Baldur’s Gate 3 has you controlling and managing a party of four adventurers throughout the story of the game. Each of these characters needs to cover a wide range of skills so that the party can take on anything the game throws at them.
One of the Abilities that governs a range of important skills is Charisma. There are many classes that have Charisma as their primary Ability. Bard, Warlock, Paladin, and Sorcerer all make use of Charisma as their spell casting Ability. All of these classes synergize well and can be used for Multiclassing and can help make a great “face” as you play through all the game’s acts.
Updated by Chad Thesen on October 24th, 2023: This guide has been updated to feature new information to better elaborate on how to maximize the combat output of this multiclass.
Best Paladin / Warlock Ability Distribution
Charisma is the key Ability for this Multiclass, as it is the driving force behind their spells. This class also needs to have a secondary focus on Strength, as it will be getting up close and personal with its foes. A multiclass of both the Paladin and the Warlock, or Pallock for short, should be the face of any adventuring party. This means they do all the talking with a very high chance of success. While in combat, they will be on the frontlines dealing out damage and using spells whenever the situation demands it. If you really enjoy this multiclass and would like to have another run through the game, consider mixing your Paladin with a Sorcerer.
You should dump the Abilities you will most likely never need for this character and assign the middle ground of points to Constitution and Dexterity to protect them from hitting 0 HP and artfully dodging out of the way of spells. You do not need to look through volumes of books or investigate everything on a table — leave that to the Wizard by dumping Intelligence. Wisdom might come up if something tries to mind control you, but fear not; your Paladin half can add your proficiency bonus to your Wisdom Saving Throws, and your Warlock half can add +1d10 to it. This means even though you have dumped Wisdom, it is not a weak point in terms of making Saving Throws.
Primary Abilities (Max these out): Charisma and Strength
Secondary Abilities: Constitution and Dexterity
Tertiary Abilities (Ignore These): Intelligence and Wisdom
Best Race For Paladin / Warlock Multiclass
You can’t go wrong with the Zariel Tiefling race option. The Zariel Tiefling also gains the Thaumaturgy cantrip. This cantrip will give you Advantage when you attempt to make an Intimidation Check or a Performance Check. Stack this Cantrip with Guidance from another character, and the odds of failure are dramatically lowered. This race also has access to spells it can use with every long rest. All of these synergize very well with this build, meaning you can save your spell slots for later points. These spells are Searing Smite, which you get at level 3, and Legacy of Avernus: Branding Smite, which you get at level 5. To top all this off, you take half damage from fire and have Darkvision for delving deep into dungeons and exploring the gloomiest of caves.
Alternative Race Option
Dragonborn and Half-Elf Drow are other great choices. Dragonborn also have some added resistance and a breath weapon that is heavily altered based on the subrace you choose. However, they do not have Darkvision. Half-Elf Drow, on the other hand, have Darkvision just like Tieflings, which is a big plus to not relying on spells or items for a light source. Half-Elf Drow will also get Advantage against being charmed and are completely unable to be put to sleep through magical means. Neither offers as much as the Zariel Tiefling, but they are both still solid choices.
Best Skills & Background For Paladin / Warlock Multiclass
You will want to go with Soldier for your Background choice. This gives you proficiency with Athletics and Intimidation, both perfect matches for this build. This Background also lets you get Inspiration more often than other Backgrounds. This is because you can gain inspiration by landing the finishing blow against several enemies. Organizing this build to get the final blows against a sufficient number of enemies in each encounter will allow you to keep gaining Inspiration, which will in turn continue successful rolls.
Alternative Background Options
While Outlander offers Athletics as well, Wisdom was dumped to help optimize this build in a different direction. This can still be a good Background choice if you make some changes above. Charlatan and Criminal will give you Proficiency in Deception. If you are also covering Persuasion and Intimidation, then there will be no conversation you cannot throw your Charismatic weight around in. Covering every social outcome will allow you to explore every nook and cranny the game has to offer.
Best Subclasses For Paladin / Warlock Multiclass
One brilliant thing about this build is that you can start with Paladin to gain proficiency in its Heavy Armor and Martial Weapons, as well as choose your Oath. Then, take a level in Warlock to gain access to a Patron, bringing the whole multiclass build synergy online at level 2. Deciding which Subclasses will work hand in hand is a big decision.
Two which work very well together are Oath of Vengeance and the Fiend patron. Oath of Vengeance lets you use spells such as Bane and Hunter’s Mark to affect enemies at a distance to hit with your Eldritch Blast while they are at distance and then let you engage them head on at melee range.The Fiend patron is also responsible for why you can dump Wisdom, as it will let you add +1d10 to your Saving Throws. This feature can only be done once per short rest, so it is best to end fights as soon as possible. Hence, why we are pairing the Fiend with Oath of Vengeance.
Best Feats For Paladin / Warlock Multiclass
You will still be getting all 3 Feats since you get 2 Feats from 8 levels of Paladin and 1 feat from 4 levels of Warlock. This is very refreshing for some muliclasses that only allow you to have 2 feats since you only dip less than 3 times in another class. This is one of the many reasons this multiclass build is so powerful. The three feats you should be taking for this are: Ability Improvement twice (to max out your Charisma) and Great Weapons Master to capitalize on your two-handed weapon.
Best Spells For Paladin / Warlock Multiclass
Being an Oath of Vengeance Paladin means you will have access to a lot of spells that can help you end fights faster. You will want to play aggressively thanks to your high AC and high damage output. Warlocks also have access to their signature Eldritch Blast, which will let you start laying on the damage at range while you close the gap, or let you fight from a distance while back row allies fight from even further away.
Best Warlock Pact With The Paladin Multiclass
While not a spell, you will be offered a pact option for being a Warlock, and you may be tempted to go with Pact of the Blade. Rather than that, go with Pact of the Chain. This will let you cast Find Familiar to get an imp on the field. Having an imp will also give you Advantage against all spell Saving Throws. Overall, all of your subclass spells from Paladin are worth exploring and knowing and will be useful at different times, but above all else, have Hunter’s Mark prepared at all times. When you get into a fight, mark your target and keep the bonus damage flowing.
Best Party Composition For Paladin / Warlock Multiclass
A Pallock is a frontliner. They have Heavy Armor and can hold their own in melee with lots of damage buffs from spells. You will want to build around this, using the Pallock as the cornerstone of what the party is lacking. You have Charisma covers, so no need for a Sorcerer. Instead, go with a Wizard to cover Intelligence.
For Wisdom, a Circle of the Moon Druid is better over a Cleric as you won’t need a dedicated healer thanks to the Paladin side still having access to some healing spells. The Druid can thus Wild Shape and be another frontliner (and a reserve healer if the need arises).
A Rogue can round this out with their high Dexterity for sneaking around and disarming traps while providing long-range damage. This overall allows you to dish out an absolute tone of damage in combat since each class is optimized towards it, while also covering skill checks outside of combat.
Paladin / Warlock Multiclass In Combat
One of the reasons this multiclass is so effective is how the warlock class allows the paladin to perform more smites than it normally would be able to between long rests thanks to regaining spell slots during their short rests. The Pallock will start by applying Hunters Mark to the most dangerous thing in the room and making that the focus of their ire. Thanks to their Fient Pact, they are significantly tankier than any regular Paladin and can pour on more damage. Having a team that targets whatever the Paladin is targeting is a great way to drop enemies in quick succession. Having the Pallock land the final blows will also give it Inspiration from their Soldier Background.
Paladin / Warlock Outside Of Combat
The Pallock covers all your Charisma needs. With their Background in Intimidation and Persuasion from being a Paladin, they will have very little trouble getting their way when talking to NPCs.
Vengeful Fiend Leveling Choices
Having your Warlock Patron as the Fiend will pair very well with an Oath of Vengeance Paladin. The Oath of Vengeance will let you apply Hunter’s Mark to your enemies — this is a very well-known spell on the Ranger Spell list and is used by the Ranger class frequently. You can then use everything about being a Fiend Warlock to decimate your marked foes. This mark can move from target to target until the encounter has ended. You will start this build by taking levels in Paladin until level 4. This leveling guide also provides valuable pieces of magical gear that are great for Clerics and Paladins alike.
- Race: This is the race you should choose at character creation.
- Background: This is the Background you should choose for character creation.
- Skills: These are the skills you should choose for character creation to cover what your Background does not.
- Oath: This is the Subclass you should choose when given the option to pick one.
- Patron: This is the Subclass you will pick for your Warlock after gaining your first level in the class.
- Gear: The gear here mostly benefits your Paladin side as everything about your Warlock comes in swinging hard and does not need to increase its survivability. Normally you would need gear that a Warlock has proficiency in to make it less likely to take damage, but since your starting class of Paladin, it is so much more tanky.
- Level: These will be when you start taking levels in Warlock to get their benefits sooner, rather than later. You will want to do this after level 4, so you get your first feat from 4 levels in Paladin. You will then get another feat after 4 levels in warlock, and then continue gaining levels in Paladin.
- Spells: You will get Bane and Hunter’s Mark from your Oath. Place Hunter’s Mark on your quarry and be relentless. Let these spells govern how you should play an Oath of Vengeance Paladin. Your other spells are just there for circumstances, such as Protection from Evil and Good. You can use your charges for Lay on Hands to restore health when needed, which keeps a Cleric’s spell slots free for other situations.
- Fighting Style: You will have several options here, each offering different benefits. A Paladin excels at having a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, making Duelist the best option for this build.
- Haste Helm: When combat starts, you will have 3 turns of Momentum to help you close the gap on your targets. You can find this item in a chest at Blighted Village. Which you will need to lockpick.
- Linebreaker Boots: Whenever you Dash to get in the faces of your enemies, you will gain Wrath for 3 turns. This serves as Loot obtained from Beastmaster Zurk
- Crusher’s Ring: You can get this ring from Novice Crusher in the goblin village; how you choose to do that is up to you. This ring gives you +3 to your movement.
- Absolution’s Talisman: This strait up makes you a vampire paladin. When your health is below 25%, hitting targets lets you heal 1d8. This can be looted from True Soul Guts.
- Boots of Striding: While not as good as Linebreaker Boots, these may be more preferred by a lot of players, hence their inclusion on this list. They will grant you Momentum while you are concentrating on any of your spells. This can help you move significantly around the map by choosing when to concentrate, even when the spell might not be the best choice. This serves as Loot obtained from Minthara.
- Feat: Take the corresponding feat for each of the corresponding levels. Great Weapon Master should be your first pick for this subclass due to the spells it has prepared. Improving your Charisma will help with spell casting and skills outside of combat.
- The Adamantine Forge: This quest will reward you with a great weapon for your travels, the Adamantine Longword.
- Cantrips: Eldritch Blast is the ultimate long-range option for this build while it closes the gap. Blade Ward lets it take less damage from physical attacks against something that has abnormally high attack rolls that you can see targeting your character.
- Pact Boon: As stated above, having an Imp familiar will be incredible for this multiclass.
- Killer’s Sweetheart: You will get this inside the Gountylet of Shar’s ancient temple. With this ring, you will be able to make your next attack a guaranteed critical hit. It can only be used once per long rest, but its effect can be easily triggered. You just need to kill something. So pick off the weakest enemy in the fight, then turn your attention to the meanest one for that critical. This synergizes will with the Oath of Vengeance playstyle.