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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SKyOdin" data-source="post: 5826826" data-attributes="member: 57939">I think the Paladin is defined by three general features:1) Smiting Evil: The ability to imbue their attacks with divine power than is particularly effective against creatures of of evil such as demons and undead.2) Lay on Hands: The ability to heal wounds and illness using a divine power different than cleric spell-casting.3) Divine Protection: The Paladin is protected by divine favor, giving them special defense against supernatural powers. Immunity to fear is a subset of this.Another key defining aspect of the Paladin is self-sacrifice. Whereas a Fighter might punish an enemy for harming an ally with an attack, the Paladin is more likely to throw himself in the way of the attack, or soak up damage through the Shield Other spell. I also liked the 4E version of Lay on Hands where the Paladin sacrificed their own healing surges to heal others.Now then, the Battle Cleric is defined by a completely different set of features. While a Cleric can fight with mace and shield, they are much more defined by access to divine spells. I actually really like the style of the 4E Warpriest in particular. It focuses on giving the Cleric a variety of daily spells that each grant persistent encounter-long effects. It gives the feeling of calling upon a god to grant a blessing on the Cleric and his allies. Consecrated ground, holy circles that ward off evil, blessings that boost the party, summoned angels, and so forth are all very appropriate powers for a cleric, and have a distinct feel from the Wizard's Fireballs and Teleports.</blockquote>

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