D&D 5E Avenger and Hexblade as Paladin "Oaths"?

[Kobold Avenger]

Trying to think of what else could be possible Paladin oaths for other alignments I think that the Avenger and the Hexblade could fit into this.

The 4e Avenger is something that I either see as an inquisitor or as simply a lightly armoured agent of the Gods that's slightly paladinish. But I feel it could probably fit into Paladin class, with Shield of Faith being an ability identical to the Monk's AC ability as one of the oaths special features. Oath of Enmity could be a focus ability. Though the way the Paladin is currently designed, these 2 abilities couldn't fit, but it's something to consider when they inevitably redesign the class. Any other thoughts on the Avenger as a type of Paladin?

The Hexblade is something else I thought of with the possibility of being a Paladin oath. The 3e Hexblade seemed like a very underpowered Paladin-like class that just used arcane spells and nothing like the fightery-arcane class that many wanted at the time. While the 4e Hexblade was a subclass of the Warlock with it's signature ability to use a special pact weapon, I feel there's room for the Hexblade in the Paladin for 5e. Thematically it would be a more chaotic, slightly less evil version of the Blackguard. Yes there's nothing like a Hex for any of the Paladins, but I feel it's something that could go in with the base class being redesigned. I don't think classes are as bound to power sources as they were before, as Warden is sort of primal, we could have a sort of arcane Paladins subclass, and really it's just a label there's an ability called Channel Divinity. Also I think that in designing a Hexblade and considering what their spells might be, they could add spells others haven't considered for Paladins yet.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Interesting idea, but I'm wondering if perhaps in both cases the attempt to "recreate" those class using the single chassis of the paladin might be more difficult than it's worth? Like you say... Shield of Faith and Oath of Enmity probably wouldn't fit in with how the paladin is currently designed... so the question becomes whether to change the design of the paladin to accommodate recreating these two previous edition classes, or rely on other things, like multiclassing, to accomplish it better?

Is reworking the blackguard mechanics to fit a hexblade motif a better option than using a warlock/fighter multiclass to create it? I dunno. Or reworking the cavalier mechanics to recreate an avenger, rather than perhaps a paladin/monk or paladin/cleric multiclass doing it?

That's one of the big issues going forward-- how many of the "classes" that were created for past editions need to be "classes" in this one? Can multiclassing or class subbuilds or whatnot accomplish the job just as well-- without causing fans of those older "classes" to go apoplectic because their favorite isn't a "full class" anymore?

 

[the Jester]

I'm with DEFCON 1 here- I think there are a lot of past classes that don't really need to be base classes. They simply aren't iconic enough.

Spellthief, ninja, invoker, warmage, healer, etc- there are plenty of them. I'm fine with leaving a bunch of them to be developed via a combination of multiclassing, paragon paths, feats, etc.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I'm in favor of the "three kinds of vampire" idea, which means that just because you plumb one way to be a class or get at what a class represents doesn't mean that this should be your only way.

So yeah, multijobbing, feat-bashing, whatever. But it could also be a class. And I think Paladin isn't a bad fit, though I'm not sure what mounts they'd use.

 

[MoonSong]

So yeah, multijobbing, feat-bashing, whatever. But it could also be a class. And I think Paladin isn't a bad fit, though I'm not sure what mounts they'd use.

That is the cool thing, instead of a mount the avenger sprouts wings!! Hexblade is a little mor pushing it, but Avenger really fits. Just make it so the oath also removes armor proficiencies and replaces them with armor of faith.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I could see Avenger as a variant Paladin, but I really prefer the 4Ed take on the Hexblade as a more martial version of the Warlock.

 

[I'm A Banana]

That is the cool thing, instead of a mount the avenger sprouts wings!! Hexblade is a little mor pushing it, but Avenger really fits. Just make it so the oath also removes armor proficiencies and replaces them with armor of faith.

Hexblades got a familiar in 3e -- maybe they do that instead of a mount.

Yeah, it's a little amusing how intimate armor and class are considered to be by most D&D players. Heavy armor is such a signifier, it's really curious.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I'd feel it would be awesome if Hexblades got Displacer Beasts as mounts, as I was associating Hexblade->witches->black cats, and thought of Displacer Beasts as the result. But there's no strong connection to Hexblades to such things in the past.

 

[gyor]

A Avenger could be made with by giving them a channel divinity power Oath of Enmity that works like Oath of Enmity in 4e except it lasts all day and can transfere it to a new enemy when the current target dies or is incompasitated. Armour of faith can be another all day use of channel divinity that buffs your armour class when wearing no armour.

 

[gyor]

There is talk of making a special gish class, Hexblade may end up there.