Paladin is one of the most iconic classes. dungeons and dragons. Although not as popular as fighters, these holy warriors have it all: crushing damage, impenetrable defense, perfect support abilities, and even some spellcasting. Their skill checks may outperform those of a bard or rogue, but their high Charisma score means they can easily fill the role of the face of the party. dungeons and dragons Same with the table.
Like most classes, the Paladin picks up a subclass at level 3 that drastically changes how they play. 11 Paladin Oaths have been released. Dungeons and Dragons 5th EditionBut not all are created equal. Each can shine, but some paladin oaths can shine much more easily than others.
Offensive, defensive, and support capabilities, core ability unlock levels, technical support, and focus specializations are all key factors considered when compiling this list.
Dungeons and Dragons Level 3 Class Tier List
Dungeons and Dragons classes are not born the same in the 2024 5e version of the game, and the differences may become more or less noticeable at level 3.
S-Tier: A true Paragon of the Paladin class.
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commitment
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glory
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salvation
Most classes are dungeons and dragons There is one subclass that doubles the base characteristics of the class. pledge of devotion Considering that the class is so powerful for the Paladin, so are its subclasses. Holy Nimbus and his D&D The Paladin Oath spell is nothing noteworthy, Holy Weapon got a big buff in the 2024 rules update, and Devotion Aura's Charisma Status Immunity and Protective Blow make this Paladin subclass's aura the safest place on the battlefield.
With protective abilities like Inspiring Smite and Glorious Defense and skill boosts from Peerless Athlete, oath of glory A versatile choice for a frontline paladin. Aura of Alacrity, Haste, and Freedom of Movement can provide massive mobility buffs. Additionally, Living Legend is a powerful Capstone. Because anything that can guarantee a hit is amazing insurance.
in other words, oath of salvation Probably the most powerful Paladin subclass. clutch dungeons and dragons Spells including Counterspell and Hold Person, Guardian's Aura that absorbs damage, and powerful punishment through Rebuke the Violent make it incredible at early levels, and Emissary of Peace makes it a strong party pacer. Salvation Paladins become unkillable at higher levels between the Guardian Spirit's self-healing and Emissary of Salvation. This is one of the few Paladin subclass capstones that activates automatically rather than as a temporary transformation.
A-Tier: A solid subclass with powerful abilities.
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ancient people
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noble genie
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plural
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observer
that Oath of the Ancients There were a lot of changes in 2024 dungeons and dragons Refresh rules. Being an AoE, Wrath of Nature is actually worth using, and Undying Sentinel gives you more HP when activated. The existing spell damage resistance with Aura of Warding is amazing for the caster, but the necrotic, psychic, and bright resistances are still powerful against many deadly enemies. Between spells and elder champions, the ancient paladin can also fill the naturalist role if you don't have a druid or ranger in your party.
that noble genie from D&D'S Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn A unique paladin oath that encourages agility builds by calculating the AC of the Genie's Splendor instead of using heavy armor and strength. Elemental spells, versatile attack options through Elemental Smite, and adaptive damage resistance through Elemental Shielding Aura make these products stand out. The Noble Scion is also a great capstone as it guarantees flight speed and success in nearby D20 tests. The only thing keeping it in S-Tier is the poor damage scaling of Efreeti's Fury and Elemental Rebuke.
oath of revenge to D&D Suitable for Paladins who prefer an aggressive playstyle. Spells like Hold Person, Misty Step, and Haste synergize well with Relentless Avenger, which allows you to control where combat takes place. Likewise, Vow of Enmity, Soul of Vengeance, and Avenging Angel ensure that you always reach your goal, and you never miss it if you do so. The only downside to the Vow of Vengeance is that it is self-centered. This means your allies may have a hard time maintaining their aura.
Watcher's Oath The subclass shines when fighting creatures that use Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. Aberrations, Celestials, Elementals, Fey, and Fiends should be especially wary of these paladins, but any of them can be a threat, especially if: D&D Spells like Counterspell, Hold Monster, See Invisibility, and Scrying. The Sentinel's AoE initiative bonus's aura is also surprising considering that most allies are in range at the start of the fight.
B-Tier: Good Oath, too specialized.
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conquest
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Oathbreaker
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spell guard
oath of conquest Many features use the terrified state, literally using fear as a weapon. Unfortunately, this can be a problem. Many supernatural creatures, especially at higher levels, are immune to this, meaning that many abilities at lower levels simply stop functioning. Luckily, Scornful Rebuke and Invincible Conqueror are powerful for anyone, even if they're unlocked at high levels.
the only reason Oathbreaker Anything lower on this list is because it appeared recently. dungeons and dragons Unearthed Arcana. The classic 2014 subclasses were terrible, but they are more practical in the new version. However, while its class features no longer rely solely on allied undead or fiends, many of its abilities still deal with the frightened condition, putting it in a similar position to the Conquest Paladin. That said, Supernatural Resistance and Dreadlord are guaranteed to still be powerful, even though you can only learn them later.
that spell guard This is a new subclass introduced recently. dungeons and dragons Arcana were also unearthed. The new Paladin Oath is extremely powerful, with the ability to protect allies, boost focus resistance, and counter spells with attacks. However, the need to have an ally or enemy spellcaster means that you can only fight against non-magical enemies in certain team compositions.
C-Tier: An outdated option in desperate need of an update
What is heavy is the head that wears it. crown oath. Here's what was originally printed: Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide—The first and infamous worst D&D Chronicles Sourcebook —The Oath of the Crown is not great. Everything it can do is done better by other subclasses. Divine Allegiance is a worse version of Redemption's Aura of the Guardian, and Exalted Champion is better than Conquest or Watchers Paladins. Oath of the Crown is the oldest subclass on this list, as it appears.
- franchise
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dungeons and dragons
- original release date
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1974
- designer
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E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson