View source for User:TK-Squared/MudBox/Paladin (3.5e Prestige Class)

{{author
|author_name=TK-Squared
|date_created=4th April 2009
|adopter=
|date_adopted= 
|status=Up for Review
|editing=
|balance=Wizard
|img=
}}
{{3.5e PrC Semantic
|description=A holy warrior who's righteous wrath smites heretics.
|len=5
|minlvl=5
}}


==Paladin==

{{quote
|I am the divine hand of my lord, I am his blade and I am his shield.
|orig=Sir Jim Whiteblade, Human Paladin
|src=The Massacre of the 12 Pillows
}}

A Paladin is a righteous and divine crusader of his patron deity; he follows their wishes to the letter and enacts their creed to the very last. A Paladin's divine fervour is matched only by their dogging tenacity and commitment to their causes.

===Becoming a Paladin===

The Paladin is an exemplar of his alignment and of his religion. The Paladin offers a divine and righteous path to vanquishing enemies that would threaten the way of their religion. A Paladin relies on his wisdom for his divine inspiration and spell casting and his charisma for other abilities, such as turning and his divine gift.

{| class="d20 dragon monstats" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|+ style="font-size: larger; white-space: nowrap;" | Entry Requirements
|-
! Alignment:
| Same as your Patron Diety.
|-
! Skills:
| [[Knowledge]](Religion) 8 ranks.
|-
! Spellcasting:
| Ability to cast 3rd level divine spells.
|-
! Patron:
| Must have one.
|-
! Special:
| [[SRD:Turn or Rebuke Undead|Turn/Rebuke Undead]]
|} 

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Table: The Paladin}}</div>
<p>Hit Die: d10</p>
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
! rowspan="2" | [[#Spellcasting|Spellcasting]]
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|- 
| 1st || +1 || +2 || +0 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Aura|Aura]], [[#Turn/Rebuke Undead|Turn/Rebuke Undead]], [[#Smite Undead|Smite Heretic]], [[#Detect Heretic|Detect Heretic]]
| class="left" | +1 of Existing Divine Spellcasting
|- 
| 2nd || +2 || +3 || +0 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Divine Gift|Divine Gift]], [[#Divine Touch|Divine Touch]]
| class="left" | +1 of Existing Divine Spellcasting
|- 
| 3rd || +3 || +3 || +1 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Righteous Aura|Righteous Aura]], [[#Divine Health|Divine Health]]
| class="left" | +1 of Existing Divine Spellcasting
|- 
| 4th || +4 || +4 || +1 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Heretic's Bane|Heretic's Bane]]
| class="left" | +1 of Existing Divine Spellcasting
|- 
| 5th || +5 || +4 || +1 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Judgement|Judgement]]
| class="left" | +1 of Existing Divine Spellcasting
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills (2 + [[Int]] modifier per level)'''<br/>
[[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]), [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft]] ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Handle Animal Skill|Handle Animal]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Heal Skill|Heal]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (nobility and royalty) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (religion) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Profession Skill|Profession]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Ride Skill|Ride]] ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]). [[Spellcraft]] ([[Wis]]).
|}

====Class Features====

A Paladin's powers stem directly from his deity; even the most uncaring gods bestow a portion of their mighty power upon their most loyal of servants. All of the following are class features of the Paladin.

'''Neutrality:''' If the Paladin is neutral on the Good/Evil axis, then he is treated as good for purposes of abilities if he chose to channel positive energy as a cleric or evil for the purposes of abilities if he chose to channel negative energy. If the Paladin is neutral on the Law/Chaos axis, he must choose either Law or Chaos to be his "focus". This focus is used for determining alignment.

'''Restrictions:''' A Paladin is a divine vassal for his deity and should demonstrate his piety. All the Paladin's abilities, except for [[#Judgement|Judgement]] and [[#Heretic's Bane|Heretic's Bane]] require the Paladin to have a Holy Symbol of his deity. [[#Judgement|Judgement]] and [[#Heretic's Bane|Heretic's Bane]] require the Paladin to be wielding his deity's favoured weapon.

'''{{Anchor|Spellcasting}}:''' At every level, the paladin gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which he belonged before adding the prestige class level. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one divine spellcasting class before becoming a Paladin, he must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known. The Paladin also adds all Paladin spells to his spell list.

'''{{Anchor|Aura}} ([[Ex]]):''' The Paladin's aura is equal to it's Paladin Levels and levels in cleric.

'''{{Anchor|Detect Heretic}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin can focus himself on uncovering his true enemies. He gains the ability to use both the detect spells that corresponds to the opposite of his alignment. He can use this ability at will. For example, if the Paladin is Lawful Good, he gains both [[Detect evil|Detect Evil]] and [[Detect chaos|Detect Chaos]]

'''{{Anchor|Turn/Rebuke Undead}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin's levels stack with those of his levels in Cleric for the purpose of turning.

'''{{Anchor|Smite Heretic}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin's divine fervour is evident in his quest to vanquish those that dare oppose his deity. A number of times per day equal to his Paladin level, the Paladin may use a smite attack. This attack only works on an enemy that has an alignment that is the opposite of the Paladin's good-evil alignment (good -> evil, evil -> good). The attack must be declared before being made and a miss still counts against the daily limit. A smite attack allows the Paladin to add his charisma modifier to his attack roll and it deals damage equal to his caster level (in the class that Paladin increases in spellcasting). If this attack is used on an invalid target, it is a normal attack and the smite attempt is expended.

'''{{Anchor|Divine Gift}} ([[Su]]):''' At 2nd level, the Paladin receives a great blessing from his deity. He gains either the ability to add his charisma modifier as a bonus to all his saving saves or a [[shield]] bonus to his AC. 

'''{{Anchor|Divine Touch}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin is graced with a gift of a pool of energy swirling throughout his body; energy channelled directly from his deity's essence. This pool of energy is either (if good) positive or (if evil) negative. The pool has a number of points equal to the Paladin's [[charisma]] modifier times his caster level (in the class that Paladin increases in spellcasting). This energy can be used (if positive) to heal living creatures or harm undead creatures; or (if negative) to heal undead creatures or heal undead creatures. Using this energy as an attack requires a [[melee]] touch attack and the target gets a [[will]] save for half damage (DC 10 + half character level + [[wisdom]] modifier). 

'''{{Anchor|Divine Health}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin is gifted with a sacred level of health. He becomes immune to all mundane and supernatural diseases.

'''{{Anchor|Righteous Aura}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin exudes an aura of powerful righteousness, a radiant aura of power directly descendant from his deity. The aura has two abilities; one that effects the Paladin himself and another that radiates 20 feet from the Paladin. 

The first ability is dependant on the Good-Evil axis of alignment;
* ''Good:'' All allies within the Paladin's aura gain a +2 sacred bonus to attacks.
* ''Evil:'' All enemies within the Paladin's aura take a -2 profane penalty to AC.
The second ability is dependant on the Lawful-Chaotic axis of alignment;
* ''Lawful:'' The Paladin is immune to fear.
* ''Chaotic:'' The Paladin is immune to compulsion effects.

'''{{Anchor|Heretic's Bane}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin's divine energy gifts him with the ability to channel the true energy of his deity through his weapon. If the Paladin is good, his weapon gains the Holy property. If the Paladin is evil, his weapon gains the Unholy property. This property is only on the weapon while the Paladin is holding the weapon.

'''{{Anchor|Judgement}} ([[Su]]):''' The Paladin is gifted with the true power to smite those heretics that dare slight his deity. The Paladin's weapon is even further enhanced. If the Paladin is lawful, his weapon gains the Axiomatic property. If the Paladin is chaotic, his weapon gains the Anarchic property.

====Ex-Paladins====

If the Paladin loses favour from his deity or if his alignment changes from that of his patron deity, then he becomes an Ex-Paladin. He loses the following abilities; [[#Detect Heretic|Detect Heretic]], [[#Divine Health|Divine Health]], [[#Divine Gift|Divine Gift]], [[#Heretic's Bane|Heretic's Bane]], [[#Judgement|Judgement]] and [[#Smite Heretic|Smite Heretic]]. He cannot gain any more levels in Paladin after he becomes an Ex-Paladin, he may regain his Paladin powers via ''[[atonement]]''.

===Campaign Information===

====Playing a Paladin====

'''Combat:''' The Paladin is a divine crusader who seeks to enact the will of his deity upon those that oppose his creed. He seeks to enact his patron's own sense of justice upon the world. In combat, he is oft at the front of battle, searching for heretics to smite.

'''Advancement:''' Advancing in Cleric or a prestige-centred prestige class is a logical advancement for the Paladin. 

'''Resources:''' A Paladin is the holy crusader of his church and can expect support from his church or deity.

====Paladins in the World====

{{quote|His devotion protected him and his righteousness slew his enemies|4=Tim, the Cowardly Monk, Elf Monk}}

A Paladin is part of a church and a divine crusader. Their presence is very well known amongst many people, for their zealot-like crusade against the enemies of their church.

'''NPC Reactions:''' A Paladin is easily recognizable from his air of authority or his zealotry and NPCs may react to this in ways depending on their religion; fear or respect is often the way that Palains are remembered.

====Paladin Lore====

Characters with ranks in [[Knowledge]] (Religion) can research Paladins to learn more about them.  When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

{| class="d20" {{#vardefine: odd | 0}}
|+ Knowledge(Religion)
! DC || class="left" | Result
|- 
| 11 || class="left" | Paladins are divine crusaders who fight for their gods.
|- 
| 16 || class="left" | Paladins are doted upon by their deities with supernatural powers.
|- 
| 21 || class="left" | A Paladin gains his power directly from his deity and, if he loses favour, will fall.
|- 
| 26 || class="left" | A Paladin's power is directly linked to his deity's and is, infact, using a mere portion of his deities vast power.
|}

====Paladins in the Game====

The Paladin is a crusader for a cause; his deity's cause and will usually stop at nothing to see that his mission is complete. The Paladin is tenacious in his pursuits and unwavering in his faith.

'''Adaptation:''' The Paladin replace the [[Paladin]] base class.

'''Sample Encounter:''' Within the Twelve Pillows inn, a bar room brawl has occured; and a Paladin is on one side of it. The one that the party isn't.

''EL 13:'' Jim Whiteblade

=== Martial Adept Variant ===

Not all Paladins are divine spellcasters; but instead they are mighty martial adepts, who wield their weapons against the enemy with even more skill and determination.

==== Creating a Martial Paladin ====
{| class="d20 dragon monstats" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|+ style="font-size: larger; white-space: nowrap;" | Entry Requirements
|-
! Alignment:
| Same as your Patron Diety.
|-
! Skills:
| [[Knowledge]](Religion) +8.
|-
! Maneuvers:
| At least one White Raven Maneuver of third level or above.
|-
! Patron:
| Must have one.
|} 

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Table: The Paladin}}</div>
<p>Hit Die: d10</p>
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! colspan="3" | [[#Maneuvers|Maneuvers]]
! rowspan="2" | Special
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
! Known || Readied || Stances
|- 
| 1st || +1 || +2 || +0 || +2 || 1 || 0 || 0
| class="left" | [[#Aura|Aura]], [[#Mettle|Mettle]], [[#Smite Undead|Smite Heretic]], [[#Detect Heretic|Detect Heretic]], [[#Pious|Pious]]
|- 
| 2nd || +2 || +3 || +0 || +3 || 0 || 1 || 0
| class="left" | [[#Divine Gift|Divine Gift]], [[#Divine Touch|Divine Touch]]
|- 
| 3rd || +3 || +3 || +1 || +3 || 0 || 0 || 1
| class="left" | [[#Righteous Aura|Righteous Aura]], [[#Divine Health|Divine Health]]
|- 
| 4th || +4 || +4 || +1 || +4 || 1 || 0 || 0
| class="left" | [[#Heretic's Bane|Heretic's Bane]]
|- 
| 5th || +5 || +4 || +1 || +4 || 0 || 1 || 0
| class="left" | [[#Judgement|Judgement]]
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills (2 + [[Int]] modifier per level)'''<br/>
[[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]), [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft]] ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Handle Animal Skill|Handle Animal]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Heal Skill|Heal]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (nobility and royalty) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (religion) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), Martial Lore ([[Int]]) [[SRD:Profession Skill|Profession]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Ride Skill|Ride]] ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]).
|}

'''{{Anchor|Maneuvers}}:''' This prestige class counts as an initiating class and increases your initiator level for one initiator class you had before taking Paladin that has access to the White Raven discipline. The disciplines for this class are Devoted Spirit, Diamond Mind, Iron Heart, Stone Dragon and White Raven.

'''{{Anchor|Mettle}} {{Ex}}:''' You gain Mettle, as per the Crusader's ability, instead of Turn/Rebuke Undead.

'''{{Anchor|Pious}} {{Ex}}:''' You are treated as having all, if good, Paladin spells or, if evil, Blackguard spells on your spell list for the purposes of casting spells from items.

'''Caster Level:''' Any ability that relies on caster level from the Paladin class (Such as Divine Touch) is reliant on initator level instead.

'''Neutrality:''' If the Paladin is of a neutral alignment, he must choose to channel negative or positive energy when he starts taking levels in Paladin. This corresponds to a Cleric's channeling of energy and determines the alignment for abilities.

=== Tome Variant ===

For those that are using the Tome variants, this variant can be used instead. They are similar to Martial Paladins, but do not use maneuvers. Instead, they are intended for the Races of War classes.

==== Creating a Tome Paladin ====
{| class="d20 dragon monstats" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|+ style="font-size: larger; white-space: nowrap;" | Entry Requirements
|-
! Alignment:
| Same as your Patron Diety.
|-
! Skills:
| [[Knowledge]](Religion) +8.
|-
! Feats:
| Any [Combat] feat.
|-
! Patron:
| Must have one.
|} 

{| class="zebra d20"
|+ <div>{{Anchor|Table: The Paladin}}</div>
<p>Hit Die: d10</p>
|-
! rowspan="2" | Level
! rowspan="2" | [[BAB|Base<br/>Attack Bonus]]
! colspan="3" | [[SRD:Saving Throw|Saving Throw]]s
! rowspan="2" | Special
|-
! [[SRD:Saving Throw#Fortitude|Fort]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Reflex|Ref]] || [[SRD:Saving Throw#Will|Will]]
|- 
| 1st || +1 || +2 || +0 || +2
| class="left" | [[#Aura|Aura]], [[#Smite Undead|Smite Heretic]], [[#Detect Heretic|Detect Heretic]], [[#Pious|Pious]]
|- 
| 2nd || +2 || +3 || +0 || +3 
| class="left" | [[#Divine Gift|Divine Gift]], [[#Divine Touch|Divine Touch]], [[#Sphere|Sphere]]
|- 
| 3rd || +3 || +3 || +1 || +3
| class="left" | [[#Righteous Aura|Righteous Aura]], [[#Divine Health|Divine Health]]
|- 
| 4th || +4 || +4 || +1 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Heretic's Bane|Heretic's Bane]]
|- 
| 5th || +5 || +4 || +1 || +4
| class="left" | [[#Judgement|Judgement]], [[#Sphere|Sphere]]
|- class="noalt"
| colspan="42" class="skill" |
'''Class Skills (2 + [[Int]] modifier per level)'''<br/>
[[SRD:Concentration Skill|Concentration]] ([[SRD:Constitution|Con]]), [[SRD:Craft Skill|Craft]] ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Diplomacy Skill|Diplomacy]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Handle Animal Skill|Handle Animal]] ([[SRD:Charisma|Cha]]), [[SRD:Heal Skill|Heal]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (nobility and royalty) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), [[SRD:Knowledge Skill|Knowledge]] (religion) ([[SRD:Intelligence|Int]]), Martial Lore ([[Int]]) [[SRD:Profession Skill|Profession]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]), [[SRD:Ride Skill|Ride]] ([[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]]), [[SRD:Sense Motive Skill|Sense Motive]] ([[SRD:Wisdom|Wis]]).
|}

'''{{Anchor|Sphere}} ([[Sp]]):''' The Paladin gains access to a [[Tome_of_Fiends_(3.5e_Sourcebook)/Spheres_and_Feats#Fiendish_Spheres|sphere]] at second and fifth level. If good, they can choose any [http://tgdmb.com/viewtopic.php?t=49673 non-fiendish sphere]. If evil, they may choose any sphere from the [[Tome_of_Fiends_(3.5e_Sourcebook)/Spheres_and_Feats#Fiendish_Spheres|Tome of Fiends]].

'''Caster Level:''' Any ability that relies on caster level from the Paladin class (Such as Divine Touch) is reliant on base attack bonus instead.

'''Neutrality:''' If the Paladin is of a neutral alignment, he must choose to channel negative or positive energy when he starts taking levels in Paladin. This corresponds to a Cleric's channeling of energy and determines the alignment for abilities.

'''{{Anchor|Pious}} {{Ex}}:''' You are treated as having all, if good, Paladin spells or, if evil, Blackguard spells on your spell list for the purposes of casting spells from items.

----
{{3.5e Prestige Classes Breadcrumb}}
[[Category:3.5e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Class]]
[[Category:Prestige Class]]
[[Category:Divine Spellcasting]]

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