Choosing probably the most advantageous ancestry for a paladin character in fifth version Dungeons and Dragons considerably impacts its effectiveness. The interplay between racial traits and the paladin’s class options determines the character’s total capabilities in fight, social interactions, and exploration. For instance, a race that grants a bonus to Energy or Charisma, together with useful resistances or proficiencies, usually supplies a powerful basis for a paladin construct.
Cautious consideration of ancestry enhances a paladin’s survivability and harm output, in addition to bettering their capacity to meet their function throughout the celebration. Sure ancestries supply benefits that synergize effectively with the paladin’s divine talents and oaths, bolstering their effectiveness in each martial and help roles. Traditionally, optimized character builds have highlighted the affect of racial alternative on total efficiency, demonstrating the significance of choosing ancestry that enhances the category.
The next sections will delve into particular ancestries, analyzing their traits and skills, and assessing their total suitability for a paladin character, based mostly on generally valued attributes like stat boosts, resistances, and entry to helpful spells or proficiencies. This evaluation will supply perception into the benefits conferred by every alternative, permitting for a well-informed choice based mostly on playstyle and marketing campaign setting.
1. Stat Bonuses
The choice of an ancestry that gives advantageous stat bonuses is paramount when optimizing a Paladin in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version. Energy and Charisma are key attributes for this class, influencing fight effectiveness and spellcasting capabilities, respectively. Subsequently, ancestries that improve these statistics supply a definite benefit.
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Energy Enhancement
Energy instantly impacts a Paladin’s melee assault rolls, harm output, and carrying capability. Ancestries just like the Goliath, with its bonus to Energy, instantly increase fight prowess, enabling the Paladin to successfully wield heavier weapons and armor. This leads to a extra formidable presence on the battlefield and improved survivability via greater armor class. For example, a Goliath Paladin utilizing Nice Weapon Grasp advantages considerably from the Energy bonus, maximizing harm potential.
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Charisma Enhancement
Charisma dictates the effectiveness of a Paladin’s spells and Channel Divinity choices. Ancestries such because the Aasimar, which supplies a bonus to Charisma, bolster the Paladin’s divine talents, bettering the success fee of spells like Bless and making certain that Channel Divinity options like Sacred Weapon are stronger. The next Charisma additionally enhances the Paladin’s function as a celebration face, bettering interactions with NPCs and facilitating diplomatic options. An Aasimar Paladin, for instance, may be extra persuasive in negotiations because of their enhanced Charisma.
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Structure Bonus Synergy
Whereas Energy and Charisma are major, a Structure bonus contributes to a Paladin’s survivability. Ancestries just like the Dwarf, providing a Structure bonus, improve the Paladin’s hit factors, making them extra resilient in fight. This elevated sturdiness ensures that the Paladin can face up to extra harm, sustaining their effectiveness in extended encounters. A Dwarf Paladin, as an illustration, is more likely to survive longer in a dungeon crawl, offering constant help to the celebration.
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Strategic Multi-Attribute Bonuses
Some ancestries present bonuses to a number of related attributes, providing a extra balanced method. The Half-Elf, with its customizable stat bonuses, permits gamers to tailor their character to particular builds. This adaptability permits the creation of Paladins optimized for particular oaths or fight kinds. A Half-Elf Paladin, for instance, may allocate bonuses to each Energy and Charisma, balancing martial prowess with spellcasting capacity.
In conclusion, cautious consideration of stat bonuses is essential when deciding on an ancestry for a Paladin. Ancestries that improve Energy, Charisma, and Structure instantly affect the character’s fight effectiveness, spellcasting capabilities, and total survivability. The strategic allocation of those bonuses permits the creation of a extra optimized and versatile Paladin, able to fulfilling their function throughout the celebration extra successfully.
2. Injury Resistance
Injury resistance, the power to mitigate particular forms of incoming harm, is a priceless asset for any character in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version. For a Paladin, a category usually positioned on the entrance traces of fight, this resilience is especially vital. Ancestries providing harm resistance inherently improve a Paladin’s survivability, permitting them to resist better punishment and keep their function as protectors and combatants.
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Fireplace Resistance and the Tiefling
The Tiefling ancestry, usually related to infernal heritage, grants resistance to fireside harm. In a sport world rife with magical results and creatures wielding flames, this resistance provides a substantial benefit. A Tiefling Paladin can face up to fire-based assaults from dragons, mages, and environmental hazards, permitting them to stay efficient in situations that might severely hinder different characters. This resilience additionally permits the Tiefling Paladin to focus sources on different defensive measures, understanding that fireside harm is much less of a menace.
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Poison Resistance and the Dwarf
Dwarves, identified for his or her hardiness, sometimes possess resistance or benefit in opposition to poison. That is notably useful as poison is a standard tactic employed by numerous enemies, together with assassins and monstrous creatures. A Dwarven Paladin can face up to poison assaults, stopping debilitating results that might in any other case impair their fight capabilities. This resilience is particularly helpful in subterranean environments or in opposition to opponents that rely closely on poisons.
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Different Resistances and their Context
Whereas fireplace and poison resistance are widespread examples, different much less steadily encountered resistances may also be priceless. Resistance to necrotic or radiant harm, as an illustration, could be essential when dealing with undead or celestial foes. The precise marketing campaign setting and the forms of enemies more likely to be encountered will dictate the relative significance of various harm resistances. Sure custom-made ancestries, or these present in much less widespread sourcebooks, might supply these specialised resistances.
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Interplay with Paladin Class Options
Injury resistance synergizes successfully with Paladin class options equivalent to Divine Well being, which grants immunity to illness. When mixed, these options considerably improve the Paladin’s total resilience. Moreover, resistance permits the Paladin to extra successfully make the most of their lay on fingers capacity, as they’re much less more likely to be overwhelmed by harm and require therapeutic themselves. This enables them to focus their therapeutic on allies, maximizing the celebration’s total survivability.
In conclusion, harm resistance is a big issue when contemplating the optimum ancestry. Ancestries that present this profit improve a Paladin’s survivability, permitting them to resist better punishment and keep their effectiveness in fight. The precise kind of resistance that’s most dear will rely on the marketing campaign setting and the forms of enemies encountered, however any type of harm mitigation contributes to a extra resilient and efficient Paladin.
3. Spellcasting capacity
The Paladin class in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version is a hybrid, mixing martial prowess with divine magic. A personality’s ancestry can increase or diminish the efficacy of this spellcasting capacity, thereby influencing its suitability. Whereas Paladins primarily depend on martial fight, their spells supply essential help, therapeutic, and utility. An ancestry offering entry to further spells or enhancing spellcasting attributes instantly contributes to the Paladin’s total effectiveness. For instance, the Aasimar race grants entry to spells like Mild and Therapeutic Phrase, increasing the Paladin’s magical repertoire past the usual class spells. This broadened functionality permits for better versatility in fight and exploration, enhancing the character’s capacity to handle various challenges.
Ancestries with innate spellcasting usually synergize effectively with the Paladin’s present class options. Skills equivalent to Divine Smite devour spell slots, making a personality’s capability to replenish these slots, or entry to supplementary spells that don’t devour these slots, extremely priceless. Take into account the instance of a race granting Steerage as a racial capacity. This cantrip, freely forged, supplies a bonus to capacity checks, together with these utilized in social interactions or skill-based challenges, with out depleting the Paladin’s restricted spell slots. Any such synergy permits the Paladin to preserve sources for extra vital fight conditions whereas nonetheless contributing meaningfully outdoors of fight. Moreover, entry to spells aligning with the Paladin’s oath can deepen thematic resonance and improve roleplaying alternatives. An Oath of Devotion Paladin with entry to radiant damage-dealing spells, as an illustration, reinforces their dedication to eradicating darkness and upholding righteousness.
In abstract, spellcasting capacity is a big consider figuring out the optimum ancestry. Characters achieve enhanced utility, useful resource administration, and thematic cohesion when ancestry provides a synergy with the Paladin’s intrinsic spellcasting. Although martial capabilities stay central, the supplementary magical enhancements afforded by sure ancestries elevates the Paladin’s total contribution. Challenges come up in balancing spellcasting enhancements with the necessity for martial proficiency. The ancestry choice should fastidiously weigh the advantages of elevated magical versatility in opposition to any potential compromises in Energy or Structure, making certain that the Paladin stays efficient in each fight and spellcasting roles.
4. Proficiencies
Proficiencies, representing a personality’s educated abilities and skills, instantly affect the effectiveness of a Paladin. The choice of an ancestry that grants related proficiencies enhances a Paladin’s versatility and contribution each out and in of fight, affecting its total efficiency. The diploma to which proficiencies are priceless relies on the marketing campaign setting and the precise challenges encountered, however a well-rounded set of proficiencies persistently bolsters the character’s capabilities.
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Armor Proficiencies
Paladins, sometimes serving as front-line combatants, require proficiency in heavy armor to maximise their survivability. Whereas the Paladin class inherently grants proficiency with all armor sorts, sure ancestries might present further advantages or synergies. For instance, a Dwarf’s inherent toughness may complement heavy armor utilization, growing resilience. The absence of proficiency specifically armor sorts can severely handicap a Paladin, lowering its effectiveness in fight and growing its vulnerability to assaults.
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Weapon Proficiencies
Weapon proficiencies dictate the forms of weapons a Paladin can successfully wield. The Paladin class grants proficiency with easy and martial weapons, making certain that almost all ancestries don’t inherently limit weapon decisions. Nevertheless, particular ancestries may supply proficiency with explicit weapon sorts that synergize with the Paladin’s combating type. For example, an Elf ancestry may present proficiency with longbows, enabling ranged assaults when melee fight is just not possible. Moreover, proficiency with particular weapons may unlock distinctive feats or fight maneuvers, additional enhancing the Paladin’s offensive capabilities.
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Talent Proficiencies
Talent proficiencies allow a Paladin to contribute past fight, facilitating social interactions, exploration, and problem-solving. Widespread ability proficiencies related to Paladins embrace Persuasion, for diplomatic negotiations; Perception, for detecting deception; and Athletics, for bodily challenges. Sure ancestries grant further ability proficiencies that complement the Paladin’s function. For instance, a Half-Elf may achieve proficiency in two further abilities of their alternative, permitting for personalisation to suit a selected marketing campaign or character idea. The provision of related ability proficiencies considerably will increase a Paladin’s versatility and total contribution to the celebration.
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Software Proficiencies
Software proficiencies, although usually missed, can present distinctive benefits in particular conditions. Software proficiencies enable for the crafting of things, disabling of traps, or gathering of data. Dwarves, as an illustration, usually possess proficiency with smith’s instruments, enabling them to restore armor or craft weapons. Whereas device proficiencies should not as universally relevant as ability proficiencies, they are often invaluable in sure situations, including a layer of versatility to the Paladin’s skillset.
In conclusion, proficiencies are an integral facet when figuring out ancestry. Though the Paladin class supplies a foundational set of proficiencies, sure ancestries improve these capabilities, growing the character’s effectiveness in fight, social interactions, and exploration. The strategic choice of an ancestry that enhances the Paladin’s inherent proficiencies ensures a well-rounded and versatile character, able to contributing meaningfully to the celebration in a wide range of conditions.
5. Oath Synergy
The idea of Oath synergy is vital when evaluating the optimum ancestry for a Paladin in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version. A Paladin’s Oath, the supply of their divine energy and ethical code, considerably influences their talents and roleplaying alternatives. Choosing an ancestry that aligns thematically and mechanically with a selected Oath enhances the character’s total effectiveness and immersiveness.
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Oath of Devotion and Aasimar
The Oath of Devotion embodies the basic Paladin archetype, emphasizing ideas of honesty, braveness, compassion, honor, and responsibility. The Aasimar ancestry, with its celestial heritage and affinity for radiant power, completely enhances this Oath. Aasimar Paladins of Devotion profit from elevated Charisma, enhancing their spellcasting talents, and entry to radiant harm, aligning with the Oath’s give attention to mild and purity. This synergy strengthens each the character’s fight effectiveness and thematic consistency.
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Oath of Vengeance and Tiefling (Zariel)
The Oath of Vengeance prioritizes the destruction of evildoers, usually using morally ambiguous strategies to attain its targets. The Zariel Tiefling subrace, descended from the archdevil Zariel, provides a compelling connection to this Oath. Zariel Tieflings achieve elevated Energy, enhancing their martial prowess, and entry to spells like Searing Smite and Branding Smite, furthering their capability to inflict harm upon their enemies. This alignment permits the Paladin to embody the relentless pursuit of justice, even at a value.
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Oath of the Ancients and Wooden Elf
The Oath of the Ancients champions the forces of sunshine and life, preserving the fantastic thing about nature and kindling the fires of hope. The Wooden Elf ancestry, with its connection to the pure world and inherent agility, enhances this Oath successfully. Wooden Elves achieve elevated Knowledge, bettering their notion and perception, and entry to enhanced motion velocity, permitting them to swiftly defend the weak and fight threats to the pure order. This mix displays the Oath’s emphasis on safeguarding life and preserving the stability of nature.
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Oath of Conquest and Dragonborn (Chromatic)
The Oath of Conquest emphasizes domination and management, looking for to impose order via power and concern. A Chromatic Dragonborn, notably these aligned with black, blue, inexperienced, or white dragons, creates a robust thematic and mechanical synergy. The Dragonborn’s breath weapon provides a further area-of-effect assault, complementing the Paladin’s give attention to controlling the battlefield. Moreover, the inherent intimidation issue of a dragonborn reinforces the Oath’s emphasis on imposing dominance.
The interplay between ancestry and Oath profoundly influences a Paladin’s id and capabilities. Ancestries that align thematically and mechanically with a selected Oath create a extra cohesive and compelling character. Whereas statistical optimization is vital, the narrative resonance and roleplaying potential provided by Oath synergy shouldn’t be missed when deciding on the optimum ancestry for a Paladin. The examples offered show how particular ancestries can improve the Paladin’s capacity to meet the tenets of their Oath, leading to a extra participating and efficient character.
6. Roleplay Potential
The choice of an ancestry for a Paladin in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version extends past mechanical optimization; it profoundly influences the character’s roleplaying potential. An ancestry supplies a basis for backstory, motivations, and interactions, shaping the Paladin’s id and driving their narrative throughout the sport world. The diploma to which an ancestry fosters compelling roleplay instantly contributes to the enjoyment and immersion of the participant and the general richness of the marketing campaign.
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Ethical Alignment and Societal Expectations
Sure ancestries are related to distinct ethical alignments and societal expectations, influencing the Paladin’s inside conflicts and exterior relationships. For instance, a Tiefling Paladin, usually stereotyped as inherently evil because of their infernal heritage, faces a continuing battle to show their value and defy prejudice. This inside battle and societal stigma supply wealthy alternatives for dramatic storytelling and character improvement. The Paladin’s actions and decisions turn into a testomony to their particular person morality, difficult preconceived notions and shaping their interactions with others.
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Cultural Traditions and Private Values
Ancestries usually possess distinctive cultural traditions and values that form the Paladin’s worldview and decision-making processes. A Dwarven Paladin, steeped in custom and honor, may prioritize loyalty to their clan and adherence to ancestral customs. These cultural values information their actions, influencing their interactions with different characters and their method to ethical dilemmas. The mixing of cultural traditions into the Paladin’s roleplay provides depth and complexity to their character, making a extra nuanced and plausible persona.
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Divine Connection and Religious Journey
The Paladin’s connection to their deity or Oath is commonly intertwined with their ancestral heritage. An Aasimar Paladin, blessed with celestial lineage, may expertise visions and steering from their divine patrons, shaping their non secular journey and influencing their actions. This direct connection to the divine supplies alternatives for profound roleplaying experiences, permitting the Paladin to grapple with questions of religion, morality, and their place within the cosmic order. The exploration of the Paladin’s divine connection provides a layer of non secular depth to their character, enriching their narrative and offering a framework for private development.
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Inner Conflicts and Character Development
The inherent contradictions between an ancestry’s predispositions and the Paladin’s chosen path can generate compelling inside conflicts, driving character development and improvement. A Drow Paladin, raised in a society of darkness and deceit, may battle to reconcile their previous with their dedication to justice and righteousness. This inside battle fosters vulnerability and permits for genuine character improvement because the Paladin confronts their inside demons and strives to beat their inherent challenges. The exploration of those inside conflicts provides a layer of realism to the Paladin’s character, making them extra relatable and interesting to different gamers.
The roleplay potential inherent in every ancestry contributes considerably to the general Paladin expertise. Ancestries that supply alternatives for ethical ambiguity, cultural exploration, divine connection, and inside battle foster extra compelling and memorable characters. Whereas mechanical optimization stays an element, the narrative richness and roleplaying potential must be fastidiously thought of when deciding on the optimum ancestry, because it in the end shapes the Paladin’s id and their affect on the sport world.
Regularly Requested Questions
The next addresses widespread inquiries concerning ancestry choice for Paladin characters, offering detailed explanations to facilitate knowledgeable selections.
Query 1: Does racial alternative really affect a Paladin’s effectiveness?
Ancestry considerably impacts a Paladin’s capabilities via stat bonuses, racial traits, and proficiencies. Optimum decisions improve key attributes like Energy and Charisma, bolster defenses with resistances, and supply supplementary abilities, instantly influencing fight effectiveness and spellcasting proficiency.
Query 2: Are particular ancestries inherently superior for Paladins?
No single ancestry universally outperforms all others. The “finest” alternative depends upon the supposed playstyle, most well-liked Oath, and marketing campaign setting. Some ancestries supply benefits in particular areas, equivalent to fight prowess or social interplay, however a balanced evaluation of all traits is essential.
Query 3: How vital are stat bonuses in comparison with different racial traits?
Stat bonuses are a major consideration, notably these affecting Energy, Charisma, and Structure. Nevertheless, racial traits like harm resistance, spellcasting talents, and distinctive proficiencies can compensate for suboptimal stat distributions, providing various advantages and strategic benefits.
Query 4: Can much less widespread ancestries be viable for Paladins?
Whereas mainstream ancestries usually present readily obvious benefits, much less widespread choices could be extremely efficient when strategically employed. Sure lineages supply specialised traits or thematic connections that synergize uniquely with particular Oaths or marketing campaign themes, offering a particular and highly effective character construct.
Query 5: How does Oath choice affect optimum ancestry decisions?
Oath choice considerably impacts optimum ancestry decisions. Sure ancestries align thematically and mechanically with particular Oaths, enhancing the character’s roleplaying potential and fight effectiveness. For instance, Aasimar usually complement the Oath of Devotion, whereas Zariel Tieflings resonate with the Oath of Vengeance.
Query 6: What are the important thing concerns past fight effectiveness?
Past fight effectiveness, roleplaying potential, thematic resonance, and private choice are vital elements. An ancestry ought to align with the participant’s desired character idea and facilitate participating storytelling alternatives, making a extra immersive and pleasurable gaming expertise.
Choosing probably the most advantageous ancestry entails a holistic evaluation of statistical advantages, thematic connections, and private preferences. The “finest” ancestry in the end depends upon the precise targets and aspirations of the participant.
The following sections will study particular ancestry choices and supply detailed analyses of their suitability for numerous Paladin builds, providing sensible steering for character creation.
Suggestions for Optimizing Ancestry Choice for Paladins
Cautious consideration of ancestry is paramount to maximizing a Paladin’s effectiveness. The next suggestions present steering on strategically deciding on an ancestry that enhances the Paladin’s class options and function throughout the celebration.
Tip 1: Prioritize Energy and Charisma Bonuses: Ancestries that grant bonuses to Energy instantly improve melee fight capabilities, whereas Charisma bonuses increase spellcasting and Channel Divinity options. Optimize for a mixture of those attributes to excel in each martial and magical domains. For instance, the Aasimar race supplies a Charisma bonus and extra radiant harm, enhancing each spellcasting and offensive potential.
Tip 2: Take into account Injury Resistance for Survivability: Paladins usually function frontline combatants; subsequently, harm resistance is a priceless asset. Ancestries just like the Tiefling (fireplace resistance) or Dwarf (poison resistance) considerably improve survivability in opposition to widespread harm sorts, permitting the Paladin to resist better punishment and keep their function as a protector.
Tip 3: Consider Talent Proficiencies for Versatility: Whereas fight prowess is crucial, ability proficiencies allow a Paladin to contribute past the battlefield. Ancestries that grant proficiencies in abilities like Persuasion, Perception, or Athletics improve the Paladin’s capacity to work together with NPCs, detect deception, and overcome bodily challenges.
Tip 4: Align Ancestry with Oath for Thematic Resonance: Choosing an ancestry that aligns thematically with the chosen Paladin Oath enhances the character’s roleplaying potential and creates a extra cohesive narrative. For instance, an Oath of Devotion Paladin may profit from the celestial heritage of the Aasimar, whereas an Oath of Vengeance Paladin may discover synergy with the Zariel Tiefling.
Tip 5: Assess the Affect of Racial Spells: Some ancestries grant entry to racial spells that may complement the Paladin’s present spellcasting talents. Consider the utility and synergy of those spells, contemplating how they’ll improve fight effectiveness, present utility outdoors of fight, or preserve spell slots for essential encounters. The Aasimar’s Therapeutic Phrase spell, as an illustration, provides a priceless therapeutic choice with out depleting the Paladin’s major spell slots.
Tip 6: Take into account Subraces for Specialised Advantages: Sure ancestries supply subraces that present specialised advantages, tailoring the character to particular playstyles or marketing campaign settings. For instance, the Hill Dwarf subrace grants elevated hit factors, enhancing survivability, whereas the Mountain Dwarf supplies further Energy, boosting fight potential.
Cautious adherence to those tips ensures a well-informed choice when selecting an ancestry for a Paladin, resulting in a more practical, versatile, and interesting character. Prioritizing key stat bonuses, survivability, ability proficiencies, thematic alignment, and racial spells permits for the creation of a Paladin optimized for each fight and roleplaying.
The next concluding part summarizes the important thing concerns and provides remaining suggestions for optimizing ancestry choice, reinforcing the significance of a strategic and well-informed method.
Conclusion
The previous evaluation has examined numerous ancestries and their implications for Paladin characters in Dungeons & Dragons fifth Version. The willpower of the “finest race for paladin 5e” hinges on a fancy interaction of things, together with statistical advantages, thematic resonance with chosen Oaths, and desired roleplaying alternatives. Energy and Charisma bonuses, alongside harm resistance and related ability proficiencies, persistently emerge as vital concerns for optimized efficiency. No single ancestry stands as universally superior; somewhat, the optimum alternative is contingent upon particular person playstyle and marketing campaign specifics.
Efficient ancestry choice represents a basic facet of character optimization, influencing each fight effectiveness and narrative engagement. The strategic utility of the insights offered herein facilitates the creation of a Paladin character able to fulfilling their divine calling with each martial prowess and unwavering conviction. Gamers are inspired to interact in additional exploration and experimentation, tailoring their character to the precise calls for of their chosen journey. The continued pursuit of data and understanding stays important to mastering the intricacies of character creation and maximizing the potential of the Paladin class.
