Paladin

Class kits

The penalties associated with a kit are far outweighed by the benefits, so it usually makes sense to play a kitted paladin.

Undead Hunter

Bonuses:

• +3 bonus to hit and damage against undead
• Immunity to hold
• Immunity to level drain

Penalties:

• Cannot use Lay on Hands

Given the number of undead enemies in all three of the games, an Undead Hunter is probably the most useful kit. Immunity to level drain is a game-changer when dealing with vampires, especially early on before you get items which provide Negative Plane Protection. Immunity to hold is also useful in Baldur's Gate, because Hold Person is a favourite spell of enemy mages. It is less useful in later games when you will likely succeed on your Save vs Spells roll.

Remember to assign some proficiency points into blunt weapons, such as a quarterstaff, because some undead, especially skeletons, take reduced damage from piercing and slashing weapons.