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The Paladin is best known for their role as the default front-line "tank" of the D&D party, but as any Paladin player knows, it's a class that provides much more utility and function than it seems to upon first glance. Paladins are more than just armor-clad bodybuilders with unrealistically large great swords. They're healers, holymen, divine servants, and spellcasters all wrapped up into one hefty and hard-to-kill package. Even within the Paladin class itself, a long list of subclasses offers a variety of playstyles, from armored bulwarks to antimagic sentries to divinely enabled battlefield commanders. Most importantly, the Paladin is a hearty class designed to take on widely different roles, while remaining as the anchor of the adventuring party. When there is no one left on the battlefield, the Paladin remains. Armed with little more than their weapon and a reason to keep fighting.

The Paladins are defined by their devotion above all else. Regardless of their species, shape, or size, a Paladin is nothing more than a warrior committed to a cause, belief, or higher power. Their powers and abilities are fueled by their faith in who or what they fight for, whether it's a god, a kingdom, or a moral code. They are D&D's "holy knight", and while that does often result in cleric-adjacent builds, the variety of subclasses the Paladin provides offers playstyles defined by everything from Glory to Vengeance. Sworn to their path, the Paladins call their subclasses "Oaths" to reflect their devout dedication to their chosen lifestyle, combat kit, and moral code.

What Are Paladin Oaths?

In 2024 rules, your Paladin oath is chosen at 3rd level (in place of your subclass), and scales alongside you with advanced features at later levels. A Paladin's oath is essentially just a reflavor of the generic "subclass" of other classes, but there is a degree of roleplay baked into the core concepts behind each oath that should be highly considered. Oaths are not unlike Warlock pacts in that they grant great power at the cost of some individuality. Once a Paladin swears an oath, they must perform and behave in a way that upholds the core values and tenets of that Oath. For example, a Paladin who swears an Oath of Devotion but constantly abandons their party is bound to see some limitations put on their abilities. While oaths are largely a roleplay system left to the DM's discretion, the rules do make it clear that a Paladin can atone for their transgressions through penitence, rites of forgiveness, etc.

Beyond roleplay, Oaths provide some high-impact utility on the battlefield. Each oath provides unique abilities, features, and more.

Which Paladin Archetype Fits Your Playstyle?

Choosing an oath is just as much about defining your character as it is about defining your combat style. Certain oaths will work better with key Paladin abilities like Divine Smite, while others will excel in other ways.

Oath of Devotion

This subclass is often referred to as the classic subclass for the Paladin, as it's easily the most akin to the "holy crusader" archetype. The Oath of Devotion Paladin is a straightforward character who values truthfulness, honor, protecting the weak, and a divine connection with the sacred and pure.

Along with their own spell list, at level 3, the Oath of Devotion's key ability is Sacred Weapon. A Channel Divinity ability that allows the Paladin to add their Charisma modifier to attack rolls, making them incredibly accurate against high-AC targets. For a knight in shining armor, look no further than the Oath of Devotion Paladin.

• Best for: reliable frontline defense, anti-undead/fiend tactics, and clean “heroic knight” play.
• Combat style: weapon mastery, radiant damage, and raw survivability.
• Roleplay style: following a simple code of good and kindness makes this oath a great choice for first-time roleplayers.

Oath of Glory

Paladins who take the Oath of Glory are filled with a profound certainty that they and their companions are destined to achieve glory and renown through acts of irrefutable heroism. They are the main characters of their world, and with that confidence, they fight with every fiber of their being to prove that they really are the best of the best.

Oath of Glory Paladins focus on mobility and party buffs, using their advanced athleticism to navigate and command the battlefield at once. Plus, they benefit from a spell list of their own.

• Best for: mobile frontliners, social-forward Paladins, and “legendary hero” fantasy.
• Combat style: movement, positioning, and team support.
• Roleplay style: one of the more versatile oaths for a jack-of-all-trades action hero type.

Oath of the Ancients

The Oath of the Ancients is the definitive nature-themed subclass, sworn to walk a path that upholds values of renewal, growth, and light. The Oath of the Ancients is a highly defensive subclass that uses its abilities to defend and protect the natural world and its many inhabitants. Despite their altruistic intent, the Oath of the Ancients are hardcore and easily one of the most durable fighters across all D&D classes.

The Oath of the Ancients possesses a spell list that helps them excel at battlefield control and survival. At 3rd level, Oath of the Ancients Paladins gain access to the ability Natures Wrath, which allows the Paladin to summon spectral vines around a creature of their choice, potentially restraining their enemy upon a failed save.

• Best for: protection, long-term durability, and resisting magical threats.
• Combat style: tanking, survival, and control.
• Roleplaying style: very strong in campaigns with survival or ecological themes.

Oath of Vengeance

The Paladins who swear the Oath of Vengeance are the most actively aggressive of the Paladin subclasses. These fighters focus on "the hunt" and value the relentless pursuit of their target above all else. For a playstyle that capitalizes on favored enemies, the Oath of the Vengeance Paladin is a great fit.

This subclass is best interpreted as the "striker" subclass of the many Paladin oaths. Vengeance Paladins are single-target blood hounds, with features and spells built around raw damage and focused pressure against their chosen foes.

• Best for: boss fights, chase scenes, and focused damage.
• Combat style: massive damage output on single-focused targets.
• Roleplaying style: Lethal, cold killers who follow a strict code based on "the hunt". Vengeance Paladins make excellent witch/monster/bounty-hunters.

Oath of Conquest

The Oath of Conquest is the subclass that controls with fear and dominance above all else. These Paladins live to crush their enemies and strike terror into the hearts of anyone who may raise a sword in defiance of their power. While Oath of Conquest Paladins can be "good guys," their favor for intimidation and authority can make them formidable enemies and villains.

Conquest Paladins are the ultimate crowd-control subclass. Their spells and attacks lean heavily towards fear-based effects, potentially disabling enemies en masse and flipping the battlefield on its head. Along with a Guided Strike ability to grant +10 to attack rolls, at level 3, Conquest Paladins gain the Conquering Presence ability, granting them the opportunity to force every enemy within 30 feet of their line of sight the Fear condition.

• Best for: battlefield domination, intimidation, and control-heavy play.
• Combat style: fear effects, locking enemies down, and reducing enemy options.
• Roleplaying style: one of the most strategic and thematically dark paladin oaths, perfect for morally grey paladins.

Oath of the Watchers

Oath of the Watchers are anti-extraplanar sentinels, whose goal is to prevent otherworldly creatures and powers from threatening the realm with a specialized skill-set of spells and abilities.

Oath of the Watchers are masters at denying and countering magic, with a skill set designed specifically to stop weird supernatural threats and protect the party from extraplanar invaders. Along with some party buffs and unique spells, at level 3, Oath of the Watchers Paladins acquire the Abjure the Extraplanar ability, to turn otherworldly creatures away. Those include: aberrations, celestials, elementals, feys, and fiends.

• Best for: defensive support, moral roleplay, and social-heavy campaigns.
• Combat style: prevent damage, redirect harm, and win without pure aggression when possible.
• Roleplaying style: excellent for players who want a paladin haunted and hunted by demons and dark threats... or thoughts.

Oathbreaker

Oathbreakers are the dark, corrupted Paladins who are often missing from the history books, but just as palpable as their devoted counterparts. The Oathbreakers are Paladins who have fallen from grace and abandoned their oaths. A choice that comes at the cost of their pride, favor, and perhaps some of their humanity... in exchange for a full spectrum of devastating necrotic powers. Oathbreakers are still Paladins, but now their oath reflects broken vows, making them a strong option for villains, antiheroes, or complicated character arcs.

Swear Your Oath