This guide focuses on the essential aspects of an Oath of the Crown Paladin build in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) and how to use those powers to your advantage.

Larian Studios releases 12 new subclasses for Baldur’s Gate 3. In this build guide, we walk players through all the critical decisions: ability score, level progression, companions, weapons, armor, and consumables.
This build page has been updated for the Patch 8 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Paladin Class Guide in BG3
The Paladin class is known for Divine Smite, a hybrid spellcaster that can also dish out huge amounts of damage. Paladins are unique using Charisma ability score, having extra attack, spellcasting, and complex subclass features. They are widely considered one of the strongest classes in BG3, but also difficult to master with so many spells and abilities.
Why Should You Choose the Oath of the Crown Subclass for the Paladin Class in BG3?
Players should choose the Oath of the Crown subclass for the Paladin if they want to “tank” in BG3. The Oath of the Crown subclass has a unique feature, Turn the Tide, which taunts all enemies in a 9-meter radius. This forces enemies to attack you, and with the right setup, avoid almost any attack. Meanwhile, the Oath of the Crown subclass can still dish out damage with Divine Smite and other Paladin spells.
Everything About the Oath of the Crown Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3
The Oath of Crown Paladin is unique in that it can taunt enemies in a large radius of 9 meters. Therefore, the Paladin must have high survivability, and in Act 1, provide some healing to yourself in the party. This Paladin uses a Multiclass setup with the Sorcerer Shadow subclass to take advantage of the Darkness spell where targets are blind and cannot hit you. Thus, you’re able to taunt enemies, put a cloud over you, and dish out damage while they constantly miss.
However, the downsides of the Paladin are a slow start, low mobility, and with low dexterity, and last in combat. But, this is a fun build focused on a different playstyle of the Paladin. One that can dish out damage and avoid it!
Oath of the Crown Paladin Build Pros | Oath of the Crown Paladin Build Pros |
---|---|
High Survivability | Group Support |
Group Utility | Low Mobility |
Decent Damage | Vulnerable to Stuns |
Features and Mechanics of Oath of the Crown Paladin
The following list presents all the essential Oath of the Crown Paladin Build Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Class: Paladin
- Subclass: Oath of the Crown
- Background: Soldier
- Skills: Persuasion and Insight
- Ability Score
- Strength: 14
- Dexterity: 10
- Constitution: 17
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 8
- Charisma: 16
- Saving Throw: Wisdom and Charisma
- Armour Proficiency: Light, Medium, Heavy Armour and Shields
- Weapon Proficiency: Simple and Martial Weapons
Related:
Character Creation
Category | Selection |
---|---|
Character | Origin – Custom character |
Race | Gold Dwarf |
Racial Bonus | Dwarven Combat Training, Darkvision, Dwarven Resilience, Dwarven Toughness |
Class | Paladin |
Subclass | Oath of the Crown |
Background | Soldier |
Ability Score | STR: 14 DEX: 10 CON: 17 INT: 8 WIS: 8 CHA: 16 |
Skill Proficiencies | Persuasion and Insight |
Race Choice for Oath of the Crown Paladin
Gold Dwarf is the best choice for an Oath of the Crown Paladin Build because you gain +1 HP each level, giving you more health than others. A secondary choice is Half-Orc, which gives you Savage Attacks, dealing twice the damage on weapon melee attacks, and a free +1 life if you are downed. Finally, High Half-Elf to get Booming Blade cantrip.
Here is the best race choice for an Oath of the Crown Paladin build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Race | Features |
---|---|
Gold Dwarf | Dwarven Combat Training Darkvision Dwarven Resilience Dwarven Toughness |
Half-Orc | Relentless Endurance Savage Attacks Darkvision |
High Half-Elf | Civil Militia Darkvision Fey Ancestry Free Cantrip |
Paladin Subclass Features – Oath of the Crown
Below are the Oath of the Crown subclass features that become available while leveling up in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Oath of the Crown Tenets (Level 1): A paladin must follow their sworn oaths or lose their divine power. Oath of Devotion paladins abide by the following tenets:
- Law. Uphold civilisation and order.Loyalty. Your word is your bond; without loyalty, oaths and laws are meaningless.
- Responsibility. Deal with the consequences of your actions, and fulfil your duties and obligations.
- Righteous Clarity (Level 1): Target yourself or an ally to additionally grant the target’s proficiency bonus to their Attack rolls.
- Champion Challenge (Level 3): Challenge the enemies around you, compelling them to attack only you. Any attacks they might make against other targets have Disadvantage.
- Turn the Tide (Level 3): Shout out and heal all nearby non-enemy creatures.
- Oath Spells (Level 3): You gain additional spells from your oath. They are Always Prepared.
- Command
- Compelled Duel
- Oath Spells (Level 5): You gain additional spells from your oath. They are Always Prepared.
- Warding Bond
- Spiritual Weapon
- Divine Allegiance (Level 7): When an ally within 1.5 meters of you takes damage, you can use your Reaction to magically substitute your own health for your ally’s, taking the damage instead of them.
- Oath Spells (Level 9): You gain additional spells from your oath. They are Always Prepared.
- Spirit Guardians
Recommended Background for Oath of the Crown Paladin
The best background for a solo Paladin is that of a soldier because you gain proficiency in athletics and intimidation. Backgrounds in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a way to represent your character’s backstory and give them some starting skills and abilities.
- Soldier: Proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation. You are trained in battlefield tactics and combat, having served in a militia, mercenary company, or officer corps. Soldier companions in BG3 are Jaheira and Lae’zel.
- Noble: Proficiency in History and Persuasion.You were raised in a family among the social elite, accustomed to power and privilege. A noble companion is Minthara.
- Guild Artisan: Proficiency in Insight and Persuasion. Your skill in a particular craft has earned you membership in a mercantile guild, offering privileges and protection while engaging in your art. No Guild Artisan companions in BG3.
Ability Score
The Best Ability Score for Oath of the Crown Paladin Build is 17 Constitution, 16 Charisma, and 14 Strength. Constitution determines health and concentration saving throws. Having a high Charisma influences spellcasting alongside dialogue and skills. Lastly, the Strength ability score influences your attack rolls and power in melee combat. Since this build will be using heavy armour rather than medium, we avoid adding dexterity.
Below is the best ability score for an Oath of the Crown Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Ability | Recommended Score |
---|---|
Strength | 14 |
Dexterity | 10 |
Constitution | 17 |
Intelligence | 8 |
Wisdom | 8 |
Charisma | 16 |
You can increase your ability score via a quest in Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Make sure to check out our Permanent bonus guide on how you can boost your ability score through quests.
Recommended Skills for Oath of the Crown Paladin
Persuasion and Insight are the best skills for the Oath of the Crown Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3 because they complement your class abilities and enhance your effectiveness in various situations. In Baldur’s Gate 3, skills represent the abilities and proficiencies of your character that allow them to perform various actions and interact with the game world. Skills are associated with specific attributes and are used to determine the success or effectiveness of certain actions or abilities.
Here are the best skills for the Death Domain Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Persuasion is a Charisma Skill used entirely for dialogue Ability Checks.
- Insight is a Wisdom skill used in dialogue and exploration.
Illithid Powers For Oath of the Crown Paladin

The best Illithid Powers for a Oath of the Crown Paladin build are Luck of the Farm Realms, Black Hole, and Cull of the Weak. Luck of the Farm helps with critical hits and burst damage and, combined with Cull of the Weak, can trigger AOE damage passively. Black Hole requires you to take the Astral Tadpole in Act 2, but it sucks in 5 enemies, slows them, and can be recast for free. This is helpful in certain large-scale boss fights with many enemies. Below are the best Illithid Tadpole Powers for the Oath of the Crown Paladin build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Illithid Powers | Description |
---|---|
Luck of the Far Realms | When you make a successful Attack Roll against a foe, you can change that hit into a Critical Hit. |
Cull of the Weak | When you bring a creature down to fewer hit points than your number of evolved Illithid powers, it dies and all nearby creatures take 1-4 Psychic damage. |
Psionic Backlash | When an enemy within 9m casts a spell, you can use your reaction to inflict ld4 Psychic damage to the caster per the spell’s level. |
Blackhole | Area-based suck-in that slows targets. |
Repulsor | Massive area knockback that can hit friendlies. |
Charm | This is the priority power you want to obtain because you can force enemies to attack something else. |
Best Companions for Oath of the Crown Paladin
Shadowheart, Gale, and Lae’zel make the best companions for the Oath of the Crown Paladin build because you gain access to a healer, front-line fighter, and spellcaster.
- Gale (Evocation Wizard) – for ranged area damage.
- Lae’zel (Fighter – Battlemaster) – have her the front-line attention-getter doing Fighter to level 12.
- Shadowheart (Cleric – Life) – utilizes Shadowheart to buff, heal, and stun enemies.
Related:
Best Oath of the Crown Paladin Build – Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3
Level | Class | Selection |
---|---|---|
1 | Paladin | Subclass: Oath of the Crown, Lay on Hands, Divine Sense, Inquisitor’s Might |
2 | Paladin | Protection Fighting Style, Command, Compelled Duel, Thunderous Smite, Shield, Cure Wounds |
3 | Protection From Good and Evil | |
4 | Paladin | Feat: Tough, Divine Favour |
5 | Paladin | Aid, Magic Weapon, Drop Divine Favour |
6 | Paladin | Protection from Poison |
7 | Sorcerer | Multiclass: Sorcerer, Subclass: Shadow Magic, Booming Blade, Fire Bolt, Friends, Light, Shield, Chromatic Orb |
8 | Sorcerer | Metamagic: Twinned and Extended, Fog Cloud |
9 | Sorcerer | Metamagic: Quickened, Mirror Image |
10 | Sorcerer | Feat: Alert, Mage Hand, Shadow Blade |
11 | Sorcerer | Fireball, Swap Magic Missile for Counterspell |
12 | Sorcerer | Slow |
Level 1

At Level 1 of our Paladin build you get to immediately choose your subclass, which will obviously be Oath of the Crown. Here are all of the features you get at the first level:
- Channeled Oath Charges: Paladin-specific resource that allows the casting of spells and abilities.
- Lay on Hands: Use your blessed touch to heal a creature or cure it of all diseases and poisons.
- Divine Sense: Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against celestials, fiends, and undead.
- Righteous Clarity: Target yourself or an ally to additionally grant the target’s proficiency bonus to their Attack rolls.
- Oath of the Crown Tenets: Law. Uphold civilisation and order. Loyalty. Your word is your bond; without loyalty, oaths and laws are meaningless. Responsibility. Deal with the consequences of your actions, and fulfil your duties and obligations.
Gameplay at this level is using limited spells and class features. Level two you get the bulk of your gameplay choices.
Level 2

At Level 2, your Oath of the Crown Paladin gains access to five prepared spells, chooses a fighting style, and Divine Smite.
- Protection Fighting Style: When you have a Shield, impose Disadvantage on an enemy who attacks one of your allies when you are within 1.5 meters. You must be able to see the enemy.
- Command (spell selection): Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground, or drop its weapon.
- Compelled Duel (spell selection): Force an enemy to attack only you, giving it Disadvantage against other targets.
- Shield (subclass feature): When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class by 5.
- Cure Wounds (subclass feature): Heal a creature you can touch for 1-8 HP.
- Thunderous Smite (spell selection): Your weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3m away and possibly knocking it Prone.
- Divine Smite (class feature): deals 2d8 Radiant weapon damage and consumes a spell slot.
Use Command to stun targets, shield when you get hit, and Thunderous Smite to start combat from stealth. If you start combat from stealth, you get the surprise status effect and the target will be knocked prone. Save extra spell slots for Divine Smite which adds damage after a melee hit.
Level 3
Reaching Level 3 with the best Baldur’s Gate 3 Oath of the Crown Paladin, will unlock another level 1 spell slot, Divine Health, and subclass features. Here’s a list of what happens as a level 3 Paladin:
- Divine Health (class feature): The divine magic flowing within you prevents disease from affecting you.
- Protection From Good and Evil (spell selection): Protect an ally against the attacks and powers of Aberrations, Celestials, Elementals, Fey, Fiends, and Undead.
- Champion Challenge (sublcass feature): Challenge the enemies around you, compelling them to attack only you. Any attacks they might make against other targets have Disadvantage.
- Turn the Tide (subclass feature): Shout out and heal all nearby non-enemy creatures.
- Command (subclass spell): Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground, or drop its weapon.
- Compelled Duel (subclass spell): Force an enemy to attack only you, giving it Disadvantage against other targets.
At this level, you gain access to taunt via Champion Challenge and Compelled Duel. Use these two to target the highest damage-dealing target, and force them to attack you.
Level 4

At Level 4, the Oath of the Crown Paladin unlocks one new prepared spell, an additional Lay on Hands Charge, and a feat.
- Divine Favour (spell selection): Your prayer empowers you with divine radiance. Your weapons deal an additional 1d4Radiant damage.
- Tough (feat selection): Your Hit Point maximum increases by 2 for every level you have gained.
Take increased health HP at this point. Also, you want to collect the Whispering Promise Ring, Amulet of Restoration, and Hellrider Gloves. You can use a bonus action to trigger a massive amount of buffs to yourself and your party. This will help everyone avoid attacks but is dependent on the Amulet of Restoration. See gear section below for details.
Level 5

Next, at Level 5, the Oath of the Crown Paladin unlocks Extra Attack, two level 2 spell slots, one new prepared spell, and two always prepared subclass spells.
- Extra Attack (class feature): You can attack twice, by the Attack action on your turn.
- Aid (spell selection): Bolster your allies with toughness and resolve to heal and increase their Hit Points maximum.
- Magic Weapon (swap with Divine Favour): Infuse a weapon with arcane energy. The weapon becomes magical, receiving a +1 bonus to Attack rolls and Damage Rolls.
- Warding Bond (subclass spell): Ward an ally. They gain resistance to all damage, and a +1 bonus to their Armour Class and Saving throws.
- Spiritual Weapon (subclass spell): Summon a floating, spectral weapon that attacks your enemies alongside you.
At this level, you can use Spiritual Weapons to create a distraction. If you have extra spell slots, use Aid to increase your party’s overall health.
Level 6
At Level 6, our best Baldur’s Gate 3 Oath of the Crown Paladin build will get one class feature and the choice of another spell.
- Aura of Protection (class feature): You and nearby allies gain a bonus to Saving throws equal to your Charisma modifier.
- Protection from Poison (spell selection): Grants Advantage on Saving throws against being Poisoned, and Resistance to Poison damage.
Make sure to activate the Aura of Protection after unlocked.
Level 7

Now at character Level 7, we want to multiclass into Sorcerer for the rest of our leveling progression. Like the Paladin, you select a subclass right away and we will want to choose Shadow Magic. You’ll also get to select four starting cantrips and two new spells. Alternatively, you can select Warlock as well which also has similar features, that are more offensive.
With the Shadow Magic subclass you will get two features:
- Eyes of the Dark: You can see in the dark up to 24 meters.
- Strength of the Grave: After reaching 0 Hit Points, you regain 1 instead of becoming downed.
Cantrip Recommendations
- Booming Blade: Hit an enemy with your melee weapon to inflict them with resonance that deals Thunder damage when they move.
- Fire Bolt: Ranged fire spell that deals 1d10 fire damage. Simple ranged attack that can be combined with Grease early on for big area damage.
- Friends: Gain Advantage on Charisma Checks against a non-hostile creature.
- Light: Infuse an object with an aura of light.
Spell Recommendations
- Shield: A defensive spell that helps when taking pressure with melee. When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class by 5. You also take no damage from Magic Missile. These effects last until the start of your next turn.
- Chromatic Orb: Sphere of energy deals 3d8 Thunder damage, or 2d8 Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning or Poison damage and creates a surface.
Multiclassing allows us to have much more damage and utility with the Sorc spells.
Level 8

At Level 8 we’ll continue to advance in the Shadow Magic Sorcerer subclass. You’ll now you unlock Sorcery Points, Metamagic, and one additional spell. We suggest taking the Fog Cloud spell with Twinned Spell and Extended Spell for metagmagic class passives.
Spell Recommendation
- Fog Cloud: Create a cloud of dense fog to Heavily Obscure and Blind creatures within.
Metamagic essentially lets you manipulate spells to add range, cast on multiple targets, and more. Sorcery Points can be converted into additional Spell Slots, allowing you to cast more spells in between long rests. At level two, you get to select two Metamagic Options out of four: Careful, Distant, Extended, and Twinned.
- Twinned Spell: Cast a single target spell on multiple targets.
- Extended Spell: Double the duration of conditions, summons, and surfaces caused by spells.
At the next level, you gain Eyes of the Dark: Darkness subclass spell. This allows you to see through darkness, and you want to extend the effect. Moreover, you can now Twinned spell Booming Blade cantrip.
Level 9

At character Level 9 we’ll put a third level into Sorcerer and you will get a Sorcery Point, a spell, and another metamagic choice. Additionally, the Shadow Magic subclass will also grant you a couple of additional prepared spells.
- Quickened Spell (metamagic): Spells that take an Action take a Bonus action instead.
- Shadow Blade (spell): Weave a shadowy shortsword in your hand that deals 2d8 Psychic damage.
- Darkness (subclass spell): Cast as a level 2 spell at will. Create a cloud of magical darkness that Heavily Obscures and inflicts Blind to creatures within. Creatures cannot make ranged attacks into or out of it.
- Eyes of the Dark: Darkness (subclass spell): Cast as a level 2 spell at will. Create a dark shroud that Heavily Obscures and Blinds creatures within. Creatures cannot make ranged attacks into or out of it.
Use Quickened to cast eyes of darkness or extend its duration. Move inside the darkness which you can see and avoid almost all damage. Then taunt all the enemies you can forcing them to attack you. This is the combo.
If you’re facing a super hard fight, pre-buff with Mirror Image to gain extra AC.
Level 10

With a four-level into Sorcerer you will gain a cantrip, spell, and feat.
- Alert (feat): You gain +5 to Initiative and can no longer be surprised.
- Mirror Image (spell selection): Create 3 illusory duplicates of yourself to distract attackers. Each duplicate increases your Armour Class by 3.
- Mage Hand (cantrip): Create a spectral hand that can manipulate and interact with objects.
Now, you can use Shadow Blade as your main weapon which deals Psychic damage. You can upcast this for more damage, and make sure to get the Resonance Stone in Act 2 (doubles damage). This attack stacks with divine smite and scales off of your strength. You can increase strength with feats, or permanent bonuses, or even elixirs.
Level 11

At character Level 11 of our best Baldur’s Gate 3 Oath of the Crown Paladin we will place another level into Sorcerer. You will now have access to Level 3 spells. There are a lot of powerful spells to choose from at this point, but we suggest you to pick Fireball for more area damage. Moreover, we recommend you replace Magic Missile with Counterspell for a bit more defense.
- Fireball: Shoot a bright flame from your fingers that explode upon contact, torching everything in the vicinity 8d6 18m range 6m radius.
- Replace Fog Cloud with Counterspell: Try to stop a spell being cast.
Now you have good AOE damage and with counterspell, can shut down range spellcasters.
Level 12

At maximum character Level 12 we’ll put one last level investment into Sorcerer. You’ll gain an additional level 3 spell slot, and also get a subclass feature.
- Haste (spell selection): gives two action per turn, can be Twinned for two characters.
- Hound of Ill Omen (subclass feature): Summons Nimbus, a shadow mastiff. Has actions Ominous Bite, Umbral Tangle, and Splinter Shadow.
Best Gear for Oath of the Crown Paladin Build
Beginner
Gear Slot | Best Gear Item | Effect |
---|---|---|
Head | Haste Helm | Movement |
Cape | Deathstalker Mantle (optional) | Kills give Invis |
Chest | Adamantine Splint Armour | 18 AC |
Gloves | Hellrider’s Pride | Heals give resistance |
Boots | Boots of Aid and Comfort | Additional Temporary HP |
Necklace | Amulet of Restoration | Healing Spells |
Ring | Crusher’s Ring | Increase Movement |
Ring | The Whispering Promise | Healing gives Blessed |
Weapon 1 Main Hand | Phalar Aluve | Special Attack |
Weapon 1 Off-Hand | Adamantine Shield | +2 AC |
Weapon 2 Ranged | Bow of Awareness | +1 Initiative |
List of best Oath of the Crown Paladin Baldur’s Gate 3 Equipment in Act 1:
- Haste Helm: found in Blighted Village at coordinates X: 29 Y: 405 (Alternatives Cap of Wrath, Grymskull Helm).
- Deathstalker Mantle: Dark Urge origin (optional), only cape in Act 1.
- Adamantine Splint Armour: Complete Adamantine Forge Quest (alternative Luminous Armour, or Githyanki Half Plate).
- Hellrider’s Pride: Can be bought, stolen, or earned from Zelvor (alternative Gloves of Missile Snaring, Gloves of the Growling Underdog).
- Boots of Aid and Comfort: Sold by Grat The Trader at the Goblin Camp (alternative Disintegrating Night Walkers, Boots of Striding).
- Amulet of Restoration: Sold by Derryth Bonecloak Underdark Ebonlake Grotto (Alternatives Amulet of Branding, Amulet of Misty Step).
- Crusher’s Ring: Can be looted or stolen from Crusher in the Goblin camp (Alternatives Strange Conduit Ring, or Ring of Absolute Force).
- The Whispering Promise: Volo in Druid’s Grove or from traders (alternative Ring of Colour Spray).
- Phalar Aluve: found at Underdark coordinates X: 116 Y: -192.
- Adamantine Shield: Complete the Adamantine Forge Quest in Grymforge (Alternative Glowing Shield, or Wood Woad Shield).
- Bow of Awareness: Sold by Vendor Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum (Alternatives Hunting Shortbow, Bow of Banshee, Titanstring Bow).
Advanced
The following table presents the best gear, items, and equipment for the Oath of the Crown Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Gear Slot | Best Gear Item | Effect |
---|---|---|
Head | Helm of Balduran | Self-healing |
Cape | Cloak of Protection | +1 AC |
Chest | Helldusk Armour | 21 AC |
Gloves | Luminous Gloves | Debuff on Radiant DMG |
Boots | Helldusk Boots | Cannot be Moved |
Necklace | Amulet of Greater Health | 23 Constitution |
Ring | Ring of Protection | Auto Critical |
Ring | Ring of Free Action | Self-healing |
Weapon 1 Main Hand | The Sacred Star | Radiant Damage |
Off-Hand | Viconia’s Walking Fortress | +3 AC |
Weapon 2 Ranged | Darkfire Shortbow | Gives Haste |
Misc | Resonance Stone | Double Psychic Damage |
- Helm of Balduran: Obtained in Dragon’s Sanctum (Alternatives Birthright, Mask of Soul Perception).
- Cloak of Protection: Sold in Act 2 Last Light Inn (Mantle of the Holy Warrior).
- Helldusk Armour: Dropped by Raphael in the House of Hope (Alternatives Armour of Devotion, Armour of Persistence).
- Luminous Gloves: Act 2 open field coordinates X: -52 Y: 11 (Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength, Legacy of the Masters)
- Helldusk Boots: In a locked chest, Wyrm’s Rock Fortress X: -32 Y: 219 (Alternative Disintegrating Night Walkers).
- Amulet of Greater Health: Found in the House of Hope in Baldur’s Gate City (Alternative Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet).
- Ring of Protection: Reward from Mol in Act 1 (Alternative Killer’s Sweetheart).
- Ring of Free Action: Act 2 Moonrise sold by Araj Oblodra (Alternative Ring Of Regeneration).
- The Sacred Star: Sold by Vicar Humbletoes in Stormshore Tabernacle (Alternative Phalar Aluve).
- Viconia’s Walking Fortress: Complete Shadowheart’s Quest Daughter of Darkness.
- Darkfire Shortbow: Sold by trader Damon Act 2 Last Light Inn X: -35 Y: 169 (Hellrider’s Longbow).
- Resonance Stone: End of act 2 in puzzle mind flayer colony.
How to Play Oath of the Crown Paladin
The best way to play the Oath of the Crown Paladin is to use the Eyes of Darkness spell from the Sorcerer to create a cloud of blindness, then taunt enemies to for them to attack you. They won’t be able to hit you within this darkness, while you will be able to attack. Alternatively, you can use the Act 2 Eversight Ring found in House of Healing Morgue X: 9 Y: -981. This will prevent almost all incoming damage towards you, while protecting and tanking for your allies.
Below are some general tips on how to play the best Oath of the Crown Paladin build in BG3:
- Loot Everything: You will need a lot of gold to buy consumables, potions, and ammunition so loot and sell constantly.
- Crafting: Elixirs and potions are vital, and you need to purchase materials when trading for crafting.
- Reach Level 6: Spend the early part of the game completing every quest to reach level 6 where your power dramatically increases.
- Sell Often: Your carrying capacity will be limited so sell often, and store excessive items in your traveler’s chest.
- Stealth: Start combat in stealth if at all possible to trigger the Surprise status effect.
- Consider Illithid Powers: While it can come with an altered appearance, the powers are powerful and can help you.
- Oils + Elixiris: Combine both oils/coatings and Elixir during combat for a dual benefit.
- Persuasion: Try to avoid combat through dialogue if possible.
Best Tips and Tricks for Oath of the Crown Paladin
The best tip for the Oath of the Crown Paladin is to obtain a powerful tank gear combination in Act 1: Amulet of Restoration, the Whispering Promise, Hellrider’s Pride, and Boost of Aid and Comfort. Amulet of Restoration grants the use of the Mass healing word, a bonus action spell that heals everyone within 18 meters. When healed each character will gain Bless Spell, Resistance Cantrip, and extra health. This gives you massive utility in Act 1 while retaining all the damage of the Paladin.
Best Consumables, Potions, Ammunition, and Items
The following list is the best consumable items that will aid in our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Oath of the Crown Paladin Build Guide:
- Elixir of Bloodlust: Once per turn when you kill a foe, you gain HP 5 temporary hit points and an additional action.
- Elixir of Hill Giant Strength: Increases Strength ability score to 21 until Long Rest.
- Potion of Speed: Gain extra action, +2 AC, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, and double movement speed.
- Drow Poison: Weapon poison that adds Constitution Saving Throw or becomes Poisoned and falls Asleep.
- Potion of Flying: Drink to gain a flying speed of 60ft for one hour.
- Elixir of Heroism: Gain 10 temp HP and become Blessed until a long rest.
- Potion of Greater Healing: 4d4 + 4 hit points restored.
- Oil of Accuracy: Coat Weapon. Bonus of +2 in Attack Rolls.
- Elixir of Vigilance: Drink to gain a +5 bonus to Initiative and you can’t be Surprised.
Permanent Bonuses

Throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, you will have the ability to gain permanent bonuses to your character. These can grant additional spells, ability scores, and other bonuses. Permanent Bonuses are not displayed throughout the campaign but are vital to increase overall combat performance. We have all permanent bonuses here in a guide, but the most important ones for you to collect are listed below.
Act 1 | Act 2 | Act 3 |
---|---|---|
Auntie Ethel’s Hair: Gain +1 to an Ability Score. | Potion of Everlasting Vigour: Gain +2 Strength. | Mirror of Loss – +2 to an Ability Score of your choice. |
Awakened: Use illithid powers as a Bonus Action. | Slayer Form: Ability to transform into the Slayer. | Partial Ceremorphosis: Access to tier 3 illithid Powers. |
Scratch: Gain Find Familiar Scratch. | Summon Us: Allows you to summon Us. | Sweet Stone Features: Blessed permanent. |
Cheeky Quasit: Gain Summon Quasit Shovel. | Statue of the Gods: +2 to Saving Throws | |
Loviatar’s Love: 30% Hit Points or less, you gain a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls and Wisdom saving throws. | ||
Necromancy Of Thay: access to powerful spells in Act 3. | ||
Volo’s Ersatz Eye: See Invisibility |
Oath of the Crown Paladin Changes in Patch 8 for BG3

With 12 new subclasses in Patch 8, the Oath of the Crown Paladin is perfect for those wanting a true tank. Moreover, the game brought in Shadow Blade, a powerful psychic damage spell that allows you to attack with your main hand, a summoned weapon. This allows the Paladin to tank and do huge damage, making the subclass a great choice when multiclassed with the Sorcerer.
Build Summary – Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Oath of the Crown Paladin
Classes – Paladin, Sorcerer
Subclasses – Oath of the Crown, Shadow Magic
Armor – Heavy Armour
Weapons: One handed and Shield
Race – Gold Dwarf
Ability Score
- Strength – 14
- Dexterity – 10
- Constitution – 17
- Intelligence – 8
- Wisdom – 8
- Charisma – 16
Level Progression
- Level 1 – Subclass: Oath of the Crown, Lay on Hands, Divine Sense, Inquisitor’s Might
- Level 2 – Protection Fighting Style, Command, Compelled Duel, Thunderous Smite, Shield, Cure Wounds
- Level 3 – Protection From Good and Evil
- Level 4 – Feat: Tough, Divine Favour
- Level 5 – Aid, Magic Weapon, Drop Divine Favour
- Level 6 – Protection from Poison
- Level 7 – Multiclass: Sorcerer, Subclass: Shadow Magic, Booming Blade, Fire Bolt, Friends, Light, Shield, Chromatic Orb
- Level 8 – Metamagic: Twinned and Extended, Fog Cloud
- Level 9 – Metamagic: Quickened, Mirror Image
- Level 10 – Feat: Alert, Mage Hand, Shadow Blade
- Level 11 – Fireball, Swap Magic Missile for Counterspell
- Level 12 – Slow
FAQs about the Oath of the Crown Paladin build in Baldur’s Gate 3
What abilities should the Oath of the Crown Paladin prioritize for my class?
Your ability score prioritizes are charisma and constitution and strength if you use melee damage.
What are the best feats for Oath of the Crown Paladin builds?
The best feat for Oath of the Crown Paladin is Tough to increase overall health or Savage Attacker to increase melee damage.
What are the best multiclass combos?
The best multiclass combo is the Shadow Sorcerer which can see through darkness. You can thus use a Darkness spell ontop of yourself and still attack while enemies cannot attack you.
Are there “must-have” items for Oath of the Crown Paladin builds?
The must-have items for the Oath of the Crown Paladin are the Amulet of Restoration, the Whispering Promise, Hellrider’s Pride, and Boost of Aid and Comfort. The combination grants two spells to all healed, blessed, and resistance, while also giving temporary hit points.
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