Can You Play as an Oathbreaker in D&D? A Comprehensive Guide

Absolutely! You can indeed play as an Oathbreaker Paladin in Dungeons & Dragons. The Oathbreaker is a unique and compelling subclass for the Paladin, offering a darker, more morally ambiguous path than the traditionally righteous options. It’s not for every player or campaign, but in the right circumstances, the Oathbreaker can be an incredibly rewarding and powerful choice. The journey of a fallen knight seeking redemption, or a servant of dark powers, provides rich roleplaying opportunities.

Understanding the Oathbreaker

The Oathbreaker is presented as a Paladin who has forsaken their sacred oaths, often driven by dark ambition or service to an evil power. However, the reasons for breaking an oath can be complex and varied. It’s important to note that simply failing to uphold an oath doesn’t automatically transform a Paladin into an Oathbreaker. Instead, it’s a conscious choice to embrace a different path, one that rejects the tenets of their original oath. The Dungeon Master’s Guide contains the specific rules and descriptions for the Oathbreaker Paladin.

The Path to Becoming an Oathbreaker

The transformation into an Oathbreaker isn’t just about mechanics; it’s a significant roleplaying moment. Here’s a breakdown of how it usually unfolds:

1. Character Starts as a Standard Paladin: You begin by choosing a Paladin subclass (e.g., Oath of Devotion, Oath of Vengeance, Oath of Ancients) at 3rd level.
2. Break Your Oath: You must deliberately violate the tenets of your chosen oath. This isn’t a simple slip-up; it requires a conscious decision to act against your beliefs. Examples might include:
   • Oath of Devotion: Deliberately harming an innocent, betraying trust, or lying for personal gain.
   • Oath of Vengeance: Showing mercy to an enemy who deserves punishment, failing to pursue justice relentlessly.
   • Oath of Ancients: Desecrating a sacred grove, failing to protect the natural world.
3. The Oathbreaker Knight (DM Discretion): The Dungeon Master (DM) may introduce an “Oathbreaker Knight” or similar figure. This NPC will appear as a consequence of the oathbreaking. This figure might even engage the Paladin in combat or serve as a guide into their new darkness. It’s also possible the DM won’t include a figure at all.
4. Transition to Oathbreaker: The DM will allow you to respec your paladin as an Oathbreaker.
5. Embrace New Abilities: You lose access to the Channel Divinity options and other features granted by your original oath and gain the abilities of the Oathbreaker subclass.

Oathbreaker Features and Abilities

The Oathbreaker Paladin gains a unique set of abilities that reflect their fallen status. These typically focus on:

• Channel Divinity: Dreadful Aspect: Frighten enemies, making them easier to control or eliminate.
• Channel Divinity: Spiteful Suffering: Inflict extra necrotic damage and reduce the target’s ability to deal damage.
• Aura of Hate: A powerful aura that boosts the attack and damage rolls of fiends and undead allies (including yourself!). This is a key feature that makes Oathbreakers particularly effective in parties with undead minions.
• Supernatural Resistance: Grants resistance to necrotic damage.
• Dread Lord: Transforms you into a terrifying figure, granting advantage on attack rolls and imposing disadvantage on enemies’ saving throws.

Is the Oathbreaker Path for You?

Playing an Oathbreaker isn’t just about the mechanics; it’s about the story. Consider the following before making the switch:

• Alignment: While not necessarily evil, Oathbreakers often lean towards the darker side of the spectrum. Consider how this aligns with your overall character concept and the campaign setting.
• Roleplaying Opportunities: The Oathbreaker offers rich opportunities for exploring themes of corruption, redemption, and the struggle between good and evil.
• Party Dynamics: The Oathbreaker’s abilities can be powerful, but they may also clash with the party’s moral compass. Discuss your intentions with your fellow players and the DM beforehand.
• DM Approval: Ultimately, the decision to allow an Oathbreaker in the game rests with the DM. Be prepared to discuss your reasoning and work collaboratively to integrate the character into the story.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oathbreaker Paladins

1. Do you have to be evil to play an Oathbreaker?

No, but the Dungeon Master’s Guide describes Oathbreakers as Paladins who break their oaths to pursue dark ambitions or serve evil powers. While the path is often associated with evil, it’s possible to play an Oathbreaker who is seeking redemption or who believes they are serving a greater good through unconventional means. The morality of an Oathbreaker depends entirely on the individual character’s motivations.

2. What is the downside of playing an Oathbreaker?

The main downside is the loss of your original Paladin subclass features. You are replaced with Spiteful Suffering and Dreadful Aspect. In some game settings (like Baldur’s Gate 3), there may be a way to redeem your oath, but it often comes at a significant cost.

3. Is the Oathbreaker Paladin worth it?

It depends on your playstyle and party composition. If you enjoy playing morally ambiguous characters and want to focus on dealing damage and controlling undead, the Oathbreaker can be a powerful and rewarding choice. The Aura of Hate is a very strong ability, and the Channel Divinity options offer excellent control.

4. Can Oathbreakers be good?

Yes! An Oathbreaker can absolutely be a character seeking redemption. The “Oathbreaker” title reflects their past actions, not necessarily their current intentions. They might be trying to atone for their mistakes and fight against the darkness they once embraced.

5. Do Oathbreaker Paladins need a god?

No. In 5th Edition D&D, a Paladin’s power comes from their oath, not necessarily from a deity. An Oathbreaker can be agnostic or even reject the gods entirely. It is possible to tie your powers to a dark entity.

6. Can an Oathbreaker Paladin still heal?

Yes, but their healing is twisted. Starting at 1st level, their unholy power can knit together the flesh of undead and fiends instead of healing the wounds of others.

7. Do Oathbreakers get Aura of Protection?

Yes, Oathbreakers retain access to Aura of Protection at 6th level, which adds your Charisma modifier to saving throws for yourself and nearby allies.

8. Does the Dark Urge background automatically make you an Oathbreaker?

Not necessarily, but the Dark Urge storyline includes moments that can lead to breaking your Paladin oath. However, there are opportunities to resist the urges and uphold your oath. The path you take is ultimately your choice.

9. Is an Oathbreaker Paladin evil?

Not inherently, but the path is often associated with evil. The Oathbreaker subclass is defined as a path towards becoming a death knight, which is an entirely evil path to go down.

10. Is the Oathbreaker or Vengeance Paladin stronger?

It depends on your play style and party composition. Vengeance Paladins excel at single-target damage, while Oathbreakers are better at controlling undead and buffing fiends.

11. Who cursed the Oathbreakers in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings?

In Lord of the Rings, Isildur cursed the men who broke their oath to aid him in the war against Sauron. They became the spectral Oathbreakers who haunted the Paths of the Dead until Aragorn released them from their oath.

12. What happens if I break my oath accidentally?

Breaking your oath should be the result of a deliberate choice.

13. What are some examples of evil deities that an Oathbreaker might serve?

Orcus, Asmodeus, Vecna, and Tiamat are all examples of deities that might be worshiped or served by an Oathbreaker.

14. How does the Oathbreaker interact with undead allies?

The Oathbreaker’s Aura of Hate significantly buffs undead allies, increasing their attack and damage rolls. This makes the Oathbreaker an excellent choice for parties that utilize undead minions.

15. What kind of roleplaying hooks are good for an Oathbreaker?

• A Paladin seeking redemption for past misdeeds.
• A disillusioned warrior who believes the ends justify the means.
• A former champion corrupted by dark power.
• A fallen knight seeking revenge against those who wronged them.
• A conflicted soul struggling between good and evil.

Conclusion

The Oathbreaker Paladin offers a compelling and unique playstyle for those willing to embrace the darker side of heroism. The class encourages players to explore complex moral questions and forge their own path, regardless of the expectations of gods or society. This approach is valuable not only in Dungeons & Dragons but also in teaching storytelling skills and ethical decision-making. For more on how games influence learning and character development, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Consider if the dramatic storyline and powerful abilities of the Oathbreaker is right for you and your gaming group.