D&D (2024) I love the new changes to Paladin

[ECMO3]

I really like what I have read so far about the new Paladin. It seems like a far more exciting class then before.

I also the fact that you no longer have to concentrate on Smite Spells and that you cast them after hitting will just make the class a lot cooler. I was ready to pull out the pitchforks when I saw that wrathful Smite changed from an action and a check to be free of it to a save with no action. But then I saw it is no longer concentration .... so you can load up on them and you can do it at level 1!

It is also going to be a great 1-level dip for a Gish Wizard, Bard or Eldritch Knight. Getting Divine Smite, Smite spells and then having all those spell slots to use them on.

A 1-level Paladin dip opens up a lot of Gish options for other caster that are not usually Gish builds too. With the new True Strike and Cleave you can go in rocking a 13 Strength and swing Greataxe or Pole Arm getting a regular attack, a cleave attack and bonus cantrip damage and smite damage. Depending on the wording of Two Weapon Fighting, you might be able to use TWF with Vex and Light with True Strike as well. Probably not as much damage as extra attack, but not far behind, lots more slots for smiting, heavy armor, weapons and full caster spell progression..

I think my first PC is going to be a Paladin-1/Dance Bard.

 

[GMMichael]

A 1-level Paladin dip opens up a lot of Gish options for other caster that are not usually Gish builds too. With the new True Strike and Cleave you can go in rocking a 13 Strength and swing Greataxe or Pole Arm getting a regular attack, a cleave attack and bonus cantrip damage and smite damage.

Does this mean that 5.5 widens the gap between combat optimizers and casual players?

Or does it perhaps mean that combat gets more complicated at lower levels, resulting in slower combats?

I'll just have to pay the monthly D&D Beyond fee for the Combat Optimizer extension, and for the D&D VTT to keep combat moving quickly . . .

 

[mellored]

Does this mean that 5.5 widens the gap between combat optimizers and casual players?

No. The power gap is narrowed.

Or does it perhaps mean that combat gets more complicated at lower levels, resulting in slower combats?

If your going to be negative no matter what they do, might I suggest a different game?

 

[Charlaquin]

I agree, the Paladin changes look excellent to me. A lot of folks have their torches and pitchforks out over divine smite being a spell, but I think it’s a good change. It already cost a spell slot and could be “upcast” just like any other spell, and the other smites were spells, so unifying the mechanic just makes sense. And now the other smites might actually get used sometimes.

 

[Valetudo]

The best part of the pally is that alot of his other abilities where moved to a faster activation. Instead of novas, the pally is Frontline support. Some people don't like that, I'm cool with it.

 

[Daztur]

No. The power gap is narrowed.

I wouldn't be so sure of that

eyes the new summoning spells

The main thing narrows the gap is that SS/GWM are no longer so necessary for a martial that doesn't suck and the weaker classes (except poor rogues) tended to get siazable combat buffs but we'll see how well casuals get the hang of the new WM system compared to people who can squeeze all possible utility out of it.

 

[ECMO3]

Does this mean that 5.5 widens the gap between combat optimizers and casual players?

Or does it perhaps mean that combat gets more complicated at lower levels, resulting in slower combats?

I'll just have to pay the monthly D&D Beyond fee for the Combat Optimizer extension, and for the D&D VTT to keep combat moving quickly . . .

Others vehemently disagree with me on both these points, but IMO:

On a weapon user (including Gish full casters) I am of the belief that the gap is wider in the new rules between single class and a multiclass with a dip than it was before.

I believe combat will be generally slower.

 

[ECMO3]

I agree, the Paladin changes look excellent to me. A lot of folks have their torches and pitchforks out over divine smite being a spell, but I think it’s a good change.

As someone who loves spells, I more or less hated the conflict the old DS caused using the old divine smite because I had to give up casting a spell to use it.

Now I can have my cake and eat it too. I will still use DS, but I will likely use Wrathful Smite more.

 

[mellored]

I wouldn't be so sure of that

eyes the new summoning spells

Did you ever play with the old conjuration spells?

These are better.

 

[deadman1204]

I Agree that the smite change was a good one. Old smite is a trap. You needed to justify using a spell slot on anything else that is not smite. It was like monk stunning fist. It was soo good you simply could not use other abilities because everything else was worse to use.