What Class Goes Best with a Paladin? A Multiclassing Deep Dive

The best class to multiclass with a Paladin often depends on your desired playstyle and what you’re hoping to gain. However, the Fighter and Sorcerer are usually considered excellent choices. Fighter provides martial prowess and utility, while Sorcerer enhances spellcasting capabilities. Both offer valuable additions without detracting from the Paladin’s core strengths.

Understanding the Paladin Core

Before diving into specific multiclass options, it’s crucial to understand the Paladin’s strengths and weaknesses. Paladins are renowned for their divine smite, strong melee combat, and aura abilities. They excel at front-line combat, providing support, and dealing significant burst damage.

However, Paladins have a limited spell pool, especially at lower levels. Their ranged options are also lacking, and while their defenses are solid, they can sometimes struggle against crowd control effects. Multiclassing allows you to address these weaknesses and tailor your Paladin to a specific role.

Top Multiclass Options for Paladins

Here are some of the most popular and effective multiclass options for Paladins, along with their strengths and weaknesses:

Fighter: Martial Superiority

• Why it works: The Fighter multiclass complements the Paladin’s martial abilities perfectly. Gaining features like Action Surge, a Fighting Style, and potentially an Extra Attack (though usually not worth the level investment past 1-2 levels if you have it from Paladin already) significantly boosts combat effectiveness. The Battle Master subclass, in particular, offers tactical maneuvers that can enhance both offense and defense.
• Considerations: Dipping into Fighter is often a great early-game boon, providing immediate combat upgrades. However, delaying Paladin levels means delaying access to higher-level spells and aura improvements, which can impact the character’s overall progression in the mid to late game.
• Best Subclass: Battle Master

Sorcerer: Divine Spellcasting Unleashed

• Why it works: The Sorcerer offers a significant boost to the Paladin’s spellcasting ability. As a full caster, the Sorcerer grants access to a wider range of spells and more spell slots, addressing the Paladin’s primary weakness. Metamagic abilities, such as Quickened Spell and Twinned Spell, allow for more versatile and powerful spellcasting options, allowing the Paladin to do things such as cast bless and attack in the same turn! Divine Soul is a popular subclass because it allows the Sorcerer to draw from the cleric spell list for additional synergy.
• Considerations: A Sorcerer multiclass requires a significant investment in Charisma, as it’s used for both Paladin and Sorcerer spells. This can spread your ability scores thin if you also prioritize Strength or Dexterity. Starting as a Sorcerer is a good idea.
• Best Subclass: Divine Soul

Bard: A Song of Healing and Smiting

• Why it works: The Bard is a full caster, rapidly learning new spells with every level and gaining new spell slots. Their magic synergizes effectively with the Paladin, with plenty of healing and buffs. The College of Valor or College of Swords subclasses can enhance martial capabilities, while the College of Lore offers versatility and support options.
• Considerations: Like the Sorcerer, the Bard relies heavily on Charisma, requiring careful ability score allocation.
• Best Subclass: College of Valor or College of Swords

Warlock: The Charisma-Fueled Pact

• Why it works: The Hexblade Warlock subclass is especially popular due to its ability to use Charisma for weapon attacks. This simplifies ability score management, allowing the Paladin to focus on Charisma for both spellcasting and melee combat. Pact Magic also provides unique spellcasting options and invocations.
• Considerations: While Charisma-based, the Warlock’s spell slots recharge on a short rest, which may not always align with the party’s adventuring style. A significant investment in Warlock levels is usually required to unlock its full potential.
• Best Subclass: Hexblade

Cleric: Divine Synergy

• Why it works: Multiclassing into Cleric adds another layer of divine power to the Paladin’s arsenal. The Life Domain Cleric provides potent healing abilities, while the War Domain enhances combat prowess. Cleric spells offer versatility and support, complementing the Paladin’s abilities.
• Considerations: This multiclass requires a moderate investment in Wisdom, which can be challenging to balance with the Paladin’s other necessary ability scores.
• Best Subclass: Life Domain or War Domain

Key Considerations When Multiclassing

• Ability Scores: Ensure you meet the multiclassing requirements (a minimum score of 13 in both classes’ key ability scores). Carefully plan your ability score allocation to maximize the effectiveness of both classes.
• Spell Progression: Multiclassing can slow down your spell progression, delaying access to higher-level spells. Consider this when deciding how many levels to take in each class.
• Role and Playstyle: Choose a multiclass option that aligns with your desired role and playstyle. Do you want to be a stronger melee combatant, a more potent spellcaster, or a versatile support character?
• Party Composition: Consider your party’s needs when choosing a multiclass. Do they need more healing, more damage, or more crowd control?
• Level Range: Some multiclass options are more effective at certain levels than others. Consider the level range of your campaign when making your decision.

FAQs: Multiclassing a Paladin

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about multiclassing with a Paladin:

1. Should I multiclass a Paladin at all?
   • Yes, if you want to address the Paladin’s weaknesses or specialize in a particular role. However, Paladins are strong on their own, so multiclassing is not always necessary.
2. What’s the most common Paladin multiclass?
   • The most common and arguably effective Paladin multiclass is with Hexblade Warlock, allowing for a Charisma-focused build.
3. How many levels should I take in my secondary class?
   • This depends on the multiclass and your desired outcome. A dip of 1-3 levels can provide valuable features, while a more substantial investment (5-7 levels or more) can drastically alter your character’s playstyle.
4. Does multiclassing affect my Divine Smite?
   • No, Divine Smite uses spell slots, so gaining more spell slots from another class enhances your smiting capabilities.
5. What happens if I multiclass out of Paladin and break my oath?
   • You become an Oathbreaker Paladin, gaining access to a different set of class features.
6. Can I still use heavy armor if I multiclass?
   • Yes, if you start as a Paladin, you retain your heavy armor proficiency even if you multiclass into another class that doesn’t grant it.
7. Is it better to start as a Paladin or my secondary class?
   • Generally, starting as a Paladin is recommended for the heavy armor proficiency and hit points. However, if you want a very Charisma-heavy build, starting as a Sorcerer or Warlock can be a good idea.
8. What’s the best multiclass for a support Paladin?
   • Cleric is a great choice for a support Paladin, providing powerful healing and support spells. The Life Domain is particularly effective.
9. What’s the best multiclass for a damage-focused Paladin?
   • Sorcerer or Fighter are excellent choices for a damage-focused Paladin. The Divine Soul Sorcerer provides more spell slots and metamagic, while the Battle Master Fighter offers tactical maneuvers to enhance damage output.
10. Can I multiclass into two different classes?
    • Yes, you can multiclass into as many classes as you meet the requirements for. However, spreading yourself too thin can weaken your character.
11. How does multiclassing affect my hit points?
    • You gain hit points based on the hit die of the class you are leveling up in.
12. Can I still use my Paladin auras if I multiclass?
    • Yes, your Paladin auras remain active even if you multiclass.
13. What are the downsides of multiclassing a Paladin?
    • Slower spell progression, potentially diluted ability scores, and delayed access to higher-level Paladin features.
14. Is multiclassing harder for new players?
    • Yes, multiclassing can be more complex and requires a good understanding of both classes involved.
15. Where can I learn more about the game mechanics that paladins use?
    • You can learn more about the game mechanics by using the Paladin’s features and learning opportunities at the Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Choosing the right multiclass for your Paladin is a personal decision that depends on your desired playstyle, party composition, and campaign setting. Carefully consider the strengths and weaknesses of each option, and experiment to find the combination that best suits your needs. With the right multiclass, you can transform your Paladin into an even more formidable and versatile force for good or evil.