The Paragon
An elven warrior stands in the midst of battle, surrounded on all sides by a horde of slavering gnolls. As they charge her, she weaves and dances between them, her blade slicing through their hides. A moment later, she stands over the lifeless bodies of a dozen fallen foes.
A human leaps high into the air over a phalanx of hobgoblin soldiers. In the blink of an eye, he sprints toward their leader, cutting her down with a single powerful strike. The hobgoblins barely have a chance to react as the human is once again in their midst—a tempest of blood and steel.
A dwarven champion stands firm as an orc warband charges. She gives a wry smile, for she knows that she is an impenetrable wall, and these orcs will not get past her alive.
These heroes are paragons—mortal champions who have been blessed with the power of the gods. Through luck or deed, heritage or heroics, a spark of divinity has been ignited within their souls, empowering them to slay monsters, lead armies, and perform mighty deeds that will live in legend.
Living Legends
When tales are told of the most legendary warriors, paragons are the heroes those stories speak of. They are living legends, cut from the same cloth as the archetypal heroes of myth and saga. Paragons are often chosen by Fate or are the scions of supernatural beings. Whatever the source of their incredible abilities, every paragon is destined for greatness; all one must do is act and discover their own immortal tale.
The defining characteristic of a paragon is their heroic drive—the force that impels them to live a life worthy of legend. Some paragons adventure because they aspire to emulate one of the great heroic archetypes. Others pursue a life of adventure because they desire to forge an entirely new mythic identity, to be remembered by name in tales of glory forever.
Champions and Heroes
Paragons often serve as champions of the gods. Some have personal relationships with the gods, serving as their divine agents in the world. Others are unwitting pawns, compelled to action by immortal schemes. Still others were born with divine gazes set upon them, whether due to their remarkable abilities or the circumstances of their birth.
Throughout their lives, paragons experience both the blessings and curses of their divine relationships. Some might brandish incredible powers granted to them by the gods. Others, however, discover how fickle and vindictive the gods can be. How a paragon contends with the whims of a deific patron defines what makes them a hero, whether they seek ways to court immortal favor or forge a path that throws off the bonds of destiny.
The Paragon
| Level | Proficiency Bonus |
Features | Spells Known |
Spell Slots |
Slot Level |
Boons Known |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Divine Spark, Heroic Effort | 2 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 2nd | +2 | Heroic Boons | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 3rd | +2 | Heroic Calling | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 6th | +3 | Indomitable Spirit | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 7th | +3 | Calling feature | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 9th | +4 | — | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 10th | +4 | Heroic Exemplar | 7 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 11th | +4 | Calling feature | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 13th | +5 | — | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 14th | +5 | Heroic Exemplar | 9 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| 15th | +5 | Calling feature | 10 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 10 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| 17th | +6 | — | 11 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| 18th | +6 | Heroic Defiance | 11 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 12 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
| 20th | +6 | Legendary Paragon | 12 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
Creating a Paragon
As you create your paragon, think about how you inherited your power and what your relationship to that being is. If you are the offspring of a mortal and a divine being, think about what having a divine parent meant for your character growing up. If you were chosen by a god to bear their blessing, consider why they chose you, and if you owe an obligation to your divine patron. If you were created by a god, consider how you were made and why.
Consider why you took up a life of adventure. Are you a devoted scion, acting to increase the power and prestige of your divine progenitor? Or maybe you are a rebel, seeking to forge your own destiny, free from divine influence. Were you chosen by fate to fulfill some grand destiny? Or are you merely a pawn in the contests of the gods?
Quick Build
You can make a paragon quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Strength your highest ability score, followed by Charisma. Second, choose the acolyte or folk hero background.
Multiclassing and the Paragon
If your group uses the optional multiclassing rule, here is what you need to know if you choose the paragon as one of your classes.
Ability Score Minimum. As a multiclass character, you must have both a Strength score and Charisma score of 13 or higher in order to take a level in paragon, or to take a level in another class if you are already a paragon.
Proficiencies Gained. If paragon isn't your initial class, here are the proficiencies you gain when you take your first level as a paragon: light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons.
Class Features
As a paragon, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
- Hit Dice: 1d8 per paragon level
- Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
- Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d8 (or 5) + your Constitution modifier per paragon level after 1st
Proficiencies
- Armour: Light armor, medium armor, shields
- Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
- Tools: None
- Saving Throws: Constitution, Charisma
- Skills: Choose three from Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Persuasion, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) a shield and a spear or (b) any martial weapon
- (a) leather armor or (b) scale mail
- (a) a shortsword or (b) two javelins
- (a) a priests's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
If you forgo this starting equipment, as well as the items offered by your background, you start with 5d4 × 10 gp to buy your equipment.
Divine Spark
1st-level paragon feature
You possess a divine spark, a shard of divine power which allows you to wield the magic of the gods.
Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher
You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the paragon spell list.
The Spells Known column of the Paragon table shows when you learn more paragon spells of your choice. A spell you choose must be of a level no higher than what's shown in the table's Slot Level column for your level.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the paragon spells you know and replace it with another spell from the paragon spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Spellcasting Ability
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your paragon spells, so 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 paragon spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
Spell save DC
Spell attack modifier
Spellcasting Focus
You can use any melee weapon you are proficient with as a spellcasting focus for your paragon spells.
Heroic Effort
1st-level paragon feature
You can expend a paragon spell slot to reroll any attack roll, ability check, or saving throw you make. You must use the second roll.
Heroic Boons
2nd-level paragon feature
You gain two heroic boons of your choice, which are detailed at the end of the class description. When you reach certain paragon levels, you learn additional boons of your choice.
Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of the boons you know with a new one.
Heroic Calling
3rd-level paragon feature
Choose your calling, the heroic archetype you most closely align with. Each calling is detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 11th, and 15th level.
Ability Score Improvement
4th-level paragon feature
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2 or two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
Extra Attack
5th level paragon feature
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
Indomitable Spirit
6th-level paragon feature
Whenever you would make a Wisdom saving throw, you can make a Charisma saving throw instead.
Heroic Exemplar
10th-level paragon feature
When you reach 10th level, and again at 14th level, you gain one feat of your choice.
Heroic Defiance
18th-level paragon feature
You ignore the effects of disadvantage when making attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.
Legendary Paragon
20th-level paragon feature
Your proficiency bonus increases by 1. In addition, you gain one epic boon of your choice, from among the options in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
Heroic Archetype
Legendary heroes form a vast collection of well known archetypes whose mighty deeds create cultural touchstones and shape modern philosophies. Every paragon feels the pull of these mythic roles, but those who truly seek greatness begin by deciding which archetype calls to them above all others, and letting that ideal influence their fate.
The Commander
Some are destined not only to achieve personal greatness, but also to inspire armies, rally the fallen, and bring the most out of those who follow them. Those who follow the path of the Commander are such leaders; renowned for their vision, courage, and strategic acumen. They are natural leaders and inspiring figures, both on and off the battlefield.
Battlefront Leader
3rd-level Commander feature
When you take the Attack action, you can forgo one of your attacks to issue a command to an ally within 30 feet of you. When you do so, that ally can use its reaction to make one weapon attack against a target of your choice.
Inspire Confidence
3rd-level Commander feature
You learn the Guidance cantrip. For you, it has a range of 30 feet, and you can cast it as a bonus action.
Seize the Day
7th-level Commander feature
When you use your Battlefront Leader feature command an ally, that ally can move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks as part of its reaction.
In addition, each ally within 30 feet of you has advantage on initiative rolls.
Inspiring Presence
11th-level Commander feature
Each ally within 30 feet of you can add a d4 to its attack rolls and saving throws, as if it were under the effects of the Bless spell.
Clarion Commander
15th-level Commander feature
When you use your Battlefront Leader feature command an ally, you can instead command up to three allies within 30 feet of you.
In addition, whenever one of your abilities allows an ally to add a d4 to their roll, they can add a d6 to their roll instead.
The Warrior
Those who emulate the archetypal Warrior are martial prodigies, possessed of superhuman strength and endurance. They are often many other things as well; poets, chefs, parents, or teachers to name just a few. While always a last resort, in their heart of hearts they know that sometimes violence is the best solution, and they are the ones prepared to carry it out.
Martial Prowess
3rd-level Warrior feature
You are a warrior of tremendous skill and athleticism. While you are not wearing heavy armor, you gain the following benefits:
- You have advantage on Strength (Athletics) and Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
- You can attempt to grapple or shove a creature as a bonus action on each of your turns.
- Whenever you successfully grapple or shove a creature, you can deal bludgeoning damage to it equal to half your paragon level.
Mantle of Glory
3rd-level Warrior Feature
At the start of your turn, you gain temporary hit points equal to half your paragon level + your Charisma modifier.
In addition, while you are wearing light or no armor, your AC equals 13 + your Charisma modifier.
Combat Reflexes
7th-level Warrior feature
You can take the Dodge, Dash, or Disengage action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
Strength of Legends
11th-level Warrior feature
You count as Large whenever it would be beneficial to you to do so. This does not change your space. In addition, you can add your proficiency bonus to your weapon damage rolls.
Martial Supremacy
15th-level Warrior feature
When you take the Attack action, you can Dodge, Dash, or Disengage as part of that action.
The Protector
Those who heed the call of the Protector are beacons of hope in a darkened world. They are defenders of the weak, and guardians of the innocent. Blessed with supernatural resilience and strength of spirit, these bulwarks of defense can shrug off attacks with ease. On the battlefield, they are the shield that keeps the rest of the party safe from harm.
Battle Guardian
3rd-level Protector feature
Enemies within your reach have disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you.
In addition, you can take one extra reaction each round, but no more than one per turn.
Divine Aegis
3rd-level Protector feature
When a creature within 5 feet of you takes damage, you can use your reaction to reduce that damage by an amount equal to half your paragon level + your Charisma modifier.
Defend the Line
7th-level Protector feature
Creatures provoke opportunity attacks from you when they move 5 feet or more while within your reach.
Vigilant Protector
11th-level Protector feature
You can take one reaction on every turn in combat.
Devoted Spirit
15th-level Protector feature
You are always under the effects of a Protection from Evil and Good spell.
Heroic Boons
Some boons specify a minimum paragon level. You can't learn such a boon until you are at least that level.
1st Level Boons
Starting at 1st level you can learn the following boons:
Bronze Skin
While you are not wearing heavy armor, you can use your Strength modifier in place of your Dexterity modifier to determine your AC.
Divine Power
You gain a +1 bonus to spell attack rolls and the saving throw DCs of your paragon spells.
Favored Soul
Choose one of the Divine Domain options from the cleric class. The domain spells from that domain are added to your paragon spell list. Moreover, you gain that domain’s 1st-level benefits.
Godlike Stature
You count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity, and you can grapple and shove creatures up to two sizes larger than you.
Hard to Kill
You have advantage on death saving throws, and any critical hit against you becomes a normal hit instead.
Luck of the Gods
You can add half your proficiency bonus to any ability check or saving throw you make that doesn't already use your proficiency bonus.
Proud Bearing
When you make a Charisma check, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
Student of Battle
You learn one Fighting Style option of your choice from the fighter class.
Trickster’s Cunning
You can take the Help, Search, or Use an Object action as a bonus action on each of your turns.
5th Level Boons
Starting at 5th level you can learn the following boons:
Boundless Endurance
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
Whenever you finish a short rest, your exhaustion level, if any, is decreased by 1. Moreover, you can’t have more than 4 levels of exhaustion.
Captivating Beauty
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
You can cast Enthrall at will, without expending a spell slot. A creature that fails its saving throw is charmed by you until the spell ends or you do anything harmful to it.
Fleet Footed
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
Your speed increases by 10 feet, and opportunity attacks against you are made with disadvantage.
Heroic Leap
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
The distance of your long and high jumps increases by a number of feet equal to half your walking speed.
Juggernaut
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
Whenever you would make a Strength check, you can make a Strength (Athletics) check instead. Also, your melee weapon attacks deal double damage to objects and structures.
Level Headed
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
You have advantage on initiative rolls, and you can’t be surprised while you are conscious.
Sword and Sorcery
Prerequisite: 5th-level paragon
When you use your action to cast a paragon spell, you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action.
9th Level Boons
Starting at 9th level you can learn the following boons:
Enduring Spirit
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
You gain inspiration whenever you fail a saving throw.
Font of Life
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
Whenever you regain hit points, treat any dice rolled to determine the hit points you regain as having rolled their maximum value for you.
Imperious Majesty
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
You can cast Command at will, without expending a spell slot.
Limit Break
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
As an action, you can expend a paragon spell slot to perform an epic feat of strength that would otherwise be impossible. For example you could run through a brick wall, lift a massive boulder, throw a warhorse, or even destroy a Wall of Force.
Mind over Body
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
You can cast Lesser Restoration on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot.
Nerves of Steel
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
At the end of your turn, you can end any effect on yourself that is causing you to be charmed or frightened.
Sight Beyond Sight
Prerequisite: 9th-level paragon
You have have truesight with a range of 30 feet.
13th Level Boons
Starting at 13th level you can learn the following boons:
Brave the Elements
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
You have resistance to acid, cold, fire, lightning, and thunder damage.
Divine Purpose
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
When you score a critical hit with a melee weapon attack, you regain one expended paragon spell slot.
Force of Will
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
If you fail a saving throw, you can expend a paragon spell slot to succeed instead.
Immovable Object
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
You cannot be knocked prone or moved against your will while you are conscious.
Quick Study
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
You can cast Borrowed Knowledge at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.
Silver Tongue
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
You can cast Suggestion at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.
Unstoppable Force
Prerequisite: 13th-level paragon
You are always under the effects of a Freedom of Movement spell.
17th Level Boons
Starting at 17th level you can learn the following boons:
Adamantine Endurance
Prerequisite: 17th-level paragon
When you take damage, you can expend a paragon spell slot to reduce that damage to 0.
Dance of Steel
Prerequisite: 17th level paragon
You can cast Steel Wind Strike at will, without expending a spell slot.
Gate of Babylon
Prerequisite: 17th-level paragon
You can cast Conjure Volley at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.
Immortal Fortitude
Prerequisite: 17th-level paragon
You can cast Death Ward on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot.
Mythic Exemplar
Prerequisite: 17th-level paragon
You can cast Enhance Ability on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.
Tough as Nails
Prerequisite: 17th-level paragon
You have resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
Unbreakable Will
Prerequisite: 17th level paragon
You gain a +10 bonus to saving throws you make during your turn.
Paragon Spells
1st Level
- Bless
- Cause Fear
- Charm Person
- Command
- Cure Wounds
- Healing Word
- Heroism
- Searing Smite
- Shield of Faith
- Thunderous Smite
- Wrathful Smite
- Zephyr Strike
2nd Level
- Augury
- Branding Smite
- Calm Emotions
- Enthrall
- Lesser Restoration
- Magic Weapon
- Prayer of Healing
- See Invisibility
- Suggestion
3rd Level
- Aura of Vitality
- Beacon of Hope
- Blinding Smite
- Dispel Magic
- Fast Friends
- Revivify
- Remove Curse
4th Level
- Aura of Life
- Aura of Purity
- Charm Monster
- Compulsion
- Divination
- Staggering Smite
- Stoneskin
5th Level
- Circle of Power
- Commune
- Destructive Wave
- Greater Restoration
- Legend Lore
- Skill Empowerment
- Steel Wind Strike
The Paragon
Wield the power of the gods with this new class for the world's greatest roleplaying game. Lead your allies to victory, protect them from your enemies, or become as strong as the mightiest heroes of myth and legend.
Created by: u/Ashkelon
Artist Credits:
Page 1 - Defiant Strike - Dominik Mayer
Page 3 - Archetype of Courage - Willian Murai
Page 4 - Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx - Jung Park
Page 5 - Chosen by Heliod - Zack Stella
Page 6 - Armory of Iroas - Yeong-Hao Han
Page 7 - Weight of the Underworld - Wesley Burt
Page 8 - Gods Willing - Mark Winters
Page 9 - History of Benalia - Noah Bradley
Other Credits:
Paragon Icon by Game-icons.net