Paladin variants

[Ricochet]

Does anyone know of a good variant paladin, because I think the one in the core book (3.5) is too frontloaded. I am looking for something with more abilities throughout, maybe less Remove Disease and no spells?

So, any good links or tips of what to replace spells and remove disease with?

I am also interested in any house rules, or similar classes like a Knight or Cavalier.

 

[Nifft]

Personally, I'd prefer a variant Paladin that's got more spellcasting, and relies upon spells more. Thus, more dependance upon Paladin levels to get better spell benefits.

-- N

 

[FireLance]

Check out my Oathsworn Paladin (link in sig). You might find it frontloaded, but it does suggest some alternate abilities.

EDIT: One way to remove the frontloading is to allow a paladin to swear one oath every four levels.

 

[Nifft]

Ugh, that "spell-heavy" paladin variant was really broken at high levels. Oh well.

-- N

 

[darthkilmor]

iirc there are some paladin variants in unearthed arcana, although i dont have the book so I cant tell anything other than maybe take a glance next time you're at the book store.

 

[Al'Kelhar]

I make the following changes to the paladin for my campaign:

Paladin (pp42-45 PH)
[/i]Divine Grace (Su):[/i] Divine grace works differently to that described in PH. At 2nd level, a paladin gains a bonus equal to her Charisma bonus (if any) on saving throws of one type (Fortitude, Reflex or Will) of her choice. At 7th level, she gains a similar bonus to saving throws of another type (different to that chosen at 2nd level), and at 13th level she gains her Charisma bonus to saving throws of the third type.

Special Mount (Sp): Paladins do not gain the Special Mount class ability (although they can take the Leadership feat to acquire a cohort which can be used as a mount).

Domain Spells: A paladin must choose one domain from the list of domains available to the deity she worships. Like a cleric, she gains a bonus spell slot for every spell level she is able to cast (starting when she can cast “0” spells of that level), which can only be used to prepare her domain spell at that level. Unlike a cleric, she does not gain any domain special abilities from choosing a domain.

Bonus Feat: At 5th level and every five levels thereafter (10th, 15th, 20th) a paladin gains a bonus feat. This bonus feat must be a divine feat (see Chapter 3 Complete Divine and Chapter 3 Complete Warrior – feat still subject to DM’s approval), Extra Turning, Improved Smiting (p82 Complete Divine) or Improved Turning.

Weapon Specialisation: From 12th level, a paladin can take the Weapon Specialisation feat if she otherwise qualifies for it.


The effects of the changes are to enhance flexibility in the paladin core class (it's no longer bound to the mounted knight paradigm), and to encourage players to keep taking paladin levels.

Cheers, Al'Kehar

 

[Li Shenron]

iirc there are some paladin variants in unearthed arcana, although i dont have the book so I cant tell anything other than maybe take a glance next time you're at the book store.

Those are paladins of different alignments (CG, LE and CE) and they are very similar to the PHB class except that the alignment-based abilities and spell lists are changed appropriately to the new alignment.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Monte Cooks Arcana Unearthed has an interesting class which might meet your requirements nicely if you want to replace the paladin entirely (the Champion)

A variant Paladin I'm considering loses spell casting and remove disease but gains the Bardic Inspire Courage ability.

 

[Evilhalfling]

There always seems to be be a paladin in my party -
The varient we are using at the moment has traded out his mount for a clerical domain- and it works fine, as the campaign is subterrainian and he his getting lots of use from his 2 extra spells.

 

[dragonhand777]

Just an issue or two prior to my subscription to Dragon (this last spring) they did a varriant paladin feature.

I played a sentinel (paladin varriant) for a bit. It was cool, however we didn't get to finish out that campaign (do to the DM's fatherly duties).

I wanna say it was in an isuue between #'s 316 and 318. Sorry I can't be more specific. Anyway, I think they were all similar to the PHB version (meaning they were still front end heavy).

You might look into tha Dragonlance campaign setting. I like the Knightly Orders presented there. They are very paladinish, but are prestige classes rather than core.

I also think the Champion would ba a cool alternative. I'm already using the Oathsworn as an alternative to the monk.