Paladins in Pathfinder embody lawful good, wielding divine power to smite evil and heal allies. Their core abilities—Lay on Hands, Smite Evil, and Divine Bond—enable versatile combat roles, from frontline tanking to support. Mastery of these skills shapes a paladin’s path. They inspire courage and protect all.
Historical Context and Lore
In Pathfinder’s rich tapestry, the paladin traces its roots to ancient crusaders who swore oaths to the gods of order. Their lineage is intertwined with the legendary heroes of the First Age, whose deeds forged the divine covenant that still guides modern paladins. The class first appeared in the core rulebook, where it was described as a “holy warrior” who balances martial prowess with divine authority. Over time, the paladin’s narrative expanded through supplemental materials such as the Pathfinder Chronicles and the Pathfinder Society adventure paths, which detail the rise of the Order of the Radiant Dawn and the fall of the Antipaladin cults. The lore emphasizes the paladin’s duty to uphold justice, protect the innocent, and eradicate evil. Their oaths are not merely personal vows but binding contracts with the divine, granting them powers like Lay on Hands, Smite Evil, and Divine Bond. These abilities reflect the ancient belief that a paladin’s strength comes from both faith and the sword. In the world of Golarion, paladins often serve as the moral compass of kingdoms, leading crusades against tyrants and demonic incursions. Their stories are chronicled in the Heroes of the First Age anthology, where tales of valor and sacrifice inspire new generations. The class’s evolution mirrors the shifting political landscape of the Inner Sea, as paladins adapt to modern threats while retaining their foundational principles. Thus, the paladin remains a symbol of unwavering devotion and righteous might, a living bridge between mortal ambition and divine purpose. Oath renewed at sunrise daily.!!!!
Core Class Features Overview
Paladins blend martial skill with divine power. Their core abilities—Lay on Hands, a healing pool; Smite Evil, extra damage vs. evil; and Divine Bond, a pact granting combat bonuses—are bound by oaths to a deity, granting special powers and moral resolve. They also wield radiant smite, bolstering allies’ defenses!
Lay on Hands
Lay on Hands is a paladin’s signature healing ability, allowing the character to channel divine energy into a pool of restorative power. At 1st level, the pool equals 1d6 points of healing per two class levels, increasing by 1d6 every two levels thereafter. The paladin may expend points from the pool as a standard action to heal any creature, including themselves, or as a swift action to heal only themselves. The pool can also be used to cure disease or neutralize poison, with the same point cost as healing. A paladin can recover all unused points at the end of a long rest, but the pool does not replenish during a short rest. The ability’s potency grows with the paladin’s level, providing a reliable source of emergency healing in the midst of combat. Because Lay on Hands is a divine power, it can be used on any creature that is not undead or a fiend, regardless of alignment, as long as the target is willing. The paladin must be conscious and able to concentrate to use the ability, and the action type (standard or swift) determines how many points can be spent per round. In addition, some domains grant bonuses to the pool’s size or to the healing effect, allowing a paladin to tailor Lay on Hands to their role in the party.
Smite Evil
Smite Evil is a paladin’s primary offensive divine power, allowing the character to channel holy wrath against malevolent foes. At 1st level, the paladin can expend a use of the ability to add a bonus equal to the paladin’s level to a melee or ranged attack roll against an evil creature. If the attack hits, the target takes extra damage equal to the paladin’s level plus a d8. The ability can be used a number of times per day equal to the paladin’s level, and the paladin can choose to use it on any creature that is evil, regardless of alignment. Smite Evil can be combined with a weapon that has the “holy” property or with a spell that grants a bonus to attack rolls, amplifying its effectiveness. The extra damage is always a d8, but the attack bonus scales with the paladin’s level, making it a potent tool for high‑level play. Some domains grant additional uses per day or increase the damage die, allowing a paladin to tailor the ability to a specific playstyle. When the paladin uses Smite Evil, the character must be conscious and able to concentrate; if the paladin is incapacitated, the ability cannot be used. Smite Evil is a key component of a paladin’s arsenal, providing both a reliable source of damage and a thematic expression of the character’s devotion to vanquishing evil. In practice, a paladin’s mastery of Smite Evil often dictates the flow of battle, as the ability can turn the tide against a swarm of fiends or a single powerful adversary, making the paladin a linchpin in any adventuring party’s survival strategy. Thus, a welltimed Smite can silence a threat before it escalates.
Divine Bond and Mounted Builds
Divine Bond is a signature feature of the Pathfinder paladin, allowing the character to form a pact with a chosen creature, typically a mount, to enhance both combat effectiveness and thematic cohesion. The bond grants the paladin a range of benefits: the bonded creature gains a bonus to attack rolls, saves, and damage output, while the paladin receives a bonus to AC, saving throws, and a chance to heal or smite through the mount’s actions. The bond can be established with any creature that meets the paladin’s prerequisites, but most players opt for a horse, warhorse, or wyvern to maximize mobility and battlefield presence. In addition, the bond allows the paladin to use the mount’s natural weapons in a way that synergizes with the paladin’s smite and lay‑on‑hands abilities, creating a hybrid damage model that can overwhelm enemies. Mounted builds also benefit from the paladin’s ability to use the “mounted combat” rules, granting extra attacks and improved positioning. When a paladin chooses a mount, the character must maintain the bond by spending a daily use of the ability, ensuring the bond remains active and the bonuses persist. This daily cost encourages careful resource management, especially in prolonged campaigns or when facing multiple foes. Some domain choices, such as the Crusader or the Vengeance domain, provide additional bonuses to mounted combat or increase the damage dealt by the bonded creature, further enhancing the effectiveness of these builds. Overall, Divine Bond and mounted builds offer a powerful combination of mobility, damage, and support, allowing the paladin to dominate the battlefield while staying true to their oath of justice and protection. Moreover, the bond grants the paladin the ability to cast certain spells through the mount, such as call lightning or fireball, provided the mount has the necessary spell slots. This feature is rarely used but can be a game‑changer in epic encounters. Players often pair the bond with the “mountaineer” feat to increase the mount’s endurance, allowing it to survive longer in combat. The synergy between the paladin’s smite and the mount’s extra attack can produce a staggering burst of damage, especially when the paladin’s smite is applied to the mount’s natural weapon. Additionally, the mount’s presence on the battlefield can serve as a deterrent, forcing enemies to consider terrain and positioning, which aligns with the paladin’s strategic mindset. In conclusion, mastering Divine Bond and mounted builds requires careful selection of the bonded creature, thoughtful allocation of feats and domain choices, and disciplined resource management to maintain the bond’s benefits throughout the campaign.
Optimal Build Strategies
Choose your focus: a DPS‑centric build prioritizes smite, high Strength, and the Vengeance domain, while a tank build emphasizes Constitution, heavy armor, and the Crusader domain. Balance feats like Dodge, Mobility, and Power Attack to tailor your role. Add feats like Toughness or Improved Initiative. and!?
DPS-Focused Build
For a pure damage dealer, the Paladin’s smite ability is the linchpin. Begin by allocating the highest available Strength score (18–20) to maximize melee damage and smite bonuses. The Vengeance domain is a staple, granting extra smite damage and the “Vengeance” power that deals additional damage to a target once per day. Pair this with the Crusader domain for the “Crusader’s Rally” feature, which boosts allies’ attack rolls and saves, turning the Paladin into a frontline commander. Feats are critical: take Power Attack to increase damage at the cost of accuracy, Dodge to improve AC, and Mobility to keep the Paladin in the thick of combat. The “Improved Initiative” feat ensures you act early, allowing you to smite before enemies can strike. For equipment, a +2 or higher greatsword or maul offers the best damage output, while a +1 or better shield provides a solid AC boost. Heavy armor (plate) is essential for survivability, and a +1 or better helm protects against status effects. The “Weapon Focus” feat on your chosen weapon adds a +1 bonus to attack rolls, and “Weapon Specialization” further increases damage. Consider the “Weapon Mastery” feat for a 10% damage boost if you have the prerequisite. The “Divine Bond” feature can be used to summon a mount that can carry you into the fray, or to bond with a powerful weapon, granting additional damage and utility. With these choices, the Paladin can deliver consistent, high damage while maintaining the ability to heal and protect allies when necessary. To maximize daily smite potential, invest in the “Smite Evil” feat at level 3, and choose the “Smite Evil” domain power at level 2 for extra damage.
Tank-Focused Build
When the Paladin’s primary role is to absorb damage and protect allies, the build focuses on maximizing AC, hit points, and defensive feats. Begin with a Strength of 18 and a Constitution of 18 or higher to boost both melee damage and survivability. The “Vengeance” domain remains useful, but the “Crusader” domain is often replaced by the “Guardian” domain, which grants the “Guardian’s Shield” power, allowing the Paladin to add a shield bonus to AC and to reduce damage taken by a controlled amount. The “Vigilant” domain can also be considered for its “Vigilant’s Shield” power, which provides a temporary shield that absorbs damage each round. Feats such as “Defensive Duelist” and “Shield Focus” are essential. “Defensive Duelist” grants a bonus to AC when wielding a shield, while “Shield Focus” adds a bonus to shield saves. “Improved Initiative” ensures the Paladin can act before enemies, and “Dodge” improves AC further. The “Weapon Focus” feat on a heavy weapon (greatsword or maul) adds a +1 attack bonus, and “Weapon Specialization” adds a +1 damage bonus. The “Improved Shield Block” feat allows the Paladin to block more often, reducing incoming damage. Equipment choices include a +2 or higher plate armor for maximum AC, a +2 shield for added protection, and a +1 or better helm to mitigate status effects. A heavy weapon with a +1 or better bonus is also recommended for damage output. The “Divine Bond” feature can be used to bond with a powerful shield or a mount that can absorb damage, providing additional protection. The Paladin’s “Lay on Hands” ability can be used strategically to heal allies or to cure conditions, ensuring the party remains healthy. By prioritizing defensive feats, armor, and shield bonuses, the Paladin becomes a resilient frontline that can hold the line against even the most powerful foes. The “Shield Mastery” feat grants a +1 bonus to AC while wearing a shield, and the “Improved Shield Block” feat allows the Paladin to block a larger portion of incoming damage each round. The “Divine Intervention” power can be invoked to call upon the deity’s aid, granting temporary hit points or a protective aura that reduces damage for the entire party. With these enhancements, the Paladin can sustain prolonged engagements, absorbing damage while keeping allies safe; This makes the Paladin an indispensable frontline asset in any campaign!!
Spellcasting and Domain Selections
Paladins in Pathfinder are divine spellcasters who gain 1st‑level spells at first level and reach 9th‑level spells by level 20, sharing spell slots with the Smite Evil ability. The Smite Evil power allows a Paladin to expend a spell slot to deal damage equal to the Paladin’s level, creating a powerful synergy between offense and divine magic. Selecting the right domains is essential; each domain grants a unique power that complements the Paladin’s combat role. The Crusader domain offers the Crusader’s Shield power, which grants a shield bonus to AC and a damage‑reduction effect that can be activated once per day. The Vengeance domain provides Vengeance’s Fury, a daily power that increases damage output against a chosen enemy, making the Paladin a formidable foe in single‑target encounters. The Guardian domain supplies Guardian’s Shield, a protective aura that reduces damage taken by allies within a 30‑foot radius, ideal for tank‑focused Paladins who need to shield teammates. The Vigilant domain gives Vigilant’s Shield, a temporary shield that absorbs a set amount of damage each round, providing a burst of defensive support. When choosing domains, consider the party’s composition: a frontline tank may benefit from Guardian or Vigilant, while a damage‑focused Paladin may prefer Crusader or Vengeance. Spell selection should prioritize healing, protection, and crowd control. Core spells include Cure Light Wounds, Bless, Protection from Evil, and Shield of Faith. At higher levels, spells such as Mass Heal, Greater Restoration, and Dispel Magic become invaluable for maintaining party vitality. The Paladin’s spellcasting is intrinsically tied to the deity’s portfolio; aligning domain choices with the deity’s favored domains ensures maximum synergy. Additionally, the Paladin’s Divine Bond feature can be used to bond with a chosen domain, granting a domain power that can be invoked as a standard action, thereby expanding tactical options. Mastery of spellcasting and domain selection enables the Paladin to adapt to diverse battlefield scenarios, balancing offense, defense, and support duties effectively.
Roleplaying Tips and Alignment
Paladin characters thrive on a moral compass, aligning with good or neutral. Roleplaying a paladin means upholding honor, justice, and compassion while navigating gray areas in complex campaigns. Define the deity you serve; each god’s portfolio shapes the paladin’s worldview and dictates virtues they must embody. A paladin of a law god prioritizes order and discipline, whereas a deity of compassion emphasizes mercy and healing. When interacting with NPCs, a paladin should speak with conviction, offering guidance or condemnation based on alignment. They are not merely warriors but moral arbiters, mediating disputes and enforcing the law. However, rigid adherence to rules can lead to conflict with chaotic allies; balancing firmness with empathy shows that a lawful stance does not preclude compassion. In combat, a paladin’s actions reflect devotion: they might protect a wounded ally with Lay on Hands or smite a villain with righteous fury. Outside battle, a paladin may seek temples, study sacred texts, or volunteer in community service, reinforcing faith. Roleplaying a paladin involves embracing oath of devotion, divine bond, and channeling divine energy. These elements weave into narrative, making each spell or smite a reflection of divine will. Remember alignment is a guide, not a rulebook; a paladin can grow, learn, and change alignment through events, but shifts must be justified by personal struggle and a clear narrative arc. By staying true to these principles, a paladin becomes a memorable, morally complex hero in any Pathfinder adventure. Their unwavering dedication inspires allies, strengthens resolve, and ensures that justice prevails across the realm in every challenge for all.
Equipment and Weapon Choices
Paladins in Pathfinder prioritize gear that reflects their divine mission and maximizes battlefield effectiveness. The cornerstone is a heavy‑armor set—plate or half‑plate—providing the highest AC while allowing the use of a shield for added protection. Shields not only increase AC but also grant the paladin’s option to use the shield’s “shield block” ability, a crucial defensive maneuver when facing multiple foes. A shielded melee paladin typically uses a longsword or greatsword, which synergize with the Smite Evil feature, requiring a melee weapon to channel divine energy. For those favoring ranged combat, a crossbow or longbow can be paired with a shield, though the paladin’s damage output is typically higher in melee. The choice between a single‑handed weapon and a two‑handed weapon hinges on the desired balance between damage output and the ability to wield a shield. Two‑handed weapons grant higher damage per hit but sacrifice the shield’s bonus. A paladin’s holy symbol, worn as a pendant or emblazoned on armor, is required for many class abilities; it also serves as a focus for spellcasting and divine rituals. Armor and weapons should be blessed or enchanted with the “holy” or “divine” property, which grants bonuses against undead and evil creatures, aligning with the paladin’s oath. Utility items such as the holy water flask, a set of prayer beads, and a healer’s kit are essential for maintaining the paladin’s support role. A helm and gauntlets also provide spell resistance, enhancing the paladin’s survivability against potent magical attacks during combat encounters.?!
Interaction with Undead and Evil Creatures
Paladins are the frontline defenders against the forces of darkness, and their entire class design revolves around confronting undead and evil entities. The hallmark ability, Smite Evil, allows a paladin to channel divine wrath into a single melee attack, dealing extra damage that scales with level and is especially potent against creatures with the undead or evil traits. When a paladin uses Smite Evil, the attack roll gains a bonus equal to the paladin’s level, and the damage increases by 1d6 per level, making the feature a reliable tool for shredding necromantic minions. In addition, the paladin’s Lay on Hands can heal allies that have been wounded by undead or evil creatures, restoring vitality and countering the draining effects often associated with necrotic attacks. The divine bond feature further enhances this interaction: by forming a bond with a chosen creature, the paladin can gain bonuses to attack and damage rolls against that creature’s type, effectively turning the bond into a specialized anti‑undead or anti‑evil focus. Moreover, many paladin domains grant additional benefits when facing undead. For instance, the Death domain provides resistance to necrotic damage and the ability to turn undead, while the Justice domain offers bonuses to the paladin’s smite and healing abilities against evil foes. Equipment choices also reinforce this theme; holy symbols, blessed weapons, and armor with the “holy” property grant bonuses to attack and damage rolls against undead and evil creatures, and often provide resistance to necrotic damage. In combat, a paladin typically positions themselves to intercept undead hordes, using their shield to block attacks and their smite to deliver decisive blows. Their presence also serves a psychological deterrent: many undead and evil creatures are compelled to retreat or flee when confronted by a radiant figure, allowing the paladin to protect allies and control the battlefield. The combination of class features, domain bonuses, and gear makes the paladin an indispensable asset when confronting the darkest threats in the world of Pathfinder. Throughout the campaign, the paladin’s unwavering devotion to the divine code ensures that even the most resilient undead are met with righteous fury, turning the tide of battle and inspiring hope among the downtrodden. Their oath echoes in fight now.
Single-Class Build Resources
Builds incorporate feats like “Improved Divine Smite” “Weapon Focus (Longsword)” to boost damage output, while “Toughness” “Iron Will” enhance survivability. “Holy Avenger” weapon grants +3 bonus to attack rolls damage against evil creatures, aura can damage undead within a 10‑foot radius. Pathfinder Character Builder Paizo Character Sheet Generator allow players to experiment with stat blocks, compare build paths, share results on forums or Discord channels for optimization!
and Further Reading
Paladins remain a cornerstone of Pathfinder’s combat and narrative structure, offering a blend of martial prowess, divine healing, and moral authority. Their versatility allows players to tailor a character to any campaign style, whether a stalwart defender, a radiant smiter, or a charismatic leader. The synergy of class features, feats, and equipment can be refined through careful planning and experimentation.
For those eager to dive deeper, the Paizo official website hosts a wealth of resources: the Core Rulebook and Pathfinder Society Adventure Path provide foundational rules and narrative hooks. The Paizo Forums are a hub for community discussions, build ideas, and troubleshooting.
Dedicated guides such as Ilzurys’ Reddit guide and Bodhis’ PDF on optimal builds offer in‑depth analysis of feat combinations, spell selection, and combat tactics. Video tutorials on YouTube—like the “WOTR Paladin Guide”—visualize class mechanics and showcase effective mounted builds. They also grant powerful domain spells.
Finally, tools like the Pathfinder Character Builder and the Paizo Character Sheet Generator enable players to test and iterate on builds before committing to a campaign. By combining these resources with personal playstyle experimentation, any adventurer can craft a paladin that embodies the ideals of righteousness and strength. Their presence can turn the tide of battle and inspire allies to fight harder.
Additionally, the Pathfinder Society’s official Adventure Path Archive offers themed campaigns that highlight paladin story arcs, while the Paizo Wiki contains detailed entries on paladin subclasses, spells, and feats. Engaging with these materials deepens understanding and inspires creative role‑playing choices.