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There are three oaths you may swear as a Paladin inBaldur’s Gate 3, but there is a hidden option for those looking to play a darker Paladin. Your oath can be broken by failing to uphold it as an unforeseen consequence, or you can choose to break it yourself intentionally. After all, it’s your oath to break.
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There are many ways to break your oath, and doing so will come at a cost. Thankfully, there are ample rewards as well, and you can always pledge your oath again for a price. It all depends on how you want to play things out, and what you’re willing to sacrifice for power.
What Is An Oathbreaker Paladin
In short, an Oathbreaker Paladin is just that: aknight that has failedto uphold their oath. Every Paladin makes a vow, and that vow grants themincredible holy power.
Breaking your oath rescinds that holy power, but grants you the opportunity toforge a new oathwith a darker purpose.
While more of aflavorful option for your character, there are benefits to it, such as thespells you can unlock. Rather than use holy spells, you’ll be able tobalance melee attackswith spells thatdeal necrotic damageinstead.
Thepath you takewill be yours to choose, and you’ll still haveaccess to Divine Smite, though yourspells will look differentand it may not bode well if you’re aiming for a virtuous playthrough.
How To Break Your Oath
How youbreak your oathdepends on which oath you’ve sworn. While some actions canbreak each oath, others will not. you’re able to break your oath bychoosing to go againstyour sworn values, or it can bebroken by unforeseen circumstances.
Accidents happen, especially when thedice rolls are not in your favor, so it’s possible to do the right thing, fail the roll, andsuffer a broken oath.
One of the fastest ways across the board to break your oath is toimmediately attack the tieflings surrounding Lae’zelafter the Nautiloid crashes. Doing so violates the creeds and makes you an Oathbreaker.
Oath Of The Ancients
For theOath of the Ancients, your vow is to protect the purebalance of life and nature. Breaking your oath entails going back on these values. Examples that will break your Oath includekilling innocents and harming nature.
One early game example of this iskilling the owlbear cubin the cave.
Taking violent action todirectly harm lives and naturewithout provocation will break your vow.Going back on your wordwhen promising to help can also break this vow.
Oath Of Devotion
For theOath of Devotion, your vow is to becourageous, compassionate, and clement. Running away from a fight in cowardice, being cruel to others, and refusing to show mercy will break your oath.
You will also need tofollow laws and support the peoplein your care to maintain this vow.
One way to break this oath early on is toattack any innocent person. Doing so willviolate your vowand gain the Oathbreaker Knight’s attention. There areplenty of peoplein Act One who fit the bill, such as the tieflings and druids.
Walk up and attack themto sever your loyalty, andpotentially face prisontime.
Breaking your oath will limit your abilities, so it’s a good idea to avoid breaking your oath before doing anything important. While the cutscene will play after conversations and combat, the consequences won’t be resolved until you camp.
Oath Of Vengeance
For theOath of Vengeance, your vow is tostrike down evildoerswithout hesitation. Youwon’t make dealswith the devils or bargain with brutes. Your purpose is toprevent evil from spreadingwhen you have the chance to snuff it out.
When there areevil schemes afoot, you have no choice but to stop them or face the penalty.
Early in Act One, you can break your oath byfinding Auntie Ethel. When dealing with the hag,letting her livewill break your oath and leave you without your holy power.
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How To Get The Oathbreaker Subclass
Once you’ve broken your oath, you’ll watch a cutscene of your character struggling. It feels as though they’velost a part of themselves, and theOathbreaker Knight will appearin a vision to help you understand what’s going on.
He’llmeet you at camp, so head there when you’re ready. You’ll find him near where Withers lurks. Talk to the Oathbreaker Knight andask him whatever questionsyou have. When you’re ready, tell him you want tobecome an Oathbreaker.
He’ll initiate a cutscene where youpledge yourself to your new creed, and while ominous, you reap several rewards. You alsolearn necrotic spellsto use instead of holy ones.
How To Restore Your Oath
Torestore your oathif you’re feeling faithful again (or if you’re growing tired of being morally ambiguous),speak to the Oathbreaker Knight. The cost of your transgression is ahefty 1,000 goldto reclaim your oath.
There isno other meansto claim it, as the Oathbreaker Knight informs you that thematerial cost is in goldalone. Eitherpay the feeor remain as an Oathbreaker untilyou can reclass.
The cost isequivalent to the bounty placedon an Oathbreaker’s head, and once you pay it, you willno longer be an Oathbreaker. Think of it as atonement if youwish to regain your holy power.
