bg3 best tank build

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In the treacherous world of Baldur’s Gate 3, where hordes of enemies lurk, having a sturdy tank to absorb damage and protect your party is paramount. Among the diverse character classes available, one stands out as the ultimate bastion of defense: the Paladin. With their unparalleled ability to don heavy armor, wield martial weapons, and cast divine spells, Paladins can withstand the most brutal onslaught and empower their allies. Embark on a journey to forge the most formidable tank build, ensuring your party’s survival amidst the chaos of Faerûn.

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When customizing your Paladin, the Oath of Devotion stands as the ideal choice for a tank. This oath grants access to spells like Shield of Faith and Bless, which significantly bolster your defenses and those of your companions. Moreover, the Oath of Devotion’s Channel Divinity: Sacred Weapon ability further enhances your damage output, making you a formidable force in melee combat. Consider selecting the Human race for this build, as its bonus feat allows you to acquire the Sentinel feat. This feat prevents enemies from moving past you, further enhancing your ability to control the battlefield and protect your party.

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As your Paladin progresses, prioritize increasing your Strength and Constitution attributes. Strength governs your attack damage and carrying capacity, while Constitution determines your hit points and saving throws. Investing in these attributes will maximize your survivability and offensive capabilities. Additionally, consider investing in the Athletics skill, which allows you to shove enemies prone and grapple them, further limiting their mobility. The War Caster feat is also highly recommended, as it grants advantage on concentration checks when casting spells in melee combat and allows you to cast spells with somatic components while wielding weapons.

The Unstoppable Guardian: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Tank Build in BG3

Race and Background

The ideal race for a tank in BG3 is the Githyanki, as they possess the innate ability to cast Mage Hand as a bonus action. This grants them immense utility, allowing them to manipulate objects from a distance and trigger traps safely. For a background, the Soldier is a solid choice, providing proficiency in heavy armor and Athletics, further bolstering the tank’s defensive capabilities.

Ability Scores

The primary ability score for a BG3 tank is Strength, which determines their hit points and the effectiveness of melee attacks. Dexterity should be prioritized next, as it governs the tank’s Armor Class (AC), thereby improving their ability to evade enemy blows. Constitution is also crucial, as it increases the tank’s hit points and resistance to damage.

Ability Score Importance
Strength Determines hit points and melee attack effectiveness
Dexterity Improves AC, increasing evasion of enemy blows
Constitution Boosts hit points and resistance to damage

Forging the Bastion of Protection: Essential Abilities and Gear

Abilities

  • Heavy Armor Mastery: Grants proficiency in heavy armor, significantly boosting AC.
  • Shields: Essential gear for tanks, providing a substantial AC bonus and the ability to protect allies through shield spells.
  • Second Wind: A passive ability that heals a portion of max HP every short rest, enhancing survivability.

Gear

Armor

Armor Type AC Bonus Special Abilities
Plate Armor +6 Heavy, disadvantage on Stealth checks
Splint Armor +4 Heavy, less restrictive than Plate Armor
Half Plate Armor +3 Medium, provides a balance between protection and mobility

Weapons

  • Greatsword: A versatile weapon with high damage output, suitable for dealing with large groups of enemies.
  • Battleaxe: A solid choice for dealing consistent damage, especially against armored opponents.
  • Spear: A versatile weapon that can be used for both melee combat and ranged attacks.

Other Gear

  • Shield: Grants a substantial AC bonus and allows for shield spells such as Shield of Faith.
  • Helm of Intellect: Enhances Concentration checks, preventing valuable spells from being interrupted.
  • Ring of Protection: Provides a flat AC bonus, further increasing survivability.

Companion Synergy: Enhancing Defense with Strategic Partnerships

In Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), tanks are essential for mitigating damage and protecting your party. By strategically pairing your tank with certain companions, you can significantly enhance their defensive capabilities.

Gale

Gale’s Aid spell grants temporary hit points, increasing your tank’s survivability. He also has the Shield spell, which provides a damage-absorbing barrier.

Astarion

Astarion’s Shadow Step ability allows him to teleport behind enemies, drawing their attention away from your tank. He also has the Invisibility spell, which can assist in repositioning or escaping dangerous situations.

Lae’zel

Lae’zel’s Lay on Hands ability heals a significant amount of hit points, restoring your tank’s health. Her Hellish Rebuke spell damages enemies that target her, deterring them from attacking your tank.

Wyll

Wyll’s Armor of Agathys spell deals cold damage to enemies that attack your tank, adding an extra layer of deterrence. His Sanctuary spell grants allies temporary immunity to charmed and frightened conditions, preventing enemies from incapacitating your tank.

Shadowheart

Shadowheart’s Bless spell grants your tank additional armor, increasing their damage resistance. She also has the Inflict Wounds spell, which can deal damage to enemies that are adjacent to your tank, providing offensive support.

Companion Primary Defensive Ability Additional Support
Gale Aid Shield
Astarion Shadow Step Invisibility
Lae’zel Lay on Hands Hellish Rebuke
Wyll Armor of Agathys Sanctuary
Shadowheart Bless Inflict Wounds

The Role of a Tank in Party Dynamics

Within the intricate tapestry of party dynamics in Baldur’s Gate 3, the tank assumes a pivotal role, serving as an impenetrable bulwark against the relentless onslaught of enemies. Their primary objective is to absorb the brunt of incoming damage, providing their companions the respite they need to unleash their devastating attacks and cast potent spells.

Guard Duty and Prevention: A Tank’s Arsenal

Tanks possess an arsenal of abilities and spells specifically tailored to their tanking role. By casting “Guard Duty” on allies, they transfer damage directed at their vulnerable companions onto themselves, effectively absorbing the blow. Additionally, they can use “Prevention” to grant temporary hit points to adjacent party members, further bolstering their defenses.

Crowd Control and Elimination: Taking the Focus

Tanks are not merely damage sponges; they also play a crucial role in controlling enemy movements and preventing them from overwhelming their allies. Spells like “Command” and “Thunderwave” allow tanks to incapacitate groups of enemies, buying the party precious time. Moreover, their high armor and hit points enable them to withstand repeated attacks, drawing enemy focus away from more vulnerable party members.

Defensive Skills and Armor: The Bulwark’s Armor

Tanks rely on a combination of defensive skills and heavy armor to maximize their resilience. Skills such as “Shield Block” and “Parry” increase their chances of blocking or deflecting incoming attacks, while armor reduces the damage they take. By investing in heavy armor proficiency, tanks become walking fortresses, capable of withstanding even the most formidable blows.

Regeneration and Healing: Sustaining the Bulwark

To maintain their effectiveness, tanks require reliable methods of healing and regeneration. Abilities like “Lay on Hands” allow tanks to heal themselves or their allies, while the “Bless” spell provides additional temporary hit points. By balancing their damage absorption with self-preservation measures, tanks can ensure their longevity in the heat of battle.

Positioning and Awareness: The Art of Tanking

Positioning is paramount for a tank’s success. They must actively place themselves between enemies and their allies, blocking their path and intercepting attacks. Tanks must also maintain situational awareness, constantly monitoring the battlefield to identify potential threats and adjust their positioning accordingly.

Table: Tank Recommended Feats

Feat Description
Durable Increases hit points and damage resistance.
Heavy Armor Master Reduces damage taken while wearing heavy armor.
Sentinel Enemies have disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than the tank.

Surviving the Maelstrom: Strategies for High-Risk Encounters


1. Strength Is Your Anchor

Embrace the power of Strength, as it anchors your defenses against the onslaught. Increase your Strength to enhance your melee prowess, stabilizing your position as an impenetrable bastion.

2. Brawn vs. Finesse: A Battle of Survival

Opt for Brawn over Finesse, for it bolsters your durability in the face of relentless attacks. With Brawn, you can withstand the ceaseless barrage of blows, ensuring your presence remains steadfast.

3. Proficiency in Heavy Armor: An Imperative Defense

Master the proficiency of Heavy Armor to don the impenetrable shell of plate. This impenetrable barrier will absorb the brunt of enemy attacks, safeguarding your precious life essence.

4. Shield Proficiency: The Protector’s Stalwart

Enhance your protective capabilities by becoming proficient in the art of Shield. Wield this defensive bulwark to parry incoming attacks, deflecting danger and solidifying your role as the unwavering shield.

5. Healing Spells: A Lifeline Amidst Chaos

Embrace the rejuvenating power of Healing Spells, for they will be your lifeline in the midst of tumultuous battles. Utilize these spells to mend your wounds, restoring your vigor and ensuring your continued presence on the battlefield.

6. Stunning Strike: Paralyzing Opponents

Wield the devastating power of Stunning Strike to paralyze your foes. This technique will neutralize their threats, giving you the precious respite to regroup and regain your composure.

7. Defensive Spells: Your Arcane Arsenal of Protection

Bolster your defenses with a repertoire of Defensive Spells. These arcane enhancements will deflect incoming blows, reduce damage, and grant you the resilience to weather the storm of attacks. Consider spells such as Shield of Faith, Protection from Evil and Good, and Mage Armor to create an impenetrable barrier around yourself.

Spell Effect
Shield of Faith Grants a bonus to AC
Protection from Evil and Good Provides resistance to certain damage types
Mage Armor Enhances AC by a flat amount

Building the Ultimate BG3 Tank: A Guide to Impenetrable Resilience

1. Race: Mountain Dwarf

Dwarves boast increased Constitution and the Hardy racial trait, enhancing their hit points and resistance to poison.

2. Class: Fighter (Battle Master)

The Battle Master subclass grants access to maneuvers like Rally, providing extra temporary hit points to allies.

3. Ability Scores: Constitution > Strength > Dexterity

Prioritize Constitution for maximum HP, then Strength for melee combat and Dexterity for AC.

4. Background: Folk Hero

Gain proficiency in Animal Handling for animal companion support and Persuasion for inspiring allies.

5. Feats: Tough, Durable

Tough increases maximum HP, while Durable grants advantage on saves against exhaustion and poison.

6. Fighting Style: Defense

Gain +1 AC, increasing your ability to absorb damage.

7. Armor: Full Plate

The heaviest armor in the game, maximizing AC and HP.

8. Shield: Tower Shield

A massive shield with the highest AC bonus, further increasing your defense.

9. Weapons: Greatsword, Warhammer

Heavy weapons deal substantial damage while allowing you to wield a shield simultaneously.

10. Equipment and Spells:

a) Adamantine Armor

Grants immunity to critical hits from non-magical weapons, enhancing durability.

b) Helm of Brilliance

Increases AC and grants a bonus to Concentration checks, helping you maintain spells.

c) Potion of Invulnerability

Provides temporary immunity to all damage, allowing you to absorb overwhelming attacks.

d) Protection from Evil and Good

Grants resistance to damage from creatures of a specific alignment, further mitigating incoming harm.

e) Bless

Enhances AC and saving throws, boosting your overall resilience.

The Ultimate BG3 Tank Build

When it comes to building the best tank in Baldur’s Gate 3, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you’ll want to choose a race that provides bonuses to Constitution and Strength, such as the Half-Orc or the Dwarf. These bonuses will help you increase your hit points and damage resistance, making you more durable in combat.

Next, you’ll want to select a class that offers good tanking abilities. The Fighter and the Paladin are both excellent choices, as they have access to heavy armor and a variety of abilities that can help them protect their allies. The Fighter’s Battle Master subclass is particularly well-suited for tanking, as it provides access to a number of maneuvers that can help you control the battlefield and mitigate damage.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure your tank has the right equipment. Heavy armor is essential for any tank, as it provides the most protection from physical attacks. You’ll also want to equip your tank with a shield, which can further reduce the damage they take. In addition, you’ll want to make sure your tank has access to healing potions and other items that can help them stay alive in combat.

People Also Ask

What is the best race for a tank in BG3?

The best races for a tank in BG3 are the Half-Orc and the Dwarf. These races provide bonuses to Constitution and Strength, which are essential for a tank.

What is the best class for a tank in BG3?

The best classes for a tank in BG3 are the Fighter and the Paladin. These classes have access to heavy armor and a variety of abilities that can help them protect their allies.

What is the best equipment for a tank in BG3?

The best equipment for a tank in BG3 is heavy armor, a shield, and a variety of healing potions and other items that can help them stay alive in combat.