Paladin
Clad in plate armor that gleams in the sunlight despite the dust and grime of long travel, a human lays down her sword and shield and places her hands on a mortally wounded man. Divine radiance shines from her hands, the man’s wounds knit closed, and his eyes open wide with amazement.
A dwarf crouches behind an outcrop, his black cloak making him nearly invisible in the night, and watches an orc war band celebrating its recent victory. Silently, he stalks into their midst and whispers an oath, and two orcs are dead before they even realize he is there.
Silver hair shining in a shaft of light that seems to illuminate only him, an elf laughs with exultation. His spear flashes like his eyes as he jabs again and again at a twisted giant, until at last his light overcomes its hideous darkness.
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.
Often called Arcane Knights, these paladins respect and have a strong devotion to the weave of magic. The following are the tenets of arcanism:
Magic Fills The Life: Each form of life holds their own magic. We all must respect each life form due to that.
Magic Holds Responsibility: Magic is an ability that grants us god like powers, it must be used with responsibility and only to do good, never use magic to harm the innocent and prevent others from doing so.
Magic From Any Source: Magic can be reached by multiple means, studying all those means is importat to trully understand magic. Magic users are the best friends, learn all you can do from them.
Unveil The Arcane Secrets: The more you know about magic, the better. Do what it takes to discover the secrets of magic, unless it would harm the innocent.
The Oath of Ascendancy is an embodiment of
the unstoppable and tempestuous wrath of the
elements. You are among these champions known
as the stormguard, blue knights, or thunder warriors.
These paladins are first into the fray and the last to
leave a battlefield, throwing themselves into danger
without a thought to the risks involved in their quests
for spiritual ascension. Most are quick to anger, but
also quick to calm, as a storm can appear suddenly and
fade just as fast. Summoning the strength of elemental
lightning to smite your foes, you will ride the winds to
glory, for your legend has only just begun.
Wealth is the availability of goods and services,
and thus is a representation of both power and
opportunity. A wealthy benefactor can save a
civilization, while a wealthy tyrant can turn the
world on its head. You’ve sworn to let nothing
stand between you and the accumulation of wealth,
as any whim that takes you can be accomplished
with the prudent use of overwhelming financial
might. You may have attracted the attention of the
Currency Conspiracy, for if your greed blinds you
to the truth of their work, then they will gladly take
you into their ranks.
The Oath of Conquest calls to paladins who seek glory in battle and the subjugation of their enemies. It isn’t enough for these paladins to establish order. They must crush the forces of chaos. Sometimes called knight tyrants or iron mongers, those who swear this oath gather into grim orders that serve gods or philosophies of war and well-ordered might.
Some of these paladins go so far as to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins — called hell knights — as his most ardent supporters. Hell knights cover their armor with trophies taken from fallen enemies, a grim warning to any who dare oppose them and the decrees of their lords. These knights are often most fiercely resisted by other paladins of this oath, who believe that the hell knights have wandered too far into darkness.
Oath of Despair
The Oath of Devotion binds a paladin to the loftiest ideals of justice, virtue, and order. Sometimes called cavaliers, white knights, or holy warriors, these paladins meet the ideal of the knight in shining armor, acting with honor in pursuit of justice and the greater good. They hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct, and some, for better or worse, hold the rest of the world to the same standards. Many who swear this oath are devoted to gods of law and good and use their gods’ tenets as the measure of their devotion. They hold angels—the perfect servants of good—as their ideals, and incorporate images of angelic wings into their helmets or coats of arms.
The Oath of Engagements for paladins comes to protect all
those that are defenseless, and to never run from battle.
Paladins that take this oath swear to be at the forefront of
every conflict, to overcome all enemies, and to remain
victorious. These paladins are commonly seen from those
that were raised in barbaric tribes.
The Oath of Judgement is made by a paladin with the belief
that any crime can be forgiven, but a few of them can only be
forgiven by death. Whether they're called an executioner, an
inquisitor, or insultingly a butcher, they work within the law
and allow the indicted to atone for whatever deed they've
done. To imprison a thief or execute a murderer, only the
appropriate punishment for the crime committed can be
called judgment. To act otherwise is merely vengeance.
The Oath of Mercy is a vow undertaken by those who wish to
end the world's suffering. These compassionate souls seek
out creatures in pain and work tirelessly to aid them.
Sometimes it's vanquishing a relentless tyrant, other times it's
finding the cure to a devastating plague. Other, less tangible
woes aren't so simple to cure. Paladins who follow this oath
will sometimes have to make hard decisions to do what it
takes to end the pain in any way possible.
The Oath of Night is as old as the darkness itself.
Sometimes called ‘shadow knights’, paladins who swear
this oath believe that darkness, and those who dwell within
it, are not meant to be feared, but embraced, understood
and protected.
Some paladins worship dark gods, corrupting
their healing abilities and restoration into
curses, plagues, and blights. Where other
paladins heal the sick and blind, paladins of this
oath, occasionally called antipaladins, afflict
their victims with fear, madness, and disease.
For many mortals, power is a means of control and a resource
for rule. You, however, have been granted power for the
purpose of providing it to others again. Your strength is a gift
you use to become a living symbol of hope that brings peace to
others' hearts and power into their lives. Lead the way, and
rise up against those evil forces that would threaten the realm
or oppress the commoner. You have the power!
Paladins who follow the Oath of Predation believe
that the world can only be made perfect through utter
control. Through careful planning, subterfuge and
unwavering patience, these paladins create hierarchies
with themselves at the top, and execute their power with
impunity. Few paladins can resist the allure of unchecked
power, and most succumb to the temptations of tyranny.
The clearest example of these illriggers come from the
Dragonlance campaign setting, an order known as the
Knights of Takhisis.
Paladins who take the Oath of Providence believe they
are the hand of destiny, striking down enemies beyond
redemption. They believe in their hearts that some
creatures, often those who commit atrocities, are fated to
die in battle. These paladins are the executioners. Their
oath gives them the power to bend destiny in their favor
and send foes to their final fate.
The Oath of Purification dedicates a paladin to the pursuit of rooting out and cleansing the corruption they see in their world. Sometimes referred to as hell knights, inquisitors, and red knights. It is rare that a paladin chooses to fight fire with fire, but those that have done so often exercise extreme caution. They are well aware of the destructive force of fire to anything in close proximity. Still, there have been those that have lost their temper, causing ruin and tainting the name of others that swear the oath.
The Oath of Radiance is almost as old as the sun that it follows, and has remained a steady force of good over the ages. Often called sun warriors or shining knights, paladins that take this oath seek to bring light and knowledge to even the darkest areas of the
world. Some of them adorn their armor with dazzling inlaid glass and brilliantly bright metals, so that they can reflect the sun’s glory and become physical beacons on the battlefield. They also might wear images of the sun or stars—the holy lights that bring
life and knowledge to this world, and reveal all that is hidden by shadows and darkness. Like a star in the night, a paladin of the Oath of Radiance seeks to be a light of truth in the dark.
The Oath of rebellion binds you to a cause. You revolt against authority wherever it tries to use it's influence to oppress the people. You take a stand and don't move until your goal is fulfilled.
The Oath of Redemption sets a paladin on a difficult path, one that requires a holy warrior to use violence only as a last resort. Paladins who dedicate themselves to this oath believe that any person can be redeemed and that the path of benevolence and justice is one that anyone can walk. These paladins face evil creatures in the hope of turning their foes to the light, and they slay their enemies only when such a deed will clearly save other lives. Paladins who follow this path are known as redeemers.
While redeemers are idealists, they are no fools. Redeemers know that undead, demons, devils, and other supernatural threats can be inherently evil. Against such foes, paladins who swear this oath bring the full wrath of their weapons and spells to bear. Yet the redeemers still pray that, one day, even creatures of wickedness will invite their own redemption.
The Oath of Resolve is a lonely path, walked by those who
seek to achieve as much with their lives as they can. They are
wandering crusaders, looking for wrongs to right, or to
hamper the efforts of those whose aims will lead to chaos and
pain, wherever they might be. These knights do not trouble
themselves with the why, and if a larger trouble comes along
while they already pursue a task, they do not falter. The only
thing that matters is the next step, for the last one never
comes.
The Oath of Sanity is the oath of someone that has survived exposure to the horrors that lay beyond the veil.
While most who have glimpsed into the Far Realm suffer instant and irrevocable madness, these Paladins have glimpsed beyond and sworn to remain sane, no matter what the cost. They reject shielding their fragile mind from what they've seen in the comforting shroud of madness.
An Oath of Sanity Paladin will usually seem to others as true neutral or lawful neutral following obscure codes incomprehensible to those who haven't experienced a brush with the beyond, their morality coming in blue and orange rather than black and white. Almost universally they are dedicated to preventing the threats beyond from consuming the material world and shattering the fragile minds within.
These are the ones who make grim decisions for the greater good, for they know what lies beyond.
There's no need to ask about the origin, identity, or aims of the Oath of Secrecy. It's never been known, nor revealed. It is often opined, optimistically, that these paladins are all quietly guarding us against some unseen threat.
Perhaps they are themsel-
The Oath of Sorrow is a vow to accept pain, to endure misery,
and to use the melancholy within you as fuel for the fires of
life. Those who follow this oath are a dour lot, but only
because they see just how precious mortality is. A paladin
who makes a vow to bring their sorrow with them uses it as a
weapon, sharing their grief with others to still their hand of
evil. Nothing angers them more than needless sorrow,
because sadness without joy makes only more sadness. They
fight those who are cruel and selfish, those who seek to
spread pain for its own sake.
When the first weapons were forged, there were those who
saw them as a divine gift, godly extensions of the warrior.
These believers were among the first to live by the blade, for
the blade, creating an order of elite warriors who sought
enlightenment through battle. It is said that the spirits of
some of these mighty warriors linger, eons after their death -
bound to the weapons they wielded, providing guidance to
their wielders and ushering in the next generation of
oathsworn. While followers of this oath primarily use bladed
weapons, it is not unheard of for them to do otherwise.
The Oath of the Ancients is as old as the race of elves and the rituals of the druids. Sometimes called fey knights, green knights, or horned knights, paladins who swear this oath cast their lot with the side of the light in the cosmic struggle against darkness because they love the beautiful and life-giving things of the world, not necessarily because they believe in principles of honor, courage, and justice. They adorn their armor and clothing with images of growing things—leaves, antlers, or flowers—to reflect their commitment to preserving life and light in the world.
Paladins who follow the Oath of the Bartender are known for being some of the most hospitible people in the entirity of the
multiverse. Usually following harvest gods such as Chauntea
or Yondalla, or even gods that represent personal fufillment
or wealth such as Sharess. They spend their time guarding
their bars with great pride and bringing food, drink, and
satisfaction to anyone looking to buy their product. Those
who follow this oath usually adventure in hopes to please a
high paying client or even to promote their place of buisness
in far off lands and to very exotic races. In the end, the
bartender always gets his pay.
Not all those who swear oaths do so for upstanding reasons. The fearsome warriors of the high seas, Corsair Paladins, swear an oath to themselves and their crew. They will do whatever it takes to maintain their freedom, their fortune, and the favor of their shipmates. Chaotic by nature, these scallywags abhor any laws that aren't their own.
The Oath of the Crown is sworn to the ideals of civilization, be it the spirit of a nation, fealty to a sovereign, or service to a deity of law and rulership. The paladins who swear this oath dedicate themselves to serving society and, in particular, the just laws that hold society together. These paladins are the watchful guardians on the walls, standing against the chaotic tides of barbarism that threaten to tear down all that civilization has built, and are commonly known as guardians, exemplars, or sentinels. Often, paladins who swear this oath are members of an order of knighthood in service to a nation or a sovereign, and undergo their oath as part of their admission to the order’s ranks.
The oath of the damned binds one to the Nine Hell. Paladins
that take this oath submit themselves to the rule of an
archdevil, or even Asmodeus himself. They are tasked to
spread the dark influence of their master, by sowing
corruption and chaos in the material plane. Also known as
Messengers of Hell, they are sent to collect on contracts or
to find people who are willing to form new ones.
In the beginning there was nothing; even before that nothing,
there was something older than time, older than space,
lurking right outside the universe. Ancient groups of humans
researched, prayed to, and worshipped this being, eventually
tapping into its powers. Thus, the first order of the Far
Knights was formed.
Paladins who take the Oath of the Frontier are the sworn protectors of the furthest reaches of civilization. Sometimes known as vanguards, outriders, and vagabond knights these paladins leave behind the comforts of civilized society to serve as its front line defenders, traversing vast distances across harsh terrain in search of people in need.
The Oath of the Grave is a seldom practiced tradition, most
commonly reserved for the followers of Etarnus.
Sometimes called winter knights, black knights, or grave knights,
these paladins serve as protectors of the sacred passings into the
afterlife. They constantly struggle against the forces of undeath,
as they see them as the most unholy abominations that blight this
land. They adorn themselves with images of death and winter -
skulls, ravens, or similar symbols of their patron gods.
The oath of the grim hunt is a calling that requires its followers to seek out and destroy the many evils that stalk the mortal realms. Often called Grim knights, or Knight Slayers, these hunters dedicate themselves, body and soul, to hunting down the monstrous, the wicked, and the mutated, and destroying them with a burning, merciless prejudice.
Tenets of the Grim Hunt
Kill the monster, burn the cult: Seek and destroy the monsters that seek to feast on the woes of mortals, and end the lives of their mortal followers.
Defy the dark ones: Evil persists because it lays seeds. Destroy the foundations of the dark gods power and wipe their names from the histories.
Be ever prepared: Your enemy never rests, but you must never be unable to answer the call. Abstain from drink, and gluttony. Keep your body strong, and your will unbreakable.
No mercy for the wicked: Your enemies lack empathy and mercy. Have none and show them none.
Those who take up the Oath of the Grim March are those
who have looked into the eyes of undeath and have seen its
horror. They are the few who know of the value of death and
how it is a beauty compared to the horrors that are its
alternatives. These paladins have taken up the calling to
banish the dark touch of necromancy no matter what the
cost, even if it means using its enemy again it.
Knowledge is a wondrous thing and few appreciate it more than the Oath of the Librarians. These paladins see it as their duty to accumulate all knowledge into a single collection and to use that collection to enlighten the world. For this purpose, they aligned themselves with the Temple City of Korydun and the Church of the Saphire Eye, to create the Grand Library a collection of everything the Librarians have learned. They have even created a type of magic to grant them access to their library from anywhere in the world.
But just because a paladin has access to the Grand Library, does not make it an easy task to call upon its vast troves of knowledge. A paladin can spend their entire life learning how to navigate the seemingly infinite amount of knowledge. It is not as simple as turning the pages of a book. The Grand Library constitutes a library as large as several cities, and it is always growing. To search through its archives, a paladin must use special techniques.
Sometimes a paladin can call upon divine guidance to lead them to what they need to know. Sometimes they must do battle, the movements of their foes working to call forth the information they need. Other times, they will simply need to spend hours diligently searching the library for what they need.
As old as the race of dwarves, as unchanging as the greatest
peaks, the Oath of the Mountain calls to paladins that must
stand against unending hordes and defend against constant
threat. Sometimes called bulwarks, bastions or earthen
knights, these paladins seek to be a reassuring constant in an
uncertain and volatile world. Though they swear themselves to
the highest standards of duty and vigilance, they are careful
not to appear as untouchable paragons of virtue, integrating
themselves with folks from all walks of life and lending them
an ear and hand as needed; so though these unyielding
defenders can stand alone against the tide, it is a rare
occasion indeed. Those who swear this oath adorn their
armor with natural minerals and motifs of earth and stone, to
represent their stalwart commitment to defending their
charges.
Some people say man is the most dangerous prey. They’re wrong, can man ignite the air and freeze your blood? Can man turn into flocks of rats when cornered in an alley? No they can’t.
Wizards are the most dangerous prey.
The Spellbreaker is an oath that was created during the Crystal Age, once the world realised the power that wizards could wield and the absolute destruction they could bring about. Sometimes called anti-magic knights or magic nullifiers, paladins who swear this oath want to prevent the corruption of magic to spread further, and hunt mages who bring harm to their community. Often times those victimized by wizards and other magic users who have
Those who follow the Oath of Spiders are usually found
living in temples to their arachnid gods that are built
underground or in caves. Paladins who follow this oath are
primarily female as the majority of those who follow this oath
are servents to the Queen of Spiders, Lolth. However, it is not
uncommon for a male to become a knight in the hopes that
he would gain favor with the Queen of Spiders and gain her
boon in an attempt to please her, usually these males become
Driders. Those who follow this Oath usually become their
matriarch's personal assassins, skulking around in an
attempt to destroy priests that follow Lolth's rivals.
When the stars are threatened by the cosmic darkness that wants to consume all light, heroes are called upon to ascend beyond the quarrels of gods and men, to ensure that the glorious light never ceases to shine.
The Oath of the Titan is taken by those who wish to become
larger than life, an oath made that allows a person to be a
living testament to their own strength. Like walking statues,
and often bigger, they wade through the thick of the fight as a
force to be reckoned with. A giant amongst their people, they
are unmistakable and act as beacons for others to fight
against the coming tide. Not just content with leading as an
example by their actions, the need to be seen, heard, and felt
is intrinsic to their very being. The sounds of their heavy
strikes echo like thunder, twins of the hammer blows that
leave the telling of their tales in stone and steel for all to see.
Unconquered Paladin's are soldiers who dedicate themselves
to defending the ideals of freedom and prosperity and
fighting those who would use strength and violence to
subdue and rule the weak. Commonly called Bulwark
knights, mountain Knights, and The Unbroken, these soldiers
stride into battle with defensive magics alight, making them
mobile fortresses that can withstand the wrath of kings,
emperors, and gods.
Commonly known as blackguards, these profane
warriors are faithful only to trickster gods,
demons lords, or their own image. These
paladins make backstabbing and duplicity an art
among their ranks. Even the Lords of Hell are
loath to ally with these champions of discord, but
sometimes Baalzebul and Glasya find a kindred
spirit in a blackguard’s penchant for double
dealing and treachery.
The Oath of Unlife is a rare and secretive tradition, one that offers two distinct and very different paths. Sometimes called reapers or grave knights, paladins who swear this oath commit themselves to furthering the cause of necromancy and the undead, believing that undeath is simply a new, and superior, stage of life, free of all mortal fears and concerns. Some seek to achieve their goals through nonviolent means, challenging the views of these traditionally taboo subjects by showing others the benefits of undeath and treating their subjects with the utmost respect.
Many more, however, walk a path of darkness, seeing the masses as narrow minded fools who can only be taught by force. These death knights frequently pledge allegiance to powerful evil undead or other unholy forces, bringing little but death and destruction with their raised servants.
The Oath of Vengeance is a solemn commitment to punish those who have committed a grievous sin. When evil forces slaughter helpless villagers, when an entire people turns against the will of the gods, when a thieves’ guild grows too violent and powerful, when a dragon rampages through the countryside — at times like these, paladins arise and swear an Oath of Vengeance to set right that which has gone wrong. To these paladins — sometimes called avengers or dark knights — their own purity is not as important as delivering justice.
Those who follow this oath may initially seem to be lawless
tricksters and liars, but their behaviour is all but random or
malicious. Sometimes known as faerie knights, Knights of the
Court and fey knights (much to the chagrin of certain other
paladins), these paladins are bound by the strange rules of the
Fey. They dedicate themselves to serving these otherworldly
masters, swearing to uphold their laws, principles, and ideals
a world away from their hidden realms and carrying out their
will. Often, these paladins can be found as elite warriors
serving in the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, or guarding
valuable portals to and from the Feywild, but the nature of
their masters means they can be found anywhere on the
Material Plane. Their appearance varies, but each carries the
iconography of their master on their person, whether it be
worked into their armour or emblazoned on an amulet.
The Oath of Zeal is a sworn vow to serve the church
and ideals of a faith. Usually known by the moniker of
inquisitor or witch hunter, paladins who swear this oath
devote their lives to rooting out enemies of their faith,
using guile when open righteousness is not an option.
They sacrifice their own purity in order to cleanse those
who defy their faith, and are willing to take extreme
measures to achieve their goals.
The Cause of Righteousness
A paladin swears to uphold justice and righteousness, to stand with the good things of the world against the encroaching darkness, and to hunt the forces of evil wherever they lurk. 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.Beyond the Mundane Life
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. Adventuring paladins take their work seriously. A delve into an ancient ruin or dusty crypt can be a quest driven by a higher purpose than the acquisition of treasure. Evil lurks in dungeons and primeval forests, and even the smallest victory against it can tilt the cosmic balance away from oblivion.Creating a Paladin
The most important aspect of a paladin character is the nature of his or her holy quest. Although the class features related to your oath don’t appear until you reach 3rd level, plan ahead for that choice by reading the oath descriptions at the end of the class. Are you a devoted servant of good, loyal to the gods of justice and honor, a holy knight in shining armor venturing forth to smite evil? Are you a glorious champion of the light, cherishing everything beautiful that stands against the shadow, a knight whose oath descends from traditions older than many of the gods? Or are you an embittered loner sworn to take vengeance on those who have done great evil, sent as an angel of death by the gods or driven by your need for revenge? How did you experience your call to serve as a paladin? Did you hear a whisper from an unseen god or angel while you were at prayer? Did another paladin sense the potential within you and decide to train you as a squire? Or did some terrible event—the destruction of your home, perhaps—drive you to your quests? Perhaps you stumbled into a sacred grove or a hidden elven enclave and found yourself called to protect all such refuges of goodness and beauty. Or you might have known from your earliest memories that the paladin’s life was your calling, almost as if you had been sent into the world with that purpose stamped on your soul. As guardians against the forces of wickedness, paladins are rarely of any evil alignment. Most of them walk the paths of charity and justice. Consider how your alignment colors the way you pursue your holy quest and the manner in which you conduct yourself before gods and mortals. Your oath and alignment might be in harmony, or your oath might represent standards of behavior that you have not yet attained.Quick Build
You can make a paladin quickly by following these suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest ability score, followed by Charisma. Second, choose the noble background.Paladin Table
| Lvl | 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
Hit Points
Hit Dice: d10 per Paladin level
Hit Points at first Level: 10 + Con Mod
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 + Con Mod
Proficiences
Armor: All armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Wis, Cha
Skills: Choose two: Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, and Religion.
Class Features
Divine Sense
The presence of strong evil registers on your senses like a noxious odor, and powerful good rings like heavenly music in your ears. As an action, you can open your awareness to detect such forces. Until the end of your next turn, you know the location of any celestial, fiend, or undead within 60 feet of you that is not behind total cover. You know the type (celestial, fiend, or undead) of any being whose presence you sense, but not its identity (the vampire Count Strahd von Zarovich, for instance). Within the same radius, you also detect the presence of any place or object that has been consecrated or desecrated, as with the hallow spell. You can use this feature a number of times equal to 1 + your Charisma modifier. When you finish a long rest, you regain all expended uses.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 × 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.Fighting Style
At 2nd level, you adopt a style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. Defense While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. Dueling When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon. Great Weapon Fighting When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit. Protection When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend, to a maximum of 6d8.Divine Health
By 3rd level, the divine magic flowing through you makes you immune to disease.Sacred Oath
When you reach 3rd level, you swear the oath that binds you as a paladin forever. Up to this time you have been in a preparatory stage, committed to the path but not yet sworn to it. Now you choose the Oath of Devotion detailed at the end of the class description or one from another source. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 15th, and 20th level. Those features include oath spells and the Channel Divinity feature.Oath Spells
Each oath has a list of associated spells. You gain access to these spells at the levels specified in the oath description. Once you gain access to an oath spell, you always have it prepared. Oath spells don’t count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. If you gain an oath spell that doesn’t appear on the paladin spell list, the spell is nonetheless a paladin spell for you.Channel Divinity
Your oath allows you to channel divine energy to fuel magical effects. Each Channel Divinity option provided by your oath explains how to use it. When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which option to use. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again. Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals your paladin spell save DC.Ability Score Improvement
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, 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. Using the optional feats rule, you can forgo taking this feature to take a feat of your choice instead.Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.Aura of Protection
Starting at 6th level, whenever you or a friendly creature within 10 feet of you must make a saving throw, the creature gains a bonus to the saving throw equal to your Charisma modifier (with a minimum bonus of +1). You must be conscious to grant this bonus. At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.Aura of Courage
Starting at 10th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you can’t be frightened while you are conscious. At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.Improved Divine Smite
By 11th level, you are so suffused with righteous might that all your melee weapon strikes carry divine power with them. Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon, the creature takes an extra 1d8 radiant damage.Cleansing Touch
Beginning at 14th level, you can use your action to end one spell on yourself or on one willing creature that you touch. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest.Aura Improvements
At 18th level, the range of your auras increase to 30 feet.Starting Equipment
- (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
- (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon
- (a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
- Chain mail and a holy symbol
Spellcasting
By 2nd level, you have learned to draw on divine magic through meditation and prayer to cast spells as a cleric does. See Spells Rules for the general rules of spellcasting and the Spells Listing for the paladin spell list. Preparing and Casting Spells The Paladin table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your paladin spells. To cast one of your paladin spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest. You prepare the list of paladin spells that are available for you to cast, choosing from the paladin spell list. When you do so, choose a number of paladin spells equal to your Charisma modifier + half your paladin level, rounded down (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For example, if you are a 5th-level paladin, you have four 1st-level and two 2nd-level spell slots. With a Charisma of 14, your list of prepared spells can include four spells of 1st or 2nd level, in any combination. If you prepare the 1st-level spell cure wounds, you can cast it using a 1st-level or a 2nd-level slot. Casting the spell doesn’t remove it from your list of prepared spells. 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. Spellcasting Ability Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your paladin spells, since their power derives from the strength of your convictions. You use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma 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 Charisma modifier Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier Spellcasting Focus You can use a holy symbol (see the Adventuring Gear section) as a spellcasting focus for your paladin spells.
Subclass Options
Sacred Oaths
Becoming a paladin involves taking vows that commit the paladin to the cause of righteousness, an active path of fighting wickedness. The final oath, taken when he or she reaches 3rd level, is the culmination of all the paladin’s training. Some characters with this class don’t consider themselves true paladins until they have reached 3rd level and made this oath. For others, the actual swearing of the oath is a formality, an official stamp on what has always been true in the paladin’s heart.Oath of Affliction
The Oath of Affliction is taken by those who have contracted some kind of fatal condition. A Paladin sworn to this oath uses their affliction as a weapon, hoping to curry favor with greater powers in their last days. Some hope to be miraculously cured; others merely fight for a better reward after death inevitably claims them. Paladins sworn to the Oath of Affliction are often physically disfigured, and so bandages and face masks have come to be associated with the oath. Those sworn to the Oath of Affliction also often incorporate macabre imagery into their iconography, adorning their shields or armor with skull designs or depictions of rotting corpses.Tenets of Affliction
While the exact details of the Oath vary from afflicted to afflicted, most oaths incorporate the following themes: Last Days. Your remaining time on the mortal plane is limited. Use your last days wisely, and do not waste them on frivolous pursuits. Quarantine. Your affliction can serve as a potent weapon, but can also cause extensive suffering if allowed to spread unchecked. Take the necessary steps to ensure that your condition is only spread to those you intend to strike down. Until Death or Cure. Your oath is intrinsically tied up with the affliction that motivated it. So long as you are afflicted, you must continue your quest, but when the burden of your affliction has been lifted from your shoulders, so too will the burden of your duty.
Oath of Arcanism
Often called Arcane Knights, these paladins respect and have a strong devotion to the weave of magic. The following are the tenets of arcanism:
Magic Fills The Life: Each form of life holds their own magic. We all must respect each life form due to that.
Magic Holds Responsibility: Magic is an ability that grants us god like powers, it must be used with responsibility and only to do good, never use magic to harm the innocent and prevent others from doing so.
Magic From Any Source: Magic can be reached by multiple means, studying all those means is importat to trully understand magic. Magic users are the best friends, learn all you can do from them.
Unveil The Arcane Secrets: The more you know about magic, the better. Do what it takes to discover the secrets of magic, unless it would harm the innocent.
Oath of Ascendancy
The Oath of Ascendancy is an embodiment of
the unstoppable and tempestuous wrath of the
elements. You are among these champions known
as the stormguard, blue knights, or thunder warriors.
These paladins are first into the fray and the last to
leave a battlefield, throwing themselves into danger
without a thought to the risks involved in their quests
for spiritual ascension. Most are quick to anger, but
also quick to calm, as a storm can appear suddenly and
fade just as fast. Summoning the strength of elemental
lightning to smite your foes, you will ride the winds to
glory, for your legend has only just begun.
Tenets of Ascendancy
The tenets of the Oath of Ascendancy are less structured than those of other orders, but instead represent methods and internal drive. Its principles emphasize these traits: Eye of the Storm: Be just as quick to calm as you are to anger, as wrath without peace is eternal war. Mind of the Lightning: You must quickly and efficiently dispatch wickedness, even to the point of striking without warning, for wretchedness deserves no chivalry. Hand of the Hurricane: You shall leave destruction in your wake, carving a path of desolation and ruin to grow your legend so your future selves will recognize your handiwork. Voice of the Tempest: You must maintain the terrific and awesome image of the storm - your deeds must never become mundane, and your name must darken the skies.Oath of Ash
Paladins who vow the Oath of Ash seek to preserve the longevity of civilization, dedicating every resource at their disposal to securing future prosperity. Paladins sworn to this oath believe that progress is not automatic nor inevitable, but a journey where each step demands sacrifice, struggle, and suffering. To them, only those with unbreakable focus and determination can wield the brilliant torch of progress. These paladins achieve this by cauterizing the detrimental aspects of civilization with their calamitous power, purging it of its imperfections. The salvation they seek is the knowledge that their labors will help bring about a new dawn for civilization.Tenets of Ash
The tenets of the Oath of Ash represent the core principles of a philosophy intended to keep civilization in check. Paladins who take this oath tend to view the lives of others as a means to an end, subscribing to these rules as guidelines for growth. Don't Fear the Light. Fan the flames of progress that separate man from beast. Without the radiance of innovation, the halls of progress cannot be navigated. Fire Knows No Mercy. Know that sacrifice is a natural part of the cycle and cannot be avoided. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. If the greater good can only be achieved by feeding the flames the fuel of life, so be it. From Ashes Come Life. The most fertile lands were built by the fires of volcanoes. At times, destruction is necessary to spark the birth of life anew. Don't hesitate to become its actor.
Oath of Avarice
Wealth is the availability of goods and services,
and thus is a representation of both power and
opportunity. A wealthy benefactor can save a
civilization, while a wealthy tyrant can turn the
world on its head. You’ve sworn to let nothing
stand between you and the accumulation of wealth,
as any whim that takes you can be accomplished
with the prudent use of overwhelming financial
might. You may have attracted the attention of the
Currency Conspiracy, for if your greed blinds you
to the truth of their work, then they will gladly take
you into their ranks.
Tenets of Avarice
The tenets of the Oath of Avarice are often sworn only to oneself, born of greed, desire, and greater goals. Take and Keep: The more you have, the more you can do. Take what you need and give nothing back without greater gain. Spend and Deliver: Everything has a price. Seek wealth so that you can pay it in coin, rather than your own blood. Blood and Soul: There are currencies intangible that must be obtained or protected, for wealth is worthless otherwise. Wealth and Unity: All the money in the world does nothing if you cannot spend it. Join with others and invest in their efforts, so that you may reap the rewards.Oath of Battle
Ever since you could see the stars you've known you were destined for glory on the battlefield. You've dedicated your life to becoming a great warrior, and your swearing of the Oath of Battle marks only another step along the path. Paladins that swear this oath are usually leaders and protectors—chieftains, war leaders, jarls, and khans—who stand resolute in the face of tyranny and oppression, and in so doing attain glory that transcends this mortal flesh. Champions of their people, their presence inspires allies to go that extra mile when weapons clash.Tenets of Battle
The tenets of battle are as old as the gods themselves. Though diverse in interpretation, the tenets of battle all speak to honor and of glory. Honor Through Battle. Actions speak louder than words—let them do the talking. Stand and Fight. Never show cowardice in the face of adversity. Repay Tenfold. Anything delivered unto you or your allies shall be repaid with interest, from the cruelty of your enemies to the kindness of strangers. Glory Above All. Seek to bring glory to you and your allies. Never act in a way that brings shame upon you.Oath of Blood
A Paladin of the Oath of Blood believes that violence is a great tool to achieve someone’s goals. They believe that a person that has taken a dark path cannot be redeemed so they take justice on their own hands, to smite those who are beyond salvation in their eyes. For a paladin to take the Oath of Blood they have to offer the lives of their defeated enemies to a god of war or those who take an even darker path, to a great demon or devil. In exchange, the paladin is granted the power to manipulate his life force as well as his target’s and rend them weak and powerless. Although their existence is not welcomed by most of the civilizations, those in need of urgent help would not hesitate for assistance from a blood rusted armored paladin.Tenents Of Blood
A paladin who takes the Oath of Blood sacrifices all righteousness for them to gain greater power. Independence: Fight for yourself and let none command you. Resolve: Only weak balk at pain or fear. Sacrifice: Dedicate your life to achieve the goals you strive for no matter the cost to yourself.
Oath of Conquest
The Oath of Conquest calls to paladins who seek glory in battle and the subjugation of their enemies. It isn’t enough for these paladins to establish order. They must crush the forces of chaos. Sometimes called knight tyrants or iron mongers, those who swear this oath gather into grim orders that serve gods or philosophies of war and well-ordered might.
Some of these paladins go so far as to consort with the powers of the Nine Hells, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. The archdevil Bel, warlord of Avernus, counts many of these paladins — called hell knights — as his most ardent supporters. Hell knights cover their armor with trophies taken from fallen enemies, a grim warning to any who dare oppose them and the decrees of their lords. These knights are often most fiercely resisted by other paladins of this oath, who believe that the hell knights have wandered too far into darkness.
Tenets Of Conquest
A paladin who takes this oath has the tenets of conquest seared on the upper arm. Douse the Flame of Hope. It is not enough to merely defeat an enemy in battle. Your victory must be so overwhelming that your enemies’ will to fight is shattered forever. A blade can end a life. Fear can end an empire. Rule with an Iron Fist. Once you have conquered, tolerate no dissent. Your word is law. Those who obey it shall be favored. Those who defy it shall be punished as an example to all who might follow. Strength Above All. You shall rule until a stronger one arises. Then you must grow mightier and meet the challenge, or fall to your own ruin.Oath of Delivery
When an important peace treaty needs to be sent to another nation, or a rare relic needs to be given to a king, or when new orders need to be directed to a general before he starts a war; these are the times that paladins are called upon to ensure the goods arrive on time.Tenets of Delivery
Discretion. It is not your place to judge what someone is sending or being sent. Haste. Treat every assignment as though the world depends on it. Time is always of the essence. Capability. You have been sent to deliver goods, not to pay someone to do it for you.Oath of Despair
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