Unique Paladin Subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3

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Paladins in Baldur’s Gate 3 have some of the most unique class features because of the importance of their oaths, which can be broken or upheld. While most players prefer to stick to their oath, breaking it can also be rewarding. However, doing so comes with consequences, including unlocking a secret Paladin subclass that excels in combat.

If you’re not sure how to break your oath in Baldur’s Gate 3, there are several evil acts you can perform to end your holy vows. Though this might seem unusual, especially for origin characters, choosing the right misdeeds specific to your oath can reward you with new skills and abilities.

How to Become an Oathbreaker in Baldur’s Gate 3

Paladin powers in Baldur’s Gate 3 are powered by your commitment to your oath. If you make dishonorable or evil choices, you might lose your special abilities unless you atone or choose to become an Oathbreaker Paladin.

Warning: If you want to keep your oath, it’s best to be cautious—stick to honorable choices or save before making questionable decisions. Breaking your oath reduces your combat abilities but opens up the powerful Oathbreaker subclass, which has many benefits.

When Do Paladins Break Their Oath?

Paladins usually break their oath when they commit a clearly immoral act, like killing innocent people without cause. For example, betrayal, such as stabbing others in the back, is a common reason for breaking an oath—either through breaking promises or physically attacking.

Avoiding actions like betraying the Druid’s Grove in Act 1 is easy for oath-bound Paladins or those who want to stick to good. Others, however, may find themselves accidentally breaking their oath before realizing it.

The Easiest Oaths to Break

Breaking your oath depends largely on the specific vow you chose at character creation. Since the addition of the Oath of the Crown in Patch 8, there are four main oaths:

Oath of the Ancients
Oath of Vengeance
Oath of Devotion
Oath of the Crown

Interestingly, there’s a universal way to break any oath: killing the Tieflings who imprisoned Lae’zel at the start of Act 1, after the Nautiloid crash. This act violates all oaths and allows you to quickly, almost immediately, become an Oathbreaker.

Oaths in Detail

Oath of the Ancients: Focused on protecting nature and life, this oath’s biggest misdeeds involve killing innocents or harming nature unnecessarily, such as killing the Owl Bear or its cub.

Oath of Vengeance: Centered on punishing evil, breaking this oath involves betrayal, like revealing the location of Emerald Grove to Minthara or freeing Sazza in ways that violate the oath’s principles.

Oath of Devotion: Embodying traditional heroism, this oath is broken by inaction when you see evil—such as choosing not to intervene or ignoring evil acts.

Oath of the Crown: Focused on law and order, it can be broken through acts like evading arrest or not stopping evil deeds.

How to Obtain the Oathbreaker Subclass

Breaking your oath will trigger a visit from the Oathbreaker Knight, an undead figure who offers to initiate you into the Oathbreaker subclass. This dark power replaces some standard paladin abilities with darker, selfish powers like cursing enemies or controlling undead.

Despite the dark theme, the story doesn’t treat Oathbreaker Paladins as inherently evil. The NPC offering this subclass suggests these powers can be used for good or evil. Accepting the offer unlocks a powerful set of abilities and spells, including:

Spiteful Suffering: Damages enemies over time and grants advantage on attack rolls against them.
Control Undead: Summon and control undead creatures.
Hellish Rebuke: Damage enemies with fire in retaliation.
Crown of Madness & Darkness: Status-effects that control or hinder enemies.
Aura of Hate: Boost damage for allies and undead nearby.
Necrotic spells: Like Inflict Wounds or Animate Dead, enlarging your dark magic arsenal.

Restoring Your Oath

If you decide to return to your original sacred vows, you can speak to the Oathbreaker Knight for redemption. Paying 1,000 gold will restore you to a true Paladin—although breaking the oath again will cost you the same amount. Keep in mind, the Oathbreaker Knight cannot be persuaded to lower this fee, so plan accordingly before making the decision.

Breaking your oath might seem risky, but it grants a flexible and exciting playstyle. Whether you seek the light or the dark, the choice is yours to make in Baldur’s Gate 3.