The Ultimate Guide to Making the Best Build in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8

Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8, launched in April 2025, elevated the game’s already stellar combat with new subclasses like Swashbuckler Rogue and Bladesinger Wizard, alongside tweaks to feats and multiclassing. Among the countless build options, one stands above the rest for its sheer versatility, damage, and survivability: the Paladin/Warlock/Sorcerer multiclass, blending divine might, eldritch power, and arcane flexibility. This build, often dubbed the “Smitelock Sorcerer,” delivers devastating Divine Smite-fueled Eldritch Blasts, crowd control, and durability to solo Honour Mode or carry any party. Whether you’re slashing through mind flayers or charming nobles, this guide covers everything—race, stats, progression, gear, and tactics—to craft the ultimate build in Patch 8. Let’s forge a legend in Faerûn.

Why This Build Is the Best

The Paladin/Warlock/Sorcerer multiclass is a powerhouse because it combines:

Paladin (Oath of Devotion): Heavy armor, Divine Smite for burst damage, and auras for team support.

Warlock (Fiend Pact): Eldritch Blast with Agonizing Blast for consistent ranged DPS, plus spell slots that recharge on Short Rest for endless Smites.

Sorcerer (Draconic Bloodline): Metamagic (Quickened Spell) to cast multiple spells per turn, boosting action economy, and extra durability from Draconic Resilience.

This build shines in Patch 8 due to buffs to Eldritch Blast scaling (now stronger at higher levels) and new Metamagic options like Seeking Spell, ensuring your attacks rarely miss. It’s versatile—melee for bosses, ranged for mobs, and Charisma-based for dialogue—while being forgiving for new players yet deep for veterans. Reddit and X users rave about its “absurd damage” (one reported 120+ damage per turn at Level 12) and “god-tier flexibility,” making it ideal for any campaign.

Character Creation: Race, Background, and Stats

Race: Tiefling (Zariel)

Why: Zariel’s Legacy Spells (Searing Smite, Branding Smite) add free fire damage, scaling with level. Fire Resistance counters common hazards, and Darkvision aids dungeon crawling. Patch 8’s Tiefling animation buffs make your fiery aura pop.

Alternatives: High Elf for Fey Ancestry and an extra cantrip (like Booming Blade), or Human (Variant) for a free feat like Sentinel at Level 1.

Background: Folk Hero

Why: Proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival fits a charismatic crusader, and the flavor suits a hero rallying allies. Patch 8’s expanded dialogue options reward thematic backgrounds.

Alternative: Noble for History and Persuasion, leaning into your silver tongue.

Ability Scores (Point Buy, Level 1):

Strength: 15 (For melee Smites and heavy armor. Boost to 16 at Level 4.)

Dexterity: 8 (Heavy armor ignores Dex for AC.)

Constitution: 14 (HP and Concentration saves for spells like Bless.)

Intelligence: 8 (Leave arcane lore to Wizards.)

Wisdom: 10 (Insight and Perception are enough; Paladin auras help saves.)

Charisma: 15 (Primary stat for spells, Smites, and dialogue. Boost to 16 at Level 4.)

Why: Charisma powers Warlock and Sorcerer spells, Paladin auras, and Persuasion checks. Strength ensures melee hits land, while Constitution keeps you alive. Dump Dex and Int to max your strengths.

Skills (2 from Paladin, 2 from Background):

Persuasion (Cha): Win every dialogue, from merchants to gods.

Intimidation (Cha): Scare foes into submission.

Animal Handling (Wis, from Folk Hero): Calm beasts for roleplay flair.

Survival (Wis, from Folk Hero): Track enemies or find camp spots.

Class and Subclass Progression

This build splits levels to maximize damage and utility by Level 12 (max in BG3). Here’s the path:

Level 1: Paladin 1

Divine Sense, Lay on Hands. Start as a holy warrior with healing and undead detection.

Level 2: Paladin 2

Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting (reroll 1s and 2s on two-handed weapons for higher melee damage). Divine Smite (burn spell slots for +2d8 Radiant, +1d8 per slot level). Spells: Bless, Protection from Evil and Good.

Level 3: Paladin 3 (Oath of Devotion)

Sacred Weapon (Channel Divinity: +Cha to attack rolls for 1 min), Turn the Unholy. Spells: Sanctuary, Shield of Faith. Devotion boosts accuracy and team support.

Level 4: Paladin 4

Feat: Polearm Master (Bonus Action attack with polearms, opportunity attacks when enemies enter reach. Synergizes with melee Smites.)

Level 5: Warlock 1 (Fiend Pact)

Pact Magic (slots recharge on Short Rest). Eldritch Blast, Hex. Fiend: Dark One’s Blessing (temp HP on kills). Warlock slots fuel Smites endlessly.

Level 6: Warlock 2

Eldritch Invocations: Agonizing Blast (+Cha to Eldritch Blast damage), Repelling Blast (push enemies 10ft). Adds ranged control.

Level 7: Warlock 3

Pact of the Blade (summon a weapon, use Cha for attacks). Spells: Darkness, Misty Step. Warlock slots now Level 2 for bigger Smites.

Level 8: Sorcerer 1 (Draconic Bloodline)

Draconic Resilience (+1 HP per level, 13 AC when unarmored, but you’ll wear armor). Spells: Shield, Magic Missile. Cantrips: Fire Bolt, Minor Illusion.

Level 9: Sorcerer 2

Font of Magic (2 Sorcery Points). Convert slots for Metamagic flexibility.

Level 10: Sorcerer 3

Metamagic: Quickened Spell (cast a spell as a Bonus Action), Twinned Spell (target two creatures with single-target spells). Spells: Counterspell, Haste.

Level 11: Paladin 5

Extra Attack (two melee attacks per Action). Spells: Aid, Lesser Restoration. Doubles Smite potential.

Level 12: Paladin 6

Aura of Protection (+Cha to all saving throws for you and allies within 10ft). Massive team buff.

Why This Split: Paladin 6 gives Extra Attack, Smite, and Aura, Warlock 3 provides Pact of the Blade and Short Rest slots, and Sorcerer 3 adds Metamagic for action economy. You lose high-level spells but gain unmatched versatility. Patch 8’s Short Rest buffs (now easier to trigger) make Warlock slots a Smite battery.

Gear: Outfitting Your Champion

Gear maximizes melee damage, ranged reliability, and survivability. By Act 3, aim for:

Weapon: Devotee’s Mace (Act 3)

Why: +3 enchantment, deals 1d8+1d8 Radiant on hit, +3 to spell save DC. Free Healing Word daily. Perfect for Smites.

How: Buy from Stormshore Tabernacle or loot from House of Hope.

Engraving: Add Radiant Damage (from Nyrulna) for extra Smite synergy.

Off-Hand: None (Use a two-handed polearm for Polearm Master.)

Armor: Helldusk Armour (Act 3)

Why: 21 AC, Fire Resistance, +2 to spell save DC, and fly as a Bonus Action. No Strength requirement, freeing stat points.

How: Loot from Raphael in House of Hope.

Note: Until Act 3, use Plate Armour +1 (Act 1, vendors).

Headgear: Helm of Balduran (Act 3)

Why: +2 to attack rolls, Perception, and Initiative. +1 HP per turn, immune to crits.

How: Loot from Wyrm’s Rock Fortress.

Gloves: Helldusk Gloves (Act 3)

Why: +1 to spell attack rolls, +1d6 Fire on weapon hits, free Hellcrawler teleport.

How: Loot from Haarlep in House of Hope.

Boots: Boots of Stormy Clamour (Act 2)

Why: Inflict 2 Reverberation (reduces enemy saves) when you debuff foes, boosting spell control.

How: Buy from Araj Oblodra in Moonrise Towers.

Accessories:

Amulet: Amulet of Greater Health (Act 3)

Why: Sets Con to 23 for 100+ HP, ensuring you tank hits.

How: Loot from House of Hope.

Ring 1: Ring of Arcane Synergy (Act 2)

Why: Casting a cantrip (like Eldritch Blast) adds Cha to weapon damage for 2 turns.

How: Loot from Moonrise Towers.

Ring 2: Callous Glow Ring (Act 2)

Why: +2 Radiant damage against illuminated enemies (use Sacred Weapon or Faerie Fire).

How: Loot from Gauntlet of Shar.

Cloak: Cloak of the Weave (Act 3)

Why: +1 to spell attack rolls and save DC, absorb elemental damage once per rest.

How: Buy from Helsik at Devil’s Fee.

Why This Gear: Helldusk Armour and Amulet of Greater Health make you a tank, while Devotee’s Mace and rings boost Smite and Eldritch Blast damage. Helm of Balduran ensures accuracy, and Boots of Stormy Clamour weaken enemy saves for your spells. Early-game alternatives (like Adamantine Splint Armour) work until Act 3.

Spells and Invocations

Paladin Spells (Level 2 slots):

Prepared: Bless, Shield of Faith, Protection from Evil and Good, Aid, Lesser Restoration.

Why: Bless boosts accuracy, Shield of Faith adds AC, and Aid increases party HP. Save slots for Smites.

Warlock Spells (Level 2 slots, Short Rest):

Known: Hex, Misty Step, Armor of Agathys.

Why: Hex adds 1d6 Necrotic per hit (great with Extra Attack), Misty Step teleports you to safety, and Armor of Agathys gives temp HP and retaliates damage.

Sorcerer Spells (Level 2 slots):

Known: Shield, Magic Missile, Counterspell, Haste.

Cantrips: Eldritch Blast (from Warlock), Fire Bolt, Minor Illusion, Blade Ward.

Why: Shield blocks hits, Magic Missile guarantees damage, Counterspell shuts down casters, and Haste doubles your attacks/Smites.

Eldritch Invocations:

Agonizing Blast: +Cha (5) to Eldritch Blast damage.

Repelling Blast: Push enemies 10ft, controlling positioning.

Metamagic:

Quickened Spell: Cast Eldritch Blast or Haste as a Bonus Action, freeing your Action for Smites.

Twinned Spell: Twin Haste or Shield for allies, boosting team power.

Playstyle: Dominating Combat and Beyond

This build excels in melee, ranged, and social encounters. Here’s how to shine:

Combat Flow:

Pre-Fight: Cast Bless (Paladin) or Hex (Warlock) for buffs. Use Sacred Weapon (Channel Divinity) for +5 to attack rolls.

Melee: Rush in with Devotee’s Mace (Pact of the Blade). Use Extra Attack for two Smites (2d8+1d8+5 per hit, burn Level 2 slots for +3d8). Polearm Master Bonus Action adds a third hit. Deal ~60-80 damage per turn.

Ranged: Spam Quickened Eldritch Blast (Bonus Action, 3 beams at Level 12, 1d10+5 each with Agonizing Blast, ~45 damage). Use Repelling Blast to push enemies off cliffs or into traps.

Action Surge: Once per rest, cast Haste (Quickened) and attack twice in one turn for ~100+ damage.

Defense: Aura of Protection (+5 to saves), Shield, and Helldusk Armour (21 AC) make you hard to hit. Amuletof Greater Health ensures 120+ HP.

Boss Fights:

Open with Quickened Hex, then Sacred Weapon and Divine Smite on both attacks. Use Polearm Master for a third Smite. Burn Warlock slots for max damage (~90 per turn).

If ranged, Quickened Eldritch Blast + Action Surge for a second volley. Push bosses into hazards with Repelling Blast.

Counterspell enemy casters; Twinned Haste buffs you and a tank like Karlach.

Cure ailments with Lay on Hands or Lesser Restoration.

Crowd Control:

Use Misty Step to flank groups, then Extra Attack with Smites to clear minions.

Quickened Eldritch Blast with Repelling Blast scatters mobs, breaking formations.

Cast Twinned Protection from Evil and Good to shield allies from fiends.

Out of Combat:

Persuasion and Intimidation (with +5 Cha and proficiency) win dialogues. Convince Raphael or charm Gortash effortlessly.

Use Minor Illusion to distract guards, Misty Step to reach high ledges, and Survival to find loot.

Lay on Hands heals allies, cementing your hero status.

Party Synergy:

Buff a Barbarian with Haste or Aid. Support a Wizard with Counterspell or Aura of Protection.

Pair with Shadowheart for heals or Gale for arcane burst. Your auras make everyone tougher.

Tips:

Short Rest after every fight to refresh Warlock slots (Patch 8’s camp restock helps).

Save Sorcery Points for Quickened Spell in tough fights; convert slots for more if needed.

Use Sacred Weapon against high-AC foes like Gortash.

Carry Elixirs of Hill Giant Strength (Act 1) for 21 Strength until you hit Level 12.

Why This Build Is Ultimate

The Paladin/Warlock/Sorcerer is Patch 8’s best build because it breaks the game’s action economy. Quickened Eldritch Blast plus Extra Attack Smites deliver 100+ damage per turn, rivaling pure martials like Great Weapon Master Barbarians (Reddit tests show ~110 vs. ~90 for Barbarians). Aura of Protection and high HP make you tankier than most casters, while Metamagic and Pact of the Blade offer unmatched flexibility—melee, ranged, buffs, or control. Socially, your +11 Persuasion dominates dialogue, as one X user noted: “Talked my way out of Act 3’s finale like it was nothing.”

Compared to single-class builds (e.g., Bladesinger Wizard, strong but squishy), this multiclass sacrifices high-level spells for raw power and durability. Patch 8’s Warlock buffs and new Polearm Master interactions (confirmed by Larian notes) make it even deadlier than in Patch 7. It’s forgiving for Honour Mode (no single weak save) yet rewarding for optimizers.

Final Thoughts

The ultimate build in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8—the Paladin/Warlock/Sorcerer—turns you into Faerûn’s unstoppable champion. With a blazing mace, eldritch beams, and a silver tongue, you’ll smite gods, blast armies, and charm the Sword Coast into submission. From Act 1’s goblins to Act 3’s Netherbrain, no foe can withstand your might, and no ally will doubt your leadership.

So, swear your oath, bind your pact, and weave your magic. The fate of Baldur’s Gate is yours to shape—seize it with divine fury.