What pairs well with Paladin?

What Pairs Well with Paladin?

Paladins are a beloved class in Dungeons and Dragons, known for their bravery, martial prowess, and ability to heal and support their allies. When building a Paladin character, it’s essential to consider what abilities and classes pair well with them to create a formidable team. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best pairings for Paladins and what makes them a match made in heaven.

Multiclassing with Sorcerer

One of the most popular pairings for Paladins is with the Sorcerer class. Sorcerers are a versatile class that offers a range of spellcasting options, including damage, buffs, and debuffs. Multiclassing a Paladin with a Sorcerer allows you to take advantage of the Paladin’s martial prowess and add spellcasting capabilities to your arsenal.

• Pros: + Ability to cast spells and use martial abilities
• Cons: – Less experienced with spellcasting compared to pure Sorcerers

Multiclassing with Bard

Another great pairing for Paladins is with the Bard class. Bards are skilled musicians, performers, and casters who excel at using charm and persuasion to get out of sticky situations. Multiclassing a Paladin with a Bard adds a touch of finesse and creativity to your gameplay, allowing you to charm enemies and manipulate allies.

• Pros: + Ability to charm and manipulate enemies and allies
• Cons: – May struggle with melee combat without the Bard’s charisma boosts

Multiclassing with Warlock

For Paladins looking to add some darkness to their game, multiclassing with a Warlock can be a great option. Warlocks are casters who have made pacts with otherworldly beings, granting them access to dark magic. This pairing adds a new dimension to your gameplay, allowing you to deal dark and twisted damage.

• Pros: + Access to dark magic and otherworldly abilities
• Cons: – May struggle with moral alignment due to Warlock’s alignment restrictions

Fighting Styles

Paladins excel in melee combat, but with the right Fighting Styles, they can become formidable opponents. Great Weapon Fighting is a great choice for Paladins who prefer to use larger weapons, such as a two-handed sword or warhammer. This fighting style increases the Paladin’s attack speed and accuracy with such weapons.

• Great Weapon Fighting:
  • Increases attack speed with large weapons
  • Increases accuracy with large weapons
  • Works well with Paladin’s martial abilities

Backgrounds

Backgrounds can also impact how well a Paladin performs. Sailor and Soldier backgrounds are particularly effective for Paladins, as they provide bonus experience and skills that complement their martial abilities.

• Sailor Background:
  • Bonus experience from naval combat
  • Ability to speak two languages (including Aquan and Abyssal)
  • Increased proficiency in Athletics, History, and Perception skills
• Soldier Background:
  • Bonus experience from military combat
  • Ability to speak two languages (including Abyssal and Draconic)
  • Increased proficiency in Athletics, Insight, and Perception skills

Conclusion

Paladins are a versatile class that can be paired with a variety of other classes, backgrounds, and Fighting Styles to create a formidable team. Whether you prefer the martial prowess of the Paladin, the spellcasting abilities of the Sorcerer or Bard, or the dark magic of the Warlock, there’s a pairing out there for you. By understanding what pairs well with Paladin, you can build a character that is uniquely yours and dominates the battlefield.

Table: Paladin Pairing Options

Remember to always consider your party’s needs and composition when choosing a Paladin pairing. With the right combination of classes, backgrounds, and Fighting Styles, your Paladin can become a formidable opponent and a valuable member of your team.