D&D General If faith in yourself is enough to get power, do we need Wizards and Warlocks etc?

[CreamCloud0]

Except it implies that only self-profess paladins have strong enough will to give them powers just because.

It implies only those with strong enough willpower to gain powers from it are those deigned to be called paladins IMO

 

[TwoSix]

Except it implies that only self-profess paladins have strong enough will to give them powers just because.

That could be the narrative, but it's not only the narrative possible.

The universe might only respond if your will is focused towards the right sort of action. Your iron will to be the world's greatest pumpkin farmer might be admirable, but not the right kind of will to grant you paladinhood.

 

[TwoSix]

It implies only those with strong enough willpower to gain powers from it are those deigned to be called paladins IMO

Exactly. You might need to be in the top 1% of all students to get into Princeton, but that doesn't mean that all of the top 1% of students go to Princeton.

Just like that pretty much every wizard might be in the 1% of smartest people in the setting, but that doesn't mean that all of the 1% of smartest people are wizards.

 

[Voadam]

Paladin default magical power source in 5e is their vow, not believing in themself.

PH page 82:

"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. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a blessed champion."

"A paladin swears to uphold justice and righteousness, to stand with the good things of the world against the encroaching darkness, and to hunt the forces of evil wherever they lurk. Different paladins focus on various aspects of the cause of righteousness, but all are bound by the oaths that grant them power to do their sacred work. Although many paladins are devoted to gods of good, a paladin's power comes as much from a commitment to justice itself as it does from a god."

5e is a little unclear and contradictory on the role of gods here.

 

[Fifinjir]

Right, the paladin’s power comes from their oath, because words have power.

 

[pawsplay]

It's not just because. It's because they live in a universe where swearing an oath is something the universe pays attention to. That's how you get curses, ghosts, revenants, and ... paladins.

 

[Minigiant]

Paladin oath only makes sense if the oath is an actual container of power.

Like a blob or cloud of divine energy cast off from the Astral Sea or Gods actions.

 

[TwoSix]

Paladin oath only makes sense if the oath is an actual container of power.

Like a blob or cloud of divine energy cast off from the Astral Sea or Gods actions.

That seems unnecessarily limiting to me. Why can't the power of oath and will simply be a core concept of a magical universe, something akin to gravity here?

There's no requirement that every power source for magic be a connection to something extrinsic to the caster.

 

[M_Natas]

That seems unnecessarily limiting to me. Why can't the power of oath and will simply be a core concept of a magical universe, something akin to gravity here?

There's no requirement that every power source for magic be a connection to something extrinsic to the caster.

I think that is a a question of preference.

Like, for a lot of people can't suspend their disbelief easily for the concept:

Although many paladins are devoted to gods of good, a paladin’s power comes as much from a commitment to justice itself as it does from a god.

They need a stronger concept for magical power, a deeper explanation for how a character can get magical powers. A commitment to justice just doesn't cut it.

Like, all other Spellcasters in the game have to make a big commitment - they either need to study for a long time to unlackiert the powers, they need to put themselves into Service of a higher being, their bodies need to be changed by magic itself or trough powerful beings.

With all chatacter classes there are several layer of explanation while with the Paladin there are not.
They get access to powers that only other people get, who go into servitude to a god. And how? By being full if themselves.

 

[Micah Sweet]

It's not just because. It's because they live in a universe where swearing an oath is something the universe pays attention to. That's how you get curses, ghosts, revenants, and ... paladins.

By that definition, anyone legitimately swearing a similar oath would receive similar power. My warlock could swear such an oath. Do they suddenly get smites and proficiency with martial weapons and armor?