Dungeons and Dragons’ paladin class is an incredibly versatile character. Their abilities can range from being a reliable defender or healer to an impressive striker who deals a lot of damage in one round.
Constructing a Paladin requires getting an intimate understanding of their character. This includes selecting which deity they serve and why they do what they do.
Oath of Glory
The Oath of Glory is an oath a Paladin takes in order to receive a divine mission. This quest often has legendary potential and could earn them a place in legend; therefore, they dedicate themselves to training in order to fulfill it successfully.
The oath is an act of devotion to honor, courage and justice that sets standards for how one should conduct themselves in the presence of gods and mortals alike.
When selecting your oath, take into account the purpose of the holy quest you are on and how you wish to conduct yourself within its boundaries. Additionally, draw inspiration from mythological sources for guidance.
A Paladin who takes the Oath of Glory is an adventurer, inspired by epic stories and legends. They hope that one day their deeds will be immortalized alongside those of yore, and are determined to fulfill that promise.
They strive to extinguish evil and protect the righteous, adhering to the principles of Kindling the Light, Sheltering the Light, Preserving Their Own Light, and Being the Light. Generally neutral in alignment, these individuals prioritize upholding principles of justice over any concerns of law or chaos.
Additionally, Oath of Glory paladins can use Channel Divinity to imbue their weapons with positive energy, adding their Charisma modifier to attack rolls and creating bright and dim light for several minutes as a reaction. They could also use this power to manipulate fiends and undead into fleeing entities by turning them into light sources.
The Oath of Glory is an intriguing option for Paladins as it grants some powerful abilities that are unique to the class. Unfortunately, however, most of its spell list requires concentration, making it not suitable if you want an all-inclusive Paladin build.
Oath of Honor
Paladins swear an Oath of Honor that requires them to demonstrate their strength and valor for the greater good. Typically clad in heavy armor with impressive martial prowess, they charge headfirst into danger to uphold the values and code that unites them with their deity.
Paladins can choose to break their oath, becoming Oathbreakers and swearing allegiance to darkness instead of their deity. Some paladins take this path in order to pursue their own desires; others may find that adhering to good and righteous action proves too taxing on their minds and bodies.
Paladins can use their oath spells to accomplish a variety of tasks, from healing allies and supporting them during combat to casting offensive magic depending on which oath was chosen. Whether or not these spells work against an opponent is often the difference in victory when engaged in battle.
Though it can be tempting to smite an enemy as hard as possible, many other subclasses offer better smiting options. Some specializations focus on specific skills or even a particular class which could be ideal for paladins looking to hone their oath spell casting skills while still dealing damage with melee weapons.
Another option that focuses on using their oath spells to damage enemies is the Oath of the Watchers. Paladins who take this oath hone their powers to become unstoppable guardians of their home world, receiving bonuses on Charisma, Wisdom and Intelligence saving throws. Furthermore, they can enchant weapons with Abjure the Extraplanar power which allows them to turn otherworldly creatures against themselves for a time – useful when taking on dangerous monsters or protecting allies from attacks from these same monsters.
Oath of Pacifism
Paladins adhere to an uncompromising philosophy: that violence should never be their way. They strive to put an end to the conflict between good and evil by doing their part to promote peaceful coexistence.
They believe that those responsible for crimes against others must be stopped, and will use all means necessary to safeguard the weak, enslaved, innocents and those on the wrong path. They achieve this through weaponry and divine magic but always prioritize peaceful methods when possible as well as ways to punish those who have gone too far in their violence.
Paladins can choose this oath, and those seeking peace will find it particularly helpful. It provides them with two Channel Divinity options – a personal protection spell and an area of effect spell designed to de-escalate confrontations.
Paladins gain the power to mend wounds and cast a rebuke spell that deals radiant damage to creatures whose attacker takes some amount of damage from their attacks. They may choose for this ability only apply to their own attacks or all attacks they make; additionally, the spell can be cast as a smite attack.
Paladins looking to focus their attacks on one enemy should consider The Oath of Vengeance. It grants them access to a powerful rebuke spell that deals massive damage, as well as the ability to designate a target for attacks – making taking on powerful opponents much simpler.
Oath of Enmity
A Paladin is a lawful good character who swears an oath to serve justice and the greater good. While they may not be perfect, they strive to live by the highest standards of morality and conduct.
A Paladin’s Oath is the final test of their training, and signifies their ultimate dedication to their chosen cause. For some, this may just be a formality; for others though, it represents all they’ve learned over the course of several years.
The Oath of Enmity is the crowning achievement of the Paladin subclass, and it’s an incredibly potent one. This Channel Divinity option allows you to select any creature within 10 feet that you can see within 10 feet, then give Advantage on attack rolls against that creature for one full minute.
It can be an effective tool for swiftly dispatching creatures, and if maintained, can do incredible damage. But be mindful that this spell effect requires concentration to maintain, and could potentially be countered by your target, so don’t waste too much time working on this one.
The Oath of Vengeance subclass is one of the strongest in the game, particularly when targeting one enemy. Not only do you get all your standard paladin abilities, but you also gain some unique options for chasing down enemies, scaring them with fear effects, and dishing out justice as it deserves. It’s easy to see why this subclass has become so popular; the only downside is that it takes some time to fully develop its power and functionality at higher levels; if you can wait though, some really awesome features will become available when available at higher levels!
Oath of Terror
Paladins are holy warriors who wield the power of their gods, bound together by binding oaths that granted them powers as long as they upheld honor and their word. While having considerably weaker spellcasting abilities than clerics, Paladins possess far greater raw damage potential from divine smites unleashed from their weapons.
Making the selection of your Paladin’s Oath is critical as it will shape all of your character’s abilities and spells. Make sure that the name and tenets of this Oath are thematically related to the campaign or setting you are working in.
Paladins who swear the Oath of Terror are powerful and aggressive fighters who seek to conquer their enemies. They usually wear shining plate mail as they charge headfirst into danger.
They possess exceptional strength and resilience, making them excellent BBEG hunters.
Paladins gain additional spells at 3rd, 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th levels based on their Oath. These spells are tailored to reflect the theme of their oath and can be powerful tools for defeating opponents or strengthening your party’s defenses.
At higher levels, paladins also gain access to Channel Divinity options that add extra effects to their attacks or actions. These may include beams of light, dispel magic, and zones for truth.
By choosing to take the Oath of Terror at 3rd level, you gain two additional Channel Divinity options that can be selected as part of a free action.
Channel Divinity options offer your paladin an edge, helping them stand out from other classes. They can be used to infuse willing allies with renewed vitality or enhance both of your movement speeds; alternatively, it could compel an opponent to use their reaction against you instead.
