Baldur’s Gate 3 Occult Knight Warrior Build: equipment, race, characteristics… what to choose?

For players new to playing Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, it can be hard to guess which is the best way to optimize each of the 12 classes. It is even more difficult if we take into account the 46 possible subclasses. Here we offer you the main lines to follow and the best choices to make in general for the Warrior of Baldur’s Gate 3. Nothing prevents you from modifying this build according to the race you want to play, and the items available.

It is possible to respecialize your character from a certain point in the adventure, from the camp. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Introducing the Warrior

A true must-have in Dungeons and Dragons, the Warrior is in essence the basic melee fighter of the game. close combat. Moreover, he can even act as a “Tank” since he perfectly masters the wearing of heavy armor and has a large number of hit points by default.

Very efficient and robust, it is an essential part of many groups. Even if he can be replaced in some more “exotic” compositions, he is generally said to be a safe bet when it comes to fights and choices based on violence or robustness. And although he may seem very lonely at first glance, the Warrior brings with him a certain range of skills capable of saving the life of more than one member of the group!

Subclasses and Fighting Style for the Occult Knight Warrior

The Warrior has three subclasses unlocked at level 2, which will direct him towards slightly different roles, depending on your choice. This gives you time to decide in which branch to go:

• Champions: A basic archetype of the Warrior, this subclass is based on the Warrior’s ability to inflict heavy damage and take at least as much damage. He is a frontline fighter, leading the charge and usually taking the most damage.
• Warmaster: Very versatile, this subclass makes the Warrior able to have greater control over his opponents using multiple skills, in addition to inflicting substantial penalties to harm them even more. Less damage, more control!
• Dark Knight: Very different from two other subclasses, the Occult Knight combines the martial power of the Warrior with the magical power of an Occultist. This makes him very versatile too, at the expense of a little bit of melee power, an interesting choice nonetheless.

In terms of combat style, for the occult Knight that we strongly recommend in this guide, prefer to orient yourself towards Two-handed weapons for a more offensive style of play, or towards Protection for a gameplay rather oriented on the assistance from your allies and the ability to take a lot of damage.

Origin for the Occult Knight Warrior

Among the predefined characters available in Baldur’s Gate 3, there is indeed a Warrior. It is Lae’zel, a Githyanki with a strong character and very specific ambitions who has this honor. Her race and constitution make Lae’zel an excellent Warrior that we highly recommend if you want to opt for a predefined character. Otherwise, the option of a custom character remains accessible!

Background for the Occult Knight Warrior

Without a doubt, the best History for a Warrior specializing in Occult Knight is Soldier. This maximizes his ability to be a frontline fighter while also boosting his proficiency with heavy weapons and armor. You can also opt for the Sage if you want to lean towards the intellect of this class, a clearly interesting choice. Here are the choices that may be of interest:

• Soldier : You benefit from a bonus to Athletics and Intimidation, two skills that are particularly useful when interacting with the game’s NPCs, whether in combat or when chatting. A real brute!
• Wise : You gain a bonus to Religion and Insight, two skills that passively increase your Intelligence and allow you to better interact with the surrounding magical elements, useful for detecting certain magically hidden secrets.
• Sidekick: You benefit from a bonus to Religion and Insight, two very useful skills during your travels in the mysterious confines borrowing from sometimes divine mysteries that only you can penetrate.

Race for the Occult Knight Warrior

Larian Studios has customized the classes, which has erased most of the differences since they all have +2 to one characteristic and +1 to another of your choice. You have quite a few viable options for your race, although there are some that stand out:

• Githyanki: A mastery of your choice between each long rest (Astral Knowledge), Access to the Hand of the Mage spell (Githyanki psionic power: Hand of the Mage), Moves faster, farther (Base racial speed), bonus with Light Armor and intermediate as well as with short, long and two-handed swords (Martial Prodigy)
• Dwarf (of shield): Moves faster, farther (Base Racial Speed), can see in the dark (Darkvision), bonuses with Axes, Hatchets, Light Hammers and Warhammers (Dwarf Weapons Training), better resistance to poison effects (Dwarf Resistance) and light and medium armor proficiency (Dwarf Armor Training)

Occult Knight Warrior Skills

The Occult Knight Warrior benefits greatly from most stats, though in moderation since it depends on which ones you target first. In this guide, we suggest that you orient yourself towards Strength and Dexterity (the Constitution having no correspondence here), so we will select skills that boost them:

• Athletics : Your Strength allows you to jump higher, further. In addition, this skill allows you to push back your enemies more reliably in addition to preventing them from doing the same to you. A big advantage in a lot of situations.
• Acrobatics: You are more resistant to effects that knock you back and knock you down, an important element when in melee and which can have serious repercussions if the opponent gets his way!
• Research: A viable Intelligence-focused alternative that can prove very useful in improving your ability to uncover mysteries hidden from the eyes of inattentive adventurers.

Characteristics of the Occult Knight Warrior

Considering that you are going to base your character on Strength and Constitution for combat, here is the recommended assignment as an Eldritch Knight:

• Strength: 17
• Dexterity: 14
• Constitution: 16
• Intellect: 8
• Wisdom: 10
• Charisma: 8

Equipment for the Occult Knight Warrior

There are quite a few viable options depending on your playstyle and the gear found. Equip Heavy Armor to maximize your survivability as soon as you have the required feat, otherwise Medium Armor will do the trick in the meantime.

As a main weapon, any two-handed combat weapon will do depending on which ones you have access to. Typically, you’ll mostly be looking to get a Greatsword or Two-Handed Ax (especially a sword if you’re playing Githyanki), but a Polearm also works great (it even opens up some very powerful possibilities in matters of personalization).

Equip a longbow or crossbow as a ranged weapon so you always have something to do even when an enemy is too far away. Despite your low Dexterity score, this is still a significant bonus that can save your entire party in certain situations.

Occult Knight Warrior Spells and Skills

Minor spells

• Level 3: Fire Bolt, Light
• Level 10: Poison Puff

spells

• Level 3: Magic Missile, Thundering Wave
• Level 4: Chromatic Orb
• Level 7: Shattering, Darkness
• Level 10: squall
• Level 11: fiery ray

Extended spells

• Level 3: Dead leaf
• Level 8: magic weapon

SKILLS

• Level 1 : Second Wind (obtained by default)
• Level 2 : Passion (obtained by default)

Occult Knight Warrior Leveling and Gifts

It is recommended to choose the skill of Improvement of characteristics at level 4 to maximize your combat power thanks to Strength, and your survival thanks to Constitution.

Every few levels, you have the choice between a Gift, and +2 Attribute points to assign (maximum 20 by default). You will have this opportunity 3 times in total, at level 12.

• Level 4: Improvement of characteristics (+1 Strength, +1 Constitution)
• Level 6: heavy protection
• Level 8: Heavy Armor Master
• Level 12: Master of arms