Beyond the standard lessons, Baldur’s Gate 3 hides distinctive character types that unlock after completing specific actions. Players can, for example, assume the role of an oathbreaker paladin. This guide explains how to unlock and play as one.
Baldur’s Gate 3 guides
How to turn a hero into an Oathbreaker Paladin
The journey begins by selecting a paladin class and picking its oath. The choice matters beyond simple bonuses because each oath carries unique restrictions that influence in-game decisions. To become an oathbreaker, the oath must be broken, and the exact conditions vary depending on the oath chosen.
Breaking the oath is not just about gaining power. It involves confronting practical limits on conduct. Each path defines a set of rules that, when violated, transforms the hero into an oathbreaker.
How to break the oath of retaliation
This oath centers on punishing criminals for grievous deeds. To override the taboo, a player must spare lawbreakers and permit actions that violate law and morality. Concrete examples illustrate this approach:
- Free the goblin Sazza from her cage in the Emerald Grove;
- Issue orders or take actions that harm those who would otherwise be protected;
- Reveal the Emerald Grove’s location to others, such as Mintar;
- Let Acre kill goblins confined in cages.
These actions demonstrate a shift away from strict retaliation toward a broader, sometimes sympathetic stance that breaks the oath’s spirit.
How to break an oath of allegiance
Under this oath, protecting the vulnerable is the core duty. Deliberate harm to defenseless individuals marks a betrayal. Practical steps to betray this oath include the following:
- Assault or kill a marked ally in a vulnerable camp;
- Allow or order the goblin to kill Sazza while she is imprisoned;
- Negotiate with Mintara to avoid an attack on the Emerald Grove, then burn the goblin settlement;
- Slay an unarmed, innocent person.
The simplest method is often the easiest, but it carries consequences. Relationships with factions can suffer, so saving the game before experiments is recommended.
How to Break the Oath of the Ancients
Choosing this path demands the protection of life and the beauty of nature. Breaking the oath is straightforward:
- Free Sazza at the Emerald Grove;
- Execute Medvesych and his cub;
- Restore Mairin’s consort using the Bitter Parting Wand;
- Kill an innocent person.
If all actions align, a cutscene with an oathbreaker paladin appears. A conversation can be held with the character during a long rest by the campfire.
Oathbreaker Paladin Features
Breaking an oath causes the usual bonuses to vanish, yet the hero retains progression and current level. New perks and abilities become available exclusively to oathbreakers. The character’s capacity to follow restrictions fades, allowing cruel and merciful decisions alike. Additional details on playing as paladins and oathbreakers are explored in a separate guide.
The shift grants the player more freedom from prior constraints, enabling a wider range of choices. The narrative and strategic implications of this path offer fresh opportunities for roleplay and combat planning.
How to fix a broken oath
Earlier in this guide, the presence of an oathbreaker in the camp after breaking a taboo was noted. To return to a paladin’s path, one must speak with that entity, express willingness to take the oath again, and pay a cost of 1000 coins to reselect the path. All bonuses return, with the original restrictions reimposed on the hero, such as forbidding the killing of innocents and protecting others from criminals.
Other guides
End of guide notes. This overview reflects gameplay dynamics observed in Baldur’s Gate 3 and aims to help players gain a deeper understanding of oath mechanics and roleplay opportunities.