Oath of the Ancients Subclass Guide and Build

The Oath of the Ancients is a Paladin subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 (BG3). Check out our guide for how to unlock the Oath of the Ancients subclass, its features, as well as the best build.

Paladin Subclasses Paladin Class Guide
Oath of the Ancients	Oath of Devotion	Oathbreaker	Oath of Vengeance

Oath of the Ancients Subclass Overview

Oath of the Ancients Basic Information

Subclass Overview
	Oath of the Ancients You fight on the side of light in the cosmic struggle against darkness to preserve the sanctity of life and beauty of nature.
Parent Class	Paladin
How to Unlock	Available during Character Creation.
Spellcasting Ability	Charisma
Starting Subclass Features
・Gains the Channel Oath: Healing Radiance Class Action. ・Follows the Oath of the Ancients Tenets. ・All Paladin Class Features and Proficiencies.

Paladins who have sworn the Oath of the Ancients are favored by nature itself. These Paladins can summon roots to restrain and ensnare their enemies, while creating dangerous terrain for any foes foolish enough to approach.

How to Unlock the Oath of the Ancients Subclass

Available When Creating a Paladin

The Oath of the Ancients subclass will become available once you start creating a Paladin at the Character Creation screen. Unlike most classes, Paladins are one of the few that get to pick out their subclass before they start the game.

Oath of the Ancients Subclass Features

Oath of the Ancients Tenets

A Paladin's Tenets are the solemn Oaths and morals they swear to uphold. The following are the tenets that Oath of the Ancients Paladins have sworn to uphold:

• Kindle the Light: Through acts of kindness, enkindle the light of hope in the bleakest hollows of despair.
• Shelter the Light: Where love blooms, stand against the devilry that would snip its stem.
• Preserve Your Own Light: Delight in culture and small joys to preserve the light in your own heart.

Breaking or going against any of these Tenets when making certain dialogue choices will trigger the appearance of the Oathbreaker Knight in your camp.

By speaking to the Oathbreaker Knight, you will be given the option to change your subclass into the Oathbreaker or to remain pure. By remaining pure, you will be unable to utilize your Channel Oath mechanic until you pay the Oathbreaker Knight 2,000 gold to reaffirm your Oaths.

Channel Oath

As an Oath of the Ancients Paladin, your Channel Oath powers will lean towards a supportive role with an emphasis on proper positioning. Access to both heals and disables means skillful use of your Oaths ensure the survival of your party.

Much like regular spells, the Channel Oath action will have you spend a Channel Oath Charge and an Action or Bonus Action before you can cast it. You will have 1 Charge to use. To replenish your Channel Oath Charges, simply perform a Short or Long Rest.

Channel Oath Powers

Oath of the Ancients Spells

Oath spells exist within a unique category in that once they have been learned through leveling up, they will always be available for you to cast. This means that your Paladin will always have these spells equipped, regardless of having prepared them or not.

Furthermore, these Oath spells are what differentiate each of the Paladin's subclasses, with Oath of the Ancients Paladins invoking the powers of nature to mold the battlefield for their advantage.

Oath of the Ancients Paladins will first gain access to these spells at levels 3, 5, and 9, with each milestone granting access to 2 Oath Spells.

Oath of the Ancients Spell List

Aura of Warding

Aura of Warding is a passive ability that halves all incoming magic damage against the Paladin and nearby allies.

This ability cements the importance of positioning for your Oath of the Ancients Paladin whenever you're fighting, since you want to affect as many teammates as possible with this aura in conjunction with the use of your other spells.

Oath of the Ancients Level Progression

Best Oath of the Ancients Build

Baldur's Gate 3 Related Guides

Paladin Class Guide

All Paladin Subclasses

All Paladin Subclasses
Oath of the Ancients	Oath of Devotion	Oathbreaker	Oath of the Ancients