Paladins are the paragons, even in Baldur’s Gate 3, that are a symbol of peace and order. So what happens when a Paladin breaks the stereotype and becomes the very thing they swore to fight against? For roleplaying purposes, you may want to become this kind of class, so we made this guide to show you how to break your oath and become an Oathbreaker Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3.
How to Become an Oathbreaker Paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3?
You have to weaken your Paladin’s link to their Oath to become an Oathbreaker Paladin. This is done by doing immoral acts such as killing unprovoked, breaking your word, and betraying NPCs. Shortly afterwards, your Paladin will be visited by the Oathbreaker Knight who gives you the chance to becoming an Oathbreaker Paladin.
At the Character Creation screen, you can select a specific type of Oath for your Paladin. This Oath will grant you specific buffs and plays into the roleplaying aspect of Baldur’s Gate 3. You can either choose to make the Oath of Devotion and become a classic knight-in-shining-armor who follows the spirit of the law. Or you can pick to make the Oath of the Ancients which binds you to protecting nature and all it holds dear. Breaking any of these Oaths means turning your back on everything you represent but it does give you access to darker abilities. Specifically, it will unlock the Oathbreaker Paladin subclass.
Being an Oathbreaker Paladin doesn’t mean you’re set on an evil path. The Oathbreaker Knight himself explains that he broke his Oath to put down the wicked lord he served. You can choose to use your newfound dark powers either for good or evil as you see fit with your broken Oath no longer biding you.
Because of how it works, you may sometimes get the option to become an Oathbreaker Paladin purely by accident. Thankfully, you can choose to remain pure and reject the offer to become one.
If you choose to become and Oathbreaker but don’t like this new darkness inside of you, it is possible to renew your Oath. By going back to your camp and speaking to the Oathbreaker Knight, you can pay 2000 gold to restore you back to your former self.
Is the Oathbreaker Paladin Worth it?
With a focus on debuffing enemies, the Oathbreaker Paladin is definitely worth pursuing. This does shift your character from becoming a healing tank who can buff allies to an undead controlling knight who can debuff foes.
The Oathbreaker Paladin is a subclass that was given to you in your pursuit of power and ambition. Only darkness drives you now. And with that same darkness gives you access to new features not available to any Oath abiding Paladin. For starters, your Spiteful Suffering class action and Inflict Wounds spell deal Necrotic damage to enemies. Attacking enemies you’ve inflicted with Spiteful Suffering gives you Advantage.
Oathbreaker Paladins can even turn the undead to their side with Control Undead that lets undead enemies follow you around and attacking your enemies. They also have several debuffs that they can inflict on foes. With Dreadful Aspect, instill fear to foes nearby so they know not to mess with you.
Your Oathbreaker Paladin can also strike back against enemies attacking them with Hellish Rebuke, a skill that burns enemies who harm you. You can also manipulate them with Crown of Madness to attack those closest to them. Finally, there’s Darkness which blinds enemies in an area.