One of the classes in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the paladin, which offers a unique roleplaying element in the form of an Oath. Depending on the decisions you make throughout your journey, you may end up breaking your Oath and lose the power it grants. The Oath taken by a paladin is dictated by their chosen subclass, and one of these subclasses is the Oath of Devotion.
An Oath of Devotion paladin keeps their Oath by refraining from attacking non-hostile creatures and choosing to help those in need. In combat, this unit serves mainly as a tank that can support nearby damage dealers.
Oath Of Devotion Subclass Features Overview
An Oath of Devotion paladin is a unit that improves how well your party defends itself. It’s best for an Oath of Devotion paladin to be in close combat alongside a stronger damage dealer. They don’t have high damage output, so it’s best to have them tank damage from enemies while providing support to your main damage dealer using spells.
The Oath of Devotion subclass is granted several useful features at different levels.
Level |
Features |
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1 |
You can use your Channel Oath Charge to perform:
|
3 |
You can use your Channel Oath Charge to perform:
Oath Spells (Always Prepared)
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5 |
Oath Spells (Always Prepared)
|
7 |
Aura of Devotion: You and any nearby allies can’t be Charmed. The aura disappears if you fall Unconscious. |
9 |
Oath Spells (Always Prepared)
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Best Oath Of Devotion Paladin Race: Zariel Tiefling Or Gold Dwarf
Certain races fare better when it comes to providing defense for your party. Zariel tieflings and gold dwarves make great Oath of Devotion paladins because of the resistances they can provide. Their movement speeds and ability to see in the dark also help equip them as support units on the battlefield.
Zariel Tiefling
A Zariel tiefling is a good option for an Oath of Devotion paladin because of their resistance to fire damage and Thaumaturgy cantrip. Their high movement speed also allows them to get around the battlefield and get in the way of enemies.
Useful Race Features |
Description |
---|---|
Base Racial Speed |
You can move 9m per turn. |
Darkvision |
Can see in the dark up to 12m. |
Hellish Rebuke |
You have Resistance to Fire damage, taking only half damage from it. |
Thaumaturgy Cantrip |
Gain advantage on Intimidation and Performance Checks. |
Gold Dwarf
A gold dwarf is a great choice for Oath of Devotion paladins if you prefer resistance to poison over the tiefling’s fire resistance. In addition, their tank potential is great, thanks to Dwarven Toughness.
Useful Race Features |
Description |
---|---|
Base Racial Speed |
You can move 7.5m per turn. |
Darkvision |
Can see in the dark up to 12m. |
Dwarven Combat Training |
You have Proficiency with the Battleaxe, Handaxe, Light Hammer, and Warhammers. |
Dwarven Resilience |
You have Advantage on Saving Throws against being Poisoned, and you have Resistance against Poison damage. |
Dwarven Toughness |
Your Hit Point maximum increases by 1, and increases by 1 again every time you gain a level. |
Best Oath Of Devotion Paladin Background: Soldier
An Oath of Devotion paladin requires a focus on Strength, Constitution, and Charisma to perform best. That being said, the soldier background is recommended for this subclass.
Soldier Proficiencies
The soldier background is a good pick for an Oath of Devotion paladin because of the Athletics Proficiency, which comes under Strength Ability Checks. Soldiers also enjoy Intimidation Proficiency, which comes under Charisma Ability Checks.
Best Oath Of Devotion Paladin Abilities
Certain abilities should be prioritized when assigning Ability Points to your Oath of Devotion paladin.
Ability |
About |
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Strength (at least 16) |
An Oath of Devotion paladin will need Strength to provide damage support to the main damage dealer. The increased jump distance will also help them get to party members who need help. |
Constitution (at least 14) |
An Oath of Devotion paladin will need high hit points to serve as a tank for the party. Constitution helps this unit meet that condition. |
Charisma (at least 16) |
You’ll need high Charisma for your Oath of Devotion Paladin for better spellcasting. This will also make an Oath of Devotion paladin useful in swaying dialogues in your favor. |
Best Oath Of Devotion Paladin Feats
Several Feats can equip an Oath of Devotion paladin with abilities and features that help with defense. You’ll want Feats that improve their damage absorption and how well they can direct enemies to focus their attention on them.
Feat |
About |
---|---|
Heavy Armour Master |
This Feat is great for paladins since they are Proficient with heavy armor. As tanks, they’ll need to be able to absorb as much damage as possible with their gear. This Feat allows them to do that specifically for non-magical attacks. |
Martial Adept |
This Feat allows you to learn two maneuvers from the Battle Master Fighter archetype. You should learn Distracting Strike and Goading Attack to support your allies and distract your enemies. |
Tough |
You’ll need a lot of hit points for your Oath of Devotion paladin for them to stay on their feet as long as possible. Tough is a great Feat to introduce to your unit last to ensure that the increase in hit points is as large as possible. |
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Level By Level Build
There are different features and spells an Oath of Devotion paladin can obtain at different levels.
Level |
Build |
---|---|
1 |
Subclass: Oath of Devotion Skills: Athletics, Intimidation |
2 |
Defence: You gain a +1 bonus to Armour Class while wearing armor. Spells: Compelled Duel, Heroism, Cure Wounds, Thunderous Smite, Wrathful Smite |
3 |
Additional Spells: Command |
4 |
Feat: Heavy Armour Master Additional Spells: Bless |
5 |
Additional Spell: Protection from Poison |
6 |
Additional Spell: Aid |
7 |
Additional Spell: Branding Smite |
8 |
Feat: Martial Adept
|
9 |
Additional Spells: Warden of Vitality, Blinding Smite |
10 |
Additional Spell: Crusader’s Mantle |
11 |
Additional Spell: Any |
12 |
Feat: Tough |
Best Oath Of Devotion Paladin Equipment
You’ll need equipment that increases your Armour Class as much as possible and introduces resistance to damage. There are different pieces of equipment that work best and are available at different points of your journey.
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Equipment Found In Act 1
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Equipment Found In Act 2
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Equipment Found In Act 3
Best Oath Of Devotion Paladin Weapons
Apart from good equipment, a good weapon will ensure you’re dealing enough damage to support your main damage dealer. An Oath of Devotion Paladin may not be the best in terms of damage out of the different Paladin subclasses, but certain weapons will maximize their output.
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Weapons Found In Act 1
Greatsword: Everburn Blade |
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|
Location |
Can be looted from Commander Zhalk in the Nautiloid. |
Longsword: Adamantine Longsword |
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One-handed:
Two-handed:
|
Location |
This can be forged in The Adamantine Forge using a Longsword Mould and Mithral Ore. |
Longbow: Titanstring Bow |
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|
Location |
This can be purchased from Brem in the Zhentarim Hideout if you side with the Zhentarim in the Find the Missing Shipment quest. |
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Weapons Found In Late Act 1
Greatsword: Soulbreaker Greatsword |
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|
Location |
This can be looted from Kith’rak Therezzyn in Crèche Y’llek. |
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Weapons Found In Act 2
Hand Crossbow: Hellfire Hand Crossbow |
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|
Location |
This can be looted from Yurgir’s body in the Gauntlet of Shar. |
Oath Of Devotion Paladin Weapons Found In Act 3
Greatsword: Balduran’s Giantslayer |
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|
Location |
This can be looted from Ansur’s body in Wyrmway. |