This guide explores the Paladin class in Pathfinder, a divine-powered martial class known for its resilience, combat prowess, and thematic depth. We’ll delve into Paladin abilities, builds, and how they excel as defenders, strikers, healers, and faces in Pathfinder campaigns. This guide will also provide insights into the Paladin’s role in Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous and Pathfinder⁚ Kingmaker.
Introduction
The Paladin, a stalwart champion of righteousness and divine might, is a cornerstone of Pathfinder’s diverse character options. This class embodies the noble warrior-priest, wielding both blade and faith to uphold justice and vanquish evil. In the world of Pathfinder, Paladins are often seen as beacons of hope and protectors of the innocent, their unwavering dedication to their oaths guiding them on their righteous quests. This guide aims to unravel the intricacies of the Paladin class, delving into their unique abilities, diverse builds, and strategic roles within Pathfinder campaigns. We’ll explore their prowess as defenders, strikers, healers, and even face characters, highlighting the versatility that makes the Paladin a compelling choice for players seeking a blend of combat prowess and moral fortitude.
Whether you’re a seasoned Pathfinder veteran seeking to refine your understanding of this classic class or a newcomer eager to embrace the Paladin’s path, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to wield the power of righteousness in your adventures. Prepare to delve into the depths of Paladin lore, explore their unique abilities, and discover how to build a Paladin that embodies your vision of a champion of good.
Paladin Class Overview
The Paladin in Pathfinder is a class that embodies the ideal of a righteous warrior, blending martial prowess with divine power. They are bound by their oaths, upholding a strict code of conduct and wielding their abilities to combat evil and defend the innocent. The Paladin’s strength lies in their versatility, capable of excelling in various roles depending on their build and chosen path.
At their core, Paladins are martial combatants, wielding weapons and armor with skill. They excel as both defenders and strikers, capable of both soaking up damage and dealing significant blows. While their primary focus is combat, Paladins possess a unique ability to act as healers, using divine magic to mend wounds and bolster their allies. This healing capability makes them invaluable assets in any party, especially during intense encounters.
Furthermore, Paladins can also function as effective “faces” in social situations, their charisma and unwavering belief in justice allowing them to persuade and inspire others. This makes them adept negotiators, diplomats, and even leaders, capable of influencing the course of events through diplomacy as well as force.
Paladin Abilities and Traits
Paladins in Pathfinder are defined by their unique abilities and traits, reflecting their divine alignment and unwavering commitment to their oaths. These abilities grant them a distinct advantage in combat, bolster their resilience, and enhance their ability to inspire and protect their allies.
One of the most iconic Paladin abilities is Smite Evil, a potent attack that harnesses divine power to inflict additional damage upon evil creatures. This ability makes them formidable adversaries against those who threaten the world’s order. Paladins also possess Lay on Hands, a healing ability that channels divine energy to mend wounds and restore vitality. This ability makes them invaluable healers and supports in challenging encounters.
Beyond their combat prowess, Paladins are blessed with divine grace, granting them resistance to certain energy types, bolstering their defenses against magical attacks. They also possess a powerful aura that grants their allies bonuses to saves and attacks, making them a source of encouragement and strength for their companions.
Finally, Paladins benefit from a unique bond with their chosen deity, allowing them to access special abilities and powers that reflect their faith and commitment to their divine patron. This bond further enhances their combat effectiveness and reinforces their dedication to their righteous cause.
Paladin Builds
Pathfinder Paladins offer a variety of build options, allowing players to tailor their character to suit their preferred playstyle and the demands of their campaigns. These builds can focus on maximizing the Paladin’s strengths as a defender, striker, healer, or even a face, depending on the player’s chosen path.
A classic Paladin build focuses on maximizing the Paladin’s combat prowess as a frontline warrior. This build emphasizes feats that enhance damage output, armor class, and critical hit chances, making the Paladin a fearsome force in melee combat. Alternatively, a Paladin can be built as a powerful healer and support character, utilizing their Lay on Hands ability and divine spells to bolster their allies’ health and resilience.
For players seeking a more tactical approach, the Paladin can be built as a versatile support character, combining defensive and offensive capabilities to provide a well-rounded contribution to the party. This build focuses on maximizing the Paladin’s aura abilities, which enhance the abilities of their allies, and selecting feats that enable them to both defend and attack effectively.
Finally, Paladins can be built as charismatic leaders, utilizing their divine aura and charisma-based abilities to inspire their allies and negotiate with adversaries. This build focuses on feats that enhance diplomacy, leadership, and persuasion, allowing the Paladin to act as a face and diplomat for the party.
Paladin in Combat
Paladins are born warriors, wielding both divine power and steel to protect their allies and vanquish their foes. Their combat prowess stems from a combination of martial abilities, divine spells, and a unique blend of defensive and offensive capabilities.
The Paladin’s core combat strength lies in their ability to deliver devastating blows with their weapons, enhanced by feats and divine powers. Their Smite Evil ability allows them to unleash righteous fury upon enemies, dealing additional damage with every strike. This ability, combined with their high armor class and proficiency in heavy armor, makes them formidable tanks capable of standing strong against even the most formidable foes.
Paladins also possess a range of divine spells that support their combat role. These spells can provide temporary hit points, enhance their armor class, or even inflict divine damage on their enemies. Their spells, combined with their aura abilities, allow them to protect their allies while simultaneously striking down their enemies.
In Pathfinder, Paladins are not simply brute force; they are strategic warriors who utilize their divine powers and martial prowess to protect their allies and defeat their enemies in a righteous and glorious fashion.
Paladin as a Healer
While primarily known for their martial prowess, Paladins in Pathfinder can also serve as capable healers, though it requires some strategic planning and trait selection. Their divine powers grant them access to healing spells, enabling them to mend wounds and restore vitality to their allies. This healing capability is particularly useful in situations where dedicated healers are unavailable or when facing enemies that inflict heavy damage.
Paladins can utilize spells like “Cure Light Wounds” and “Cure Moderate Wounds” to heal minor and moderate injuries, while “Lay on Hands” provides a powerful burst of healing for those in dire need. Furthermore, they can employ spells like “Bless” to enhance the allies’ attack rolls and save throws, indirectly increasing their survivability.
However, it’s important to note that Paladins have a limited number of healing spells available to them, and their primary focus remains on combat. To effectively function as a healer, Paladins often need to invest in traits that grant them additional healing spells or increase their healing capabilities. Despite these limitations, Paladins can still provide valuable healing support to their party, particularly in situations where their martial prowess is not immediately required.
Paladin as a Face
While Paladins are primarily known for their combat prowess, their inherent charisma and strong moral compass make them surprisingly effective as “faces,” those characters who handle diplomacy, persuasion, and social interactions. Their unwavering commitment to justice and their ability to inspire others with their righteous fervor can be invaluable in navigating social situations and achieving diplomatic breakthroughs.
A Paladin’s high Charisma score grants them bonuses to Diplomacy, Intimidation, and Sense Motive checks, making them adept at convincing others, commanding respect, and understanding social cues. They can use their abilities to negotiate peace treaties, uncover hidden truths, or even subtly influence the outcome of political events. Their reputation for honesty and fairness also earns them trust, allowing them to forge alliances and secure information from those who might otherwise be reluctant to cooperate.
However, a Paladin’s unwavering adherence to their code of conduct can sometimes hinder their diplomatic efforts. Their uncompromising nature might alienate those who operate outside their moral framework. This can create challenges in situations requiring compromise or working with individuals whose values differ significantly. Despite these potential limitations, a Paladin’s charisma and righteousness can be powerful tools in the social arena, making them a valuable asset in situations where diplomacy is the key to success.
Paladin Companions
Paladins, as champions of righteousness and protectors of the innocent, often attract loyal companions who share their sense of justice and dedication to good. These companions can be found among various races and classes, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the party. While a Paladin’s unwavering commitment to their code may sometimes create friction with less morally rigid companions, their strength and unwavering loyalty provide a stabilizing force within the group.
For example, a Paladin might find a kindred spirit in a cleric who shares their divine faith and offers healing and support in combat. A skilled rogue or ranger, drawn to the Paladin’s noble intentions, can contribute with stealth, scouting, and ranged attacks. Even a boisterous barbarian, with their unyielding courage and loyalty, can find a place alongside a Paladin, their raw power augmenting the Paladin’s tactical strategies.
The presence of companions who embody diverse strengths and values can not only enhance the Paladin’s effectiveness but also enrich their journey. Through shared experiences and challenges, the bonds forged between a Paladin and their companions can deepen their commitment to the cause they champion, making them a formidable force for good in a world fraught with darkness.
Paladin in Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous
In Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous, the Paladin class takes on a significant role, embodying the crusader spirit against the encroaching forces of the Abyss. Their unwavering dedication to justice and their ability to channel divine power make them invaluable allies in the fight against the demonic hordes. Paladins can excel as both defenders and strikers, providing a formidable front line for the party;
The game’s setting, with its focus on the clash between good and evil, allows Paladins to shine. Their abilities to smite evil and bolster their allies’ morale through divine spells are crucial in confronting the Abyssal threat. The Paladin’s dedication to their oaths and their unwavering faith serve as a beacon of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.
Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous offers several unique opportunities for Paladins to showcase their strengths. They can choose from a variety of oaths that align with their personal beliefs and combat styles, tailoring their abilities to specific challenges. Furthermore, the game’s complex alignment system allows Paladins to navigate difficult moral choices, forcing them to confront the true meaning of their oaths and the consequences of their actions.
Paladin in Pathfinder⁚ Kingmaker
In Pathfinder⁚ Kingmaker, the Paladin class takes on a crucial role in building a kingdom and upholding justice. Their unwavering commitment to their oaths and their ability to inspire and protect their allies make them valuable assets in the challenging world of the Stolen Lands. Paladins can excel as both defenders and strikers, providing a formidable front line for the party.
The game’s focus on building a kingdom offers Paladins unique opportunities to demonstrate their leadership and moral compass. They can utilize their skills and abilities to establish a just and prosperous society. Their unwavering commitment to upholding the law and defending the innocent can help shape the kingdom’s laws and policies, ensuring a safe and equitable environment for all.
Pathfinder⁚ Kingmaker also provides a rich tapestry of political intrigue and moral dilemmas. Paladins must navigate these challenges, upholding their oaths while grappling with the complexities of governing and maintaining peace. Their unwavering sense of justice and their ability to inspire others through their unwavering faith can help guide the kingdom towards a brighter future.
The Paladin class in Pathfinder is a beacon of righteousness and unwavering dedication, offering players a versatile and powerful force to champion justice. From their unwavering commitment to their oaths to their diverse skillset, Paladins can serve as protectors, healers, and leaders, wielding both divine power and martial prowess. Their ability to inspire allies and strike down foes makes them invaluable assets in any Pathfinder campaign.
Whether you’re venturing through the Stolen Lands in Pathfinder⁚ Kingmaker, facing the Abyssal threats in Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous, or exploring other adventures, the Paladin stands ready to defend the innocent and uphold the righteous path. Their unwavering faith, dedication to justice, and potent abilities make them a cornerstone of any adventuring party, leaving an indelible mark on the world they traverse.
As you embark on your own Pathfinder adventures, consider embracing the noble Paladin class. Their unwavering commitment to their oaths and their versatile skillset will make them a valuable asset in any campaign, allowing you to champion justice and leave a lasting impact on the world.