Baldur's Gate 3: Best Paladin Multiclass Build

The Paladin is one of the most self-sufficient classes in Baldur's Gate 3, combining support, weapon damage, and magic in one heavily-armored package. When it comes to multiclassing a Paladin, the best strategy is to build around its Divine Smite feature, mixing in a full caster to increase the amount of spell slots available. While any full spellcaster class can fulfill this role in Baldur's Gate 3, the best choice is a class that shares the Paladin's need for high Charisma, such as the Sorcerer, Bard, or Warlock.

Of the three Charisma-based casters, the Sorcerer is the strongest pick overall for this build, forming a synergistic combo with the Paladin that is commonly known as a Sorcadin. The core idea behind the Sorcadin has three parts:

Use the Sorcerer's extra spell slots to fuel Divine Smite.
Use the Paladin's toughness to mitigate the Sorcerer's weaknesses.
Use the Sorcerer's Twinned and Quickened Metamagics to break the action economy.

The Twinned Spell Metamagic will allow the Sorcadin to apply powerful buffs or debuffs to multiple targets at once, relying on their excellent Constitution Saving Throws to maintain Concentration. Similarly, Quickened Spell will give the Sorcadin the ability to debuff a target with a spell like Hold Person as a Bonus Action, then use their Action to land a guaranteed Divine Smite critical hit for massive damage.

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Updated December 2, 2024, by Hamza Haq: Paladins remain one of the strongest classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, with unique subclasses that each offer a different way to play the frontline tank. For a vast majority of the player base, Paladins are their favorite class not only because they’re strong in combat but also because they offer so many roleplay options. On top of that, the Paladin class also lends itself extremely well to multiclassing because they gain their signature ability, Divine Smite, very early in the game. For players unfamiliar with the underlying rules of the D&D 5e ruleset that governs how multiclassing works in Baldur’s Gate 3, figuring out which classes to multiclass into and what best synergizes with Paladins can be a bit hard to figure out. In addition to the overall leveling structure for the best Paladin multiclass build, the article has been updated with the best equipment to use alongside it when the build is online.

Best Paladin Multiclass Build - The Sorcadin

Any Sorcadin build should begin as a Paladin at level 1 in order to start the game with Heavy Armor Proficiency, allowing the character to dump Dexterity completely. This will allow them to focus on Strength, Charisma, and Constitution, all of which are important for this build. After level 1, players can either continue as a full Paladin to level 6, or mix in Sorcerer levels along the way. Both routes have their advantages and disadvantages, and the simple respec system in Baldur's Gate 3 means that players can always switch from one to the other.

First Option: Paladin Focus

The simplest route to a 6/6 Sorcadin is to start with 6 levels in Paladin. This will allow players to take full advantage of the Paladin's survivability in the early game, as well as earning them the all-important Divine Smite, Extra Attack, and Aura of Protection features. While this route is simpler, it's not the best choice for players who are anxious to reach their multiclass in Act 1.

Level 1: Paladin
- Lay on Hands
- Channel Oath
- Divine Sense
- Oath Subclass (Any)
Level 2: Paladin
- Divine Smite
- Fighting Style (Any)
- Spellcasting
Level 3: Paladin
- Divine Health
Level 4: Paladin
- Feat (+2 Strength, or half-Feat with +1 Strength if currently at Strength 17)
Level 5: Paladin
- Extra Attack
- Oath Spells
Level 6: Paladin
- Aura of Protection

Creating the ideal 6/6 Sorcadin combo here means players lose out on high level Paladin features, however the loss is more than compensated by the massive boost to spell slots and Sorcery Points:

Level 7: Sorcerer
- Bloodline subclass (Any)
Level 8: Sorcerer
- Sorcery Points
- Metamagic (Twinned Spell + 1 other)
Level 9: Sorcerer
- Metamagic (Quickened Spell)
Level 10: Sorcerer
- Feat (+2 Strength)
Level 11: Sorcerer
Level 12: Sorcerer
- Subclass Feature

Second Option: Multiclass Focus

Alternatively, Sorcadins can focus on gaining early spell slots and take a few levels of Sorcerer on their way to level 6. This will greatly increase their magical abilities with more and higher spell slots, a Bloodline subclass, Metamagic, and access to useful spells like Shield. With this route, it's still recommended to start with two levels of Paladin, in order to pick up Heavy Armor Proficiency and Divine Smite.

Level 1: Paladin
- Lay on Hands
- Channel Oath
- Divine Sense
- Oath Subclass (Any)
Level 2: Paladin
- Divine Smite
- Fighting Style (Any)
- Spellcasting
Level 3: Sorcerer
- Bloodline subclass (Any)
Level 4: Sorcerer
- Sorcery Points
- Metamagic (Twinned Spell + 1 other)
Level 5: Sorcerer
- Metamagic (Quickened Spell)
Level 6: Sorcerer
- Feat (+2 Strength, or half-Feat with +1 Strength if currently at Strength 17)

Taking two more Sorcerer levels and then focusing on maxing out Paladin levels will provide players with plentiful spell slots and Sorcery Points through the mid-game. Which then transition neatly to unlocking the powerful Paladin features like Extra Attack and Aura of Protection just in time for the final difficulty spike.

Level 7: Sorcerer
Level 8: Sorcerer
- Subclass Feature
Level 9: Paladin
- Divine Health
Level 10: Paladin
- Feat (+2 Strength)
Level 11: Paladin
- Extra Attack
- Oath Spells
Level 12: Paladin
- Aura of Protection

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Best Paladin Multiclass Build - Paladin/Bard

Baldur's Gate 3 Bard and Paladin Multiclass

Paladin/Bard is one of the best multiclass options available in Baldur’s Gate 3, allowing players to combine Divine Smite with the full spellcasting levels of Bard. Unlike the Sorcadin build, this one allows players to build a character that can talk their way out of any situation, pick all the locks in the game, and still have an excellent time in combat.

Level 1: Paladin
- Lay on Hands
- Channel Oath
- Divine Sense
- Oath Subclass (Any)
Level 2: Paladin
- Divine Smite
- Fighting Style (Any)
- Spellcasting
Level 3: Bard
- Cantrips (Any 2)
- Spells (Any 4, Preference to Tasha's Hideous Laughter )
- Bardic Inspiration
- Starting Instrument
- Skill Proficiency Selection
Level 4: Bard
- Jack of All Trades
- Song of Rest
Level 5: Bard
- Sublcass: College of Valour
- Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Persuasion
Level 6: Bard
- Feat

Feat selection is completely up to the player as there are a lot of good options here. Sentinel is for characters that are meant to stay on the frontlines, which this class definitely is, but if survival is becoming an issue, Resilient or Tough are great options, though durability issues should typically be solved through gear, not stats. Of course, falling back on Ability Score Improvement to increase either Strength or Charisma is also an option.

Level 7: Bard
- Improved Bardic Inspiration
- Font of Inspiration
Level 8: Bard
- Countercharm
- Extra Attack
Level 9: Bard
Level 10: Bard
- Feat (War Caster)
Level 11: Bard
Level 12: Bard
- Improved Bardic Inspiration (+1d10)
- Skill Proficiencies x2
- Magical Secrets ( Haste, Spirit Guardians )

There is an argument to be made for starting out with Bard instead of Paladin to get a smoother start and quicker access to Inspiration Die; however, Divine Smite is just too good in almost all scenarios to pass up until level 12.

At max level, this build gets access to Magical Secrets, which should typically always be used to get access to Haste and the ability to cast Spirit Guardians on yourself. However, if there is another Haste caster in the party, Counterspell is also a stellar option.

Bards are, in general, the best class for a main character for skill checks outside of combat. This build retains that innate ability to do basically everything.

Best Weapons And Armor For Paladin Multiclass Build

Minthara speaking in a Baldur's Gate 3 cutscene

For both Sorcadins and Paladin/Bards, the equipment choice remains largely the same because, in nine cases out of ten, the best way to play a Paladin multiclass is to take up the role of a tanky frontline like a pure Paladin but to use the extra tools multiclassing provides to increase your options. At level 11 or 12, when you are ready to face the final battle and save the day, your equipment should look something like this:

Helmet	Helm of Balduran	Can be found on a pedestal next to the dragon Ansur in the Dragon’s Sanctum. To access this area, players must first succeed in The Wyrmway Trials in Wyrm’s Rock Fortress during Act 3.
Cloak	Mantle of the Holy Warrior	Can be bought or pickpocketed from Vicar Humbletoes, a rock gnome trader found in the Stormshore Tabernacle in the Lower City during Act 3.
Armor	Helldusk Armour	A reward for killing Raphael, either in the House of Hope during Act 3 or during Raphael’s visit to the camp in Act 1.
Gloves	Helldusk Gloves	A reward for killing Harleep in the House of Hope during Act 3.
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Can be found inside a locked chest in Wyrm's Rock Fortress during Act 3.
Amulet	Amulet of Greater Health	Can be looted from a display pedestal in the Archive in the House of Hope during Act 3.
Ring 1	Killer's Sweetheart	Can be looted from the body of the player doppelganger after completing the Self-Same Trail in Gauntel of Shar during Act 2.
Ring 2	Ring of Regeneration	Can be bought from Sorcerous Sundries during Act 3. If Rolan lives and Lorroakan dies, can be found on Rolan in Ramazith’s Tower.
Weapon	Balduran's Giantslayer	A reward for killing Ansur in The Dragon’s Sanctum during Act 3.