Paladin
Whatever their origin and their mission, Paladins are united by their oaths to stand against the forces of evil. Whether sworn before a god’s altar and the witness of a priest, in a sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a paladin’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a blessed champion.
Different Paladins focus on various aspects of the cause of righteousness, but all are bound by the oaths that grant them power to do their sacred work. Although many Paladins are devoted to gods of good, a Paladin’s power comes as much from a commitment to justice itself as it does from a god. Paladins train for years to learn the skills of combat, mastering a variety of weapons and armor. Even so, their martial skills are secondary to the magical power they wield: power to heal the sick and injured, to smite the wicked and the undead, and to protect the innocent and those who join them in the fight for justice.
Almost by definition, the life of a Paladin is an adventuring life. Unless a lasting injury has taken him or her away from adventuring for a time, every Paladin lives on the front lines of the cosmic struggle against evil. Fighters are rare enough among the ranks of the militias and armies of the world, but even fewer people can claim the true calling of a Paladin. When they do receive the call, these warriors turn from their former occupations and take up arms to fight evil. Sometimes their oaths lead them into the service of the crown as leaders of elite groups of knights, but even then their loyalty is first to the cause of righteousness, not to crown and country.
Quick Build
You can make a Paladin quickly by following these suggestions. First, STR should be your highest ability score, followed by CHA. Second, choose the Noble Background.
Class Features
Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1D10 per Paladin level
At 1st level: 10 + Your CON Modifier
At higher levels: 1D10 or 6 if lower than 6, + CON Modifier
Proficiencies
- Armor
- All Armor, Shields
- Weapons
- All Weapons
- Tools
- Calligrapher's Supplies
- Saving Throws
- WIS, CHA
- Skills
- Choose two from: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, and Religion
- Spellcasting
- CHA
Starting Equipment
- 1. (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
- 2. (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon
- 3. (a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
- 4. Chain mail and a holy symbol
Paladin Table
| Level | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | — | |||
| 2nd | 3 | — | |||
| 3rd | 4 | 2 | — | ||
| 4th | 4 | 3 | — | ||
| 5th | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| 6th | 4 | 3 | — | ||
| 7th | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| 8th | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | |
| 9th | 4 | 3 | 1 | ||
| 10th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 11th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 12th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 13th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 14th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 15th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 16th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 17th | 4 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 18th | 4 | 3 | |||
| 19th | 4 | 3 | |||
| 20th | 4 | 3 |
Class Features
Lay on Hands
Your blessed touch can heal wounds. You have a pool of healing power that replenishes when you take a long rest. With that pool, you can restore a total number of hit points equal to your Paladin level x 5.
As an action, you can touch a creature and draw power from the pool to restore a number of hit points to that creature, up to the maximum amount remaining in your pool.
Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points from your pool of healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. You can cure multiple diseases and neutralize multiple poisons with a single use of Lay on Hands, expending hit points separately for each one.
This feature has no effect on Undead and Constructs.
Spellcasting
CHA is your spellcasting ability for your Paladin spells. Your magic comes from prayer and dedication to your Oath. You use your CHA whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your CHA modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a Paladin spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC = 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your CHA modifier
Spell attack modifier = your Proficiency Bonus + your CHA modifier
Choose a number of Paladin spells equal to your CHA modifier (Minimum 1) + half your Paladin level, rounded down (Minimum 1). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
You can change your list of prepared spells when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of Paladin spells requires time spent in prayer and meditation: at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell on your list.
Holy Symbol
You have a Holy Symbol that acts as your Spellcasting Focus for Paladin spells. It can be a ring that symbolizes your Oath or a similar object or representation of your Oath.
Weapon and Armor Mastery
You are extensively trained in combat. Your training allows you to use the Weapon Mastery properties of any two weapons. You can use the Armor Mastery properties of one type of armor.
Fighting Style
You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. You can't take the same Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. In addition you can choose from the following Fighting Style option
Blessed Warrior: You learn two cantrips of your choice from the cleric spell list. They count as paladin spells for you, and CHA is your spellcasting ability for them. Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of these cantrips with another cantrip from the Cleric spell list.
Paladin’s Smite
You can channel the signature power that is the calling card of a Paladin. You always have the spell Divine Smite prepared. You can cast it once per long or short rest without expending a spell slot.
Channel Divinity
Your Oath allows you to channel divine energy to fuel magical effects. When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which option to use. You can use this feature twice. You regain one use of this feature during a short rest and all during a long rest.
Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals your spell save DC.
You have the following Channel Divinity option
Divine Sense: As a bonus action you can open your awareness to detect Celestials, Fiends, and Undead. For the next 10 minutes or until you become Incapacitated, you know the location of any creature of those types within 60 ft of you. Within the same radius you can detect the presence of any place or object that has been Consecrated or Desecrated, as with the Hallow spell.
Paladin Oath
You take up a formal Oath that involves defined Ideals and Tenets to guide your actions and empower you. You gain features from your Oath at levels 3, 7, 15, and 20.
Ancients
Conquest
Crown
Dark Knight
Devotion
Forbidden Knowledge
Glory
Heavenly Virtues
Noble Genies
Oathbreaker
Psychopomp
Redemption
Round Table
Seven Deadly Sins
Silver Hand
Treachery
Vengeance
Watchers
Breaking Your Oath
A Paladin tried to hold to the highest standards of conduct, but even the most dedicated are not infallible. A Paladin that has broken their Oath can seek Absolution such as undertaking a fast or all-night vigil.
An unrepentant Paladin should consult with the DM to take a new, more suitable Oath or become an Oathbreaker. Otherwise they abandon the Class and adopt a new one.
Ability Score Increase
You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Extra Attack
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn as your strength and reflexes are further honed.
Faithful Steed
You can call on the aid of an otherworldly steed. You always have the Find Steed spell prepared. You can cast it once per long rest without expending a spell slot.
Aura of Protection
A gentle aura surrounds you. Whenever you or a friendly creature within 10 ft of you must make a saving throw, the creature gains a bonus to the saving throw equal to your CHA modifier (Minimum 1). You must be conscious to grant this bonus.
A creature can only benefit from one Aura of Protection at a time.
Ability Score Increase
You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Abjure Foes
You are granted an additional effect of your Channel Divinity. You can use this feature to overwhelm your foes with awe. As an action you can present your Holy Symbol or weapon, you can target creatures up to your CHA modifier (Minimum 1) that you can see within 60 ft. Each target must succeed a WIS saving throw or become Frightened for one minute or until it takes damage. A creature Frightened this way can do one of the following on its turn: move, take an action, or take a bonus action.
Aura of Courage
You and friendly creatures within 10 ft of you can't be Frightened while you are conscious. Any creature that is Frightened that enters your aura is no longer affected by the condition while in your aura.
Channel Divinity
Your reservoir of holy energy grows with your conviction. You can use your Channel Divinity three times.
Radiant Strikes
Your melee and unarmed strikes have supernatural power. They deal an additional 1D8 Radiant damage on a hit.
Ability Score Increase
You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Restoring Touch
When you use your Lay on Hands feature, you can remove one of the following conditions by expending 5 hit points from your healing pool: Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, Frightened, Paralyzed, or Stunned. For every 5 points you expend you can remove an additional condition as part of the action.
Ability Score Increase
You can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Aura Expansion
Your faith and resolve expand your auras. Your Aura of Protection’s and other aura’s ranges are increased to 30 ft.
Epic Boon
You gain an Epic Boon feat for which you qualify.
Paladin Oaths
Paladin Subclasses (18)
Choose your subclass at the level indicated in the class table above.