D&D 5E Paladin/Fighter, how to optimize?

[sophotek_bliss]

Long story short, I'm in a campaign where we have multiple characters each. One of mine started off as a Fighter, got her to level 2 when I decided to pivot since she had various spiritual experiences and "destiny calling" moments. Right now, she's a Paladin 4/Fighter 2. Worth noting is that I'm mostly narrative driven when it comes to the decisions of my characters, so she's in no way optimized to be a paladin (CHA 13, for starters), but on the flipside she makes a great Fighter (STR 20).

Not gonna lie, it's feeling pretty rough, mostly due to having only 1 attack and limited spell slots. I guess it gets easier on P5/F2 when I get an extra attack, but I'm just wondering are there any other ways I could "fix" her. Enjoying her immensely though, even though she doesn't play well mechanically.
Thanks!

 

[Dausuul]

Long story short, I'm in a campaign where we have multiple characters each. One of mine started off as a Fighter, got her to level 2 when I decided to pivot since she had various spiritual experiences and "destiny calling" moments. Right now, she's a Paladin 4/Fighter 2. Worth noting is that I'm mostly narrative driven when it comes to the decisions of my characters, so she's in no way optimized to be a paladin (CHA 13, for starters), but on the flipside she makes a great Fighter (STR 20).

Not gonna lie, it's feeling pretty rough, mostly due to having only 1 attack and limited spell slots. I guess it gets easier on P5/F2 when I get an extra attack, but I'm just wondering are there any other ways I could "fix" her. Enjoying her immensely though, even though she doesn't play well mechanically.
Thanks!

The biggest thing right now is just gaining that fifth paladin level. At that point, you have a decently optimized build already: paladin with a 2-level fighter dip for Action Surge.

I assume you picked compatible fighting styles? (That is, you can use them both at the same time?)

The middling Charisma isn't ideal, but it's not devastating. Try to avoid spells that rely on the enemy failing a save. You'll probably use most of your slots on smiting anyway. The other place it will pinch is paladin 6, when you get your paladin aura. That stings, but it is what it is -- and Strength 20 at your level more than makes up for it. Remember, Charisma is the secondary stat for paladins. Strength is primary.

You could buy your Charisma up when you get your next feat slot (fighter 4 or paladin 8), but I think you'll do better with a combat feat. Are you playing 2014 or 2024? If 2014, then Great Weapon Mastery, Polearm Mastery, and Sentinel are all solid depending on your preferred weapons. I'm not as familiar with the 2024 feat list yet and don't have the book in front of me, but I know there are some good melee options.

 

[FrogReaver]

Till you can take Paladin 5 you could use a lot of bless. Bless the PCs that already have extra attack.

You could also look for choke points and hold them with defensive spells and even dodge actions.

 

[sophotek_bliss]

The biggest thing right now is just gaining that fifth paladin level. At that point, you have a decently optimized build already: paladin with a 2-level fighter dip for Action Surge.

I assume you picked compatible fighting styles? (That is, you can use them both at the same time?)

The middling Charisma isn't ideal, but it's not devastating. Try to avoid spells that rely on the enemy failing a save. You'll probably use most of your slots on smiting anyway. The other place it will pinch is paladin 6, when you get your paladin aura. That stings, but it is what it is -- and Strength 20 at your level more than makes up for it. Remember, Charisma is the secondary stat for paladins. Strength is primary.

You could buy your Charisma up when you get your next feat slot (fighter 4 or paladin 8), but I think you'll do better with a combat feat. Are you playing 2014 or 2024? If 2014, then Great Weapon Mastery, Polearm Mastery, and Sentinel are all solid depending on your preferred weapons. I'm not as familiar with the 2024 feat list yet and don't have the book in front of me, but I know there are some good melee options.

Yeah I've got Defensive and Dueling fighting styles. As far as spells go, it has mostly been using slots for Smite and Shield of Fate which proved to be exceptionally useful. The character is primarily the tank of the group, since she's a half-orc with Relentless Endurance and a lot of HP, so pumping up the AC has been great. It's just always sad to see a STR 20 character just hitting once a round at this level.

Good point about the feats, I still haven't given those a proper thought... (using the 2014 version). Sentinel does sound like a good idea though and would go well with the character thematically.

Till you can take Paladin 5 you could use a lot of bless. Bless the PCs that already have extra attack.

You could also look for choke points and hold them with defensive spells and even dodge actions.

Between Shield of Fate and the Smites, it has been hard to squeeze in Bless, but yeah in the few instances when it does see use it is great.

 

[Kobold Stew]

A few things:
1. Paladin 5 and 6 are both excellent.
2. What subclass did you choose? Some (Vengeance, Glory) are less reliant on Charisma than others.
3. What feat did you select at Paladin 4? Is that how you got to STR 20? Perhaps you will be allowed by your DM to reconsider that choice: anything that got your charisma to 14 would make a difference: there are many good choices. 18 STR is amazing, and more than enough. (The "race to 20" is a common mistake, in my opinion.)
4. After Paladin 6, you are 2 levels away from another feat. You can decide whether a fighter subclass or the Paladin subclass feature are better for your style of play.

 

[FrogReaver]

Between Shield of Fate and the Smites, it has been hard to squeeze in Bless, but yeah in the few instances when it does see use it is great.

I’m suggesting that for the next level you mostly use bless for your level 1 slots. You shouldn’t have level 2’s yet.

Essentially play up the party buffer role till you get extra attack. You’ll be more effective and more importantly you’ll feel like you are contributing alot more, which most people find fun.

When you finally reach Paladin 5, feel free to go back to being the sir smites alot that 99% of Paladins strive for.

*Note if you think smiting will kill an enemy right now but won’t die otherwise, then it’s usually a good plan to smite, unless you are in the mop up phase of the encounter. It’s just smiting shouldn’t be your initial plan going in. It should be used more opportunistic.

 

[delph]

I’m suggesting that for the next level you mostly use bless for your level 1 slots. You shouldn’t have level 2’s yet.

Essentially play up the party buffer role till you get extra attack. You’ll be more effective and more importantly you’ll feel like you are contributing alot more, which most people find fun.

When you finally reach Paladin 5, feel free to go back to being the sir smites alot that 99% of Paladins strive for.

*Note if you think smiting will kill an enemy right now but won’t die otherwise, then it’s usually a good plan to smite, unless you are in the mop up phase of the encounter. It’s just smiting shouldn’t be your initial plan going in. It should be used more opportunistic.

totaly agree - Paladin's smites are only when you have crit hit...
Bless is for 3 persons for each turn even when they need do saves...

I'll go for PAL 6 at first -> 2 attacks, more spell slots, aura (if you have decent CHA). Than fighter...

 

[sophotek_bliss]

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions, definitely solidifies some thoughts I had moving forward. Seems like I'm on the right track, it's just a bumpy ride. It's a great character to RP, so that pulled me through these more difficult levels.

Crit > Smite is definitely the combo when it comes to fighting atm, it just sucks doing one attack a round at level 7 heh.