All Weather Paladin

By Save-vs-DM

The all-weather paladin is a build that focuses on the common powers of the paladin and enhances them to greater levels. This is not a niche build, it is a very general build designed to give players new to the paladin class an idea of the various powers of the paladin.

Character Snapshot

Starting Abilities
Str 14
Dex 12
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 12
Cha 14 (+1 4th, +1 8th)

Race: Human

Hit Points: 153

Saves (Includes ability bonuses, aura of good, and enhancements):
Fort 15
Ref 10
Will 10

Class Features
Aura of Courage: Paladins Level 3 and above are immune to fear. Companions within 10 feet receive a +4 to saving throws vs. fear.
Aura of Good: Paladins and their companions receive +2 bonuses to all saves and armor class when fighting evil creatures.
Divine Grace: Starting at Level 2, the paladin gains a bonus equal to her Charisma modifier to all saving throws.
Divine Health: At Level 3, paladins become immune to disease.
Remove Disease (2/rest): At Level 6, paladins are capable or removing disease once per rest period. This benefit increases to twice per rest period at Level 9.
Smite Evil (2/rest): Paladins or third level or higher can use their Charisma to increase their chances of hitting an enemy once per rest period, doing more damage with each character level they gain. This ability increases to twice per rest period at Level 5 and thrice per day at Level 10.
Turn Undead (6/rest): Starting at Level 4, a paladin using holy energy to turn undead a number of time equal to Charisma modifier +3 per rest period.

Skills
Concentration 2 ranks (+6 total)
Heal 13 ranks (+14 total)
Intimidate 6 ranks (+9 total)
Tumble 6 ranks (+7 total)

Feats

1. Mental Toughness (Gain +55 spell points over ten levels)
2. Power Attack (Trade attack bonus for damage bonus)
3. Shield Mastery (Gain an additional +2 Armor Class and damage reduction 2/- when blocking)
4. Toughness (Gain +13 hit points)
5. Weapon Focus (Slashing) (Gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls with slashing weapons)
   

Enhancements
Bulwark of Good III (Aura of Good provides an additional +3 bonus to Armor Class)
Extra Lay on Hands II (Lay on Hands an additional 2 times per rest)
Paladin's Action Boost IV (Gain short term boost to Armor Class, attack bonus, or saving throws)
Resistance of Good III (Aura of Good provides an additional +3 bonus to saving throws)

Spell Casting: DC 11 + Spell Level

Spell Points: 165 (80 base +  55 feat + 30 ability modifier)
Typical Level 1 Spells Prepared: Cure Light Wounds, Divine Favor
Typical Level 2 Spells Prepared: Bull's Strength, Eagle's Splendor

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Detailed Progression by Level

Level	Class	Ability Increase	Feat	Skills
1	Paladin		Shield Mastery, Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons	Heal +4, Intimidate +2.0, Tumble +2.0
2	Paladin			Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
3	Paladin		Power Attack	Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
4	Paladin	CHA		Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
5	Paladin			Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
6	Paladin		Mental Toughness	Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
7	Paladin			Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
8	Paladin	CHA		Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
9	Paladin		Toughness	Heal +1, Intimidate +0.5, Tumble +0.5
10	Paladin			Concentration +2, Heal +1

Level	Enhancements
1	Extra Smite Evil I, Human Versatility I, Paladin's Grace I, Paladin's Action Boost I
2	Bulwark of Good I, Extra Smite Evil I, Paladin's Action Boost I, Resistance of Good I
3	Bulwark of Good I, Extra Smite Evil I, Paladin's Action Boost II, Resistance of Good I
4	Bulwark of Good I, Extra Smite Evil II, Paladin's Action Boost I, Resistance of Good I
5	Bulwark of Good I, Extra Smite Evil II, Paladin's Action Boost II, Resistance of Good I
6	Bulwark of Good II, Extra Smite Evil II, Paladin's Action Boost III, Resistance of Good II
7	Bulwark of Good II, Extra Smite Evil III, Paladin's Action Boost I, Resistance of Good II
8	Bulwark of Good II, Extra Smite Evil III, Paladin's Action Boost I, Resistance of Good II
9	Bulwark of Good III, Extra Smite Evil III, Paladin's Action Boost III, Resistance of Good III
10	Bulwark of Good III, Extra Smite Evil IV, Paladin's Action Boost IV, Resistance of Good III

Notes: The all-weather paladin is suitable for new and experienced players alike. All of the Feats are passive except Power Attack, which is a stance you can hit to increase your damage at the cost of accuracy. This build is suitable for limited soloing, though it really shines in group where the enhanced paladin aura provides a potent and passive boost to armor class and saving throws. With the ability to both deal decent damage with Power Attack or to defend with Shield Mastery, this build is a great introduction to the paladin class.

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