Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3 has been available to the public for just over a month, and there’s been a decent amount of time to explore all the new features of the game’s final major update. The most prominent addition is the selection of 12 new subclasses, which have been incorporated into many useful class builds. I was particularly excited about the death domain cleric, but another subclass has since drawn my attention.

The Oath of the Crown was the last paladin subclass added to BG3, and I was quite hesitant to try it out, given how its lawful roots aren’t something I usually go for when making characters. However, it has since become one of my favorite subclasses to play due to its fun mechanics and powerful unique abilities. Although it’s not completely gamebreaking, it’s a lot more overpowered than most players realize.

The Oath Of The Crown Has The Best Aspects Of The Paladin And Cleric Classes

It Would Be A Great Class For New Players, But Years After Release, Fewer People Will Be Picking Up The Game For The First Time

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The Oath of the Crown takes some of the most iconic cleric spells and makes them available to paladins. At level nine, characters with this oath gain spirit guardians, which is usually not available to any other class other than clerics. This is an extremely useful spell to have on hand for fights like protecting Halsin’s portal in the Shadow-Cursed lands, as it’s great for quickly taking out hordes of smaller enemies or guarding certain areas.

Being able to have the spell on a melee-based character without multiclassing alongside full-strength divine smite is insanely convenient. Paladins are already the most popular class in Baldur’s Gate 3, so adding a subclass with access to it gives players all the more reason to choose to play as one. The Oath of The Crown also grants the Spiritual Weapon spell at level 5, and though this spell isn’t particularly powerful by itself, I’ve always found it to be very handy for distracting enemies since it only requires a bonus action to cast.

Oath of the Crown Unique Ability
Cost
Level Unlock
Effect

Righteous Clarity
Bonus action + Channel Oath Charge
1
Target yourself or an ally to add proficiency bonuses to attack rolls.

Champion Challenge
Bonus action + Channel Oath Charge
3
Compels all surrounding enemies to attack you. If they attack anyone else, they will do so with disadvantage.

Turn the Tide
Bonus action + Channel Oath Charge
3
Heals all nearby allies and neutral creatures. Increases depending on your paladin level and charisma modifier.

Divine Allegiance
Reaction
7
Heals an ally for twice the amount of hit points of your paladin level, but causes you to take the same amount in radiant damage.

It’s not just the subclass’s damage-dealing prowes that draws me to the Oath of The Crown, as it also functions as a great buffer, support, and tank. If you’re unsure about which class to choose, it has a little bit of everything. Its level one oath charge ability is great for adding some extra force to attacks, and at level three, Oath of the Crown paladins gain a small mass-healing ability. For comparison, clerics gain Mass Healing Word at level five, while Oath of the Crown paladins learn Turn the Tide at level 3.

Crown paladins also gain “Champion Challenge” at this level, which causes all nearby enemies to attack them, allowing their injured allies to escape to safety. At level seven, they gain the ability to substitute their health for their allies’ by giving up a small amount of their HP. With Warding Bond as another class ability, this subclass is perfect for any tank build.

Tips For Playing With The Oath Of The Crown

The Subclass Is Fantastic In Combat, But The Oath Itself Is A Little Restrictive

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The main drawback of this class is how easily you can end up breaking your oath. One of the tenets is loyalty, meaning you must always keep your word, no matter what, so deceiving your enemies will often land you in trouble. For example, it may seem like the right thing to do to betray Minthara in Act One, or Orin/Gortash in Act Three, but if you tell them that you’re on their side first, you’ll face some nasty consequences.

Oath of the Crown Tenets

Law – Uphold Civilisation and Order
Loyalty – Your word is your bond; without loyalty, oaths and laws are meaningless.
Responsiblity – Deal with the consequences of your actions, and fulfil your duties and obligations.

With this oath, you’ll often have to confront your enemies head-on without any smart workarounds. This can get especially tricky in Act Two, as was discovered by Reddit user leriz, who freed the Nightsong after lying to Ketheric about intending to deliver her to him. Playing with this Oath is a fun challenge for anyone like me who usually gravitates towards playing more chaotic characters in Baldur’s Gate 3, and the class abilities are definitely worth it.