Having an ability that 100% works if really needed vs 15% better chance... I disagree.
Precision Stike doesn't 100% work.
You could miss by 2 and roll a 1.
And action surge can also miss.
Battlemastrr damage can always be tacked on. But so can smite damage.
With your distribution, they are not
If you fo Str / Dex, then the fighter loses Con.
No thanks. That is a bit much work for too little gain.
Hence why I ignored subclass.
I think precision strike is overrated now
I'm trying to keep it apples to apples as much as possible. Both Paladin and BM have other effects they can bring to the table. But +to-hit is matched.
And again: higher bonus when you need it is better than a smaller bonus.
Depends on the ratio.
I would rather have higher dex as fighter for ranged attacks.
You can make a high Dex paladin too. Go Vengeance with a longbow, two dangers and Divine Favor.
You can go with 14 Cha if needed. The only thing I use it for the the aura.
And with 8 wis, the paladin starts with worse wis saves than the fighter until the aura kicks in.
Sure. And if this was 1-5 that might be the edge the fighter needs to come out ahead. It's extremely close.
But after 6 you have a much better saves, for you allies too.
I had no problems if you assumed custom background or human feat.
Yea, but I also really like Musician. Even if it doesn't give me an inspiration.
Oh, go human. Now i can get both. Devotion doesn't care about darkvision very much with it's glowing sword.
And the extra casting of Cure Wounds will beat Toughness till level 6. So that tracks.
Plus Starry Wisp for a ranged option.
So my breakdown, as already mentioned before: seems like they are dead even on average. I see neither a clear universal advantage with the fighter, nor the paladin.
From 1-5 i agree. Extremely close and fighter might edge it out.
But paladin 6+ the has a clear advantage with the aura, steed, and higher level slots.
2 shot rests might be Battlemaster, but not the other fighters.
3+ short rests per day. Then any Fighter.