Oath of Redemption Paladin Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Peacekeeper in D&D 5e

The Oath of Redemption Paladin is a champion of peace and mercy, sworn to resolve conflicts through diplomacy and healing rather than violence. Introduced in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass is perfect for players who want to play a Paladin devoted to nonviolence, redemption, and protecting the weak without resorting to unnecessary bloodshed.

Unlike other Paladins who focus on smiting enemies and battlefield dominance, Redemption Paladins specialize in absorbing damage, healing allies, and using persuasion to resolve encounters peacefully, making them one of the best defensive and support-focused Paladin subclasses in D&D 5e. If you love the idea of a divine protector, a compassionate warrior, or a peacekeeper who believes in second chances, this subclass is for you!

Why Play an Oath of Redemption Paladin?

Key Benefits

• Best Paladin for Damage Mitigation – Use Rebuke the Violent and Aura of the Guardian to absorb and redirect damage.
• Strongest Healing & Support Abilities – Access to powerful healing spells and damage reduction effects.
• Great Roleplay Potential – Play as a pacifist or a Paladin who only fights when absolutely necessary.
• Excels in Social & Diplomatic Situations – Charisma-based abilities make you a great party face.
• Incredibly Durable & Hard to Kill – Combine high AC, self-healing, and damage redirection to stay in battle.

Compared to other Paladins, Oath of Redemption is the best at preventing harm rather than dealing damage, making them unique among their more aggressive counterparts.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Oath Spells (Gained at Levels 3, 5, 9, 13, and 17)

The Oath of Redemption spell list provides healing, defensive buffs, and control effects to minimize harm in combat.

• Key Spells:

  • Sanctuary (3rd Level) – Protect a creature, preventing enemies from attacking it.
  • Sleep (3rd Level) – Incapacitate enemies non-lethally.
  • Calm Emotions (5th Level) – Remove fear, charm, and prevent violence.
  • Hold Person (5th Level) – Paralyze an enemy without harming them.
  • Counterspell (9th Level) – Negate dangerous enemy magic.
  • Hypnotic Pattern (9th Level) – Disable multiple enemies at once.
  • Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere (13th Level) – Trap enemies in a magical bubble.
  • Wall of Force (13th Level) – Create an impenetrable barrier to protect allies.
  • Hold Monster (17th Level) – Paralyze any creature to neutralize it.
  • Greater Restoration (17th Level) – Remove powerful curses and debuffs.

• Example: Use Calm Emotions to defuse a dangerous encounter before it turns violent, or Wall of Force to separate enemies without bloodshed.

Channel Divinity: Emissary of Peace (Level 3)

• As a bonus action, gain a +5 bonus to Persuasion checks for 10 minutes.
• Example: Use this to talk down enemies or broker peace between factions.

Channel Divinity: Rebuke the Violent (Level 3)

• When an enemy within 30 feet deals damage to another creature, force them to make a Wisdom save.
• On a failure, they take damage equal to what they just dealt.
• Example: A boss lands a devastating blow on your ally? Turn that damage right back at them!

Aura of the Guardian (Level 7)

• When an ally within 10 feet (30 feet at level 18) takes damage, you can take the damage instead.
• Example: Absorb damage for a frail party member like a Wizard or Sorcerer, keeping them alive.

Protective Spirit (Level 15)

• At the end of each turn, if you have less than half your HP, heal yourself for 1d6 + half your Paladin level.
• Example: Stay standing even after taking multiple heavy hits, ensuring you can keep protecting others.

Emissary of Redemption (Level 20)

• For 1 minute:
  • Resistant to all damage from enemy attacks.
  • When a creature hits you, they take radiant damage equal to half the damage they dealt.
  • Your pacifist nature now punishes those who strike you.
• Example: Become an unkillable beacon of divine justice, forcing enemies to reconsider attacking you.

These abilities make Oath of Redemption Paladins the ultimate support tanks, absorbing damage, healing allies, and preventing violence wherever possible.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Quarterstaff + Shield (Balanced Build) – A classic non-lethal weapon for a peacekeeper.
• Warhammer (For Tanking) – If combat is inevitable, a warhammer delivers solid damage.

Armor

• Plate Armor – Maximizes AC for durability.
• Cloak of the Guardian – Reduces incoming damage to allies.

Magic Items

• Ring of Protection – Boosts AC and saving throws.
• Amulet of the Devout – Improves spellcasting and Channel Divinity effects.
• Periapt of Wound Closure – Doubles healing effectiveness, making you even harder to kill.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your virtuous protector aesthetic with these thematic dice sets:

• Guardian’s Mercy Dice Set: For a silver and white combination symbolizing divine protection, consider the Gemstone Opalite (Gold Font) DND Dice Set. Handcrafted from opalite with gold numbering, these dice exude a luminous quality, capturing the essence of a guardian's mercy.
• Beacon of Hope Dice Set: To represent peace and healing with soft gold and blue hues, the Blue Sandstone Silver Font Gemstone DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. This set features deep blue sandstone with shimmering inclusions, complemented by silver numerals, reflecting the soothing presence of a beacon of hope.
• Redeemer’s Oath Dice Set: For glowing hues perfect for a champion of redemption, the Gemstone Raised Dichroic Glass DND Dice Set offers a mesmerizing array of colors that shift with the light, embodying the transformative journey of a redeemer.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

Best Feats for an Oath of Redemption Paladin

1. Tough – Extra HP helps you absorb even more damage.
2. Sentinel – Prevents enemies from attacking allies by locking them in place.
3. Shield Master – Boosts AC and helps you avoid harmful spells.
4. Resilient (Wisdom) – Boosts Wisdom saves against mind-controlling effects.
5. Healer – Grants extra healing when using medical kits, useful for pacifist builds.

Best Multiclass Options

1. Paladin 6 / Cleric (Peace Domain) 14 – The Ultimate Pacifist

• • Supercharges healing and protection effects.
  • Peace Cleric's abilities work perfectly with Redemption’s damage absorption.

 

1. Paladin 7 / Bard (College of Eloquence) 13 – The Diplomat

• • Boosts Persuasion and social abilities for maximum influence.

1. Paladin 10 / Druid (Circle of Dreams) 10 – The Gentle Protector

   • Adds teleportation and deep healing magic for even more non-lethal solutions.

The Oath of Redemption Paladin is one of the most unique and support-focused Paladin subclasses in D&D 5e, excelling at damage mitigation, healing, and peaceful resolutions.

If you want to play a divine protector, a peacekeeper, or a Paladin who seeks redemption for themselves or others, this subclass is for you!