Minthara, the enigmatic drow paladin in Baldur’s Gate 3, presents players with a fascinating blend of complexity and dark allure. Whether as a steadfast ally or a formidable adversary, her character is ripe for exploration. When optimized with a carefully crafted build, Minthara’s potential truly shines, allowing players to harness the unique strengths and versatility that define a paladin of her caliber.
Minthara’s innate combat prowess, oath-driven abilities, and versatile roleplaying options make her an exceptional choice for a wide range of playstyles. In this guide, we’ll explore the most effective builds for Minthara, highlighting her ideal subclass options, recommended feats, and strategic tips to fully leverage her strengths both in battle and during roleplaying scenarios.
Minthara Overview
Minthara, a formidable drow paladin, is one of the early antagonists you’ll encounter in Baldur’s Gate 3—especially if you’re following a typical good-aligned path. She commands the goblin forces attacking the Druid Grove, acting under the orders of Ketheric Thorm, one of the three Chosen of the Absolute. Her role adds a compelling layer of tension to the story, challenging players with difficult choices and intense confrontations.
| Strength | Dexterity | Constitution | Intelligence | Wisdom | Charisma |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 12 | 13 | 8 | 10 | 15 |
Minthara’s lore-friendly build is as a Paladin following the Oath of Vengeance, embodying her unwavering conviction and dedication to her cause. While her class can be adjusted to suit your playstyle, her identity as a Paladin reflects a deep commitment to her oath, viewing her role as a crusader of justice rather than a servant of any deity.
Regardless of her class choice, Minthara possesses the unique skill Soul Branding, a bonus action that enhances her or an ally’s next attack with additional fire damage. She also wields the Brand of the Absolute, granting her access to the special benefits of certain items found primarily in Act 1. This combination of abilities reinforces her potent and tactical combat capabilities, making her a valuable ally in any party.
Unlocking Minthara
To unlock Minthara in Act 2 of Baldur’s Gate 3, you must ensure her survival during Act 1. If you face her in combat, avoid killing her and instead knock her out to keep the possibility of recruiting her open. Failing to do so will permanently lock her out as a potential companion.
In Act 2, when you reach Moonrise Towers, head to the basement where prisoners are detained. Minthara isn’t among the main group of prisoners but is held in a side room. There, she’s on the brink of losing her mind due to a ceremony targeting her tadpole. Interrupt the process to free her and gain the opportunity to break her from the tadpole’s control, allowing her to join your roster.
Oath Of Vengeance Paladin Build
Paladins excel at dealing substantial damage through basic attacks, spells, and smites, but they often struggle to recover resources without taking a long rest. This is where Minthara’s Soul Branding ability shines, allowing her to maintain consistent pressure even after exhausting her spell slots.
Rather than holding back and playing conservatively, it’s far more effective to use all of her abilities to their fullest. Once her resources are depleted, consider swapping her out for another companion. Even if you didn’t recruit every available character in Act 1, you’re likely to have more companions than you can bring along at any given time. Rotating them in and out keeps your party dynamic and ensures your team remains effective in battle.
Note
We will recommend spells to prepare at certain levels, but you always have access to the entire paladin spell list.
| Level | Build |
|---|---|
| 2 | Pick the Defense fighting style for the added Armor Class.Ignore Searing Smite since Soul Branding does similar fire damage already. |
| 3 | Minthara gains Faerie Fire , ideal for invisible enemies or ones you plan to attack from a distance. |
| 4 | Pick the Ability Score Improvement option, having your Strength raise to 18 and your Charisma to 16. |
| 5 | Minthara gains Darkness and level 2 spells. Ignore Branding Smite , since Faerie Fire is a better tool for invisible enemies. |
| 8 | Raise Strength to 20. |
| 9 | Gain access to level 3 spells, Daylight being a stand out for the difficult vampiric fights of Act 3. |
| 12 | Pick the Mage Slayer feat if you plan to take Minthara with you on the final fights. |
Minthara starts with a few Illithid powers already unlocked, making her a unique addition to your team. These powers include Charm, Concentrated Blast, Favorable Beginnings, and Psionic Backlash. Among these, Concentrated Blast stands out as a versatile option. It allows you to end concentration on support spells like Bless in exchange for delivering an impactful burst of damage, adding strategic flexibility to your combat approach.
The Best Equipment For Minthara
Minthara thrives as a front-line paladin, excelling with heavy armor and shields that enhance her durability in battle. As a bearer of the Brand of the Absolute, she gains access to unique branded items, though not all align perfectly with her Oath of Vengeance playstyle. Choosing gear that complements her oath ensures she remains both resilient and effective on the battlefield.
- Absolute’s Protector is a great shield that combines offense with defense. With the Brand of the Absolute, Minthara would also reduce all damage from spells by one.
- Adamantine Splint Armour reduces all incoming damage by two, while also preventing critical hits on the wearer.
- Reaper’s Embrace also reduces all incoming damage by two, but also gives the wearer the Howl of the Dead skill, stunning nearby enemies.
- Blood of Lathander is a great weapon for any paladin, since other more damaging weapons are better used by other classes. This mace will allow you to withstand plenty of damage, while also being a true bane for the undead, the most common enemy you’ll face in Act 2.
Paladins, particularly Minthara, can gain significant advantages from certain powerful items. Two standout options, the Adamantine Splint Armour and the Blood of Lathander, are obtainable in Act 1. If you haven’t completed the Gauntlet of Shar in Act 2, you can still return to claim these treasures, making them accessible even if you initially overlooked them.