6 Best Paladin Spells in Baldur's Gate 3

A Paladin with heavy armor stands in front of Astarion and Gale in Baldur's Gate 3

Larian Studios / Nathan Hart

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Human Made

I'm a stand-up comic by night and write for HGG by day. Most of my gaming happens at an improvised desk at the Days Inn right outside whatever small town I'm in for the night.

Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

Paladins are one of the half-caster classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, alongside stalwart options like the Ranger. Capable of casting numerous unique offensive and defensive spells, Paladins provide you with an exciting range of options in any round of combat. However, compared to more dedicated holy magic using Cleric class, Paladins have far fewer spell slots, urging you to make sure you use the best possible spells for the situation.

Best Level 1 Spells

Level 1 spells will be available once your Paladin reaches level 2, typically right after you get off the Nautiloid during the prologue, or during it if you kill General Zhalk. You will only have 2 spell slots at first, urging you to be careful with their use.

Bless

Bless is one of the best early support spells for Paladins, letting you add 1d4 to attack rolls and saving throws for three different party members. You can even cast it on yourself. Bless does take concentration like many other Paladin spells will. An upcast Bless spell allows you to add more friendly targets.

Small margins make a huge difference during the more difficult fights of Act 1, and even this small 1d4 bonus can make attacks from your entire party more accurate!

Searing Smite

Searing Smite is the best of the Smite skills available among your level 1 spells because of how much damage it can deal, with a whopping extra 1d6 worth of damage and another 1d6 worth of damage for every turn after that. At the early levels, this is a huge damage boost, with many of the early-game goblins and cultists only having 20 health total.

Best of all, this spell makes your opponents save on a Charisma saving throw, a stat that many early monsters lack.

Best Level 2 Spells

At level 5, your Paladin will gain access to second-level spells, massively increasing their range of abilities. Typically, level 5 occurs near the end of Act 1, with most players reaching that level while exploring the Underdark.

Aid

Aid is a fantastic second-level spell for Paladins, granting your entire party an extra 5 maximum life until your next long rest. It doesn’t take concentration and can be cast out of combat, but you can also use it to revive downed party members back to one hit point.

A Paladin casts the Aid spell in Baldur's Gate 3. — Larian Studios / Nathan Hart

While the in-game description for this spell says that it will heal your party members, it does not restore any life they were already missing. You will need to keep Aid prepared in your spells list after casting it or your party will lose the effects of the spell.

Magic Weapon

This spell makes your own, or another party member’s, weapon into a magical weapon, adding +1 to your attack and damage rolls. This can stack with enchantments already applied to your weapons, and it lasts until a long rest.

The biggest downside of using Magic Weapon is that it does require concentration, meaning you won’t be able to cast other concentration spells during its duration without losing its effects. However, it will apply to every single attack you make, making it a great spell to use early on after taking a long rest.

Best Level 3 Spells

Paladins get level 3 spells later than many other classes, befitting their role as a hybrid caster. At level 9 you get access to some potent holy magic.

Elemental Weapon

This spell is similar to other weapon enchantments you can use as a Paladin, but comes with some extra versatility by allowing you to choose the damage type you deal when you hit an enemy with your weapon. Elemental weapon adds a +1 bonus to your attack and damage rolls while adding a 1d4 worth of damage of your chosen type on top.

This spell is great because of the versatility of the damage types, along with your ability to take multiple attacks in a single turn as a high-level Paladin capable of concentrating on this spell.

Warden of Vitality

This is undeniably the best defensive Paladin spell in the game. For ten entire turns, which will likely last you the majority of most battles in the game, you can use your bonus action to cast Restore Vitality on any target within a 30-foot range, restoring 2d6 worth of health to your target.

Since you can even cast Restore Vitality on yourself, this spell is fantastic for keeping your party alive during the tougher battles of Act 3. Best of all, it doesn’t require concentration.

6 Best Paladin Spells in Baldur’s Gate 3

Paladins are the most-played class in Baldur's Gate 3 for good reason, and their ability to choose spells while wearing heavy plate mail is too appealing to pass up for many players. Here's the best spell book for your Paladin.