Can Paladins Equip Guns? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: generally, no. In most established fantasy settings like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), paladins are traditionally restricted from using ranged weapons like guns. This stems from the core concept of a paladin as a holy warrior, typically favoring melee combat and divine magic over more technological or ranged approaches. However, the specifics depend heavily on the game system, setting, and even individual interpretations of the paladin class.

Understanding the Paladin Archetype

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, it’s crucial to understand what a paladin is. At their heart, paladins are warriors devoted to a cause, an oath, or a deity. They are often heavily armored, skilled in melee combat, and wielders of divine magic. Their power comes not from innate talent, but from the strength of their conviction and the adherence to their chosen path. This focus on melee prowess, faith, and unwavering dedication often clashes with the nature of ranged weaponry, especially firearms.

Why the Restriction? Thematic and Mechanical Reasons

The exclusion of guns from a paladin’s arsenal isn’t arbitrary. It’s rooted in both thematic and mechanical considerations.

• Thematic Consistency: The image of a paladin is often one of a shining knight, clad in plate armor, charging into battle with a sword or warhammer. Guns, with their association with technology and gunpowder, don’t typically fit this aesthetic. The paladin’s connection to divinity often emphasizes holy symbols and blessed weapons, further distancing them from purely mechanical devices. The concept of faith and courage being more powerful than machines.

• Mechanical Balance: Paladins are already a powerful class, combining martial prowess with divine spellcasting. Giving them access to ranged weapons like guns could potentially unbalance the game. In systems where ranged combat is significantly stronger than melee, allowing paladins to excel in both would make them overpowered. There’s a balance that is lost with such an adjustment.

• Setting and Lore: The specific setting of a game also plays a crucial role. In a traditional medieval fantasy setting, guns might not even exist. In a more technologically advanced setting, the rules might be different, but even then, paladins might still be restricted due to their specific oaths or beliefs.

Exceptions and Interpretations

While the general rule is no guns for paladins, there are exceptions:

• Setting-Specific Rules: Some game settings might explicitly allow paladins to use guns, either as a standard option or through specific subclasses or feats. This is more common in settings that blend fantasy and technology.

• Homebrew Rules: Dungeon Masters (DMs) in tabletop RPGs often create their own rules to customize their games. A DM might allow a paladin to use a gun if it fits the character’s concept and the overall tone of the campaign.

• “Magical” Guns: Some games might feature guns that are powered by magic rather than gunpowder. These magical firearms might be considered acceptable for paladins, as they are essentially magical weapons with a different form factor.

• Rule As Written (RAW) versus Rule As Intended (RAI): In games like D&D, the RAW interpretation of the rules might technically allow a paladin to be proficient with a gun (if it’s a simple or martial weapon), but it doesn’t necessarily mean they should use it, or that their abilities (like Divine Smite) would work with it. The RAI often leans towards a more traditional, melee-focused paladin.

Beyond Dungeons and Dragons: Paladins in Other Games

The concept of a paladin extends beyond D&D. Many other video games and tabletop RPGs feature paladin-like characters, and their weapon restrictions can vary:

• World of Warcraft: Paladins in World of Warcraft can’t use ranged weapons, focusing instead on melee combat and healing.

• Diablo: The Paladin class in Diablo games typically focuses on melee combat with swords and shields, often with abilities that enhance their close-quarters fighting.

• Other RPGs: Many other RPGs have classes that are similar to paladins, with similar restrictions on ranged weapons.

Ultimately, whether or not a paladin can use a gun depends on the specific rules of the game and the interpretation of the DM or game designer. The most important thing is to consider the thematic and mechanical implications and make a decision that fits the overall feel of the game. You can learn more about game balance and design through resources like the Games Learning Society, which explores the intersection of games and education at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about paladins and their weapon choices, delving deeper into the nuances and variations across different game systems and settings:

1. Can a paladin use a bow or crossbow?

Generally, no, although proficiency may exist. In games like D&D, paladins often have proficiency in all simple and martial weapons, which technically includes bows and crossbows. However, their class features and abilities are designed around melee combat, making bows and crossbows ineffective choices for them. Also, many of the most devastating paladin abilities can only be used with melee weapon attacks.

2. Can a paladin smite with a gun?

In most cases, no. Abilities like Divine Smite in D&D specifically require a melee weapon attack. Since guns are ranged weapons, they wouldn’t qualify for this ability. Some DMs might allow it in specific circumstances, but it would be a deviation from the standard rules.

3. What weapons can paladins not use?

Typically, paladins cannot use ranged weapons (guns, bows, crossbows), and sometimes daggers, fist weapons or staves. Specific restrictions vary by game. Some game systems explicitly prohibit certain weapon types, while others make them impractical due to class abilities.

4. Can a paladin dual wield?

In some systems, dual wielding is not an option for Paladins. The text specifically rules out Dual Wielding in some instances. This again falls on the interpretation of RAW and RAI.

5. Can a paladin use a dagger?

The answer to this question is game-dependent. Some may explicitly restrict daggers and others may allow for it. The dagger may not be effective for the Paladin to use in the first place.

6. Can a paladin use a hammer?

Yes. The hammer is a common choice of weapon for paladins in many fantasy games, though they are not often thrown.

7. Can a paladin use a Glaive?

Yes, a paladin is in the middle of combat. That means enemies are all around you. If you use a weapon with reach (polearm, glaive, etc) you can attack people 10ft away. With Polearm Master, you can use a bonus action to attack with the back of your weapon.

8. Can a paladin use fire?

Powerful fire spells, from burning hands to flaming sphere hold a special place within this subclass, granting you far more firepower (aha) than one might expect from a paladin.

9. Can a paladin not have a god?

Paladins need not serve a God, but many do. Point of interest: even if the Paladin serves a god, that god does not grant the Paladin their spells: Quote: Clerics, druids, experienced paladins, and experienced rangers can cast divine spells.

10. Can a paladin lose their powers?

Failure to maintain a lawful good alignment or adhere to the code of conduct causes paladins to lose their paladin status and many of their special abilities until they are able to atone.

11. Can a paladin wield a greatsword?

Yes, Paladin characters do get access to spells in a similar way to Clerics, but they also specialize in martial weapons, which include things like greatswords, lances, war hammers, whips, and more.

12. Can a paladin wield an AXE?

Yes, Paladins can equip a variety of weapons, including 1H/2H Axes, Maces, and Swords, as well as Polearms and Shields.

13. What weapons can a Paladin start with?

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background: (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons. (a) five javelins or (b) any simple melee weapon. (a) a priest’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack.

14. Are all Paladins lawful?

Not necessarily. In past editions they had to be Lawful Good specifically, I believe. In 5e they can be any alignment and don’t even need to follow a god necessarily. Paladins don’t get their powers from a deity, they get them from their oath / moral code.

15. Can a paladin use a longbow?

You can pick up any bow or crossbow as paladins have proficiency in all simple or martial weapons, but as you observed they are not really effective weapons for you.