I'm not sure I see that. The Paladin is still swinging the same weapon, with the same Fighting Style and damage bonus as the Fighter.
Even looking at the Battlemaster and assuming the apparently rather unusual full two-short-rest adventuring day, the point at which a Paladin gets more d8s through smites as the battlemaster gets d8s through superiority dice is only 5th level.
The actual damage potential will vary with level. Depending on Action Surge and the extra ASI that the Fighter gets or the Paladin levelling into new spell slots. I don't see an equivalent Fighter "easily outpace" a Paladin.
I should have been more specific on my claim.
1. It assumes the proper number of rests (2 short between long rests). Not every campaign gets there all the time.
2. It assumes the "proper" number of encounters over the adventuring day. If you have very few the paladin can often nova which will put him over the top.
3. It assumes the fighter is actually built for damage, and that feats are used. Without feats I think the position will generally be higher damage. With feats such polarm master, great weapon master and sharpshooter - they really help the fighter. Yes the paladin CAN take them, but he's just a bit more MAD (though the fighter is more MAD then the wizard) and gets 1-2 less feats depending on level.
4. I kept track of damage at be level 11+ even the fighter gets the extra, extra attack. That likely makes a HUGE difference, especially when feats are used.
5. We're still talking only DPR. As a half caster the paladin gets A LOT more versatility than the fighter, especially in exploration and social
I'm not sure I see that. The Paladin is still swinging the same weapon, with the same Fighting Style and damage bonus as the Fighter.
Even looking at the Battlemaster and assuming the apparently rather unusual full two-short-rest adventuring day, the point at which a Paladin gets more d8s through smites as the battlemaster gets d8s through superiority dice is only 5th level.
The actual damage potential will vary with level. Depending on Action Surge and the extra ASI that the Fighter gets or the Paladin levelling into new spell slots. I don't see an equivalent Fighter "easily outpace" a Paladin.
I suppose "easily..." was overly hyperbolic.
The fighter will out DPR the paladin if:
1. You have the "proper" amount of rests (2 short between long). Not all campaigns stick to the structure.
2. You have the "proper" number of encounters. Too few and the paladin can NOVA way too often. And the paladin can NOVA more than the fighter can action surge.
3. I should have specified level 11+ when the fighter gets a third attack. That's where I kept track of damage.
4. The fighter has to be built for DPR, which generally means feats, and the big feats like polarm master, sharpshooter, great Watson master or crossbow expert. The fighter had just a bit more room for feats as levels increase as they get 1-2 more and are slightly less MAD then the paladin.
So, yeah, overly hyperbolic in on my part. As the fighter has to be built for DPR, the paladin doesn't really. Their damage is intrinsic in the class features. Plus, outside of DPR, the paladin will have more versatility and a LOT more utility in pilars outside of combat.