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Are Paladins Merely Mediocre Multiclass Fighter/Clerics?
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<blockquote data-quote="James Gasik" data-source="post: 9242929" data-attributes="member: 6877472"><p>Thematically, there's not really much difference between the Cleric (a warrior priest) and a Paladin (a warrior armed with divine powers). A lot of work has been done over the years to give Paladins bespoke abilities that Clerics lack. In 5e, the Paladin's powers couldn't fit in a subclass, since all Cleric subclasses are Domains.</p><p></p><p>Also, War Domain is a fairly shabby replacement for the Paladin's martial prowess (ever wonder why Bards and Wizards can get extra attack and Clerics can't? Because it would weaken the Paladin's mechanical identity).</p><p></p><p>While most Paladin spells aren't great when you get them (and concentration spells for a melee class that lacks Con save proficiency can be wretched), the versatility of having spells if you need them, and being able to turn them into raw damage if you don't makes up for a lot of sins. Lay on Hands grants additional healing power, and the aura can be a godsend. The various Oaths reinforce the Paladin's mechanical identity as being unique and distinct from the Cleric.</p><p></p><p>Compare and contrast the Rangers design, where the theme and mechanics of the class aren't particularly strong, and the only thing keeping the class afloat are (some) of it's subclasses. Thematically, they are some kind of Fighter/Rogue/Druid...thing*. Mechanically, they have weak situational bonuses and their primary source of additional damage is tied to a spell that requires concentration.</p><p></p><p>*Quite amusing if you're familiar with the 1e Bard.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="James Gasik, post: 9242929, member: 6877472"] Thematically, there's not really much difference between the Cleric (a warrior priest) and a Paladin (a warrior armed with divine powers). A lot of work has been done over the years to give Paladins bespoke abilities that Clerics lack. In 5e, the Paladin's powers couldn't fit in a subclass, since all Cleric subclasses are Domains. Also, War Domain is a fairly shabby replacement for the Paladin's martial prowess (ever wonder why Bards and Wizards can get extra attack and Clerics can't? Because it would weaken the Paladin's mechanical identity). While most Paladin spells aren't great when you get them (and concentration spells for a melee class that lacks Con save proficiency can be wretched), the versatility of having spells if you need them, and being able to turn them into raw damage if you don't makes up for a lot of sins. Lay on Hands grants additional healing power, and the aura can be a godsend. The various Oaths reinforce the Paladin's mechanical identity as being unique and distinct from the Cleric. Compare and contrast the Rangers design, where the theme and mechanics of the class aren't particularly strong, and the only thing keeping the class afloat are (some) of it's subclasses. Thematically, they are some kind of Fighter/Rogue/Druid...thing*. Mechanically, they have weak situational bonuses and their primary source of additional damage is tied to a spell that requires concentration. *Quite amusing if you're familiar with the 1e Bard. [/QUOTE]
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Community
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Are Paladins Merely Mediocre Multiclass Fighter/Clerics?
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