Paladin

Paladins are united by their oaths to stand against the forces of annihilation and corruption. Whether sworn before a god's altar, in a sacred glade before nature spirits, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witnesses, a Paladin's oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a blessed champion.

Paladins train 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 injured, smite their foes, and protect the helpless and those who fight at their side.

Almost by definition, the life of a Paladin is an adventuring life, for every Paladin lives on the front lines of the cosmic struggle against annihilation. Fighters are rare enough among the ranks of a world's armies, but even fewer people can claim the calling of a Paladin. When they do receive the call, these blessed folk turn from their former occupations and take up arms and magic.

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.

Proficiencies

Armor: Light armor, Medium armor, Heavy armor, Shields
Weapons: Simple wepaons, Martial weapons
Tools: one of your choice.
Saving Throws: Strength, Charisma
Skills: Any three of your choice.

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) Chain Mail, a Shield, a Longsword, 6 Javelins, a Holy Symbol, a Priest's Pack, and 9 GP.
• (b) 150 GP.

Strikes

The strikes are presented in alphabetical order.

Charge. Cannot be used with a Ranged Weapon. You move up to half of your movement speed towards a creature that you can see. If you get within 5 feet of that creature, you can make an attack against them with advantage.

You can move up to your full movement speed when you reach 18th level in this class.

Cleave. Must be wielding a Melee Weapon with the two-handed property to use. Each creature within cone with a maximum length and width of 10 feet in front of you must make a Dexterity Saving Throw as you swing your weapon in front of you. Creatures take a roll of your weapon's damage dice and the next attack made against them has advantage on a failed save or take half as much damage and the next attack made against them does not have advantage on a successful save.

The length and width of the cone increase to 20 feet when you reach 18th level in this class.

Convince. If you fail a Persuasion Skill Check, you can use this Strike to re-roll that check and must use the new result.

When you reach 18th level in this class, you gain a bonus to the re-rolled check equal to your Strength or Dexterity Modifier (you choose which when you learn this Strike).

Crush. Cannot be used with Ranged weapons. Each creature within a 15-foot radius circle that begins in front of you must make a Dexterity Saving Throw as you slam your weapon or a fist into the ground in front of you. Creatures take a roll of your weapon or unarmed strike's damage dice and are knocked prone on a failed save or half as much damage and are not knocked prone on a successful save.

The radius of the circle increases to 30 feet at 18th level in this class.

Dash. Cannot be used with Ranged weapons. You move up to half of your movement speed + 5 feet in a straight line in front of you. Each creature that you pass through make a Dexterity Saving Throw as you cut down any foes in your way. Creatures take a roll of your weapon or unarmed strike's damage dice + your strength or dexterity modifier (you choose which when you choose this Strike) on a failed save or half as much damage on a successful save.

The radius of the circle increases to 30 feet at 18th level in this class.

Deflect. Cannot be used with Ranged weapons. When you would take damage from a ranged weapon attack, you can roll 1d10 + your Strength Modifier and reduce the damage taken by that much. If you reduce the damage to 0, you can use your reaction to force a creature within 15 feet of you to take the damage you would have instead.

When you reach 18th level in this class, you can also use this feature against ranged spell attacks.

Endure. If you fail a Saving Throw, you can use this Strike to re-roll that check and must use the new result.

When you reach 18th level in this class, you gain a bonus to the re-rolled saving throw equal to your Strength or Dexterity Modifier (you choose which when you learn this Strike).

Breaking Your Oath

A Paladin tries to hold to the highest standards of conduct, but even the most dedicated are fallible. Sometimes a Paladin transgresses their oath.

A Paladin who has broken a vow typically seeks absolution, spending an all-night vigil as a sign of penitence or undertaking a fast. After a rite of forgiveness, the Paladin starts fresh.

If your Paladin unrepentantly violates their oath, talk to your DM. Your Paladin should probably take a more appropriate subclass or even abandon the class and adopt another one.

Oath of the Ancients Spells

At 3rd level, and again when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Oath of the Ancients Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Nature's Wrath

At 3rd level, As a Magic action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to conjure spectral vines around nearby creatures. Each creature of your choice that you can see within 15 feet of yourself must succeed on a Strength saving throw or have the Restrained condition for 1 minute. A Restrained creature repeats the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

Aura of Warding

At 7th level, ancient magic lies so heavily upon you that it forms an eldritch ward, blunting energy from beyond the Material Plane; you and your allies have Resistance to Necrotic, Psychic, and Radiant damage while in your Aura of Protection.

Undying Sentinel

At 15th level, when you are reduced to 0 Hit Points and not killed outright, you can drop to 1 Hit Point instead, and you regain a number of Hit Points equal to three times your Paladin level. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Long Rest.

Additionally, you can't be aged magically, and you cease visibly aging.

Elder Champion

At 20th level, as a Bonus Action, you can imbue your Aura of Protection with primal power, granting the benefits below for 1 minute or until you end them (no action required). Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Diminish Defiance. Enemies in the aura have Disadvantage on saving throws against your spells and Channel Divinity options.

Regeneration. At the start of each of your turns, you regain 10 Hit Points.

Swift Spells. Whenever you cast a spell that has a casting time of an action, you can cast it using a Bonus Action instead.

Oath of Devotion Spells

At 3rd level, and again when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Oath of Devotion Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Sacred Weapon

At 3rd level, when you take the Attack action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to imbue one Melee weapon that you are holding with positive energy. For 10 minutes or until you use this feature again, you add your Charisma modifier to attack rolls you make with that weapon (minimum bonus of +1), and each time you hit with it, you cause it to deal its normal damage type or Radiant damage.

The weapon also emits Bright Light in a 20-foot radius and Dim Light 20 feet beyond that.

You can end this effect early (no action required). This effect also ends if you aren't carrying the weapon.

Aura of Devotion

Starting at 7th level, you and your allies have Immunity to the Charmed condition while in your Aura of Protection. If a Charmed ally enters the aura, that condition has no effect on that ally while there.

Smite of Protection

At 15th level, your magical smite now radiates protective energy. Whenever you cast Divine Smite, you and your allies have Half Cover while in your Aura of Protection. The aura has this benefit until the start of your next turn.

Holy Nimbus

At 20th level, as a Bonus Action, you can imbue your Aura of Protection with holy power, granting the benefits below for 10 minutes or until you end them (no action required). Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Holy Ward. You have Advantage on any saving throw you are forced to make by a Fiend or an Undead.

Radiant Damage. Whenever an enemy starts its turn in the aura, that creature takes Radiant damage equal to your Charisma modifier plus your Proficiency Bonus.

Sunlight. The aura is filled with Bright Light that is sunlight.

Oath of Glory Spells

At 3rd level, and again when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Oath of Glory Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Inspiring Smite

At 3rd level, immediately after you cast Divine Smite, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity and distribute Temporary Hit Points to creatures of your choice within 30 feet of yourself, which can include you. The total number of Temporary Hit Points equals 2d8 plus your Paladin level, divided among the chosen creatures however you like.

Peerless Athlete

At 3rd level, As a Bonus Action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to augment your athleticism. For 1 hour, you have Advantage on Strength (Athletics) and Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks, and the distance of your Long and High Jumps increases by 10 feet (this extra distance costs movement as normal).

Aura of Alacrity

Starting at 7th level, Your Speed increases by 10 feet.

In addition, whenever an ally enters your Aura of Protection for the first time on a turn or starts their turn there, the ally's Speed increases by 10 feet until the end of their next turn.

Glorious Defense

At 15th level, You can turn defense into a sudden strike. When you or another creature you can see within 10 feet of you is hit by an attack roll, you can take a Reaction to grant a bonus to the target's AC against that attack, potentially causing it to miss. The bonus equals your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1). If the attack misses, you can make one attack with a weapon against the attacker as part of this Reaction if the attacker is within your weapon's range.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Living Legend

At 20th level, You can empower yourself with the legends — whether true or exaggerated — of your great deeds. As a Bonus Action, you gain the benefits below for 10 minutes. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Charismatic. You are blessed with an otherworldly presence and have Advantage on all Charisma checks.

Saving Throw Reroll. If you fail a saving throw, you can take a Reaction to reroll it. You must use this new roll.

Unerring Strike. Once on each of your turns when you make an attack roll with a weapon and miss, you can cause that attack to hit instead.

Oath of Noble Genies Spells

At 3rd level, and again when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Genie Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Elemental Smite

At 3rd level, immediately after you cast Divine Smite, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity and invoke one of the following effects.

Dao's Crush. The target has the Grappled condition (escape DC equal to your spell save DC). While Grappled, the target has the Restrained condition.

Djinni's Escape. You teleport to an unoccupied space you can see within 30 feet of yourself and take on a mist-like form, which lasts until the end of your next turn. While in this form, you have Immunity to the Grappled, Prone, and Restrained conditions.

Efreeti's Fury. The target takes an extra 2d4 Fire damage.

Marid's Surge. The target and each creature of your choice in a 10-foot Emanation originating from you makes a Strength saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the creature is pushed 15 feet straight away from you and has the Prone condition.

Genie's Splendor

At 3rd level, you gain a bonus depending on if you are wearing no armor or light armor:

Genie's Protection. When you are wearing Light Armor, you you gain a bonus to your AC equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1).

Unarmored Defense. When you are wearing no armor, you calculate your Armor Class as 10 plus your Strength Modifier plus your Charisma Modifier. At 10th level, this is increased by +1. You can wield a Shield and still gain this benefit.

You also gain proficiency in one skill of your choice.

Aura of Elemental Shielding

At 7th level, choose one of the following damage types: Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder damage. You and your allies have Resistance to that damage type while in your Aura of Protection. At the start of each of your turns, you can change the damage type affected by this feature to one of the other listed options (no action required).

At 15th level, you pick two of these damage types instead of one.

Elemental Rebuke

At 15th level, When you are hit by an attack roll, you can take a Reaction to halve the attack's damage against yourself (round down) and force the attacker to make a Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC. On a failed save, the attacker takes damage equal to 4d10 plus your Charisma modifier; the damage is one of the following types (your choice): Acid, Cold, Fire, Lightning, or Thunder. On a successful save, the attacker takes half as much damage.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Noble Scion

At 20th level, as a Bonus Action, you gain the benefits below for 10 minutes or until you end them (no action required). Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Flight. You have a Fly Speed of 60 feet and can hover.

Minor Wish. When you or an ally in your Aura of Protection fails a D20 Test, you can take a Reaction to make the D20 Test succeed instead.

Oath of Vengeance Spells

At 3rd level, and again when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Oath of Vengeance Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Vow of Enmity

At 3rd level, when you take the Attack action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to utter a vow of enmity against a creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself. You have Advantage on attack rolls against the creature for 1 minute or until you use this feature again.

If the creature drops to 0 Hit Points before the vow ends, you can transfer the vow to a different creature within 30 feet of yourself (no action required).

Relentless Avenger

At 7th level, your supernatural focus helps you close off a foe's retreat. When you hit a creature with an Opportunity Attack, you can reduce the creature's Speed to 0 until the end of the current turn. You can then move up to half your Speed as part of the same Reaction. This movement doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks.

Soul of Vengance

At 15th level, Immediately after a creature under the effect of your Vow of Enmity hits or misses with an attack roll, you can take a Reaction to make a melee attack against that creature if it's within range.

Avenging Angel

At 20th level, as a Bonus Action, you gain the benefits below for 10 minutes or until you end them (no action required). Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Flight. You sprout spectral wings on your back, have a Fly Speed of 60 feet, and can hover.

Frightful Aura. Whenever an enemy starts its turn in your Aura of Protection, that creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or have the Frightened condition for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. Attack rolls against the Frightened creature have Advantage.

Art (In Order)

• woonak

1.0

• Swapped Fighting Style and Weapon Mastery.
• Added Martial Strikes as per Barbarian's progression.
• Added Divine Health. Diseases aren't currently RAW but with backwards compatibility I see no reason this can't be there at 2nd level.
• Paladin's Smite now works like Ranger's Favored Foe Hunter's Mark.
• Extra attack gets an upgrade for 3 attacks at level 11.
• All Auras increase at 18th level, including subclass auras.

1.1

• Added a revised version of the UA Noble Genie Oath.
• Genie's Splendor now grants +CHA to AC if you wear Light Armor, or if you wear No Armor you get 10 + STR + CHA AC similar to the Fighter Martial Talent.
• Genie's Splendor now grants any one proficiency in line with my changes with my Revised Classes' granting of proficiencies.
• Elemental Shielding gets improved at 15th level.