Can Paladins Wear Heavy Armour? A Divine Deep Dive
Yes, absolutely! Paladins are inherently proficient with all armour types, including heavy armour, in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e). This proficiency is granted as a core class feature right from level 1, making it a defining characteristic of these holy warriors. This means a Paladin can don full plate armour without suffering any penalties, benefiting from the highest Armour Class (AC) available to protect them in the heat of battle. But the story doesn’t end there. Let’s delve deeper into the world of Paladin armour, exploring the nuances and answering common questions.
The Paladin and Armour: A Sacred Bond
The Paladin’s connection to heavy armour isn’t just about defense; it’s intertwined with their very essence. It’s a symbol of their commitment, resilience, and unwavering dedication to their sacred oath.
- Proficiency as a Class Feature: Unlike some other classes, Paladins receive heavy armour proficiency automatically. This signifies their natural ability and training in wielding this type of protection.
- Optimizing for AC: Full plate armour offers the highest base AC in the game (18 AC), and when combined with a shield (+2 AC), a Paladin can achieve a remarkable 20 AC without magical enhancements. This makes them incredibly difficult to hit in combat.
- Beyond Full Plate: While full plate is the gold standard, other heavy armour options like half plate offer a balance of protection and cost-effectiveness, especially in the early game.
Unlocking the Steel: Understanding Armour Proficiency
Proficiency in armour allows a character to wear that armour type without penalties. These penalties, which affect non-proficient characters, are quite severe:
- Disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity Checks, Saves, and Attacks: Wearing armour you aren’t proficient with significantly hinders your physical abilities.
- Inability to Cast Spells: This is a critical drawback for spellcasters. Without proficiency, they cannot access their magical arsenal.
Paladins avoid these pitfalls thanks to their innate proficiency. They can move, attack, and cast spells freely while clad in heavy armour, making them formidable opponents.
Multiclassing and Armour: Navigating the Complexities
Multiclassing can introduce complexities when it comes to armour proficiency. While starting as a Paladin grants heavy armour proficiency, multiclassing into Paladin does not automatically grant this benefit. However, there are exceptions: certain Cleric domains, such as the Life Domain and Tempest Domain, grant heavy armour proficiency as a domain feature, regardless of whether you multiclassed into Cleric.
- Starting as a Paladin: This is the surest way to gain heavy armour proficiency.
- Cleric Domain Exception: Some Cleric domains are the exception of gaining heavy armor proficiency when Multiclassing.
- Feats as an Alternative: The “Heavily Armoured” feat grants proficiency in heavy armour, but this requires an ability score improvement and may not be the most efficient choice.
FAQs: Answering Your Burning Questions About Paladins and Armour
1. Can a Paladin wear any type of heavy armour?
Yes. Once proficient, a Paladin can wear any type of heavy armour, including chain mail, splint armour, and full plate.
2. Is full plate armour always the best choice for a Paladin?
While full plate offers the highest AC, it can be expensive. Consider the availability of funds and the potential benefits of other armour types, like the lighter (and more readily available) half plate.
3. Does a Paladin need a certain Strength score to wear heavy armour?
Some heavy armour, like chain mail, requires a minimum Strength score (usually 13). Failing to meet this requirement imposes further penalties, reducing movement speed.
4. Can a Paladin cast spells while wearing heavy armour?
Yes! As long as the Paladin is proficient in heavy armour, they can cast spells without any issues.
5. Does a shield count as armour?
Yes, a shield is considered armour and adds to your AC. A shield provides a +2 bonus to AC and can be used alongside any armour.
6. What happens if a Paladin loses their heavy armour proficiency?
Losing heavy armour proficiency (through a curse or other means) would subject the Paladin to the penalties described earlier: disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity-based checks, saves, and attack rolls, and the inability to cast spells.
7. Can a Paladin benefit from magical armour?
Absolutely! Magical armour enhances a Paladin’s defenses even further, providing bonuses to AC and potentially granting other beneficial properties.
8. Can a Paladin multiclassed with Warlock wear heavy armour?
If you started as a Paladin and then multiclassed into Warlock, you retain your heavy armour proficiency. However, starting as a Warlock and then multiclassing into Paladin does not grant heavy armour proficiency.
9. What is the difference between heavy, medium, and light armour?
The main difference lies in the AC provided and the Dexterity bonus allowed. Light armour allows you to add your full Dexterity bonus to your AC, medium armour allows a maximum of +2, and heavy armour does not allow any Dexterity bonus.
10. Are there feats that improve a Paladin’s armour capabilities?
Yes, the “Heavily Armoured” feat (for those who aren’t already proficient) and feats that increase Strength or Constitution can indirectly improve a Paladin’s resilience.
11. What is PRR and how does it relate to Paladin Armour?
The term PRR is not used within the context of official DnD 5e rules. The information might have originated from other games like DDO (Dungeons and Dragons Online). However, a Paladin gains access to many sources that increase armor and saves to emulate this mechanic of reducing damage.
12. Do different deities have preferences for the type of armour a Paladin wears?
While not explicitly stated in the rules, a DM could certainly incorporate this into their campaign. A Paladin dedicated to a war god might favour practical, battle-ready armour, while one devoted to a god of justice might prefer ornate, symbolic armour.
13. What is the weakest point of armour a Paladin should be aware of?
Even in full plate, there are vulnerable areas: joints (armpits, knees), the visor, and gaps where the armour pieces connect. Skilled opponents may target these weaknesses.
14. Can a Paladin wear a shield with two-handed weapons?
No. A shield occupies one hand, so it cannot be used simultaneously with a two-handed weapon. A Paladin must choose between the increased damage of a two-handed weapon and the added defense of a shield.
15. What other benefits do Paladins have apart from Heavy Armor?
Paladins are known for their high charisma, meaning that they are highly effective in social situations. Other skills include Divine Sense, Lay on Hands, Divine Smite, and Aura of Protection.
The Enduring Legacy of the Armoured Paladin
The image of a Paladin clad in shining armour is iconic for a reason. It represents their unwavering commitment to justice, their unwavering faith, and their ability to stand as a bulwark against the forces of darkness. Heavy armour is not just protection; it’s a symbol of their power and dedication. It allows them to fearlessly face any challenge, knowing they are protected by both steel and their unwavering belief.
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