Do Paladins Get Action Surge? A Comprehensive Guide
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No, Paladins do not get Action Surge as a standard class feature in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition (5E). Action Surge is a unique ability specifically granted to the Fighter class, allowing them to take an extra action on their turn. While Paladins are powerful martial characters with divine abilities, Action Surge isn’t part of their core skillset. Understanding why Paladins don’t get Action Surge, what they do get, and how they compare to other classes can help you make informed character creation and gameplay decisions.
Understanding Action Surge
Action Surge is a potent ability that gives Fighters unparalleled action economy. It allows them to perform an additional action on their turn – whether that’s another attack, casting a spell, dashing, or taking any other action permitted by the rules. This extra action can significantly boost a character’s damage output, utility, or survivability in a single round.
Why Fighters Get Action Surge
Fighters, at their core, are masters of combat. Action Surge is designed to reflect this expertise, granting them a burst of activity unmatched by other classes. This ability highlights their martial prowess and provides strategic flexibility. The Fighter class’s design revolves heavily around weapon attacks and physical combat, making Action Surge a natural and fitting ability.
The Paladin’s Focus: Smite and Divine Power
Paladins, on the other hand, are divine warriors, relying heavily on Smite spells and auras to support their damage and overall team effectiveness. Their strength lies in their ability to enhance their attacks with divine energy, heal allies, and provide protective benefits to their group. While they have martial prowess, their focus is divided between combat, spellcasting, and support.
Paladin Strengths: More Than Just Attacks
While Paladins may lack Action Surge, they possess unique strengths that make them formidable in their own right. A Paladin’s unique combination of abilities creates a powerful force on the battlefield.
Divine Smite: The Paladin’s Signature Ability
Divine Smite is perhaps the Paladin’s most iconic ability. By expending a spell slot, a Paladin can add significant radiant damage to a melee weapon attack. This allows them to deliver massive bursts of damage, particularly against undead and fiends. Divine Smite is a powerful tool for both offense and defense, as it can quickly eliminate threats or cripple powerful enemies.
Auras: Protecting and Empowering Allies
Paladins are known for their Auras, which provide benefits to themselves and nearby allies. These auras can grant bonuses to saving throws, immunity to fear, and other powerful effects. Auras make Paladins valuable assets in any party, enhancing the survivability and effectiveness of their allies.
Spellcasting and Healing: Versatility in Combat
Paladins are also capable spellcasters, primarily focusing on support and utility spells. They can heal allies, buff their companions, and even resurrect fallen party members (though at higher levels and using specific spells such as Raise Dead). This versatility allows Paladins to adapt to various combat situations and provide much-needed assistance to their team.
Extra Attack: A Core Martial Feature
Like many martial classes, Paladins gain Extra Attack at 5th level, allowing them to attack twice whenever they take the Attack action. This is a crucial feature for maintaining damage output and ensuring they remain effective in melee combat.
Multiclassing: The Action Surge Option
While Paladins don’t inherently possess Action Surge, players can gain access to it by multiclassing into the Fighter class. Taking just two levels in Fighter grants the Action Surge ability, potentially enhancing a Paladin’s burst damage capabilities.
Weighing the Costs and Benefits
Multiclassing always involves trade-offs. Dipping into Fighter for Action Surge means delaying access to higher-level Paladin abilities, such as stronger auras and more powerful spells. Players must carefully consider whether the benefits of Action Surge outweigh the drawbacks of delaying their Paladin progression.
Sorcerer and Action Surge: A Unique Combination
The article mentions that Sorcerers enjoy Action Surge, particularly well. This is because they can use the action to cast an additional spell that turn.
FAQs: All About Paladins and Action Surge
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the capabilities of Paladins:
1. Can a Paladin learn Action Surge through feats?
No, there is no feat that grants the Action Surge ability. The only way for a Paladin to gain Action Surge is through multiclassing into the Fighter class.
2. At what level do Fighters get Action Surge?
Fighters gain the Action Surge ability at 2nd level. This makes it a relatively accessible option for characters looking to multiclass.
3. What is the maximum number of attacks a Paladin can make in a single turn without multiclassing?
Without multiclassing or specific magical items, a Paladin can typically make a maximum of two attacks per turn after reaching 5th level due to the Extra Attack feature. They can add to the damage of those attacks using Divine Smite.
4. Do Paladins get a third attack at level 11 like Fighters?
No, Paladins do not get a third attack at level 11. This is a feature unique to the Fighter class.
5. Can Paladins use bonus actions effectively?
Yes, Paladins can use bonus actions effectively. Certain spells require bonus actions to cast, and feats like Great Weapon Master can grant bonus action attacks under specific conditions.
6. What are some feats that synergize well with Paladins?
Great Weapon Master (if using two-handed weapons), Sentinel, Shield Master, and War Caster are all feats that can enhance a Paladin’s combat effectiveness and utility.
7. How does Divine Smite work?
Divine Smite allows a Paladin to expend a spell slot to add radiant damage to a melee weapon attack. The amount of damage increases with the level of the spell slot expended.
8. What is the range of a Paladin’s aura?
The range of a Paladin’s aura typically starts at 10 feet at 7th level and increases to 30 feet at 18th level.
9. Are Paladins proficient in heavy armor?
Yes, Paladins are proficient in heavy armor, which provides them with excellent protection in combat.
10. What skills are Paladins typically proficient in?
Paladins are typically proficient in skills like Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Medicine, and Persuasion, reflecting their martial and social abilities.
11. Can Paladins use ranged weapons effectively?
While Paladins can use ranged weapons, they are primarily designed for melee combat. Their abilities and spells often focus on enhancing their melee attacks and providing support in close quarters.
12. What subclasses (Oaths) are available for Paladins?
Some of the Paladin Oaths (subclasses) include Oath of Devotion, Oath of Vengeance, Oath of the Ancients, and Oath of Conquest, each offering unique abilities and playstyles.
13. How does the Paladin’s Lay on Hands ability work?
Lay on Hands allows a Paladin to heal a creature by expending points from a pool of healing energy. It can also be used to cure diseases and poisons.
14. Do Paladins have access to cantrips?
No, Paladins do not have access to cantrips. Their spellcasting focuses on higher-level spells that provide support, utility, and offensive capabilities.
15. Are Paladins effective in social interactions?
Yes, Paladins can be effective in social interactions, particularly if they have high Charisma. Their skills in Persuasion and Intimidation can be valuable in negotiations and confrontations.
Paladin vs. Fighter: A Comparison
Ultimately, the choice between playing a Paladin and a Fighter depends on your preferred playstyle. Fighters excel at dealing consistent damage and have the action economy to burst down targets with Action Surge. Paladins offer a blend of martial prowess, spellcasting, and support abilities, making them versatile and valuable additions to any party.
Class Archetypes and Learning
Understanding the nuances of each class helps players engage more deeply with the game, fostering critical thinking and strategic decision-making. Organizations like the Games Learning Society contribute to understanding how games can improve learning and engagement. You can learn more about their work at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Conclusion: Embracing the Paladin’s Strengths
While Paladins don’t get Action Surge, they are far from weak. Their Divine Smite, Auras, and healing abilities make them powerful and versatile characters. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses allows players to optimize their builds and playstyles, making the most of the Paladin’s unique divine martial abilities.