D&D 5E (2024) Advice with building a 2024 Paladin?

[DarkMoon250]

Howdy, folks. At the starting point of my first 5e Revised campaign, and I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on how I might plan out a build for my lvl 2 aasimar Paladin.

I’ve begun the game with 17 Str, 10 Dex, 13 Con, 10 Int, 14 Wis, and 16 Cha. I grabbed the dueling fighting style because I like having my holy symbol on my shield. Not sure what feats I might want to look at for lvl 4, but I’d like it to be something that increases the Str or Con score (or just use the ASI for both, if that’s better).

Split between taking the Oath of Devotion or the Oath of Vengeance. I like the flavor and style of both, and each feel like they might fit this character based on how I’ve been RPing them, but I’m really willing to go with either. My character serves a lunar god of light and protection in the night, and I feel like that flavor could fit either Sacred Oath well enough (at least until lvl 20 on Devotion).

Also, the rest of my party consists of a Cleric, Bard, and Sorcerer. I think they’re just using the DnD Beyond Basic Rules, so they’re most likely going with Life Domain, College of Lore, and Draconic Bloodline. Just wanted to bring that up in case it’s a relevant factor.

Thanks to anyone who replies

 

[Benjamin Olson]

As far as feats go it's probably best to just lean into whatever weapon or weapon setup you are mostly using by time you get to level 4 and get the feat that goes with it. I think polearm master with a spear (or quarterstaff) is still, within the white walls of the kingdom of Theorycraftia, the most powerful feat for one handed weapon usage (nothing really beats getting reliable extra attacks), but that probably demands having a magic spear and being married to that as your primary weapon to be viable, and the bonus action attacks no longer work on turns when you use smite anyway. Really I'd probably go with Shield Master (knocking enemies prone with shield bashes will lock them down, and sometimes generate advantage for you once you have extra attack) or Sentinal (some extra opportunity attacks and another enemy locking down feature), because the rest of your party are full casters and you want to keep the wrong enemies from getting toe to toe with them. At level 8 probably take Resiliant for Constitution since you have an odd number in it, and Con saves are important.

Based on your party I'd say go Oath of Vengeance. I think the subclass features are pretty evenly matched really (I think Oath of Devotion would come out ahead, because it's channel divinity is useful in any fight, whereas the Vengeance Paladin's is only really for the fight with one or a few big targets but how much this matters depends on the campaign). But the Oath of Devotion spells are basically all Cleric spells, so unless maybe the Cleric is playing some sort of really idiosyncratic Cleric they've probably got it covered. You are probably covering most of the martial department for your party given the composition, and being able to Hunter's Mark an enemy or close gaps with Misty Step could be pretty clutch on that front (if you can stand the frustration of sometimes not having your bonus action available to smite).

 

[mellored]

Things are much more balanced in 2024, so play whatever is more fun.

As for a feat, since your clearly going to be the guy taking all the hits, Heavy Armor Master would be my first choice. It fits the protector theme and comes with +1 Str. Combine it with Heroism and your nearly immune to low level damage.

+2 Str at level 8 to cap your attack.
Resilient Con at level 12, changing Heroism out for Aura of Vitality.

Also, racial ability boosts have been moved to backgrounds, which also comes with a weak feat. The 2 that have +Str and +Cha are Nobel and Entertainer. If the bard doesn't take Entertainer, then I suggest you do as it provides a nice party wide buff when you rest. Reflavor it as prayers of holy protection. But it won't stack so you don't want to have 2 of them.
Farmers is another good choice, with +Str and +Con, and extra HP.

 

[Zardnaar]

Consider taking magic initiate: druid, shillagh as a cantrip and key everything off charisma?

 

[Maialideth]

Remember that your Holy Smite is a bonus action now, so it doesn't synergy that well with polearms. Oath of Vengeance gives you the Hunter's Mark spell and the Vow of Enmity ability gives you Advantage on attack rolls against the target of your Vow. This says to me that you'd want a lot of attacks each round, especially without using your bonus action, as that is rather valuable for spells and smites and so on. I'd go with Oath of Vengeance, dual-wielding and Nick mastery then in combat focus-fire on a single target until it is down, move Hunter's Mark and Vow to another target and cut them down.

 

[mellored]

Consider taking magic initiate: druid, shillagh as a cantrip and key everything off charisma?

That doesn't mesh well with the bard IMO.
They already cover Cha Skills, and no one else has Str.

If they had a Barbarian instead, i would agree.