D&D (2024) Is Oath of the Noble Genie Green, Yellow, or Red?

[ECMO3]

Paladin is already known as one of the best Tanky high AC builds. I think the charisma bonus to AC makes it better at level 3+.

With defense and a shield, maxing AC here is what you are looking at on a max AC build:

Level 3: 21 (same as plate)
Level 4: 22/24 (12 studded+2 shield+4 Dex+3Cha+1 defense+2 Defensive Duelist)
Level 5: 22/25
Level 8: 23/26
Level 9: 23/27
Level 12: 24/28
Level 13: 24/29
Level 16+: 25/31

Add Shield of Faith for 2 more!

That is without any magic and I think it is the best any character can do at those levels. A Bladesinger, running Bladesong and Haste with the shield spell only gets to 30 and only while those consumable resources are active. This guy is effectively 31 with a reaction all the time at level 16+.

 

[Mort]

Paladin is already known as one of the best Tanky high AC builds. I think the charisma bonus to AC makes it better at level 3+.

With defense and a shield, maxing AC here is what you are looking at on a max AC build:

Level 3: 21 (same as plate)
Level 4: 22/24 (12 studded+2 shield+4 Dex+3Cha+1 defense+2 Defensive Duelist)
Level 5: 22/25
Level 8: 23/26
Level 9: 23/27
Level 12: 24/28
Level 13: 24/29
Level 16+: 25/31

That is without any magic and I think it is the best any character can do at those levels. A Bladesinger, running Bladesong and Haste with the shield spell only gets to 30 and only while those consumable resources are active. This guy is effectively 31 with a reaction all the time at level 16+.

While the higher AC of a shield is nice and a valid option, I think, for this Paladin, 2 weapon fighting is hard to pass up, especially since Paladins can take the two-weapon fighting style now.

With Nick you get the extra attack and you still get your bonus action to do Paladin smites and the like. And your AC is STILL excellent.

 

[Bacon Bits]

It actually kind of awkward for the first 2 levels compared to other Paladins who have the strength for heavy Armour, but you go dex instead, before the first subclass features kick in.

5e is nothing if not consistent in the "Jesus, just start the game at level 3" messaging.

 

[mellored]

Paladin is already known as one of the best Tanky high AC builds. I think the charisma bonus to AC makes it better at level 3+.

With defense and a shield, maxing AC here is what you are looking at on a max AC build:

Level 3: 21 (same as plate)
Level 4: 22/24 (12 studded+2 shield+4 Dex+3Cha+1 defense+2 Defensive Duelist)
Level 5: 22/25
Level 8: 23/26
Level 9: 23/27
Level 12: 24/28
Level 13: 24/29
Level 16+: 25/31

Add Shield of Faith for 2 more!

That is without any magic and I think it is the best any character can do at those levels. A Bladesinger, running Bladesong and Haste with the shield spell only gets to 30 and only while those consumable resources are active. This guy is effectively 31 with a reaction all the time at level 16+.

Dip dance bard. (Or bard dipping paladin).
10+Dex (5) + Cha (5) + Cha(5) + Shield (2) = 27/33

You can't stack defensive fighting style but that just frees it up for defensive.

Also, if you rolled good stats, dip Bladesinger for +Int
and Blade Ward.

 

[Mort]

Dip dance bard. (Or bard dipping paladin).
10+Dex (5) + Cha (5) + Cha(5) + Shield (2) = 27/33

You can't stack defensive fighting style but that just frees it up for defensive.

Also, if you rolled good stats, dip Bladesinger for +Int
and Blade Ward.

Only problem with that - since this Paladin is a Dex build, it's difficult to multiclass as you're likely dumping Strength (unless you're allowed to roll and get lucky).

 

[mellored]

Only problem with that - since this Paladin is a Dex build, it's difficult to multiclass as you're likely dumping Strength (unless you're allowed to roll and get lucky).

Point buy
15+2 Dex, 15+1 Cha, 13 Str, 12 Con, 8 Wis, 8 Int.

Don't need as much Con with that much AC. And paladin 6 will cover your lower Wis save. Also Musician background for the reroll.

You will need to take the +2 Cha instead of a feats to get up to 20/20, but +2 to AC and +1 to all saves is worth it.


You need to roll well to get any benefits from adding Bladesinger.

 

[Mort]

Point buy
15+2 Dex, 15+1 Cha, 13 Str, 12 Con, 8 Wis, 8 Int.

Don't need as much Con with that much AC. And paladin 6 will cover your lower Wis save. Also Musician background for the reroll.

You will need to take the +2 Cha instead of a feats to get up to 20/20, but +2 to AC and +1 to all saves is worth it.


You need to roll well to get any benefits from adding Bladesinger.

Even with the higher AC, 12 Con is living dangerously with a Paladin. I played one (Paladin with 12 Con) for several levels and was downed in nearly every combat, it was a miracle (and a bit of 5e death save resilience) that he didn't die. When I played a Paladin with 16 Con, didn't have that problem; the extra HP (and the resilient CON feat to basically make him concentration save proof) we're huge.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

What similar ability lets you grapple with a 2 handed reach weapon?

None, they all require a free hand because this is specified in the rules for Grappling. Same with Dao's Crush, it requires a free hand as well.

Then they need to remove grappled and just have restrained.

Which is what Ensnaring Stike does.

I'm pretty sure you're right and I just misinterpreted it on my initial reading, but Grasping Vine is an example of an ability which results in an enemy being grappled by the ground and not by the caster. That wording is clearly written though that you are grappled by the vine, which Dao's Crush has no mention of. I do think it would be cool though

 

[Paul Farquhar]

While the higher AC of a shield is nice and a valid option, I think, for this Paladin, 2 weapon fighting is hard to pass up, especially since Paladins can take the two-weapon fighting style now

Prince of Persia says dual scimitars are pretty much essential.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

None, they all require a free hand because this is specified in the rules for Grappling. Same with Dao's Crush, it requires a free hand as well.


I'm pretty sure you're right and I just misinterpreted it on my initial reading, but Grasping Vine is an example of an ability which results in an enemy being grappled by the ground and not by the caster. That wording is clearly written though that you are grappled by the vine, which Dao's Crush has no mention of. I do think it would be cool though

I interpreted the ability as being grappled by magic, not the paladin’s hands.