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Can Paladins Cast Ritual Spells in D&D 5e? A Divine Deep Dive

The short answer is a resounding no. Paladins, by default, cannot cast ritual spells. While they are potent divine spellcasters, their class features lack the necessary mechanics for ritual casting. This article will explore the nuances of ritual casting, why Paladins are excluded, and how, if at all, a Paladin might gain this ability. We’ll also dive into frequently asked questions surrounding Paladins and spellcasting.

Understanding Ritual Casting in 5e

Ritual casting is a special way to cast spells in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It allows a character to cast a spell without expending a spell slot, a crucial resource for any spellcaster. However, this benefit comes at a cost: the casting time is increased by 10 minutes.

The Core Mechanics

The rules are straightforward: if a spell has the “ritual” tag, and a character possesses the ability to cast rituals, they can choose to cast it as a ritual. This means adding 10 minutes to the normal casting time. The key element here is having the ability to ritual cast, which is tied to specific class features or feats.

Who Can Ritual Cast?

Several classes inherently possess the ability to ritual cast:

Wizards: Wizards are arguably the best ritual casters because they can learn rituals from any school of magic and add them to their spellbook. They don’t even need to prepare the spell; as long as it’s in their book, they can cast it as a ritual.
Clerics: As divine spellcasters, Clerics can cast ritual spells, provided they have the spell prepared. This allows them to conserve valuable spell slots, especially useful in prolonged adventuring days.
Druids: Similar to Clerics, Druids can ritual cast spells if they have them prepared. Their connection to nature provides them with a potent selection of ritual spells.
Bards: Bards, with their innate magical talent, can cast ritual spells they know. They don’t prepare spells, so if a Bard knows a ritual spell, they can cast it using either a spell slot or as a ritual.
Artificers: Artificers, the masters of magical invention, also have ritual casting capabilities as a class feature.

Classes that don’t inherently have ritual casting can gain the ability through the Ritual Caster feat.

Why Paladins Don’t Get Ritual Casting (Normally)

The Paladin’s omission from the list of natural ritual casters isn’t accidental. It reflects the class’s design: a blend of martial prowess and divine magic, focused on direct action rather than the more contemplative process of ritual magic. Their spellcasting is more about immediate needs and empowering their combat abilities.

Here’s a breakdown:

Class Features: The Paladin’s Spellcasting class feature doesn’t include any mention of ritual casting. This is the most direct reason.
Design Philosophy: Paladins are intended to be front-line warriors with divine support, not dedicated spellcasters. Giving them ritual casting would blur the line with classes like Clerics and Druids.
Balance: Allowing Paladins to ritual cast would significantly increase their versatility and power, potentially making them overpowered compared to other classes.

The Ritual Caster Feat: A Possible Path

While Paladins don’t inherently possess ritual casting, they can acquire it through the Ritual Caster feat. This feat allows a character to learn two ritual spells from a chosen class’s spell list (Cleric, Druid, or Wizard).

However, there’s a crucial restriction: the feat is associated with a full caster class‘s spell list. The feat can only add rituals from that class list. Paladin spells are not a valid choice for the Ritual Caster feat. Since many Paladin spells are also on the Cleric list, this is the usual path if a Paladin chooses this feat.

FAQ: Paladins and Ritual Casting

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the Paladin’s relationship with ritual magic.

Can Paladins learn ritual spells through multiclassing? Yes, a Paladin who multiclasses into a class with ritual casting (like Cleric or Wizard) can learn and cast ritual spells from that class’s spell list.
Do Paladins need to prepare rituals if they gain the ability? If a Paladin gains ritual casting through multiclassing into a class like Cleric or Druid, they need to have the spell prepared to cast it as a ritual, as per the rules of that class. Wizards, however, only need the spell in their spellbook.
Can a Paladin cast a ritual spell as a normal spell if they don’t have the ritual casting feature? Yes. Any spell with the ritual tag can be cast using a spell slot, regardless of whether the character can ritual cast. The Paladin would simply expend a spell slot as normal.
Are there any Paladin subclasses that grant ritual casting? Currently, no official Paladin subclasses grant the ritual casting feature. This could potentially be a feature of a future subclass, but as of now, it’s not an option.
Can a Paladin cast a spell without a holy symbol? Many Paladin spells require a divine focus (holy symbol) to cast. Without it, the Paladin can’t cast those spells. The specific spell description will indicate if a divine focus is required.
Can a Paladin use a shield and cast spells? Paladins can cast spells while wielding a shield, provided they have a free hand for somatic components or have the War Caster feat.
What is the best race for a Paladin? There’s no single “best” race, but races that provide bonuses to Strength, Charisma, or Constitution are generally good choices for Paladins. Examples include Aasimar, Dragonborn, and Half-Orcs.
What do Paladins use as their spellcasting ability? Charisma is the spellcasting ability for Paladins. Their magic derives from the strength of their convictions and oath.
Can Paladins cast Lay on Hands on themselves? Yes, Paladins can use Lay on Hands on themselves, on others, or both.
Can a Paladin be an atheist? While uncommon, a Paladin doesn’t necessarily need to worship a specific god. They can draw power from an oath or ideal, such as justice or devotion, though such paths are rare in traditional settings.
Can a Paladin become evil? While Paladins are typically associated with good, it is possible for them to become evil. However, this usually involves breaking their oath, which can have significant consequences, including losing their divine powers.
Can a Paladin serve two gods? Serving two gods is possible as long as their alignments and domains are compatible. This is a matter of interpretation and setting-specific lore.
Can Paladins prepare spells? Yes, Paladins prepare their spells each day. They choose a number of Paladin spells equal to their Charisma modifier plus half their Paladin level, rounded down (minimum of one spell).
If a Paladin takes the Ritual Caster feat, what spell list is best? That depends on the Paladin’s play style. The Cleric list is the most thematic and provides useful utility spells. The Wizard list offers a broader range of options, but requires a higher Intelligence score to be selected.
Are there any official rulings from Wizards of the Coast regarding Paladins and ritual casting? No official rulings from Wizards of the Coast provide exceptions to the general rule that Paladins cannot ritual cast without multiclassing or taking the Ritual Caster feat.

Conclusion: The Paladin’s Divine Role

While Paladins don’t inherently possess the ability to cast ritual spells, this limitation is intentional and contributes to their unique identity as divine warriors. The Ritual Caster feat offers a pathway for those Paladins who desire ritual magic, though it requires careful consideration of the chosen spell list. Paladins, without ritual casting, are potent forces for good in the world, and their strength lies in their direct application of divine power. You can find more information about D&D and related topics on the GamesLearningSociety.org website, where educators and researchers explore the intersection of games and learning.

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a valuable resource for understanding the educational aspects of games and the potential for learning through play.

Can Paladins cast ritual spells?