This guide focuses on the essential aspects of a Tank build in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) and how to use those powers to your advantage.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is an RPG known for its theory crafting and builds. Creating a build is a complex series of choices such as ability score, level progression, companions, weapons, armor, and consumables. In this guide, we focus on a Tank build, used to subdue enemies, draw their attention and help allies. We will walk you through a tank build that can do damage, heal, and punish the enemy.
This build page has been updated for thepatch 8 versionof Baldur’s Gate 3.
Everything About the Tank in Baldur’s Gate 3
The overall premise of the Tank build in BG3 is to debuff enemies with Radiating Orb. Radiant Orb reduces attack roll by -1 and is a stacking debuff, meaning you may generate many number of debuffs. This tank build will debuff via Spirit Guardians, an AOE radiant damage spell that does massive damage. Moreover, this combo can be done as early as once, as well as healing and supporting fellow teammates.
The overall benefits of the tank build is having a good damaging dealing character that can support the party. However, you will sacrifice mobility and be gear-dependent. Another issue is lacking a “taunt” or forcing a target to attack you like theOath of the Crown Paladin. However, this shouldn’t be an issue due to the radiant orb debuff and other crowd control effects.
Features and Mechanics of a Tank Build in BG3
The following list presents all the essential tank build Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Character Creation for Tank Build
Race Choice for Tank Build
HighHalf-Elfis the best race choice for a Tank build because this will give you the Longsword proficiency to use Phalar Aluve in Act 1. The second choice is Gold Dwarf because you gain extra health per level. Lastly, we recommend Duergar Dwarf because you gain invisibility and the enlarged spell.
Here is the best race choice for a Tank build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Recommended Background for a Tank Build
Folk Herois the BestBackgroundfor the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Tank Build because you gain proficiency in two Wisdom skills: Animal Handling and Survival. This choice mostly influences roleplaying and dialogue options and allows you to create unique characters. Additional choices are:
Ability Score
The Best Ability Score for a Tank Build is 17 Wisdom, 16 Constitution, and 14 Dexterity.Wisdom is the primary ability score of Clerics and will boost your spellcasting. Constitution determines health and concentration saving throws. Finally, Dexterity influences your armour class along with giving you higher initiative rolls going earlier in combat. Since this build recommends medium armour, we don’t use more than 14 Dexterity. If you want higher AC, you’re able to boost AC at the cost of Wisdom and use Armour of Agility in Act 3. Make sure to complete Auntie Ethel’s Hair bonus in Act 1 to increase Wisdom to 18, an even number.
Read More –Baldur’s Gate 3 Bard College of Valour Build
Below is the best ability score for a tank build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
You can increase your ability score via a quest in Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Make sure to check out ourPermanent bonus guideon how you can boost your ability score through quests.
Recommended Skills for a Tank Build
MedicineandInsightare the best skills for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Tank Build Guide because they complement your class abilities and enhance your effectiveness in various situations.
Illithid Powers For a Tank Build
The bestIllithid Powersfor a Tank build are Luck of the Farm Realms, Black Hole, and Cull of the Weak. Luck of the Farm helps with critical hits and burst damage and, combined with Cull of the Weak, can trigger AOE damage passively. Black Hole requires you to take the Astral Tadpole in Act 2, but it sucks in 5 enemies, slows them, and can be recast for free. This is helpful in certain large-scale boss fights with many enemies. Below are the best Illithid Tadpole Powers for the Tank build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
Best Companions for a Tank Build
Shadowheart,Gale, andLae’zelmake the bestcompanionsfor the Tank build because you gain a support healer, ranged spellcaster, and front-line fighter.
Best Tank Build – Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3
At Level 1 you will be starting with the Cleric class and choosing the Light Domain subclass.
Cantrip Selection
Spell Selection
Light Subclass Unlocks
Use Guiding Bolt as your ranged damage, Sanctuary to protect a target, and Command to stun. When you run out of spell slots, use Sacred Flame for damage. Warding Flare is your reaction to help characters avoid an incoming attack.
At Level 2, your Tank Build will get one new spell, a two features from their class/subclass.
At this level, use shield to boost AC of the most vulnerable target and radiance of the dawn for AOE damage. Turn Undead is helpful if against Undaed, find by clicking and examining the enemy.
At Level 3 with our Tank build you will again get to choose a new spell, and also get two always prepared spells from theLife Domainsubclass.
Use spiritual weapon as a distraction with your bonus action.
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Next, at Level 4 you will get to choose a feat, one cantrip, and another spell.
At this level, you should collectAmulet of Restoration, Hellrider’s Pride, Boots of Aid and Comfort, and The Whispering Promise Ring. When you heal with mass healing word (giving by amulet), your entire party will gain the bless buff, and resistance. This will make you extremely tanky and still retain some damage with the Light Cleric.
After reaching Level 5 with our best Baldur’s Gate 3 tank build you will get one new Cleric class feature, two Light Domain spells, and one new spell. Additionally, we’ll also drop the Healing Word spell to swap it out for Mass Healing Word.
Now that you have Mass Healing Word, you can use the combo described in Level 4 to trigger a huge buff to your entire party with a bonus action. You can then swap out the amulet for something, or keep it for a free spell.
Almost all of your damage should come from Spirit Guardians at this point. You will need concentration to hold it, but it allows you to jump into the fight and trigger radiant damage. With Luminous Armour, and Luminous Gloves (in Act 2) you will be debuffing any enemy hit, reducing their attack and preventing damage to your team.
Next, at Level 6 with our tank build you’re going to multiclass into Fighter to pick up more actions and defense. The Fighter with four levels will provide action surge, fighting style, feat, and important Eldritch Knight subclass. An alternative is Bard for Bardic Inspiration. However, Fighter makes this build simple and powerful.
At Level 7 our or best Baldur’s Gate 3 tank build we’ll invest another level into Fighter and pick up the free class action Action Surge.
Now at Level 8 you’ll get to choose a subclass for Fighter, and we’ll be selecting Eldritch Knight. This subclass gives you the ability to spellcast, which will add some more usefull spells to our arsenal. At this first level, you’ll get one subclass feature and get to choose two cantrips and three spells.
At Level 9 of our best Baldur’s Gate Tank Build we’ll put one more level into Fighter and pick up a feat. We recommend taking an Ability Improvement, so you may increase your Wisdom score by two points. Additionally, you can make one more choice of spell.
Now at Level 10 of our Tank build you should multiclass and switch back to put the remaining levels back into Light Domain Cleric. With six levels in Cleric you’ll gain another Channel Divinity Charge, one subclass feature, and two spells.
Now at Level 11 of our Tank build, you will be at level 7 as a Light Domain Cleric. You will get to choose a level 4 spell now, and also get two subclass spells. Additionally, we will have you drop Shield of Faith so you can swap in Freedom of Movement.
Finally, as you reach the maximum character Level 12 with our best Baldur’s Gate 3 Tank Build we will get a feat and spell choice with another level in Cleric.
How to Play a Tank Build
Will do tips like this from honour mode
Below are some general tips on how to play the best Tank build in BG3:
Best Gear for Tank Build
Here’s the best beginner gear, items, and equipment for a Tank Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
The following table presents the best gear, items, and equipment for the Tank Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:
How to Play a Tank Build BG3
The best way to play the tank build is to stack Radiating Orb debuff with items like Coruscation Ring, Luminous Armour, Luminous Gloves, and Fabricated Arbalest. Using radiant damage via Spirit Guardian reduces enemies’ Attack Roll by -1 per stack. Essentially, this makes it impossible for them to hit an ally regardless of their AC.
Best Tips and Tricks for Best Tank Build in BG3
The best for playing a Tank in BG3 is pre-buff with spells (or scrolls) like Mirror Image, Blur, Shield of Faith, Freedom of Movement, and Death Ward. Some spells require concentration, while others like Death Ward and Freedom of Movement last until a long rest. Also, save scrolls and use them for massive AC boost with Mirror Image just before combat.
Best Consumables, Potions, Ammunition, and Items
The following list is the bestconsumableitems that will aid in our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Tank Build Guide:
Permanent Bonuses for Tank Build BG3
Throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, you will have the ability to gain permanent bonuses to your character. These can grant additional spells, ability scores, and other bonuses. Permanent Bonuses are not displayed throughout the campaign but are vital to increase overall combat performance. We have all permanent bonuses here in a guide, but the most important ones for you to collect are listed below.
Tank Build Changes in Patch 8 for BG3
Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 adds 12 new subclasses, new spells and cantrips. One helpful tank subclass is the Paladin Oath of the Crowns which has an “AOE” taunt subclass feature.
Build Summary – Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Tank
FAQs about the Tank build in Baldur’s Gate 3
What abilities should the Tank prioritize for my class?
Consultation and Dexterity are the most important ability scores for a tank. Constitution determines your overall health and concentration saving throws. Dexterity determines Armour Class or avoiding attacks, however, cannot be used with heavy armour. Therefore, use Armour of Agility in Act 3 if you have above 14 Dexterity to gain the most AC possible.
What are the best feats for Tank builds?
Tough and Alert are the best feats for a Tank in BG3. Tough is great to increase overall health, while Alert helps taking a turn earlier. If you’re using a concentration-heavy tank build, consider War Caster as a great feat.
What are the best multiclass combos?
The best multiclass options for a tank are Light Cleric for Warding Flare, Bard for Bardic Inspiration, or Oath of Crowns Paladin for area based Taunt.
Are there “must-have” items for Tank builds?
Coruscation Ring, Luminous Armour, Luminous Gloves are the best tank items to stack Radiant Orbs on targets, and debuff their attack roll. Clock of Protection, Ring of Protection and Helmet of Balduran are also must have tank items.
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