D&D 5E (2014) An Argument for Why Paladins are the Strongest Class in 5E D&D

[Maxperson]

I'm getting for a level 9 paladin that uses 1 spell slot on average a turn will deal 32.4 DPR (using his level 3 slots first and a 60% chance to hit). This can be further increased with hunters mark (at the cost of more spells per fight)

I'm getting a fireball upcast to 5th level will do 25.2 damage (assuming 60% chance for failed save).

Paladin in this example is doing 29% more damage than the fireball.

Why is the wizard using a fireball against a single target?

 

[FrogReaver]

Why is the wizard using a fireball against a single target?

Why not? Or more to the point - what would you propose he do instead?

 

[Maxperson]

Why not? Or more to the point - what would you propose he do instead?

Against a single creature? Dominate Person, Hold Monster, Wall of Stone under some circumstances. Hell, even Cone of Cold would be better since fewer things resist cold. It's silly to be lobbing Fireballs at a single target.

 

[Maxperson]

I think the more important point is that a level 5+ Paladin's slots allow him to do 22.4 DPR using on average 1 level 1 spell slot per turn. A full caster will do 14 with magic missile in 2nd level slots. That's where the Paladin's real advantage lies IMO.

But it's give and take. A Paladin may be better single target, but meet 2 or more targets and the AOE is going to quickly outpace the Paladin. In my experience meeting multiple creatures is more common than single creatures.

 

[FrogReaver]

Against a single creature? Dominate Person, Hold Monster, Wall of Stone under some circumstances. Hell, even Cone of Cold would be better since fewer things resist cold. It's silly to be lobbing Fireballs at a single target.

So basically from level 5-8 you do nothing? (All the spells cited were 5th level spells)

 

[Maxperson]

So basically from level 5-8 you do nothing? (All the spells cited were 5th level spells)

You guys are talking 5th level spells and 3rd level paladin spells. At lower levels there are different choices.

 

[FrogReaver]

You guys are talking 5th level spells and 3rd level paladin spells. At lower levels there are different choices.

Gladius brought that up as an example. I ran with it. I also computed damage comparisons for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th levels. Please try to keep thins in perspective. So what do you propose should be done from level 5-8 with a full caster (wizard) against a single enemy?

 

[Maxperson]

Gladius brought that up as an example. I ran with it. I also computed damage comparisons for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th levels. Please try to keep thins in perspective. So what do you propose should be done from level 5-8 with a full caster (wizard) against a single enemy?

I don't think it matters. This is a thread about the strongest class, not about single enemies. Sometimes the Paladin will do better(single enemy) and more often the caster will do better(multiple enemies). Don't get me wrong. I love the 5e Paladin.

 

[FrogReaver]

I don't think it matters. This is a thread about the strongest class, not about single enemies. Sometimes the Paladin will do better(single enemy) and more often the caster will do better(multiple enemies). Don't get me wrong. I love the 5e Paladin.

Way to get evasive. It's a discussion at the moment comparing the wizard to the Paladin in single target. If you believe the wizard has better things to do than damage that's important. I don't believe he does from levels 5-8 at least not against a single target enemy.

 

[Maxperson]

Way to get evasive. It's a discussion at the moment comparing the wizard to the Paladin in single target. If you believe the wizard has better things to do than damage that's important. I don't believe he does from levels 5-8 at least not against a single target enemy.

There's no evasion. Focusing entirely on single target is a waste of time when comparing two classes.