How does a paladin break their oath?

A paladin breaks their oath by betraying their beliefs and violating one of the tenets from their chosen subclass, such as committing a blatantly amoral act or killing an innocent person unprovoked, which can result in the loss of their paladin powers and abilities. The specific actions that lead to an oathbreak can vary depending on the paladin’s oath, such as the Oath of Vengeance or Oath of Devotion, and the circumstances of the game or story.

Understanding Paladin Oaths

To understand how a paladin breaks their oath, it’s essential to know what a paladin oath is and what it entails. A paladin’s oath is a sacred promise to uphold certain principles and values, such as honesty, courage, compassion, honor, and duty. Paladins who take the Oath of Devotion, for example, swear to be righteous and uphold the tenets of their order.

Consequences of Breaking an Oath

Breaking an oath can have severe consequences for a paladin, including the loss of their paladin powers and abilities. In some cases, a paladin who breaks their oath may become an Oathbreaker, a fallen paladin who has betrayed their beliefs and values.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 15 FAQs that provide additional information on how a paladin breaks their oath:

1. What causes a paladin to break their oath?: A paladin breaks their oath by committing a blatantly amoral act or killing an innocent person unprovoked.
2. Can a paladin break their oath by stealing?: In early access, a paladin doesn’t break their oath if a party member steals or kills a neutral.
3. How does a paladin become an Oathbreaker?: To become an Oathbreaker, a paladin must betray their beliefs and violate one of the tenets from their chosen subclass.
4. What happens when a paladin becomes an Oathbreaker?: When a paladin becomes an Oathbreaker, they lose any abilities associated with their oath but gain new abilities and dialogue options.
5. Do Oathbreakers have to be evil?: No, Oathbreakers don’t have to be evil, but they must have betrayed their beliefs and values.
6. Can a paladin have more than one Oath?: If a paladin has multiple oaths, the spells from each oath are added to their spell list.
7. Which paladin Oath does the most damage?: The Oath of Devotion does the most damage, with its level 20 ability, Holy Nimbus, dealing 10 radiant damage to enemies within 60 feet.
8. Does killing Rugan break a paladin’s oath?: No, killing Rugan does not break a paladin’s oath.
9. What happens if a paladin becomes evil?: If a paladin becomes evil, they lose their paladin powers and abilities.
10. Does letting the hag live break a paladin’s oath?: Yes, letting the hag live can break a paladin’s oath.
11. What is an evil paladin called?: An evil paladin is called a dark paladin or a blackguard.
12. Can a paladin become an Oathbreaker?: Yes, a paladin can become an Oathbreaker if they betray their beliefs and values.
13. Can Oathbreaker Paladins heal?: Yes, Oathbreaker Paladins can still heal themselves and others.
14. Who cursed the Oathbreakers?: Isildur cursed the Oathbreakers to remain without rest until their oath was fulfilled.
15. Why is Oathbreaker evil?: The Oathbreaker is considered evil because they betray their beliefs and values and often cooperate with dark forces.