Paladin BG1

Paladin is a BG1 class in BioWare's cRPG of 1998-99, Baldur's Gate 1. Paladins are notable for their saving throw bonus, turn undead ability and protection from evil and lay on hands abilities.

cf. Paladin PC Games.

Paladin Build

In addition to martial prowess, BG1 Paladin builds are notable for their 2-point saving throw bonus and social skills (due their high Charisma score and Lawful Good alignment).

Paladin 8
Race: Human BG1
Alignment: Lawful Good
Stats: >=18/91-18-18-dump-dump-dump
THAC0 BG1: 4
Armor Class BG1: -7
ApR BG1: 2 (3 under Haste BG1)
Weapon Proficiency BG1: x6 weapon slots (Specialization in 3 weapons)
HPs: 125
Saving Throws: 4-6-5-6-7
Draw Upon Holy Might as Bhaalspawn Ability.
Turn Undead: 6
Lay on Hands x1: 16 HPs
Protection From Evil

Note that Paladins break into level 1 Baldur's Gate divine spells at 9th level or 300,000 XP, level 2 divine spells at 11th level or 900k XP and level 3 spells at level 13 or 1.5m XP (at which point they also gain ApR +½), and 4th level divine spells at 15th level or 2.1m XP.

However, the BG1 XP cap is 161,000 XP. Thus, Paladins cannot formally cast divine spells from their priest scrolls (divine spellbook) in BG1.

Why choose Paladin over Fighter BG1, then? Paladins are stronger for the first few levels due to their 2-point saving throw bonus. But that assumes Human Fighter to match Human-only Paladin. But Fighters don't have to be Human. If we go for Dwarf Fighter, we attain saves of 1-3-7-8-4. And we also gain Regen from Con 20. Moreover, Fighters attain High Mastery at 6th level or 32,000 XP which gives them +2 THAC0 and +2 damage over Paladins. Therefore, from a powergaming PoV there is very little to reason to choose Paladin over Fighter in BG1.

If the Paladin could attain 4th level divine spells in BG1 (aka the XP cap was raised to 2.1 mil XP), they would contend with Fighter (who gets Grandmastery at 9th for ApR +½) by virtue of self-buffs and uncapped Animate Dead, which undead summons -- representing a collective ApR of 30 from three castings -- Paladins could also buff with Bless, Chant, Strength of One, Defensive Harmony and PfE10'R.