Knight

Baldur's Gate 3 Oathbreaker Knight

Once you have committed an act that breaks your Paladin oath, you will receive a visit from the Oathbreaker Knight. You’ll find him waiting for you the next time you visit your camp, typically not too far from where Withers stands.

You’ll need to speak with him directly in order to confirm your commitment to breaking your oath. When you have done so, to access the new subclass.

If at any point you change your mind and wish to take your old oath back up and return to your original subclass you can speak to the Oathbreaker Knight again at anytime. However, be aware that it will cost you 1,000 gold in order to be able to do this. Additionally, you will no longer be able to use your channel oath charges.

Oathbreaker Paladin Class Progression

Baldur's Gate 3 Oathbreaker Subclass Unlocked

The Oathbreaker Paladin subclass unlocks the following features and spells:

  • Spiteful Suffering (Level 1): The target takes 1d4+3 Necrotic damage each turn and Attack Rolls against it have Advantage.
  • Channel Oath Abilities (Level 3): Control Undead and Dreadful Aspect
  • Oath Spells (Level 3): Hellish Rebuke and Inflict Wounds
  • Oath Spells (Level 5): Crown of Madness and Darkness
  • Aura of Hate (Level 7): You and any nearby fiends (and undead) gain an additional damage dealt with melee weapons equal to your charisma modifier. The aura disappears if you fall Unconscious.
  • Oath Spells (Level 9): Bestow Curse and Animate Dead

Becoming an Oathbreaker Paladin Summary

To become an Oathbreaker Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3, follow these steps:

    • Lie or go back on a promise and kill an innocent (Say ‘I won’t attack’, then you attack anyways post dialogue)
    • You are visited by Oathbreaker Knight Cutscene
    • Visit your Camp and find the NPC Oathbreaker Knight and talk
    • Accept your Oathbreaker and gain access to the subclass
    • You can drop Oathbreaker and it’s not a permanent choice

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