The SAFEST CHARACTER in Baldur's Gate 3 - Paladin / Minthara Build Guide

[@broadsidedarth7801]

Might I suggest a video or three on team composition? I spent so many hours researching builds and events to do my last two playthroughs. Finding four characters who wont be competing for specific items, etc. Also whether or not being evil would lock me out of certain options. Potent robe for example. Anyways, thanks for the build guides. You really helped me get caught up on 5th edition. I played mostly 2nd and 3rd edition. Quit playing completely when 4th edition was shat out. Now 5th edition feels like an extremely simplistic version of 3rd. Like D&D for idiots 😂

[@bigmactominay9795]

If you want the potent robe always save moonrise tieflings

[@broadsidedarth7801]

@@bigmactominay9795 Yes, I know how to get it. However that is something I had to research on my own despite so many videos saying it was a build defining item.

[@gchristopherklug]

Just read this after I posted my comment. Hah!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Coming soon!

[@charleswong8318]

This fellow hit the nail on the head. I had analysis paralysis for my first party and settled on Battlemaster, Cleric, Archer and Wizard because I can’t see other comps working. I wanted to do a Druid, but not sure what spot it can occupy. Healer outside of cleric, no clue. Bard? Is it a caster or dps, not sure. Do I need a ranged physical dps? No clue. Does that mean I’m stuck with a rogue/ranger? Where else can I get my lock picking if I don’t go rogue, again stuck. HELP!!!

[@trengilly01]

Really great build. So nice to see builds that aren't just min/max for DPS.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks very much!

[@Ampathetic]

31:50 Larethian's Wrath, purchasable from the creche vendor, is also a finesse longsword. Phalar Aluve is far more beneficial to the team, but it can be a solid alternative, especially if you forget to activate Phalar Aluve's ability like I do. Another nice thing about finesse longswords is that they're one of the few dex weapons that can use Great Weapon Master (the only other option is a glaive in act 3). This is great for Paladins and Eldritch Knights who are starved for abilities.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Good call! I had thought Phalar was the only one

[@gchristopherklug]

I remember the first time I encountered the creche vendor. I loved the character SO much.

[@gchristopherklug]

@@Cephalopocalypse I learned so much from this video, and was so inspired I went into my game and re-specc’ed my lead Tav Paladin to this.

[@kittydaddy2023]

@@gchristopherklug I love "helping her pack"

[@ensvensktigerhaj]

Thank you for the guide! This is me interacting with your content to feed the hungry, hungry algorithm

[@ViChi12370]

Told myself I would make my Tav after your next guide, I’m glad it’s this one!

[@trengilly01]

Thaumaturgy and Intimidation are fantastic. I did a Tactician Vengeance Paladin Teifling run and skipped all the other social skills. It was super easy to pass all the intimidation checks and even not bothering with persuasion still allowed me to get through the difficult social situations. It felt great for roleplaying also since I was able to really lean into the vengeance theme! I'm doing another Rogue run where I focus on Deception. I really think BG3 is more fun if you just focus on One of the social skills instead of taking them all. It just feels so much better from a roleplaying perspective. You really don't need to have all the social skills.

[@zzFlare]

thats a good idea thanks, it would extend replay value as well

[@RankStankulon]

Have to agree, especially on the roleplay point. When I first started playing I got the terrible advice of "take all the charisma skills so you can pass any checks" and immediately found my Tav becoming a skill monkey. It became tedious to play and I felt overloaded with choices. I burnt out and started over as a barbarian, and having those class-specific intimidation lines really enhanced the roleplay of that particular character and made my choices much easier. It turned from me reading the lines and trying to pick out what sounded best regardless of the check associated with it, to me choosing options that thematically aligned with the character I was playing and his set of skills.

[@MundaneThingsBackwards]

I'd _mostly_ agree. However, I'd say taking two out of the three (performance sucks so it doesn't count lol) is still a great thing depending on which kind of character you're roleplaying. Also depending on your background the game can reward you for sticking to it through those options as well. Persuasion for 'good' characters, 'deception' for 'evil' ones. There are so many dialogue options where threatening your way through or out of them isn't necessarily the best or more roleplay appropriate thing to do. You don't want to necessarily threatening your allies when you want stuff from them even though you'd be really, REALLY good at it for example. Or your enemies when you're trying to keep a low profile. I like keeping my options open.

[@Tonytaru]

Ive never understood why CC and build creators, suggest your MC get persuasion AND intimidation. Typically they are part of the same conversation and you just need one or the other.

[@Mer-Man-Man]

one handed is so underrated in this stage of this game I hope they fix it by the time by the way thanks for your video it's so rare to find one handed guides like yours

[@Tentacl]

I like 6 ancients/6 life cleric and full heal itemization. That gives a bunch of really useful bonuses. Mass healing word and spirit guardians is always useful while discuple of life, preserve life and blessed healer make the healing kid even better. If it's too much you can always grab light instead, have a more rounded up offensive kit and use warding flare and improved warding flare to keep yourself and your team alive by not receiving the most dangerous attacks too.

[@ThirteenthThunder]

Nice video. I come here because of your recommendation on my comment (about Branding Smite's versatility) in latest spell tierlist video. Btw, Level 8 Paladin + Level 4 Battle Master Fighter is a good combination. Level 8 Paladin + level 4 Hunter Ranger with Colossus Slayer or Gloom Stalker Ranger are great too. Those variations I mentioned + Dexterity focused Paladin would truely make Archer Paladin and instead of protecting group of melee characters, Archer Paladin rather protects group of ranged characters. Just ignore all smites except Branding Smite and focus on picking buff and situational spells. Level 4 War Domain Cleric is also good for adding more level 2 spell slots for more Branding Smites and bonus action as extra attack per day. Titanstring Bow + Elixir of Hill Giant Strength would make this Paladin even better as a damage dealer. Or just simply use Hand Crossbows and pick level 4 Thief Rogue. A good melee weapon is also required to face certain situations. I suggest (or maybe I wish, lol) you to make video about Archer Paladin to protect ranged characters. Thanks again for this incredible video and recommending me to watch it. I wish you a good luck!

[@ssap620]

I love this class, it's what I made for my MC on my first playthrough :D. Never would've even thought to go the Dexterity route and use finesse weapons!

[@tannermason4315]

Great video, thank you for the content.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Thanks very much!

[@Mike-r4h]

This is a good, straightforward build close to my heart because i love effective monoclasses. That being said, unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you see it, the best DPS/Team Tank combo is still the 9Ancients/3Warlock. We are talking about a Paladin that is practically Single attribute dependant, can use every weapon in the game with the same effectiveness, has both the main martial and the main spellcasting modifier on the plus 5 to 7 range by endgame, and provides the same plus 5 to 7 bonus to you and all nearby allies' saving throws. This is just so ridiculously protective that you have to test it yourself to believe. Defensively and support-wise, it's not even a contest. Offensively, improved smite is very ,helpful, but effectively getting 20 to 24 strength with the Lockadin evens it out, especially since weapon selection is not an issue. The final issue I want to broach is that every single Paladin build out there that utilises smites heavily should have Savage Attacker, even at tje expense of GWM and ASIs. It rerolls ALL your damage dice, including smites and elemental bonuses. The best feat combo for damage is GWM and SA, especially considering the fact that the risky ring is basically the riskless ring on a high Cha Paladin with Aura of Protection. Note: The reason i favor the 9 /3 split instead of the 8/4 or the classic 7/5 ( which gives you replenishable lvl3 smites on short rest and access to Counterspell and Hunger of Hadar) is that i like to use healing gear on my build, whispering promise and/or Reviving Hands, for which having access to Warden of Vitality makes it practically a broken build.

[@yzfool6639]

The whole point of this build video is to show a simple straightforward build and not to mess around with min/max and multiclassing.

[@Mike-r4h]

If it explicitly stated that, then sure. But it says Safest. And this is safer, for anyone who is willing to press some buttons a few times more during level ups. If not, well, the first sentence in my original post tells you if I think this is a good build or not.

[@garwynrosser8907]

Oh the irony... Creating the safest character using the character most likely to die at our hands.

[@skylerfincham4666]

Just started my evil play through, nice!

[@astroboy314]

Hey, love your videos! I have a request for a topic that I am having trouble finding (I'm a complete noob to BG3 and DnD)... best alchemy items? Like, best potions and elixirs? I am almost in Act 3 on my first playthrough (Explorer difficulty) and have yet to build anything using alchemy. Thanks!

[@AustinCampion]

If you search for bg3 alchemy (consider also ‘camp follower alchemy bg3’ if you want to think about the potential of the mechanic) you’ll find some good stuff. I think how alchemy impacts play is pretty straightforward - Cephalo’s excellent perspective would be great, but I would expect him to be saying a lot of the same stuff (giant strength potions, potion doubling, how to get the most important materials, etc).

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Great idea!

[@eduardoserpa1682]

I never noticed, bu Minthara kinda looks like Artosis scowling over Brood War sometimes. Cool build, btw, Paladin is fun.

[@meliannhawke3318]

This is a great video, it really helps understanding the Paladin class better and sparks wonderful ideas for future playthroughs. At the moment, I'm entertaining the thought of a "Phalanx Team" working close together. From an efficiency standpoint it might not be optimal, but I kind of like the thought of MC Paladin, Karlach or Astarion as second frontliner with range options, Gale as abjuration build also in the frontline (lategame), and Shadowheart as War Domain, activating spirit guardians. 😅 Thank you for this inspirational video! PS: The armor is amazing, especially with the acessories (scarf etc). What armor is this?

[@CreativeExcusesGaming]

If youre willing to give up the third feat, just take one level of monk anywhere after level 5 and boom, you can use any versatile weapon or one handed weapon as a dex weapon. That opens up Nyrulna if you arent running a thrower, a version of the spear of night, Blood of Lathander, cacophany, and much more.

[@trengilly01]

The whole point of this build video is to show a simple straightforward build and not to mess around with min/max and multiclassing.

[@CreativeExcusesGaming]

Adding a single level of another class is not min/maxing and doesn't significantly change the build in any way except trade one feat for more weapon options. Adding a one level dip does virtually nothing to make the build more complex.@@trengilly01

[@Cephalopocalypse]

True! Especially useful if you aren't interested in using strength potions.

[@pierrel8500]

Well i was already play8ng like this with phalar aluv but i din't make the optimization of putting all of your points in dext 😅, tho I think I have a good idea to have a better use of your reaction and that is by putting the last 5 levels in lore bard to have the cutting words (+ control spells and spell slots)

[@gchristopherklug]

Suggestion: I don’t know whether you have done this, but for a build like this, where you are proposing a main member to play as, can you include suggestions as to party composition with which to surround them?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

In this video I do! This character really wants other melee teammates, to make it easier to keep everyone in their auras.

[@doloresabernathy9809]

Hi thanks for this video - very helpful as usual. You’ve said in more than one video that Protection from Evil and Good is essential for certain encounters. I believe you but don’t understand what you are referring to - could you explain a use case? Generally and hypothetically if you want to avoid spoilers. I’ve been through all the boss fights in Tactician mode (still working through Honor) and never used it because it uses concentración to cast and maintain. Thanks!

[@apocalypsewaifu2679]

Please do a Dark justiciar build around the gear and weapons for evil Shadowheart. I feel like no ones done it justice.

[@Mike-r4h]

Fighter 1, Thief Rogue 3, Cleric 8(any Cleric works, even Trickery). Get Dual Wielder feat, put the Spear of Evening on your off hand, take no concentration spells, spam Shar's Darkness and attack with your off hand inside the darkness. Late game, Tempest domain with the Markoheshkir in your right hand, blows everything up

[@TheMysteriousDumbaz1]

Their was a youtube video around the time of launch where they turned their evil shadowheart into a shadow monk with a level into war cleric. I used that for my shadowheart on my first playthrough and she was a fuckin menace on the battlefield, especially paired with the darkness spell.

[@avidgamer_oo]

Minthara is not available to me on the origin character selection screen.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Yep! You have to find her later in the game (she'll join your party if you side with her in her quest). Be warned this locks off several other companions for that playthrough unless you take a very specific path, so I wouldn't recommend it for your first time through - unless you think it's what your character would do, of course!

[@corygraph]

A note: you can recruit her without siding with her character’s quest. Simply knock her out and do not loot her and finish the quests within her area. I recommend clearing this quest right before leaving for act 2. This should (if everything goes right) allow her to be recruited after some dialogue and actions within act 2. I’ve had this fail on a save so that is why I recommend saving before engaging with her and then clearing out the area she is in so you can immediately move into act 2 and then confirm that her character is available. Good luck! ❤

[@FengNirothar]

I so wish I was capable of not breaking my Paladin's Oath around every corner... There are some great builds that rely on specific Oaths, and I just fail every time XD (Though I do think my fav was breaking my Oath of Ancients by giving my eye and getting the 'Payed the Price' buff, making the buff name extra fitting)

[@GodlsAFK]

I wanna try and do a all paladin team that focuses on different aspects. Like healing, tanking, dmg, and ranger paladin type deal

[@leeayanmeyer]

Olá, amo seus vídeos, parabéns pelo conteúdo de qualidade Você poderia me ajudar (ou qualquer outra pessoa), sempre que upo inicialmente um personagem, eu não consigo habilitar a subclasse deles, nem mesmo os pontos de habilidade :( o que eu posso fazer? desde já, muito obrigada!

[@Jakepf]

I'm still trying to build your other build that is oathbreaker, and my god I cannot find a way to kill an innocent person in act 2 ffs

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Act 2 is definitely short on innocent people! The bg3 wiki should have a list of story ways to break your oath as well (I'd link but youtube would remove it)

[@aratakeneikawa6589]

Requesting Hunter ranger and spore druid, once again😅

[@MrTsunet]

I assume it's bad if I become an oath breaker ?

[@sherrydowns4052]

Halfling is underrated. So many 1 rolls 😂

[@Cephalopocalypse]

It's true! Halfling is incredibly powerful, great choice for any character

[@sherrydowns4052]

Finesse + giyth (misty step)= win

[@daveyfunk]

I'd argue a two weapon fighting Bardadin is 'safer' than this? Still go the dex route but has the advantage of smites on action and bonus action, effective from range with bows and using slashing flourish and defensive flourish when in melee. Feel going full paladin in honour mode risks losing your oath through simple mistakes where Bardadin works regardless of oath. Although I like defensive based characters the best form of defence in BG3 seems to be effective CC or killing the enemy quickly and making paladins more defensive nullifies one of the most damaging classes in the game. Also, whispering promise seems like it would be a key ring slot for this build as you have strong party heals and using bonus action for potions and bless on yourself would be a good use? As far as party composition, having the TWF Bardadin and monk using strength potions for damage, radiating orb cleric for debuff and CC bard using helmet of arcane acuity makes the game a cake walk at any difficulty

[@pjoterem141]

I love Minthara why isnt she real

[@Cleptomancer]

Does Aura of Warding stack with Protection from energy? If so, setting up a smite city inside a wall of fire or hunger of hadar seems like the ultimate strategy.

[@Mike-r4h]

Warding Bond is the King for this. I don't like to camp cast, so an Abjuration Gale and the matching ring set is my preferred method.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

They both give resistance, so they *shouldn't* stack, but bg3 is screwy sometimes with how it calculates that sort of thing so I'd have to test it to be sure. As the reply says warding bond *does* stack

[@KirDmA]

In the game we already have effect that can mitigate damage from attacks in half even if your character is already have resistance. It is uncanny dodge. Just think of paladin aura as similar effect, only for spells.

[@Kailokel]

24:00 what boss encounter are you referring to that you need frighten immunity to?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Orin's fear aura can be devastating if you don't have a way to negate it

[@Mike-r4h]

You have access to Heroism as a lvl1 spell, which guarantees immunity to fear for 5 turns. I haven't yet tried it in the Orin fight though.

[@Caleb_Hastings]

could you do a draconic sorceror build please?!

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Coming soon!

[@pawzom2564]

Another way to reduce the stats a paladin need is to multiclass into pact of the blade warlock. It makes it so you use charisma modifier for weapons instead while 5 lvls into pact blade warlock also gives a third attack(with bound weapon only) + 2 3rd tier spell slots that reset on short rest. For a defensive build like this The Baneful could work very well as it Banes targets it hits and this build would allow you to attack 3 different targets in melee allowing you to keep up Bane without consentration. Darkness + Devil Sight is very nice and this build gives that 6 times per long rest at a minimum though this wont work well with most party setups so instead Hold Person + Mortal Reminder is a good alternative as it guarantees crits from you and party members and can frighten enemies around. Hex could also work well when you are fighting stuff that arent strong and want to get by using only 1 spell slot for a while since it can be swapped around after kills. You also have Eldritch Blast for when something is out of range and you think you can kill it without using a spellslot, which is nice since this also scales with charisma. 2 items you can use and that can be used from very early on are blade ward gloves and bless ring. This works very well with Healing Radiance and since it heals twice it means 3 turns of blade ward and bless to your entire party with a single bonus action without using consentration. Later on with Warden of Vitality you can use it on someone every turn with a bonus action for 10 turns which is nice when you want to give continuous buffs and heals for a single spellslot to your party. 2 Downsides though is lower initiative and only 2 feats. Another sort of downside is you lose immunity to frightened from aura. But this can be easily remedied with a party member or camp buffling using Heroes' Feast which grants Immunity to Poisoned, Diseased and Frightened +12 max hp and Wisdom Saving throws with Advantage.

[@michaelr5361]

how does this compare to the paladin/bard build? I was doing that build

[@Cephalopocalypse]

They're pretty different! That one is more of a Caster/DPS and this one is more of a Tank/Support

[@christopherfarish4965]

I thought most medium armor caps at +2 Dex modifier?

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Most does, but there's a few sets in the game that don't - you're looking for one of those for this character!

[@michaelr5361]

how can you tell what requires a save from the enemy?

[@arcmar8327]

The spell or ability will say a stat near the bottom of the tool tip window. If you look at the Sacred Flame cantrip, for example, it says DEX at the bottom of its tooltip. For some reason this isn't shown in the level up screen. Only when you look at your stuff on your hotbars or in the character windows.

[@ProperCh]

Roleplay wise I dont know how I feel about a Paladin that has no strength... otherwise great build for minmax.

[@KirDmA]

It is very typical - most of the paladin/warlock multiclasses dumping str for maximum charisma. Only difference between a more AC vs more saves bonus.

[@ProperCh]

@KirDmA i know its common. I just personally dont like having a low strength Pala or Fighter. Makes no sense in my head.

[@KirDmA]

@@ProperCh It is mostly because of how itemization in dnd work - most common items for stats is items for physical stats, it is very rare to increase your mental stats, and if it is your spellcasting stat, it is not have any sense to dump it. With BG3 you even have options to use elixirs forever(from level 2 to 12), setting your strength so high that you never get it in any other way. But for mental stats your opinion is limited to intelligence 17(not 27) and that is it. Charisma can at least become 24, but for any other stats 22 is absolute maximum, and only in the last act.

[@ProperCh]

@@KirDmA I know all this bro but im saying making a warrior(fighter/Paladin) with naturally low strength who has to supplement with potions doesnt make sense roleplay wise to me. I know its good for minmaxing. But when youre playing such a class you have low carrying capacity, your Tav seems weak which kills the fantasy of a frontline warrior. Unless you chug a potion each day, which as I said doesnt feel right to me.

[@yzfool6639]

Just make your Paliden a female to justify finesse instead of strength.

[@robras2850]

Second 🤷‍♂️

[@GiganFTW]

I just got her and I don’t have those options of changing attributes points. Trash video.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

You could probably have gotten some help with this if you made a less embarrassing comment.

[@02091992able]

The game on ballanced I got going my character is a Cleric of Lolth mainly because on creation I was conflicted between a Drow or Tiefling and chose Tiefling without changing the deity to something else oops. The other class is an Oath of Ancients Paladin. When the smite lands oh boy does it hit hard.

[@02091992able]

I gave Minthara a Adamantine Scimitar in her offhand and when that hits the target either gets hit hard or it dies, and I think its Cruel Sting in her main hand. Of course, that playthrough was on explorer so I don't know if it works that way on the other difficulties.

[@TaylorONEism93]

The beautiful thing about this build, if you really need strength, later you can just get the Gauntlets of Hill Giant from the House of Hope, to increase your strength to 23 (absolutely broken), keeping the dexterity you already have. Also add the necklace to increase constitution to 23, but you probably won’t need it at that point. Very versatile build, when you dump strength for Dexterity (late act 3)

[@TaylorONEism93]

Just a tip, when smiting, set all your smites to trigger and ask you if you want to react and NEVER use your smite outright. You want to be using thunderous, or searing smite, level 1, upcasting doesn’t matter, and then it will ask you if you want to apply a 1-4 level radiant smite, on top of your other smite and or regular attack. I learned this and it output so much damage as a paladin, it’s nuts.

[@Cephalopocalypse]

Yup! In fact, you want to set every available reaction to ask, it gives you way more control.

[@TaylorONEism93]

@@Cephalopocalypse the only one I don’t do is opportunity attack, I agree, having everything as an ask for a reaction is much better. The only thing that is bugging me (no pun intended) reaction wise is the bulwark reaction with a shield that is supposed to knock enemies prone on I believe a constitution save. Hasn’t worked from the minute I tried using it and it’s frustrating because I really like some of the shields in this game. If they worked as intended they would allow for some nice, clutch, reactions in game.

[@switters8679]

Good idea, bad presentation. Awful pacing.