How Many Times Can I Use Lay on Hands?
As a paladin, one of the most powerful abilities you have at your disposal is the Lay on Hands feature. This ability allows you to channel your holy energy to heal or bless your allies, as well as remove curses or inflict harm on your enemies. But have you ever wondered how many times you can use this ability? Let’s dive into the rules and explore the answers to this question.
Lay on Hands as a Paladin Ability
Firstly, it’s essential to understand that Lay on Hands is not a spell, but a paladin class feature. This means that it is not governed by the standard spellcasting rules and is instead tied to the paladin’s class abilities. According to the Player’s Handbook, page 59, Lay on Hands allows the paladin to "deal or heal damage, heal or cure a disease, neutralize a poison, or remove a curse, by channeling the energy of the divine."
How Many Times Can You Use Lay on Hands?
Now that we know what Lay on Hands is, let’s get to the meat of the matter – how many times can you use it? The answer is simple: you can use Lay on Hands a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). This means that if your Wisdom modifier is 2, you can use Lay on Hands twice per day.
Important Points
• Lay on Hands is not a spell, but a paladin class feature.
• You can use Lay on Hands a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once).
• Lay on Hands can be used for healing, removing curses, neutralizing poisons, or inflicting damage.
Using Lay on Hands in Combat
Now that we know how many times we can use Lay on Hands, let’s talk about when to use it. Lay on Hands can be used in a variety of situations, both in and out of combat. Here are a few scenarios where Lay on Hands can be particularly useful:
• In combat: Lay on Hands can be used to heal yourself or your allies during the heat of battle. With its ability to heal wounds and remove curses, it’s a valuable asset on the battlefield.
• In exploration: Lay on Hands can be used to remove poisons or neutralize hazardous conditions, making it safer to explore treacherous environments.
• In roleplaying: Lay on Hands can be used to perform miraculous acts of healing or remove curses, adding depth and roleplaying opportunities to your adventures.
Comparison with Spells
Some paladins may wonder how Lay on Hands compares to spells. After all, spells like Cure Wounds and Remove Curse offer similar effects, but with different limitations. Here’s a comparison of the two:
| Lay on Hands | Cure Wounds | Remove Curse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Uses: | Wisdom modifier (min 1) | Limited to once per day | Limited to once per day |
| Effect: | Heals or removes curse | Heals | Removes curse |
| Casting Time: | Instant | 1 action | 1 action |
As you can see, Lay on Hands has a more limited use, but its instant casting time and ability to adapt to different situations make it a valuable asset for any paladin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lay on Hands is a powerful ability that every paladin should take advantage of. With its ability to heal, remove curses, and neutralize poisons, it’s an invaluable tool in the hands of a skilled paladin. By understanding how many times you can use Lay on Hands, as well as its limitations and comparison to spells, you can make the most of this ability and add depth and excitement to your adventures.
Additional Resources
• Player’s Handbook: Page 59 for rules on Lay on Hands.
• Xanathar’s Guide to Everything: For more information on Lay on Hands and other paladin abilities.