Paladin
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.
PaladinSpell Slots per Level
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Divine Sense, Lay on Hands, Sacred Oath | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | +2 | Fighting Style, Spellcasting, Divine Smite | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | +2 | Sacred Oath Feature | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| 4th | +2 | Feat | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 6th | +3 | Aura of Protection | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 7th | +3 | Sacred Oath feature | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 8th | +3 | Feat | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 9th | +4 | Divine Health | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 10th | +4 | Aura of Courage | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 11th | +4 | Improved Divine Smite | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| 12th | +4 | Feat | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| 13th | +4 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 14th | +5 | Cleansing Touch | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 15th | +5 | Sacred Oath feature | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 16th | +5 | Feat | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 17th | +5 | — | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 18th | +6 | Aura improvements | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 19th | +6 | Feat | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 20th | +6 | Sacred Oath feature | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
You must have a Charisma score and a Strength score of 15 or higher in order to multiclass in or out of this class.
Class Features
As a paladin, you gain the following class features
Hit Points
- Hit Dice: 1d10 per paladin level
- Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier
- Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per paladin level after 1st
Proficiencies
- Armor: All armor, all shields
- Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
- Tools: None
- Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
- Skills: Choose two from Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, Persuasion, and Religion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- (a) a martial weapon and a kite 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
Divine Sense
At 1st level, 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, regaining all expended uses after a long rest.
Lay on Hands
Also at 1st level, 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 x 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 two levels of severity of one disease on the target, 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.
Sacred Oath
At 1st level, you swear the oath that binds you as a paladin forever. Your choice grants you features at 1st level, and again at 3rd, 7th, 15th, and 20th level. Those features include oath spells and the Channel Oath 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 Oath
Your oath allows you to channel divine energy to fuel magical effects. Each Channel Oath option provided by your oath explains how to use it.
When you use your Channel Oath, you choose which option to use. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Oath again.
Some Channel Oath effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals 8 + your Proficiency Bonus + your Charisma modifier.
Fighting Style
Starting at 2nd level, you adopt a particular 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.
- Blessed Warrior. You learn two cantrips of your choice from the cleric spell list. They count as paladin spells for you, and Charisma is your spellcasting ability for them. Whenever you gain a level in this class, you can replace one of these cantrips with another cantrip from the cleric spell list.
- Blind Fighting. You have Blindsight with a range of 10 feet. Within that range, you can effectively see anything that isn't behind total cover, even if you're blinded or in darkness. Moreover, you can see an invisible creature within that range, unless the creature successfully hides from you.
- 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, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.
- Interception. When a creature you can see hits a target, other than you, within 5 feet of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by 1d10 + your proficiency bonus (to a minimum of 0 damage). You must be wielding a shield or a simple or martial weapon to use this reaction.
- 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.
Spellcasting
By 2nd level, you have learned to draw on divine magic through meditation and prayer to cast spells as a cleric does.
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 +Spell attack modifier
Spellcasting Focus
You can use a holy symbol as a spellcasting focus for your paladin spells.
Divine Smite
Finally, beginning 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.
Feat
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you gain a Feat.
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 (minimum of +1). You must be conscious to grant this bonus.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 20 feet.
Divine Health
By 9th level, the divine magic flowing through you gives you heightened endurance against natural diseases and poisons. You have advantage on saving throws against being Poisoned or gaining a Disease.
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 20 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 have perfected your ability to heal others with your touch. As an action, you can 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.
Oath of the Ancients
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.
Tenets of the Ancients
The tenets of the Oath of the Ancients have been preserved for uncounted centuries. This oath emphasizes the principles of good above any concerns of law or chaos. Its four central principles are simple.
- Kindle the Light. Through your acts of mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, kindle the light of hope in the world, beating back despair.
- Shelter the Light. Where there is good, beauty, love, and laughter in the world, stand against the wickedness that would swallow it. Where life flourishes, stand against the forces that would render it barren.
- Preserve Your Own Light. Delight in song and laughter, in beauty and art. If you allow the light to die in your own heart, you can't preserve it in the world.
- Be the Light. Be a glorious beacon for all who live in despair. Let the light of your joy and courage shine forth in all your deeds.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Ensnaring Strike, Speak with Animals |
| 5th | Moonbeam, Misty Step |
| 9th | Plant Growth, Protection from Energy |
| 13th | Ice Storm, Stoneskin |
| 17th | Commune with Nature, Tree Stride |
Channel Oath: Healing Radiance
At 1st level, your dedication to the Oath of Ancients allows you to revitalize those around you. As a bonus action, you Channel your Oath, causing you and creatures friendly to you within 10 feet regain hit points equal to your Charisma Modifier + your Proficiency Bonus + your Paladin Level.
Additionally, on your next turn, you and creatures friendly to you within 10 feet regain the same amount of hit points.
Channel Oath: Nature's Wrath
At 3rd level, you gain the ability to Channel your Oath to invoke primeval forces to ensnare a foe. As an action, you can cause spectral vines to spring up and reach for a creature within 10 feet of you that you can see. The creature must succeed on a Strength or Dexterity saving throw (its choice) or be Restrained. While Restrained by the vines, the creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns. On a success, it frees itself and the vines vanish.
Channel Oath: Turn the Faithless
Also at 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath to utter ancient words that are painful for Fey and Fiends to hear. As an action, you present your holy symbol, and each Fey or Fiend within 30 feet of you that can hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is Turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.
A Turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there's nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.
If the creature's true form is concealed by an illusion, shapeshifting, or other effect, that form is revealed while it is Turned
Aura of Warding
Beginning at 7th level, ancient magic lies so heavily upon you that it forms an eldritch ward. You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have resistance to damage from spells.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 20 feet.
Undying Sentinel
Starting at 15th level, when you are reduced to 0 hit points and are not killed outright, you can choose to drop to 1 hit point instead. Once you use this ability, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Additionally, you suffer none of the drawbacks of old age, and you can't be aged magically.
Elder Champion
At 20th level, you can assume the form of an ancient force of nature, taking on an appearance you choose. For example, your skin might turn green or take on a bark-like texture, your hair might become leafy or moss-like, or you might sprout antlers or a lion-like mane.
Using your action, you undergo a transformation. For 1 minute, you gain the following benefits:
- At the start of each of your turns, you regain 10 hit points.
- Whenever you cast a paladin spell that has a casting time of 1 action, you can cast it using a bonus action instead.
- Enemy creatures within 10 feet of you have disadvantage on saving throws against your paladin spells and Channel Oath options.
- Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
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 fiends, valuing the rule of law over the balm of mercy. These 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 as an eternal reminder of laws they follow and uphold.
- 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 Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Armor of Agathys, Command |
| 5th | Hold Person, Spiritual Weapon |
| 9th | Bestow Curse, Fear |
| 13th | Dominate Beast, Stoneskin |
| 17th | Cloudkill, Dominate Person |
Channel Oath: Establish Order
At 1st level, you can Channel your Oath as an action to balance chaos with pure law. One creature you can see of your choice within 30 feet of you must succeed a Constitution saving throw or take Psychic damage equal to your Charisma Modifier + your Proficiency Bonus + your Paladin level. One other creature you can see of your choice within this same radius then regains hit points equal to the damage dealt.
Channel Oath: Conquering Presence
At 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath as an action to exude a terrifying presence. When you do so, you force each creature of your choice that you can see within 30 feet of you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature becomes Frightened of you for 1 minute. The Frightened creature can repeat this saving throw at the end of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Channel Oath: Guided Strike
Also at 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath to strike with supernatural accuracy. When you make an attack roll, you can use your Channel Oath to gain a +10 bonus to the roll. You make this choice after you see the roll, but before the DM says whether the attack hits or misses.
Aura of Conquest
Starting at 7th level, you constantly emanate a menacing aura while you're not Incapacitated. The aura extends 10 feet from you in every direction, but not through total cover.
If a creature is Frightened of you, its speed is reduced to 0 while in the aura, and that creature takes Psychic damage equal to half your paladin level if it starts its turn there.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 20 feet.
Scornful Rebuke
Starting at 15th level, those who dare to strike you are psychically punished for their audacity. Whenever a creature hits you with an attack, that creature takes Psychic damage equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of 1) if you’re not Incapacitated.
Invincible Conqueror
At 20th level, you gain the ability to harness extraordinary martial prowess. As an action, you can magically become an avatar of conquest, gaining the following benefits for 1 minute:
- You have resistance to all damage.
- When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can make one additional attack as part of that action.
- Your melee weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20.
Once you use this feature, you must complete a long rest to do so again.
Oath of Devotion
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.
Tenets of Devotion
Though the exact words and strictures of the Oath of Devotion vary, paladins of this oath share these tenets.
- Honesty. Don't lie or cheat. Let your word be your promise.
- Courage. Never fear to act, though caution is wise.
- Compassion. Aid others, protect the weak, and punish those who threaten them. Show mercy to your foes, but temper it with wisdom.
- Honor. Treat others with fairness, and let your honorable deeds be an example to them. Do as much good as possible while causing the least amount of harm.
- Duty. Be responsible for your actions and their consequences, protect those entrusted to your care, and obey those who have just authority over you.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Protection from Evil and Good, Sanctuary |
| 5th | Lesser Restoration, Zone of Truth |
| 9th | Beacon of Hope, Dispel Magic |
| 13th | Freedom of Movement, Guardian of Faith |
| 17th | Commune, Flame Strike |
Channel Oath: Holy Rebuke
At 1st level, you can Channel your Oath as an action to grant a protective aura of radiance around a creature you can see within 30 feet (including possibly yourself). Until the end of your next turn, when a creature hits the target with a melee attack, it takes 1d4 Radiant damage.
Channel Oath: Sacred Weapon
At 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath as an action to imbue one weapon that you are holding with positive energy. For the next minute, you add your Charisma modifier to attack rolls made with that weapon (minimum of +1). The weapon also emits bright light in a 20 foot radius and dim light 20 feet beyond that. If the weapon is not already magical, it becomes magical for the duration.
You can end this effect on your turn as part of any other action. If you are no longer holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall Unconscious, this effect ends.
Channel Oath: Turn the Unholy
At 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath as an action, present your holy symbol, and speak a prayer censuring Fiends and Undead. Each Fiend or Undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is Turned for 1 minute or until it takes damage.
A Turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can't willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there's nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.
Aura of Devotion
Starting at 7th level, you and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you can't be Charmed while you are conscious.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 20 feet.
Purity of Spirit
Beginning at 15th level, you are always under the effects of a Protection from Evil and Good spell.
Holy Nimbus
At 20th level, as an action, you can emanate an aura of sunlight. For the next minute, bright light shines from you in a 30 foot radius, and dim light shines 30 feet beyond that.
Whenever an enemy creature starts its turn in the bright light, the creature takes 10 Radiant damage.
In addition, for the duration, you have advantage on saving throws against spells cast by Fiends or Undead.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oath of Redemption
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 them to the light, and the paladins slay them 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, the paladins 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.
Tenets of Redemption
The tenets of the Oath of Redemption hold a paladin to a high standard of peace and justice.
- Peace. Violence is a weapon of last resort. Diplomacy and understanding are the paths to long-lasting peace.
- Innocence. All people begin life in an innocent state, and it is their environment or the influence of dark forces that drives them to evil. By setting the proper example, and working to heal the wounds of a deeply flawed world, you can set anyone on a righteous path.
- Patience. Change takes time. Those who have walked the path of the wicked must be given reminders to keep them honest and true. Once you have planted the seed of righteousness in a creature, you must work day after day to allow it to survive and then flourish.
- Wisdom. Your heart and mind must stay clear, for eventually you will be forced to admit defeat. While every creature can be redeemed, some are so far along the path of evil that you have no choice but to end their lives for the greater good. Any such action must be carefully weighed and the consequences fully understood, but once you have made the decision, follow through with it knowing your path is just.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Sanctuary, Sleep |
| 5th | Calm Emotions, Hold Person |
| 9th | Counterspell, Hypnotic Pattern |
| 13th | Resilient Sphere, Stoneskin |
| 17th | Hold Monster, Wall of Force |
Channel Oath: Pacifist's Ward
At 1st level, you can Channel your Oath to protect a creature from harm. One creature you can see of your choice (including possibly yourself) immediately regains hit points equal to 1d6 + your Charisma modifier, and for the next minute, it has a +1 bonus to its AC.
You must concentrate on this effect as if concentrating on a spell.
Channel Oath: Emissary of Peace
At 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath as a bonus action to augment your presence with divine power, granting yourself a +5 bonus to Charisma (Persuasion) checks for the next 10 minutes.
Channel Oath: Rebuke the Violent
Also at 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath to rebuke those who use violence. Immediately after an attacker within 30 feet of you deals damage with an attack against a creature other than you, you can use your reaction to force the attacker to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the attacker takes Radiant damage equal to the damage it just dealt. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage.
Aura of the Guardian
Starting at 7th level, you can shield your allies from harm at the cost of your own health. When a creature within 10 feet of you takes damage, you can use your reaction to magically take that damage, instead of that creature taking it. This feature doesn't transfer any other effects that might accompany the damage, and this damage can't be reduced in any way.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 20 feet.
Protective Spirit
Starting at 15th level, a holy presence mends your wounds in combat. You regain hit points equal to 1d6 + half your paladin level if you end your turn in combat with fewer than half of your hit points remaining and you aren’t Incapacitated.
Emissary of Redemption
At 20th level, you become an avatar of peace, which gives you two benefits:
- You have resistance to all damage dealt by other creatures.
- Whenever a creature hits you with an attack, it takes Radiant damage equal to half the damage you take from the attack.
If you attack a creature, cast a spell on it, or deal damage to it by any means but this feature, neither of these benefits works against that creature until you finish a long rest.
Oath of Vengeance
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.
Tenets of Vengeance
The tenets of the Oath of Vengeance vary by paladin, but all the tenets revolve around punishing wrongdoers by any means necessary. Paladins who uphold these tenets are willing to sacrifice even their own righteousness to mete out justice upon those who do evil, so the paladins are often neutral or lawful neutral in alignment. The core principles of the tenets are brutally simple.
- Fight the Greater Evil. Faced with a choice of fighting my sworn foes or combating a lesser evil, I choose the greater evil.
- No Mercy for the Wicked. Ordinary foes might win my mercy, but my sworn enemies do not.
- By Any Means Necessary. My qualms can't get in the way of exterminating my foes.
- Restitution. If my foes wreak ruin on the world, it is because I failed to stop them. I must help those harmed by their misdeeds.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Bane, Hunter's Mark |
| 5th | Hold Person, Misty Step |
| 9th | Haste, Protection from Energy |
| 13th | Banishment, Dimension Door |
| 17th | Hold Monster, Scrying |
Channel Oath: Inquisitor's Might
At 1st level, you can Channel your Oath as a bonus action to call upon the brutality of vengeance, imbuing the weapon of a you can see creature within 30 feet (including possibly yourself) with wrathful power. Until the end of your next turn, when a creature hits an attack with the weapon affected by this ability, they deal an additional 1d4 Radiant damage in addition to its normal damage, and the target of the attack must succeed a Constitution saving throw against or become Dazed until the end of its next turn. If the weapon is not already magical, it becomes magical for the duration. If you are no longer holding or carrying this weapon, or if you fall Unconscious, this effect ends.
Channel Oath: Abjure Enemy
At 3rd level, as an action, you can present your holy symbol, Channel your Oath, and speak a prayer of denunciation. Choose one creature within 60 feet of you that you can see. That creature must make a Wisdom saving throw, unless it is immune to being Frightened. Fiends and Undead have disadvantage on this saving throw.
On a failed save, the creature is Frightened for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. While Frightened in this way, the creature's speed is 0, and it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed.
On a successful save, the creature's speed is halved for 1 minute or until the creature takes any damage.
Channel Oath: Vow of Enmity
Also at 3rd level, as a bonus action, you can Channel your Oath to utter a vow of enmity against a creature you can see within 10 feet of you. You gain advantage on attack rolls against the creature for 1 minute, or until it drops to 0 hit points or falls Unconscious.
Relentless Avenger
By 7th level, your supernatural focus helps you close off a foe's retreat. When you hit a creature with an opportunity attack, you can move up to half your speed immediately after the attack as part of the same reaction. This movement doesn't provoke opportunity attacks.
Soul of Vengeance
Starting at 15th level, the authority with which you speak your Vow of Enmity gives you greater power over your foe. When a creature under the effect of your Vow of Enmity makes an attack, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against that creature if it is within range.
Avenging Angel
At 20th level, you can assume the form of an angelic avenger. Using your action, you undergo a transformation. For 1 hour, you gain the following benefits:
- Wings sprout from your back, granting you a fly speed of 60 feet.
- You emanate an aura of menace in a 30 foot radius. The first time any enemy creature enters the aura or starts its turn there during a battle, the creature must succeed a Wisdom saving throw or become Frightened of you for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. Attack rolls against the Frightened creature have advantage.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.
Oathbreaker
An oathbreaker is a paladin who breaks their sacred oaths to pursue some dark ambition or serve an evil power. Whatever light burned in the paladin's heart been extinguished; only darkness remains.
Oathbreaker Tenets
Oathbreakers are not beholden to tenets, swearing an oath only themselves and their own personal desires.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spell |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Hellish Rebuke, Inflict Wounds |
| 5th | Crown of Madness, Darkness |
| 9th | Animate Dead, Bestow Curse |
| 13th | Blight, Confusion |
| 17th | Contagion, Dominate Person |
Channel Oath: Spiteful Suffering
At 1st level, you can Channel your Oath as an action to lash at an enemy you can see within 10 feet of you with the darkness that churns within you. The target must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 1d4 Necrotic damage, and you can force it to repeat this save on its next turn as your action. This effect ends after 1 minute, if the target succeeds its save, if you fall unconscious or die, or if the target is reduced below 0 hit points.
Channel Oath: Control Undead
At 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath as an action and attempt to dominate an Undead creature you can see within 30 feet of you. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target must obey your commands for the next 24 hours, or until you use this Channel Oath option again. An Undead whose challenge rating is equal to or greater than your paladin level is immune to this effect.
Channel Oath: Dreadful Aspect
At 3rd level, you can Channel your Oath as an action to summon your darkest emotions and focus them into a burst of magical menace. Each creature that can see you of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target is Frightened of you for 1 minute. If a creature Frightened by this effect ends its turn more than 30 feet away from you, it can attempt another Wisdom saving throw to end the effect on it.
Aura of Hate
Starting at 7th level you and any Fiends and Undead within 10 feet of you gain a bonus to damage rolls you make with melee weapons equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1) while you are conscious. A creature can benefit from this feature from only one paladin at a time.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 20 feet.
Supernatural Resistance
At 15th level, you gain resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
Dread Lord
At 20th level, as an action, you can surround yourself with an aura of gloom that lasts for 1 minute, which has the following effects:
- Any light caused by a spell of 3rd level or lower is instantly dispelled.
- Whenever an enemy that is Frightened by you starts its turn within 20 feet of you, it takes 2d10 Psychic damage.
- You and any creatures of your choosing in the aura are draped in deeper shadow. Creatures that rely on sight have disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures draped in this shadow.
While the aura lasts, you can use a bonus action on your turn to cause the shadows in the aura to attack one creature within 20 feet. Make a melee spell attack against the target. If the attack hits, the target takes Necrotic damage equal to 3d10 + your Charisma modifier.
Once you use this feature, you must complete a long rest to do so again.