Let's Make a Shadowdark Paladin (Part Three)
No more spellcasting. Charisma-based powers that allow you to choose between burst damage or healing. Powers linked to a Sacred Weapon. Have we hit the sweet spot?
Version 3!
I’ve removed spellcasting alltogether, but added some potential for (limited) burst damage and/or healing. Tied most powers to a single Sacred Weapon consecrated by the paladin.
I think this version fits pretty neatly between the Fighter (who has higher damage output) and Priest (who has greater spellcasting utility and healing).
Take a look and then share your thoughts in the comment section.
Paladin Class
Holy warriors who blend martial prowess with divine conviction, standing as unyielding guardians against darkness.
Weapons and Armor
Weapons: All melee weapons
Armor: All armor and shields
Hit Points
Hit Die: 1d8 per level
Languages
You know Celestial or Primordial.
Class Features
1. Sacred Weapon
At 1st level, choose one melee weapon you possess to become your Sacred Weapon. You must name this weapon as part of the consecration ritual. Gain +1 to attack and damage rolls with this weapon. Add half your level (rounded down) to these rolls as you level up.
Divine Bond. If your Sacred Weapon is destroyed or lost, you must undertake a divinely guided quest to prove your worthiness and locate a suitable replacement. Upon completion of this quest, you may perform a day-long consecration ritual to imbue the new weapon with sacred power.
2. Judgment and Mercy
You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1). Each time you use it, you must choose one of the following effects:
Judgment – When you hit with a melee attack using your Sacred Weapon, you may channel divine power into the strike to deal additional damage equal to 1d6 + your level.
Mercy – Roll a number of d6s equal to 1 + half your level (rounded down). One target you touch regains that many hit points.
3. Divine Courage
You and allies within near range gain advantage on Charisma checks against fear effects while you are conscious.
Paladin Talent Table
This vision leans much more into the Paladin-as-melee-frontliner than the priest, but without stepping on too many fighter’s toes.
Thoughts?
Sorry for the late reply, things were busy on my end.
First, I *like* linking the attack/smite powers to a Sacred Weapon. A lot.
But unfortunately, I think this really does overall step on too many of the Fighter's toes. D8 Hit Points die, proficient in ALL weapons and armor, and (using the Sacred Weapon and Judgment) can do more damage than the Fighter... all that, plus healing too! I mean, if *I* were offered the choice to play this iteration of Paladin, or the Fighter, I'd pick this every time.
I'd suggest the following tweaks...
1) D6 HP per level. D8 HP for Fighter is one of the few things that class has going for it, and I want to respect that.
2) Restrict the Weapon proficiencies to just the Paladin's deity's favored weapon. It helps balance against the Fighter's options, and is also thematically appropriate IMHO.
3) Make replacing the Sacred Weapon if lost similar to how a Priest recovers lost spells - IOW, not only must you go to an appropriate Shrine/Chapel/whatever for a one-day ritual, you should also pay - something like 100GP for every 2 character levels, rounded up. That should really make protecting Voidbane (or whatever your weapon is called) a priority.
With those changes in mind, probably also tweak the Talent table as appropriate.
I get the frustration - the core rules Priest was pretty much meant to swap in for Paladin in most circumstances, and with so many other Paladin homebrews (and now the "official" version Kelsey did last week) it's tough to make one that stands out on its own merits. I've pretty much given up on trying to do one for my ShadowDark campaign world for those reasons. :-/