How to Get More Spell Slots for Your Paladin
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The paladin, a stalwart defender of faith and righteousness, is a powerful class that blends martial prowess with divine magic. However, one common question arises for aspiring paladins: how do you get more spell slots? The straightforward answer is that you primarily gain more spell slots by leveling up in your paladin class. As you advance, you’ll automatically unlock additional spell slots, increasing your spellcasting potential. However, this is not the only avenue available. To truly maximize your spellcasting, you need to understand the nuances of paladin spell slots, and what alternatives you have at your disposal.
The Core Mechanics of Paladin Spell Slots
Paladin Leveling
The most direct method to increase your spell slots is through gaining levels as a paladin. The number of spell slots you gain is not consistent per level. At lower levels, you will see a more noticeable jump in your spellcasting capability, but the increases become smaller at higher levels. For example, a 5th-level paladin has four 1st-level spell slots and two 2nd-level spell slots. To see the progression of spell slots, consult your class table within the relevant rulebook or resource.
Spell Preparation
Another critical aspect is how paladins prepare their spells. Unlike a full spellcaster like a wizard, a paladin does not have access to their entire spell list at all times. The number of spells a paladin can have prepared and ready to cast is determined by their Charisma modifier plus half their paladin level (rounded down). For example, a level 6 paladin with a Charisma modifier of +3 can prepare 3+ (6/2)= 6 spells each day. Paladins also gain access to their Oath Spells which do not count towards their daily prepared spells. These are typically granted at levels 3, 5, 9, 13, and 17.
Using Spell Slots
Once you have prepared your spells, you can cast them using your available spell slots. These slots are consumed when you cast a spell. For example, casting a 1st-level spell will consume a 1st-level slot. However, you can cast lower-level spells using higher-level slots, effectively upcasting them. This increases the effectiveness of your spells, often by adding additional damage, healing, or other effects.
Expanding Your Spellcasting: Multiclassing
While gaining levels in paladin provides a solid increase in spell slots, it’s not the only path. Multiclassing, the practice of taking levels in another class, offers an alternative route to expanding your magical arsenal. This is particularly useful for players who want to blend paladin’s martial skills with the additional spellcasting power of another class.
Sorcerer Multiclassing
A popular choice for paladins looking to boost their spell slots is multiclassing into a Sorcerer. The Sorcerer class is a full spellcaster, meaning they gain spell slots at a faster rate compared to the paladin. Multiclassing into a Sorcerer not only grants additional spell slots but also unlocks Metamagic options. Metamagic allows you to manipulate the spells you cast for increased effectiveness.
Calculating Spell Slots from Multiclassing
When you multiclass, determining your spell slots becomes more complex. You cannot simply add the spell slots of each class together. Instead, you must use a multiclass spell slot chart or table. The most commonly used rule set in 5e would require you to add all your levels in the Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, and Wizard classes, add half your levels (rounded down) in the Paladin and Ranger classes, and a third of your Fighter or Rogue levels (rounded down) if you have the Eldritch Knight or the Arcane Trickster subclass. The resulting number determines your spellcasting level and dictates the number and level of spell slots you gain using the full caster table.
Other Considerations
Charisma and Spellcasting
The Charisma stat is crucial for paladins. It influences:
- The number of spells you can prepare each day.
- The attack bonus and save DC for your spells.
- The bonus provided by the Aura of Protection at level 6.
Therefore, optimizing your Charisma is not only crucial for the effectiveness of your spells, but also your other Paladin features as well.
Spellcasting Feats
Feats such as Magic Initiate can offer paladins some flexibility. The Magic Initiate feat lets you learn a couple of cantrips and a 1st level spell from another spellcasting class. This can be particularly helpful in providing access to utility spells that would not otherwise be available. Although this does not provide more spell slots, it expands the available utility of spells the paladin can cast.
Spell Slots from Warlock
Paladins can multiclass into warlock. Warlock slots do not stack with paladin spell slots. You track the number of warlock slots separately from paladin. Warlocks, unlike other classes, only regain all expended spell slots after completing a short rest. The Warlock’s Pact Magic also has a different way of spell slot progression, with less spell slots at any one level than a full caster, but spells always cast at their highest level. This makes the spell casting power of Warlock different but not necessarily inferior to other spellcasters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many spell slots does a level 1 paladin have?
A level 1 paladin doesn’t have any spell slots. Paladins gain their first spell slots at level 2.
2. Can I use warlock spell slots to cast paladin spells?
Yes, you can. A paladin/warlock multiclass character can use both their paladin and warlock spell slots to cast any spells they have access to from either class. Additionally, both spell slots from warlock and paladin can be used to fuel Divine Smites.
3. Do paladins get cantrips?
No, paladins don’t learn cantrips by default. They can gain access to cantrips through feats like Magic Initiate or by multiclassing into a class that grants them.
4. What is the maximum number of spell slots a paladin can have?
A pure paladin’s spell slots are limited by their level in the paladin class. There is no hard cap on the maximum number of spell slots for multiclass characters, as it depends on the classes and levels chosen.
5. How does Charisma affect a paladin’s spell slots?
Charisma determines how many spells a paladin can prepare each day. The number of spells you can prepare is equal to your Charisma modifier plus half your paladin level (rounded down).
6. What is the best class to multiclass with a paladin for more spell slots?
Sorcerer is generally considered the best class for increasing spell slots for a paladin, as they are a full spellcaster and grant Metamagic options. Other full casters like Wizard, Cleric and Druid can work as well.
7. What happens if a paladin multiclasses into a class that has no spell slots?
If a paladin multiclasses into a class like fighter or rogue without an associated spellcasting subclass such as Eldritch Knight or Arcane Trickster, they will not increase their spellcasting level or spell slot count beyond the paladin class.
8. Can a paladin prepare spells of a higher level than their spell slots?
No, paladins can only prepare spells for which they have available spell slots. However, they can upcast lower-level spells using higher-level slots.
9. How does the multiclassing rule work when spell slots are gained from the same class?
When leveling up two classes that both share access to spell slots, such as a Paladin and a Ranger, the class levels are added up before dividing them in half. For example, if you are a level 4 Paladin and level 6 Ranger you would use 5 spellcasting levels from those combined levels (4/2+6/2 = 5).
10. Are Oath spells considered when calculating spell slots?
Oath Spells are always prepared and do not count against your daily limit of prepared spells. They do not affect the number of spell slots you have available.
11. How do I calculate spell slots if I multiclass into a full caster class?
You calculate your spellcasting level by adding all your levels in Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, and Wizard, and half of your levels (rounded down) in Paladin and Ranger. The spellcasting level derived from that sum determines your spell slot progression on the full caster spell slot table.
12. Does a paladin’s spellcasting ability increase with higher levels?
Yes, a paladin’s spellcasting ability increases with levels. Not only do you gain new spell slots, but you gain access to higher level spells to prepare, as well as increasing your prepared spells from your level.
13. Can a paladin recover spell slots during combat?
Paladins cannot recover spell slots during combat unless they have a class or feat ability that allows them to do so. Generally, they must complete a short or long rest.
14. Do certain races influence the number of spell slots a paladin has?
No, race does not influence the number of spell slots a paladin has. Race may give access to spells that can be cast once per day, but these have no correlation with a paladin’s spell slot count.
15. Is it better to multiclass for more spell slots or stay pure paladin?
The decision to multiclass for more spell slots or remain pure paladin depends on your character goals. Multiclassing may be beneficial for spell slots, but pure paladins receive access to capstone features at level 20. The benefits of multiclassing often outweigh the benefits of the capstone, so it is up to you to balance spellcasting power, and additional class features.