Skip to content

Blackguard (Paladin Kit)

The Blackguard epitomises evil — nothing short of mortal fiends. The quintessential black knight, this villain carries a reputation of the foulest sort that is very well deserved. Consorting with demons and devils and serving dark deities, the Blackguard is hated and feared by all. Some call these villains "antipaladins" due to their completely evil nature.

Advantages

  • Immune to level drain and fear.
  • May Rebuke Undead as a Paladin of the same level (commands instead of turning).
  • May use Absorb Health once per day:
    • Deals 2 damage per level to an enemy, healing the Blackguard the same amount.
  • May use Poison Weapon once per day every 5 levels (starts at 1st with one use):
    • Each successful hit within the next round injects poison — 2 damage/second for 6 seconds (12 total), with a save vs. Poison to halve. On failed save, an additional 1 damage/round for 4 rounds.
  • May use Aura of Despair once per day starting at 3rd level. Effects scale with level:
    • 3rd: Enemies within 30 ft: –1 to-hit/damage, –2 AC for 1 turn.
    • 6th: –2 to-hit/damage, –2 AC.
    • 15th: –4 to-hit/damage, –4 AC; fear in enemies of level 8 or below.
    • 20th: –4 to-hit/damage, –4 AC; fear in enemies of level 18 or below.

Disadvantages

  • Alignment restricted to evil.
  • May not cast Detect Evil or Protection from Evil.
  • May not use Lay on Hands ability.

When to pick it

  • The only Paladin path open to evil-aligned protagonists.
  • Blackguards are unaffected by low reputation — see Alignment.
  • Poison Weapon is a fight-ender on bosses with poor save vs. Poison; Aura of Despair turns mid-tier fights into routs.

Source: bg2ee/original_manuals/baldurs_gate_2_ee_mastering_melee_and_magic.pdf — "Blackguard (Paladin Kit)".