The 2024 Paladin is a part-martial, part-spellcasting class with explosive potential and a finger in many pies. A Paladin is a holy warrior who uses divine power to smite foes, and with a careful build, they can feel super satisfying to play. This is still true in the updated 2024 rules, where some of the Paladin's features were nerfed, but others became far more generous. This guide explains the Paladin rules in full.
If you want to build a Paladin from scratch, STOP reading here. Our Paladin 5e guide has all the information you need – this is simply a changelog of changes between the two versions of fifth edition. Or, if you'd like to see how this holy warrior stands up against the other DnD classes you could play, we have a guide for that too.
Level one
- Core Paladin features – Multiclassing into Paladin no longer gives you proficiency with simple weapons.
- Weapon Mastery – An entirely new feature that replaces Divine Sense.
- Lay On Hands – Now a bonus action rather than an action, and it removes the poisoned condition when you spend five HP from the pool (rather than neutralizing all poisons and disease).
- Spellcasting – Paladins can cast spells from level one and have a set number of prepared spells rather than calculating it based on their Charisma modifier and level.
- Spellcasting – Paladins can now only change one prepared spell (rather than all) on a long rest.
- Spellcasting – New additions to the Paladin spell list: Divine Smite, Greater Restoration.
Level two
- Paladin's Smite – Since Divine Smite is now a spell, the Paladin has this new feature that means they always have the spell prepared.
Level three
- Channel Divinity – A new feature (sort of – it uses a lot of rulings that were previously in the subclasses) that replaces Divine Health. Its core Channel Divinity option is a modified version of Divine Sense, a level-one feature for the 2014 Paladin.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Devotion) – The Devotion spell list replaces Sanctuary with Shield of Faith.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Devotion) – Sacred Weapon now deals radiant damage instead of magical damage, and there is no longer any mention of its effects ending when you fall unconscious.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Devotion) – The Turn the Unholy Channel Divinity option has been removed.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Glory) – The Glory spell list replaces Commune and Flame Strike with Legend Lore and Yolande's Regal Presence.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Glory) – Peerless Athlete no longer improves pushing, pulling, and carrying.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of the Ancients) – Nature's Wrath can now target multiple creatures.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of the Ancients) – Turn the Faithless has been removed.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Vengeance) – Abjure Enemy has been removed as a Channel Divinity option.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Vengeance) – Vow of Enmity is now part of an attack action rather than a bonus action, and it can now be transferred to a new target as a free action when the original target reaches zero HP.
Level five
- Faithful Steed – An entirely new feature.
Level six
- Aura of Protection – The 10 feet range is now an emanation, and it ends if you are incapacitated rather than unconscious. Additionally, the rules now specify a creature can't benefit from two Paladins' auras simultaneously.
Level seven
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Devotion) – You no longer have to be conscious for Aura of Devotion to work.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Glory) – Aura of Alacrity has an extended range, and its effects now last until the end of the target's next turn rather than the end of the current turn.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of the Ancients) – Aura of Warding grants resistance to necrotic, psychic, and radiant damage rather than all spell damage.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Vengeance) – Relentless Avenger now also reduces a creature's speed to zero.
Level nine
- Abjure Foes – An entirely new feature.
Level 10
- Aura of Courage – Now specifies that pre-existing frightened conditions temporarily end when allies enter the aura.
Level 11
- Radiant Strikes – Renamed from Improved Divine Smite, and it now applies to unarmed strikes as well as melee weapon attacks.
Level 14
- Restoring Touch – An entirely new feature that replaces Cleansing Touch.
Level 15
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Devotion) – Smite of Protection is a brand-new feature that replaces Purity of Spirit.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of the Ancients) – Undying Sentinel now restores HP equal to three times your Paladin level.
Level 19
- Epic Boon – An entirely new feature.
Level 20
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Devotion) – Holy Nimbus is now a bonus action that lasts for ten minutes rather than an action that lasts for one minute. It can now be restored with a level-five spell slot as well as a long rest, and its damage equals your Charisma modifier and proficiency bonus (rather than 10).
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Glory) – Living Legend now lasts for 10 minutes rather than one minute.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of the Ancients) – Elder Champion can now be restored by spending a level-five spell slot or finishing a long rest.
- Paladin Subclass (Oath of Vengeance) – Avenging Angel now allows you to hover, and it can now be replenished using a level-five spell slot.
For more character creation rules, here's all you need to know about DnD races and DnD 2024 backgrounds. We can also explain DnD stats and DnD level ups.