D&D (2024) Best and Worst Classes Lvl 1-10.

but not as much as +3 to all saves
I orefer one auto save above +15% better chance.
Sure. Maybe the DM only runs creatures that force Charisma saves, or are vulnerable to radiant.
Which favors the paladin.
But we can't really count on that.
No.
Agreed.
And the paladin can carry a shield and not loose a s much.
Correct.
Smite doesn't care what weapon you wield. Action Surge does.
Correct.

As a strength based sword and board character I would favour the paladin. Actually I think longsword is now the paladin weapon.
Never said they weren't.

And level 2 searing smite is 4d6+, and can't miss.
Yes. Agreed.
Shining smite is probably better, but that pretty team depend.

I'm still thinking Shillelagh +shield, Inspiring leader, and 20 Cha would be optimal. It plays into the paladin strengths better than a greatsword.
Maybe. If you like that fantasy.
But it's harder to compare that way.

I guess I could compare Rapier + Shield and Defensive Duelist. See how bad the loss of a greatsword hurts the fighter.
Depends on the subclass I guess.

Really, I said, I underestimated some small seemingly small changes like more healing on cure wounds. I now think both classes are very balanced against each other. Yes, there are levels and situations where one might be ahead of the other, but overall, it seems dead even.
 
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Maybe. If you like that fantasy.
IMO
If you want sword and shield, Paladin is better
If you want greatsword, Barbarian is better (who can also have 14 Dex and a bow).
If you want flurry, Monk or Ranger
If you want ranged is Ranger or Rogue

Doesn't leave the fighter with a spot.

Things change at 11 though. Action Surge is 50% stronger, and you can add Push and Slow to anything at level 9, which gives them the good damage and good tactics.
While Ranger falls off.
Yes, there are levels and situations where one might be ahead of the other, but overall, it seems dead even.
Definitely very close.
 

IMO
If you want sword and shield, Paladin is better
If you want greatsword, Barbarian is better (who can also have 14 Dex and a bow).
If you want flurry, Monk or Ranger
If you want ranged is Ranger or Rogue

Doesn't leave the fighter with a spot.
It leaves the spot to be the nost versatile. The only one being able to retrain fighting style RAW.
The one who can most easily afford high dex AND str... although the barbarian is close.
Things change at 11 though. Action Surge is 50% stronger, and you can add Push and Slow to anything at level 9, which gives them the good damage and good tactics.
While Ranger falls off.

Definitely very close.
So th fighter only has one or two levels where they are behind a bit?
Seems right.
 

It leaves the spot to be the most versatile. The only one being able to retrain fighting style RAW.
The one who can most easily afford high dex AND str... although the barbarian is close.
The most versatile, best switchhitter is the Ranger.

Bow rangers have good melee.
TWF rangers have good archery.

The Fighter's thing is Masteries.
 

I like it. Only thing I dislike is some of those are really subjective. And most of those are often boosted by long or short rest resources, the same resources often used to boost damage.

Well that's the point.

Long Day DPR is your ability to Nova high damage
Short Day DPR is your ability to Sustain high damage

Paladins have great Nova but meh Sustain.
Fighters have great sustain but no real Nova.
Full casters have great Nova poor Sustain as its linked to Concentration.
Rangers have good Sustain and Nova but their Nova is all AOE. However they can Sustain without spending slots.
 

Well that's the point.

Long Day DPR is your ability to Nova high damage
Short Day DPR is your ability to Sustain high damage

Paladins have great Nova but meh Sustain.
Fighters have great sustain but no real Nova.
Full casters have great Nova poor Sustain as its linked to Concentration.
Rangers have good Sustain and Nova but their Nova is all AOE. However they can Sustain without spending slots.

I meant more that damage resources boost survivability, social, exploration as well.
 

Well that's the point.

Long Day DPR is your ability to Nova high damage
Short Day DPR is your ability to Sustain high damage

Paladins have great Nova but meh Sustain.
Fighters have great sustain but no real Nova.
Full casters have great Nova poor Sustain as its linked to Concentration.
Rangers have good Sustain and Nova but their Nova is all AOE. However they can Sustain without spending slots.

Also a dual wield Paladin mostly relying on divine favor instead of smite can add almost as much damage as smites. Couple that with more attacks making divine strikes more effective and the dual wield Paladin looks pretty good. More potential sustain than the smite variant too.
 

Also a dual wield Paladin mostly relying on divine favor instead of smite can add almost as much damage as smites. Couple that with more attacks making divine strikes more effective and the dual wield Paladin looks pretty good. More potential sustain than the smite variant too.
You can still smite while dual wielding with divine favor.
Once you get enough slots.
 


Also a dual wield Paladin mostly relying on divine favor instead of smite can add almost as much damage as smites. Couple that with more attacks making divine strikes more effective and the dual wield Paladin looks pretty good. More potential sustain than the smite variant too.
Divine favor is only a minute so if you have 4 or more encounters, it sucks up all your 2nd level slots and some of your 2nd level slots (with no additional bonus).

Whereas Rangers and Fighters can keep up damage without draining all their resources used for survivability, social, exploration.
 

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