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[Guide] Blades of Justice: The 5e Paladin guide
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<blockquote data-quote="Gavin O." data-source="post: 7459551" data-attributes="member: 6941440"><p><strong>Those who swear the oath: Races</strong></p><p>I'll start by stating that any race can make an effective Paladin. Yes you'll be behind, but no racial choice is so bad as to be unplayable. If you have your heart set on a race you want to play, go for it. </p><p></p><p><strong>Top racial options:</strong></p><p>Every build: Variant Human, Half-elf, Warforged</p><p>Strength/Cha: Dragonborn, Fallen Aasimar, Triton, Longtooth Shifter</p><p>Dex/Cha: Taxabi, Feral Winged Tiefling, Changeling, Swiftstride Shifter</p><p>Pure Cha: Scourge Aasimar, Winged Tiefling.</p><p></p><p>Races:</p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ffff">Half-elf</span></strong> Bonus to Cha and two stats of your choice (most likely your attacking stat and Con), Two free skills, access to the strong racial feat Elven accuracy, all make this a premier choice.</p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ffff">Variant Human</span></strong> Bonus to two stats of your choice, one free skill, and getting a free feat is excellent for Paladins.</p><p><span style="color: #00ffff"><strong>Dragonborn</strong></span> Bonus to your two primary stats, resistance to an element of your choice, and Dragon Breath helps you be more effective against hordes of weaker enemies. Blue for Non-strength Paladins.</p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ffff">Fallen Aasimar</span></strong> Bonus to your two primary stats, useful resistance to necrotic damage, and a racial ability that combines extremely well with the oath of conquest’s aura. Again, blue for non-strength Paladins</p><p><span style="color: #00ffff"><strong>Aarakroka</strong></span> Bonuses to Dex and to Wis, and at-will flight. As always, consult with your DM before choosing to play one of these.</p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ffff">Feral Winged Tiefling</span></strong> Compared to Aarakroka, you trade Wis for Int which is bad, but your racial abilities are better. Again, the usual caveat about at-will flight races applies.</p><p><span style="color: #00ffff"><strong>Triton</strong></span> Bonus to your primary stats and Con (though only +1 to each) plus water breathing, a swim speed, cold resistance, and some free spells. Great for Strength Paladins, if your DM allows Volo's guide to Monsters races. </p><p><span style="color: #00ffff"><strong>Changeling</strong></span> Dex and Cha, free skills, and a racial ability which is similar to at-will Disguise Self. </p><p><span style="color: #00FFFF"><strong>Kalashtar</strong></span> Wis, Cha, and one more ability score of your choice, psychic resistance, advantage on Wis saves at the cost of a reaction, and Telepathy. A great choice. </p><p><strong><span style="color: #00ffff">Warforged</span></strong> Integrated Protection offers you unmatched AC, and poison resistance is good too. Envoy is good for any build, Juggernaut is great for Strength builds, and Skirmisher for Dex builds. </p><p><span style="color: #00ffff"><strong>Wood Elf</strong></span> A new addition to the top of the Paladin races thanks to the addition of the Revenant Blade feat, which is elf exclusive. Wood elves are the best elf subrace for Paladins, and getting access to a bonus action attack that deals 2d4+Dex damage every round is worth starting with a lower Charisma. </p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Standard Human </span></strong> A strength-based Paladin has 5 relevant stats, so getting +1 to all your stats is very nice.</p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Tabaxi</strong></span> A strong racial choice for Dex-based Paladins, but mostly outclassed by Half-elves. </p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Protector/Scourge Aasimar</strong></span> Cha and either Wis or Con, and a useful racial ability. Not getting a bonus to your attacking stat hurts. Both improve for <strong><span style="color: #00ffff">Hexblade </span></strong>builds.</p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Mountain Drawf</span></strong> +2 Strength and +2 Con are great stats for Strength-based Paladins.</p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Lightfoot Halfling</strong></span> Being Small means no longbow, but at least you can still use a rapier, and you get both the stats you want for a Dex Paladin. <strong><span style="color: #ff0000">Awful</span></strong> for Strength Paladins.</p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Half-Orc </span></strong>Great stats for a Strength-based Paladin and solid abilities for any melee class.</p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Winged Tiefling</span></strong> Cha is good, Int is not, flight at level one is amazing. So amazing, in fact, that your DM may not allow you to use this, so ask them first. <span style="color: #00ffff"><strong>Even better </strong></span><span style="color: #000000">for Hexblade builds.</span></p><p> <strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Air Genasi </span></strong><span style="color: #000000">Dex and Con, and Levitate. Not bad. </span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Earth Genasi </strong></span><span style="color: #000000">Strength and Con, and Pass Without Trace. Nice. </span></p><p> <strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Bugbear</span></strong> Strength and Dex are fine stat bumps, and the abilities are alright for Paladins. But Strength-based Paladins won't sneak well, and Dex-based Paladins don't really want +2 Strength</p><p><strong><span style="color: #0000ff">Kenku </span></strong><span style="color: #000000">another fine Dex Paladin race</span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Shifter</strong></span> Free Perception, Dex bonus in addition to Con, Strength, Wis, or Cha and more Dex, and Shifting features which are all great.<span style="color: #000000"></span></p><p><span style="color: #000000"></span><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>High Elf</strong></span> Dex is good, Int is wasted, but gaining a free wizard cantrip is a way to get Booming Blade without multiclassing or a feat, which could be useful for some builds. If you don't plan to use a Double Scimitar with Revenant Blade, High elves are just <strong>Okay</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Hill Dwarf </strong>Con and Wis are both fine stat bumps, and the free extra HP is nice as well, but the lack of stat boosts to your major stats hurts.</p><p><strong>Stout Halfling</strong> Dex is good, Con is fine, being Small is annoying.</p><p><strong>Water Genasi</strong> Con and Wis, and some decent abilities. </p><p><strong>Lizardfolk</strong></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #800080">Dark Elf</span></strong> While the stats are good for a Dex-based Paladin, Sunlight Sensitivity is a huge detriment. If you’re sure that you’ll be playing in a campaign where Sunlight Sensitivity is irrelevant, the Drow becomes <strong><span style="color: #00ffff">much better.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="color: #800080">Forest Gnome</span></strong> Dex is good, Int is bad, being small is bad.</p><p> <strong><span style="color: #800080">Fire Genasi</span></strong> Con and Int, and racial abilities that are inferior to Tiefling</p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000">Rock/Deep Gnome</span></strong> Int and Con, and you’re small. No thanks.</p><p></p><p></p><p><strong>Edit</strong>: The addition of the Double Scimitar in Wayfinder's Guide to Ebberon has changed the ratings for the races: If your DM rules that you need to be an elf to wield one at all, then being an elf is almost required, as the double scimitar is easily the best melee weapon in the game. Even if your DM rules that any race can use these, the Revenant Blade feat is elf exclusive and is also very good, so that bumps the rating of all the elf races up somewhat.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Gavin O., post: 7459551, member: 6941440"] [B]Those who swear the oath: Races[/B] I'll start by stating that any race can make an effective Paladin. Yes you'll be behind, but no racial choice is so bad as to be unplayable. If you have your heart set on a race you want to play, go for it. [B]Top racial options:[/B] Every build: Variant Human, Half-elf, Warforged Strength/Cha: Dragonborn, Fallen Aasimar, Triton, Longtooth Shifter Dex/Cha: Taxabi, Feral Winged Tiefling, Changeling, Swiftstride Shifter Pure Cha: Scourge Aasimar, Winged Tiefling. Races: [B][COLOR=#00ffff]Half-elf[/COLOR][/B] Bonus to Cha and two stats of your choice (most likely your attacking stat and Con), Two free skills, access to the strong racial feat Elven accuracy, all make this a premier choice. [B][COLOR=#00ffff]Variant Human[/COLOR][/B] Bonus to two stats of your choice, one free skill, and getting a free feat is excellent for Paladins. [COLOR=#00ffff][B]Dragonborn[/B][/COLOR] Bonus to your two primary stats, resistance to an element of your choice, and Dragon Breath helps you be more effective against hordes of weaker enemies. Blue for Non-strength Paladins. [B][COLOR=#00ffff]Fallen Aasimar[/COLOR][/B] Bonus to your two primary stats, useful resistance to necrotic damage, and a racial ability that combines extremely well with the oath of conquest’s aura. Again, blue for non-strength Paladins [COLOR=#00ffff][B]Aarakroka[/B][/COLOR] Bonuses to Dex and to Wis, and at-will flight. As always, consult with your DM before choosing to play one of these. [B][COLOR=#00ffff]Feral Winged Tiefling[/COLOR][/B] Compared to Aarakroka, you trade Wis for Int which is bad, but your racial abilities are better. Again, the usual caveat about at-will flight races applies. [COLOR=#00ffff][B]Triton[/B][/COLOR] Bonus to your primary stats and Con (though only +1 to each) plus water breathing, a swim speed, cold resistance, and some free spells. Great for Strength Paladins, if your DM allows Volo's guide to Monsters races. [COLOR=#00ffff][B]Changeling[/B][/COLOR] Dex and Cha, free skills, and a racial ability which is similar to at-will Disguise Self. [COLOR=#00FFFF][B]Kalashtar[/B][/COLOR] Wis, Cha, and one more ability score of your choice, psychic resistance, advantage on Wis saves at the cost of a reaction, and Telepathy. A great choice. [B][COLOR=#00ffff]Warforged[/COLOR][/B] Integrated Protection offers you unmatched AC, and poison resistance is good too. Envoy is good for any build, Juggernaut is great for Strength builds, and Skirmisher for Dex builds. [COLOR=#00ffff][B]Wood Elf[/B][/COLOR] A new addition to the top of the Paladin races thanks to the addition of the Revenant Blade feat, which is elf exclusive. Wood elves are the best elf subrace for Paladins, and getting access to a bonus action attack that deals 2d4+Dex damage every round is worth starting with a lower Charisma. [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Standard Human [/COLOR][/B] A strength-based Paladin has 5 relevant stats, so getting +1 to all your stats is very nice. [COLOR=#0000ff][B]Tabaxi[/B][/COLOR] A strong racial choice for Dex-based Paladins, but mostly outclassed by Half-elves. [COLOR=#0000ff][B]Protector/Scourge Aasimar[/B][/COLOR] Cha and either Wis or Con, and a useful racial ability. Not getting a bonus to your attacking stat hurts. Both improve for [B][COLOR=#00ffff]Hexblade [/COLOR][/B]builds. [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Mountain Drawf[/COLOR][/B] +2 Strength and +2 Con are great stats for Strength-based Paladins. [COLOR=#0000ff][B]Lightfoot Halfling[/B][/COLOR] Being Small means no longbow, but at least you can still use a rapier, and you get both the stats you want for a Dex Paladin. [B][COLOR=#ff0000]Awful[/COLOR][/B] for Strength Paladins. [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Half-Orc [/COLOR][/B]Great stats for a Strength-based Paladin and solid abilities for any melee class. [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Winged Tiefling[/COLOR][/B] Cha is good, Int is not, flight at level one is amazing. So amazing, in fact, that your DM may not allow you to use this, so ask them first. [COLOR=#00ffff][B]Even better [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]for Hexblade builds.[/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Air Genasi [/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#000000]Dex and Con, and Levitate. Not bad. [/COLOR][COLOR=#0000ff][B]Earth Genasi [/B][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Strength and Con, and Pass Without Trace. Nice. [/COLOR] [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Bugbear[/COLOR][/B] Strength and Dex are fine stat bumps, and the abilities are alright for Paladins. But Strength-based Paladins won't sneak well, and Dex-based Paladins don't really want +2 Strength [B][COLOR=#0000ff]Kenku [/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#000000]another fine Dex Paladin race [/COLOR][COLOR=#0000ff][B]Shifter[/B][/COLOR] Free Perception, Dex bonus in addition to Con, Strength, Wis, or Cha and more Dex, and Shifting features which are all great.[COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][COLOR=#0000ff][B]High Elf[/B][/COLOR] Dex is good, Int is wasted, but gaining a free wizard cantrip is a way to get Booming Blade without multiclassing or a feat, which could be useful for some builds. If you don't plan to use a Double Scimitar with Revenant Blade, High elves are just [B]Okay[/B] [B]Hill Dwarf [/B]Con and Wis are both fine stat bumps, and the free extra HP is nice as well, but the lack of stat boosts to your major stats hurts. [B]Stout Halfling[/B] Dex is good, Con is fine, being Small is annoying. [B]Water Genasi[/B] Con and Wis, and some decent abilities. [B]Lizardfolk[/B] [B][COLOR=#800080]Dark Elf[/COLOR][/B] While the stats are good for a Dex-based Paladin, Sunlight Sensitivity is a huge detriment. If you’re sure that you’ll be playing in a campaign where Sunlight Sensitivity is irrelevant, the Drow becomes [B][COLOR=#00ffff]much better.[/COLOR][/B] [B][COLOR=#800080]Forest Gnome[/COLOR][/B] Dex is good, Int is bad, being small is bad. [B][COLOR=#800080]Fire Genasi[/COLOR][/B] Con and Int, and racial abilities that are inferior to Tiefling [B][COLOR=#ff0000]Rock/Deep Gnome[/COLOR][/B] Int and Con, and you’re small. No thanks. [B]Edit[/B]: The addition of the Double Scimitar in Wayfinder's Guide to Ebberon has changed the ratings for the races: If your DM rules that you need to be an elf to wield one at all, then being an elf is almost required, as the double scimitar is easily the best melee weapon in the game. Even if your DM rules that any race can use these, the Revenant Blade feat is elf exclusive and is also very good, so that bumps the rating of all the elf races up somewhat. [/QUOTE]
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