D&D (2024) 2024 Player's Handbook Reveal #3: "New Paladin"

"the paladin who, if they were in a movie, would ... have impossibly white teeth".


New Paladin preview: here are some notes, focusing on what's new and changes from the playtest materials. Last time we saw the Paladin was in Playtest 6 [=PT6 below].
See also this comparison at D&D Beyond (by someone who saw the video before it was streamed!)

OVERVIEW
  • spellcasting starts at level 1, specifically called out as an advantage for multiclassing. (Same for Rangers).
  • Lay on Hands and Weapon mastery at 1
  • Paladin's smite at 2, along with fighting style.
  • NEW: Paladin fighting style restriction is removed (all are available). You may forego fighting style to learn cantrips. [The option to get cantrips was given in Tasha's. They're letting us have it, but it's not called a "fighting style". I suspect this ties to the decision that fighting styles are feats now, and this would be weaker than magic initiate (which also gives a level 1 spell).]
  • Paladin's smite gives you the spell Divine smite, with one free casting.
  • channel divinity [CD]: uses increase: start with 2, plus 1 on a short rest.
  • divine sense in CD option (as in PT6). duration lasts 10 minutes.
  • Find steed spell at level 5, cast 1/day with no slot. Redesigned so that spell can be upcast, with a unique steed statblock. [This strongly implies that it's a class-specific spell, not on others' lists. Awesome. (Will a Lore Bard be able to select it? I hope so, and the discussion of spell lists (see below) makes me think they might, since identifying class-specific spells is harder.)]
  • Abjure Foes a CD option (given at 9 in PT6)
  • Auras are single things, with a single radius, that gain abilities/functionality (not separate auras as in 2014).
SUBCLASSES

Oath of Devotion.
  • NEW: Sacred Weapon is part of the attack action. (PT required a Bonus action).
  • Smite of Protection (level 15 in PT6)
  • Holy Nimbus (level 20) is a bonus action (as in PT6).
Oath of Glory ("...this for me is the paladin who, if they were in a movie, would look at the camera, have impossibly white teeth, with a little sparkle on them as they smile")
  • Peerless athlete lasts an hour (as in PT6)
  • NEW: Aura of Alacrity affects allies if they enter your aura on their turn (they no longer need to start there)
  • Oath of Glory has a new spell at level 17: Yolan's Regal Presence. Created by the Queen of the Elves, and makes others kneel before you and take psychic damage. [It's said that others can cast this spell too -- if right, then it's a 5th level spell and Clerics (likely) will be getting this at level 9. Perhaps he misspoke, and it's a class-specific spell.]
Oath of the Ancients
  • Nature's wrath range "has been extended"
  • Aura of Warding as in PT6 (resistance to Necrotic, Psychic, and Radiant)
  • Undying Sentinel at 15 as in PT6 (you don't return with 1hp, but [?] 3x class level.
Oath of Vengeance
  • NEW: Vow of Enmity part of attack action (not Bonus action); can transfer (as in PT6)
  • NEW: Level 20 Avenging Angel activated as a Bonus Action, and lasts an hour (not 10 min as in PT6)

NEW RULES
  • new area of effect: it's been there since 2014, but hasn't been named. It's for AOE that emanate from a character or monster -- the Emanation.
  • new approach to spell lists. Spell list is part of the class description (as we saw with the Artificer). Entries give the school, whether it needs concentration, and required components. [I presume spell descriptions will still be at the back of the book: this is referring to the lists currently on PHB 207-11.]
  • oath spell lists, patron spell lists, etc. have all been vetted and updated throughout.
 

log in or register to remove this ad

If the '24 Paladin design goal was to reduce its power, and present a series of less interesting choices in a linear manner?
Less power, yes.
But how do you get less choices?

Divine Smite was so strong that's all people did.

Now you can pick from 8(?) valid smite options. Mixed with the 6(?) weapon mastery options.

2014 option: deal damage or more damage, or possibly even more damage
Vs
2024: deal damage and pick from 48 different combinations of effects.
 
Last edited:

log in or register to remove this ad


If the '24 Paladin design goal was to reduce its power, and present a series of less interesting choices in a linear manner?

Its a success.

It certainly is not sparking joy with this career Paladin, and I wont be using it.
As a sorcerer supporter, I dread the final reveal of Twin Spell. But even then I know in my heart that it was too good and needs a nerf. I'm not going to stomp my feet and demand the 2014 Twin Spell be used. I'm willing to see what the final product looks like before I consider it a failure.
 

As a DM who has paladins in each of my current campaign groups, I also support the changes to the class. I just don't see having to use the bonus action as that big of an issue in practical play. Most of the impact will be on reducing the "nova" power of the paladin doing multiple smites on a turn, and it seems like most of the critics are okay with that element of the rule change.
 


The Chase Win GIF by ABC Network
 

How do you get 3?

And how is 3 less bland options worse than 1 bland option?

Its an approximation, just as you didnt read my post or tried to pull it in a different direction by reading 'less interesting' as 'less' I didnt care to go and find all the options to give you an exact count.

And I wont be.
 



I play a paladin regularly, and I get the change. I honestly have no problem with it...

I just really hope they change eldritch smite to cost a bonus action as well. And pull the third attack off Pact of the Blade. Because the Playtest 7 warlock was a much better paladin than the paladin we saw today.
 

Remove ads

Remove ads

Top