I'm A Banana
Potassium-Rich
The 3e Paladin has a Code of Honor right there in it's class features.
That's the only one it's assumed you hold to. None of this OBEY ALL COMMANDS AND SMITE ALL FIENDS gibberish.
Perhaps it may be best to think of Paladins in terms of chivalrous knights of "Yore." They help those weaker than them, they fight those who threaten those weaker than them, and they try their best to live up to the ideals set in place by their code.
What's with this self-appointed-slayer-of-all evil? You can be a paladin and fight wickedness, no prob, but you don't need to eradicate all evil everywhere.
Also, with the Orc issue...it's normally assumed Orcs are Evil. Thus, the Paladin wouldn't be at issue for slaughtering an Orc, if the circumstances fit. They'd be given the benefit of the doubt.
Orcbabbies is a bit of an issue -- a paladin is supposed to be honorable. This means, for instance, IMHO, no sneaky attacks. You can't exactly ambush someone, take them unaware. They have to know you're there, and you have to show them what you can do -- and then you either beat them, or you don't. They can use those sneaky tactics. You? You're better than that.
Of course, this doesn't mean that your friends can't do something sneaky.
After all, you hold yourself to high standards, you don't need to hold others to the same. If they want to sneak, fine. Just so they know to keep you in the dark about it, because otherwise you won't fight. They can fight and win with sneaky methods, sure. But that's dishonorable. It's cowardly. It's saying "I can't take you in a stand-up fight, so I'm gonna kick you inna nuts when you ain't lookin'!"
That's the crux, for me. You have to be confident, and have faith. This doesn't mean Kill All Evil. It means Kill What Evil You Can. You also have to realize when you're outclassed, and then you can come back with reinforcements.
What's wrong with simple confidence in your skill as a straight-up combatant?
OA even provides a good mechanic fo a bit of extra damage based on the speed of your draw. It's not dishonorable. Once they know that you're challenging them, it's up to them to beat you. And if you beat them, that's effective.
The thing is, don't be a cowardly little hit-em-while-their-back-is-turned little weasel. You can't get them by surprise. That's dishonest, and dishonesty is dishonorable.
That's the only one it's assumed you hold to. None of this OBEY ALL COMMANDS AND SMITE ALL FIENDS gibberish.

Perhaps it may be best to think of Paladins in terms of chivalrous knights of "Yore." They help those weaker than them, they fight those who threaten those weaker than them, and they try their best to live up to the ideals set in place by their code.
What's with this self-appointed-slayer-of-all evil? You can be a paladin and fight wickedness, no prob, but you don't need to eradicate all evil everywhere.
Also, with the Orc issue...it's normally assumed Orcs are Evil. Thus, the Paladin wouldn't be at issue for slaughtering an Orc, if the circumstances fit. They'd be given the benefit of the doubt.
Orcbabbies is a bit of an issue -- a paladin is supposed to be honorable. This means, for instance, IMHO, no sneaky attacks. You can't exactly ambush someone, take them unaware. They have to know you're there, and you have to show them what you can do -- and then you either beat them, or you don't. They can use those sneaky tactics. You? You're better than that.
Of course, this doesn't mean that your friends can't do something sneaky.

That's the crux, for me. You have to be confident, and have faith. This doesn't mean Kill All Evil. It means Kill What Evil You Can. You also have to realize when you're outclassed, and then you can come back with reinforcements.
What's wrong with simple confidence in your skill as a straight-up combatant?
OA even provides a good mechanic fo a bit of extra damage based on the speed of your draw. It's not dishonorable. Once they know that you're challenging them, it's up to them to beat you. And if you beat them, that's effective.
The thing is, don't be a cowardly little hit-em-while-their-back-is-turned little weasel. You can't get them by surprise. That's dishonest, and dishonesty is dishonorable.