Paladin Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Paladin in D&D 5e

The Paladin is a noble warrior empowered by their oath and devotion in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e). Combining martial prowess, divine magic, and unyielding resolve, Paladins are ideal for players who want to protect their allies, smite their foes, and uphold their sacred principles.

Why Play a Paladin?

• Martial and Magical Hybrid: Paladins excel in both melee combat and divine spellcasting.
• Versatile Roles: Serve as a tank, damage dealer, or support character.
• Immersive Roleplay: Oaths provide rich roleplaying opportunities tied to personal beliefs and goals.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

1. Divine Smite: Empower melee attacks with radiant damage by expending spell slots.
2. Lay on Hands: Heal allies or cure diseases using your pool of healing points.
3. Aura of Protection: Grant a bonus to saving throws to allies within 10 feet based on your Charisma.
4. Oath Spells: Gain thematic spells based on your chosen subclass.
5. Fighting Style: Enhance your combat capabilities with options like Defense or Great Weapon Fighting.
6. Channel Divinity: Each oath provides unique abilities to inspire allies or smite enemies.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Strength (Primary): Powers your melee attacks.
• Charisma (Secondary): Improves spellcasting and aura effects.
• Constitution: Increases hit points and survivability.

Recommended Races

• Half-Elf: Boosts Charisma and provides extra skill versatility.
• Human (Variant): Gain a feat and flexible stat bonuses early.
• Aasimar: Offers thematic synergy and radiant damage resistance.
• Dragonborn: Boost Strength and Charisma while gaining a breath weapon.

Playing as a Paladin

Role in a Party

Paladins excel as front-line combatants and party protectors. They can deal heavy melee damage, tank with high AC and hit points, and provide healing and utility spells for their allies.

Tips for New Players

• Use Divine Smite Strategically: Save spell slots for high-value targets.
• Balance Offense and Support: Lean into healing and utility when allies need it.
• Follow Your Oath: Your oath is central to your character's identity and gameplay.

Roleplay Suggestions

• Devout Crusader: Uphold the tenets of your faith with unshakable conviction.
• Redeemed Warrior: A once-fallen hero striving to atone for past sins.
• Champion of the People: Protect the downtrodden and inspire others with acts of valor.

Subclasses Overview

Paladins choose an Oath at level 3, which defines their abilities and roleplay flavor. Each subclass provides unique thematic elements and combat strategies. Here’s an overview:

• Oath of Vengeance Paladin Handbook: A relentless pursuer of justice and vengeance, focused on smiting enemies with precision and mobility.
• Oath of Conquest Paladin Handbook: A domineering warrior who uses fear and control to overwhelm enemies.
• Oath of Devotion Paladin: The classic paladin archetype, dedicated to honor, justice, and the eradication of evil.
• Oath of the Ancients Paladin Handbook: A protector of nature and life, blending martial abilities with healing and defensive magic.
• Oathbreaker Paladin Handbook: A fallen paladin who wields dark powers and commands undead minions.
• Oath of Glory Paladin Handbook: A hero striving for greatness, inspiring allies to achieve legendary feats.
• Oath of Redemption Paladin Handbook: A peacekeeper who seeks to resolve conflicts without violence whenever possible.
• Oath of the Crown Paladin Handbook: A defender of law and order, excelling in protecting allies and maintaining battlefield control.
• Oath of the Watchers Paladin Handbook: A vigilant warrior against extraplanar threats, with abilities to thwart spellcasters and outsiders.
• Oath of Vengeance Paladin Handbook – by Random: Alternate perspectives and strategies for this relentless subclass.

Each Oath provides a distinct flavor and playstyle, allowing you to tailor your Paladin to your personal vision. Explore the dedicated blog posts for in-depth guides on each subclass.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

• Weapons: Start with a longsword, warhammer, or greatsword for maximum damage.
• Armor: Heavy armor like chain mail or plate for optimal defense.
• Shield: Increases AC and pairs well with one-handed weapons.
• Holy Symbol: Required for spellcasting and represents your connection to your deity or oath.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your Paladin's oath with these thematic dice sets:

• Oath of Vengeance: For a dark and striking aesthetic, consider the Black Obsidian Gemstone DND Dice Set. Hand-carved from genuine black obsidian, these dice feature a deep, glossy black finish with bold, contrasting numerals, embodying the relentless pursuit of vengeance.
• Oath of the Ancients: Embrace nature's essence with the Green Water Glass DND Dice Set. These handmade dice showcase swirling green hues reminiscent of ancient forests, complemented by golden numerals, reflecting the harmonious blend of green and gold tones.
• Oath of Devotion: For a classic and radiant look, the Opalite Gemstone DND Dice Set offers a luminous white appearance with subtle iridescence, symbolizing purity and unwavering commitment.
• Oathbreaker: Channel a dark and ominous presence with the Black and Silver Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set. These dice feature a shadowy black base infused with swirling silver glitter, capturing the essence of a fallen paladin.
• General Paladin: Experience a sense of divine weight with the Gemstone Raised Dichroic Glass DND Dice Set. Each die is a unique masterpiece, featuring raised dichroic glass that shimmers and shifts with every roll, adding a sense of heft and impact to your gameplay.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats: Consider Sentinel to control enemies, Great Weapon Master for damage, or War Caster for spellcasting utility.
• Multiclassing: Pair with Sorcerer for spell synergy or Fighter for Action Surge.
• Spell Combos: Use Bless to enhance your party’s rolls or Wrathful Smite for control and damage.

Advanced Builds

• Tanky Paladin: Focus on heavy armor, shields, and defensive spells like Shield of Faith.
• Smite Machine: Maximize Strength and focus on damage-dealing spells for burst potential.
• Aura Specialist: Enhance Charisma and stay near allies to boost their saving throws.