Paladin FAQ
What ability scores are best for a Paladin?
Strength and Charisma are the Paladin's main ability scores in the 2014 rules. Strength normally powers melee attacks and supports heavy armor, while Charisma powers Paladin spellcasting and Aura of Protection. Constitution is usually the next priority for hit points and concentration. The 2014 multiclassing prerequisites require both Strength 13 and Charisma 13.
The conventional 2014 Paladin is built around two primary ability scores: - Strength; - Charisma. Constitution is normally the third major priority.
Strength
Strength powers most conventional Paladin weapon attacks.
It is especially useful for:
- longswords;
- greatswords;
- polearms;
- warhammers;
- other Strength-based melee weapons;
- Athletics;
- meeting heavy-armor Strength requirements.
Because Divine Smite requires a hit before it can be used, weapon accuracy remains important.
A Paladin who frequently misses cannot convert spell slots into Smite damage effectively.
Charisma
Charisma is the Paladin's spellcasting ability.
It determines:
- spell save DC;
- spell attack modifier;
- prepared-spell capacity under the 2014 rules.
At 6th level, Charisma becomes even more important through Aura of Protection.
The Paladin and nearby allies add the Paladin's Charisma modifier to saving throws while the feature applies.
A higher Charisma score therefore improves the defense of several characters at once.
Constitution
Constitution increases hit points on top of the Paladin's d10 Hit Die.
It also helps with concentration saving throws.
A Paladin often casts concentration spells while fighting in melee, so Constitution has both durability and spell-maintenance value.
Dexterity
Dexterity improves initiative, Dexterity saving throws, and common skills.
A Dexterity-based Paladin is possible with finesse weapons and lighter armor.
However, the standard multiclassing requirement still includes Strength 13 in the 2014 rules, making Dexterity-focused multiclass Paladins more ability-score demanding.
A heavy-armored Strength Paladin can afford to make Dexterity less important for Armor Class.
Wisdom
Wisdom is one of the Paladin's saving throw proficiencies.
It also supports Perception and Insight.
Aura of Protection later improves all of the Paladin's saving throws, but Wisdom can still be useful against common mental effects.
Intelligence
Intelligence does not power the base Paladin.
It can support knowledge skills or a scholarly knight concept.
It is normally a lower mechanical priority.
Multiclassing
The 2014 Paladin multiclassing prerequisites are:
Strength 13 Charisma 13
Both are required.
This is important for unusual Dexterity Paladins and multiclass builds.
Practical priority
A conventional Paladin often follows:
Strength / Charisma → the other of Strength / Charisma → Constitution → Wisdom / Dexterity according to equipment and concept → Intelligence
Whether Strength or Charisma should be increased first depends on whether the build prioritises personal weapon accuracy or party-wide spell and aura strength.