When is a Paladin better to have in a fight than a Fighter?

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I agree. Even though I love the paladin class and am currently playing one in my only ongoing game, Paladin spellcasting is very trivial.

Seems to me paladins do have two cool spells in their list, however, that aren't really caster-level dependent: bless weapon and holy sword. Too bad the rest of the list isn't so impressive.

Being able to ignore an evil creature's DR and auto-crit them can easily make up for the fighter's Greater Weapon Specialization.

Plus, Smite + Spirited Charge rocks on toast

But I agree with the earlier posts that the paladin's saving throws are the real benefit. My suggestion is to get the cloak of resistance rather than the cloak of Charisma.

 

[Cryndo]

Another point to consider regarding the fighter is they will have better starting combat attributes than the Paladin. Needing less points for WIS and CHA leaves more points to pump into STR and CON. This doesn't even take into consideration that a fighter will be a strong combatant in multiple styles of combat, whereas a Paladin will likely need to specialize in one form.

 

[Scion]

When is a paladin better to have in a fight than a fighter?

Whenever playing d&d

Better skills, better saves, better abilities. With proper feat choice will be outdamaging the fighter, out performing the fighter, and still has lots of style points left over to actually do things 'after' the fight!

 

[DM_Matt]

sdaadsa

 

[shilsen]

This caster level comment is making me think of extending my house rule for ranger animal companions to ranger's and paladin's caster levels (caster level = class level -3, not class level/2).

I've used that exact house rule (as well as the one for the ranger's animal companion) and it worked out very well.

 

[Nyarlathotep]

Several people have mentioned Bless Weapon and rightfully so. The best part about this spell is:

In addition, all critical hit rolls against evil foes are automatically successful, so every threat is a critical hit.

Unfortunately it doesn't work with keen or vorpal weapons but it does guarantee the paladin dealing out some serious damage. (In my campaign the party's paladin pretty much single-handedly saved the group by smiting / criticaling against some evil fiendish black dragons.)

To the question at hand, the fighter will always have greater damage output than the paladin in a long fight, but for shorter ones against evil foes the Paladin is a superior choice. Plus their mounts (poke- or not) kick some serious butt).

 

[Ogre Mage]

The paladin is better to have in battle than a fighter when the cleric goes down!

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

don't forget the holy sword spell

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

Oh wait been said

 

[Taneel BrightBlade]

but that spell rocks!!!!