Baldur’s Gate 3 Oath Of Vengeance Paladin Build And Subclass Guide

The Paladin class in BG3 are holy warriors who take a sacred oath, which acts as a code of conduct as they deliver justice across Faerun. You can consider them a cross between a Cleric and a Fighter. They are righteous individuals and bring down the gods’ fury upon the wrongdoers. The Oath of Vengeance Paladin build follows the same principles in Baldur’s Gate 3. 

Oath of Vengeance is the most combat-oriented subclass of Paladins. They combine their great martial prowess with the holy powers of the gods. Their tenets include riding the world of all evil, and they won’t stop until they succeed. Oath Vengeance Build can also be used as the best build for Minthara.

Is Oath of Vengeance Paladin any good in BG3?

Oath of Vengeance Paladins have high mobility due to their access to the Misty Step spell. They can also prepare a wide range of offensive spells. This makes them deadlier than both the Oath of Devotion and Oath of Ancients sub-classes. With access to heavy armor, they also act as tanks of the party. 

However, they are complex to understand and learn. Due to a lack of healing spells, you will need a dedicated cleric in your party to compensate for this shortcoming. You can break the Oath of Vengeance by letting culprits go and become an Oathbreaker anytime during the game.

Starting Abilities and Skills for Oath of Vengeance Paladin in BG3

The Oath of Vengeance subclass has Strength as their primary ability, and their Saving Throws proficiencies lie in Charisma and Wisdom. 

Class	Paladin	–
Sub-Class	Oath of Vengeance	–
Race	Zariel Tiefling	You get Searing Smite at level 3 and Branding Smite at level 5. Although Paladins learn these spells through natural progression, these race features can be used once per long rest, each without consuming a spell slot. As Zariel Tiefling, you also get Darkvision together with Hellish Resistance. Darkvision is essential for playing in the Underdark. Hellish Resistance prevents you from Fire damage by halving the total damage.
Ability Points Distribution	16 STR, 16 CHA, 14 CON	Keep the rest of the abilities at default.
Skills	Intimidation, Persuasion, Athletics, and Insight	–

Best Background 

The Background of your character affects the initial proficiencies it will possess. It also changes the unfolding of events and the way NPCs perceive you.   

The Soldier background is the best choice for an Oath of Vengeance Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. You will get additional skill proficiency in Athletics and Intimidation. This class is combat-oriented, so the extra Athletics boost will help you take down enemies easily. The Intimidation bonus will help you in conversation as you can terrify your target into submission.

Best Feats for Oath of Vengeance Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Unlocking a feat adds a new ability or bonus to your characters’ arsenal. You can select one feat from the BG3 Feats list or an Ability Improvement for every four levels. 

Level	Feat	Description
4	Savage Attacker	You will roll the damage die twice and select the highest value to deal maximum damage to enemies.
8	Martial Adept	This feat allows us to choose from two Battle Master Subclass features, so we took Disarming Attack and Commander’s Strike. A Disarming Attack makes the target drop its weapon and grants you an additional attack with extra damage. Commander’s Strike uses your action and reaction and enables your companion to launch an immediate weapon attack at enemies.
12	Ability Improvement	Invest both ability points into Strength to take it up to 18.

Best Spells for Oath of Vengeance Paladin Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Paladins are not as adept in spellcasting and magical prowess as some other classes. Regardless, they get a handful of spells at different levels to gain the upper hand in combat. Their spell list contains several damage-dealing and healing spells that can make our build even more efficient.  

As a Paladin, you will unlock level 1 spells at class level 2 and will be able to pick different spells onwards. 

Level	Spell	Description
1	Shield of Faith, Cure Wounds, Compelled Duel, Hunter’s Mark, Protection from Evil and Good.	Shield of Faith increases your AC by 2. Cure Wounds heal anyone with 1-8HP. Compelled Duel makes the enemy only focus on you. Hunter’s Mark deals an additional 1-6 piercing damage to the marked creature. Protect yourself and your allies from getting charmed and frightened.
2	Lesser Restoration	Cures anyone from Poison, Paralysis, or Blindness.

Best Armor and Weapons 

The best gear options for our Oath of Vengeance build are as below.  

Helm: Helmet of Smiting – Gain temporary hit points by applying a condition on the target through Smiting spells.  

Back: Cloak of Protection – provides +1 to Armor Class and Saving Throws  

Armor: Adamantine Splint Armor – Become immune to critical hits  

Amulet: Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet – Allows you to apply paralysis on a humanoid target upon scoring a critical hit.  

Gloves: Gloves of the Growling Underdog – Get an Advantage on the attack roll when two or more than two enemies surround you.  

Melee Weapon: Everburn Blade – This two-handed weapon deals 2d6 Slashing and 1d4 Fire damage upon successful hits.   

Ring: Ring of Free Action – makes you immune to paralysis.   

Ring 2: Killer’s Sweetheart – makes your next attack roll a critical hit once a creature dies at your hands.

Oath of Vengeance Paladin Build Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3

Below is a brief overview of what you can unlock and use progressively at each level, including spell slots, actions, and other subclass features. 

Level	Unlocks	Description
1	Race, Skills, and Ability Points Distribution. Lay on Hands class action.	Lay on Hands allows you to heal yourself or an ally for a specific number of hit points.
2	Defense fighting style, Five prepared spells	Defense fighting style improves your Armour Class.
3	Abjure Enemy and Vow of Enmity class actions.	The former allows you to Frighten enemies and make them easier to hit. The latter action lets you take Advantage on attack rolls against a foe.
4	The first Feat slot unlocks	Savage Attacker for maximum possible damage to enemies.
5	Level 2 spell slot, Extra Attack class feature.	Extra Attack allows you to perform one more attack as a bonus action.
6	Aura of Protection class action.	You get a +3 bonus for all your saving throws.
7	Relentless Avenger sub-class feature.	This helps you increase your movement speed by hitting an enemy with an Opportunity Attack.
8	The second Feat slot unlocks.	Martial Adept will gain two more sub-class features, including Disarming Attack and Commander’s Strike.
9	Level 3 spell slot	Choose Revivify and Warden of Vitality to bring your allies back to life and heal them immediately.
10	Aura of Courage class action.	This action protects you and your allies from getting frightened.
11	Improved Divine Smite class feature.	Deal an additional 1d8 Radiant damage to your enemies on top of melee weapons damage.
12	The final Feat slot unlocks.	Ability Improvement to increase your Strength ability.