13th Age Character Builds: Divine Paladin

PALADIN

By ASH LAW

Paladins are among the simplest class to play—high hp, high AC, and hitting the unrighteous with a big weapon. They have no special powers, and are in some ways even simpler than barbarians.

The first paladin build of these two plays to those strengths—focused on smiting others as hard as they can.

The second paladin build (this one) is a holy warrior, optimized for smiting and using cleric-style powers that work alongside the paladin’s smite ability.

Divine Paladin

Download the Divine Paladin character sheets here.

Paladins are holy warriors, with shared access to features found in the cleric class. This paladin is focused on melee combat (as paladins should be) but aids their allies too, shining good’s light upon evil to banish it… or you could play this character as a servant of evil, granted strength by dark gods to further their malign agenda.

This paladin uses a longsword and shield, valuing defense over offence. Your job with this paladin build is to get out in front of the squishier members of the party and take the attacks that would otherwise be targeting them, while providing your allies with healing and buffs. Tactically you are a mix of front-line fighter and support/healer—ideal for smaller parties who need both roles covered. This character is a bit more complex to play than other paladins, as you’ll need to monitor the rest of your party to make best use of your healing and other support abilities.

Divine-domain wise this character’s story probably revolves around a sun god who sends mirages and warm healing light to protect the faithful (domains of sun, illusion, and healing).

Talents

Cleric Training

You can cast one cleric spell of your level or lower, which you can switch out each day for a different spell. Bless, cure wounds, shield of faith, turn undead, etc… are all available to you from the start, but you choose ahead of time which one you’ll pick so think ahead. If in doubt pick cure wounds, you can’t go wrong with a bit of extra healing to hand out when the going gets tough.

Divine Domain (Sun)

Your attacks deal HOLY damage.

Lay on Hands

Additional healing for your party.

Race

It’s aasimar for this character—the halo ability fits perfectly with the build concept of a warrior with a link to divine power.

Attributes

This character keeps things balanced: Str 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Dex 14 (+2) Int 10 (0) Wis 10 (0) Cha 16 (+3).

1^st level

Attributes: Str 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Dex 14 (+2) Int 10 (0) Wis 10 (0) Cha 16 (+3).

Racial Power: halo

Talents: cleric training, divine domain (sun), lay on hands

Feat: toughness

Spells: One 1^st level cleric spell, can change each day

2^nd level

New feat (smite evil).

3^rd level

New feat (cleric training).

4^th level

+1 to three attributes (Strength, Constitution, Dexterity), new feat (lay on hands).

5^th level

New talent (divine domain: illusion), new feat (smite evil).

6^th level

New feat (cleric training).

7^th level

+1 to three attributes (Strength, Constitution, Dexterity), new feat (lay on hands).

8^th level

New talent (divine domain: healing), new feat (lay on hands).

9^th level

New feat (cleric training).

10^th level

+1 to three attributes (Constitution, Dexterity, Charisma), new feat (smite evil).