The Paladin
Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2026 11:25 am
The Paladin
Our sacred warrior will be here for the launch of Early Access, ready to smite! Speaking of which, the Paladin had some limitations added with the 2024 update - with Divine Smite becoming a Paladin-only spell using a Bonus Action. While some people see that as a large nerf (which let’s be honest, it is), the good thing about this change is that Paladins are no longer encouraged to hoard their spell slots to spend it all in one or two turns spamming Divine Smite - opening their choices by taking down the former obviously optimal option.
But it’s not just limitations they were stricken with. Lay on Hands is now a Bonus Action, removing the awkward moment of “should I risk trying to finish my foe, potentially dying if I miss? Or heal myself but potentially lose all the health I gained back if I get hit, effectively wasting a turn”. Nahhh, now we healing AND killing on the same turn! They also get Abjure Foes at level 9, a new way to use their Channel Divinity by frightening a number of foes, severely impairing their ability to fight. Oh and unsurprisingly, they also get to benefit from the Weapon Mastery addition!
Our sacred warrior will be here for the launch of Early Access, ready to smite! Speaking of which, the Paladin had some limitations added with the 2024 update - with Divine Smite becoming a Paladin-only spell using a Bonus Action. While some people see that as a large nerf (which let’s be honest, it is), the good thing about this change is that Paladins are no longer encouraged to hoard their spell slots to spend it all in one or two turns spamming Divine Smite - opening their choices by taking down the former obviously optimal option.
But it’s not just limitations they were stricken with. Lay on Hands is now a Bonus Action, removing the awkward moment of “should I risk trying to finish my foe, potentially dying if I miss? Or heal myself but potentially lose all the health I gained back if I get hit, effectively wasting a turn”. Nahhh, now we healing AND killing on the same turn! They also get Abjure Foes at level 9, a new way to use their Channel Divinity by frightening a number of foes, severely impairing their ability to fight. Oh and unsurprisingly, they also get to benefit from the Weapon Mastery addition!