Learn all about the devoted warriors known as paladins
Paladins are powerful warriors that have made a sacred oath. A paladin follows a strict code of discipline and devotion. While the archetypal paladin is lawful good, protecting the innocent and the weak, paladins in 5e can be much more varied than this (though certainly do steer towards being protectors). They are usually tough, well-armoured, damage dealers that can enhance their abilities with a solid number of spells.
How to play as a paladin
Paladins are widely considered one of the stronger classes. They are tough with lots of HP, access to all armour types for high AC (and spells that can enhance this too), deal lots of damage (especially when paired with smites) and can heal. Some of their abilities allow you the ability to protect those around you too so you’ll usually want your paladin in the heat of battle. On top of the paladin’s battle prowess is the fact that they can also act as a support healer when your cleric isn’t available. This makes paladins very useful and versatile characters. Paladins use Charisma as their spellcasting ability so you’ll want to prioritise this ability to maximise on your spellcasting, this also makes the paladin a great option for out of combat interactions. Strength will also be important to get your paladin maximising their damage output.
Paladin Strengths
High damage output, high defence, spells to cast, healing abilities and the ability to defend others gives paladins a lot of strengths. Unlike some of the other more versatile classes, paladins still manage to perform near the top for damage and defence while also having their uses outside of combat with some of their spells and their high charisma.
Paladin Weaknesses
There’s not much here really, though they are found lacking when it comes to ranged combat and don’t really deal area of effect damage like some other spellcasters. They also come undone when it comes to stealth due to their usual relience on heavy armour but in reality, paladins are one of the more powerful classes available.
Paladin class features
| Party Role | Tank, Melee Damage Dealer, Support Caster, Healer |
| Main Ability | Strength and Charisma |
| Saving Throws | Wisdom, Charisma |
| Hit Dice | 1d10 + Consitution modifier per level |
| HP at 1st Level | 10 + Constitution Modifier |
| Spell Casting Ability | Charisma |
| Armour Proficiency | All Armour, shields |
| Weapon Proficiency | Simple weapons, martial weapons |
Paladin Abilities
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Divine Sense, Lay on Hands | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2nd | +2 | Fighting Style, Spellcasting, Divine Smite | 2 | – | – | – | – |
| 3rd | +2 | Divine Health, Sacred Oath | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | – | – | – | – |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack | 4 | 2 | – | – | – |
| 6th | +3 | Aura of Protection | 4 | 2 | – | – | – |
| 7th | +3 | Sacred Oath Feature | 4 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | – | – | – |
| 9th | +4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | – | |
| 10th | +4 | Aura of Courage | 4 | 3 | 2 | – | – |
| 11th | +4 | Improved Divine Smite | 4 | 3 | 3 | – | – |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | 3 | – | – |
| 13th | +5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | – | |
| 14th | +5 | Cleansing Touch | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | – |
| 15th | +5 | Sacred Oath Feature | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 17th | +6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | |
| 18th | +6 | Aura Improvements | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 20th | +6 | Sacred Oath Feature | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Paladin subclasses in D&D 5e
| Rogue Subclass | Subclass Features | Source Book | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oath of Devotion | Tenets of Devotion, Channel Divinity, Aura of Devotion, Purity of SPirit, Holy Nimbus | Player’s Handbook | Holy warriors, devoted to their cause. |
| Oath of the Ancients | Tenets of the Ancients, Channel Divinity, Aura of Warding, Undying Sentinel, Elder Champion | Player’s Handbook | Paladins that seek to wage war against darkness for a love of light and life. |
| Oath of Vengeance | Tenets of Vengeance, Channel Divinity, Relentless Avenger, Soul of Vengeance, Avenging Angel | Player’s Handbook | A paladin that has dedicated themself to punishing the crimes of others. |
| Oathbreaker | Channel Divinity, Aura of Hate, Supernatural Resistance, Dread Lord | Dungeon Master’s Guide | A paladin that broke an oath long ago and that is cursed for this choice. |
| Oath of the Crown | Tenets of the Crown, Channel Divinity, Divine Allegiance, Unyielding Saint, Exalted Champion | Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide | A paladin sworn to protect the crown and its lands. |
| Oath of Conquest | Tenets of Conquest, Channel Divinity, Aura of Conquest, Scornful Rebuke, Invincible Conqueror | Xanathar’s Guide to Everything | A paladin sworn to conquer and bring about victory. |
| Oath of Redemption | Tenets of Redemption, Channel Divinity, Aura of the Guardian, Protective Spirit, Emissary of Redemption | Xanathar’s Guide to Everything | Paladins that believe anyone can be redeemed and will inflict death only as a last resort. |
| Oath of Glory | Tenets of Glory, Channel Divinity, Aura of Alacrity, Glorious Defense, Living Legend | Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything | A paladin that has made an oath to win at all costs and have their name etched into legends. |
| Oath of the Watchers | Tenets of the Watchers, Channel Divinity, Aura of the Sentinel, Vigilant Rebuke, Mortal Bulwark | Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything | A paladin that watches for and protects from the unnatural and alien forces of the universe. |
