The only paladin builds that need war caster are ones that multiclass for Shield and Absorb Elements. If you're not doing that then don't worry about it.
I should have added that I was debating going Sorcadin after sixth level. Partially for the spells you mentioned, but more for the added spell slots to power Smite.
(Also - i mean - if you need a spell outside of all of that, you have options.)
Been playing a Paladin from level 2 to his current level of 18. Single class Ancients. Went Centaur Sword and Board. Hands for casting has never been an issue.
I'm personally very low on the smite spells. They don't do enough compared to a regular smite, take your bonus action and means you can't concentrate on something else more impactful from turn 1 of combat. I would look to fill out your bonus action with an attack through a feat, species or weapon choice.
Once you do that you really only care about casting one spell a combat (and a lot of times its better to just start attacking and cast no spells). Just cast the spell before you draw your weapon and there is no issue.
Aura of Protection does a lot to protect concentration. If you want an added layer grab res con because paladins have a hard time supporting con on top of str/cha.
The only paladin builds that need war caster are ones that multiclass for Shield and Absorb Elements. If you're not doing that then don't worry about it.
The only paladin builds that need war caster are ones that multiclass for Shield and Absorb Elements. If you're not doing that then don't worry about it.
Quick question - How do Sword-and-board Paladins cast Shield when they have a sword in one hand and a shield in the other?
As HeironymusZot said, that's a situation where you would need war caster. So if your build is going to focus on Shield and/or Absorb Elements, then take war caster. Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it.
Yeah you either take War Caster or play as a Thri-Kreen to support Shield/AE as a sword and Board. If you're contemplating the sorcadin route then the build will not function well without one of those options.
A bit off topic but as an avid mono-paladin supporter I feel the need to point out that sorcerer levels don't really give the edge in damage people think they do once the straight class build reaches Paladin 11 with Improved Divine Smite. And while you may get more spell choices, missing out on third level spells at 9 is actually quite the hit in terms of flexibility and raw power. Sorcadins blossom rather late and are quite magic item dependant. Maybe a hot take but Shield is overrated. It is Absorb Elements that is the really big addition. The multiclass has its merits, but it isn't the clear cut upgrade a lot of "optimizers" would have you believe.
Yeah you either take War Caster or play as a Thri-Kreen to support Shield/AE as a sword and Board. If you're contemplating the sorcadin route then the build will not function well without one of those options.
A bit off topic but as an avid mono-paladin supporter I feel the need to point out that sorcerer levels don't really give the edge in damage people think they do once the straight class build reaches Paladin 11 with Improved Divine Smite. And while you may get more spell choices, missing out on third level spells at 9 is actually quite the hit in terms of flexibility and raw power. Sorcadins blossom rather late and are quite magic item dependant. Maybe a hot take but Shield is overrated. It is Absorb Elements that is the really big addition. The multiclass has its merits, but it isn't the clear cut upgrade a lot of "optimizers" would have you believe.
To be honest, I wasn't thinking about Paladin 11. I was thinking about going up to Paladin 6, and then after that going all Sorceror, 7-20. (Or whatever.)
I keep hearing that a Paladin 6 / Sorceror 6 is far more powerful than a straight-up Paladin 12. The numbers do seem to reflect that.
One great benefit from sorcerer is Quickened spell to cast powerful spells as a bonus action. Single class sorc has limited non-spell options for their Action, but paladins can take the Attack action to smite and then Quicken a spell for either something like booming blade or a level spell.
I'd maybe take the feat that grants two extra sorc points and two extra meta options to make up for some missing sorc levels, since you'll only have 4 points at level 10. The extra 2 can make a difference there.
The problem with these builds for me is that the builds can be quite boring until late levels, which are quite rarely ever reached in a campaign.
One great benefit from sorcerer is Quickened spell to cast powerful spells as a bonus action. Single class sorc has limited non-spell options for their Action, but paladins can take the Attack action to smite and then Quicken a spell for either something like booming blade or a level spell.
I'd maybe take the feat that grants two extra sorc points and two extra meta options to make up for some missing sorc levels, since you'll only have 4 points at level 10. The extra 2 can make a difference there.
The problem with these builds for me is that the builds can be quite boring until late levels, which are quite rarely ever reached in a campaign.
Regarding the Metamagic Feat - its not that i disagree. Its that Paladins are already so thirsty for FEATS and ASIs, i feel like i would have to take variant human to get it all online by Level 12.
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I should have added that I was debating going Sorcadin after sixth level. Partially for the spells you mentioned, but more for the added spell slots to power Smite.
(Also - i mean - if you need a spell outside of all of that, you have options.)
Quick question - How do Sword-and-board Paladins cast Shield when they have a sword in one hand and a shield in the other?
As HeironymusZot said, that's a situation where you would need war caster. So if your build is going to focus on Shield and/or Absorb Elements, then take war caster. Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it.
Yeah you either take War Caster or play as a Thri-Kreen to support Shield/AE as a sword and Board. If you're contemplating the sorcadin route then the build will not function well without one of those options.
A bit off topic but as an avid mono-paladin supporter I feel the need to point out that sorcerer levels don't really give the edge in damage people think they do once the straight class build reaches Paladin 11 with Improved Divine Smite. And while you may get more spell choices, missing out on third level spells at 9 is actually quite the hit in terms of flexibility and raw power. Sorcadins blossom rather late and are quite magic item dependant. Maybe a hot take but Shield is overrated. It is Absorb Elements that is the really big addition. The multiclass has its merits, but it isn't the clear cut upgrade a lot of "optimizers" would have you believe.
To be honest, I wasn't thinking about Paladin 11. I was thinking about going up to Paladin 6, and then after that going all Sorceror, 7-20. (Or whatever.)
I keep hearing that a Paladin 6 / Sorceror 6 is far more powerful than a straight-up Paladin 12. The numbers do seem to reflect that.
But as you say - maybe those are optimizers.
One great benefit from sorcerer is Quickened spell to cast powerful spells as a bonus action. Single class sorc has limited non-spell options for their Action, but paladins can take the Attack action to smite and then Quicken a spell for either something like booming blade or a level spell.
I'd maybe take the feat that grants two extra sorc points and two extra meta options to make up for some missing sorc levels, since you'll only have 4 points at level 10. The extra 2 can make a difference there.
The problem with these builds for me is that the builds can be quite boring until late levels, which are quite rarely ever reached in a campaign.
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Regarding the Metamagic Feat - its not that i disagree. Its that Paladins are already so thirsty for FEATS and ASIs, i feel like i would have to take variant human to get it all online by Level 12.