The Best Offense is an Impenetrable Defense

The Oath of Self-Preservation Paladin is the supposed "ultimate guardian" who's really just here to make sure they come out of every skirmish unscathed. Sure, they'll throw up an aura of protection, but make no mistake: the aura's real purpose is to ensure their survival. They're more than happy to look heroic when backed by a large army. But hey, as long as they're safe, they'll go on preaching about loyalty and courage... when the numbers are in their favor, of course.

Those who swear the Oath of Self-Preservation don't fight for gods, ideals, or even the common good—they fight to stay alive, thank you very much. Their loyalty is a bit like their armor: shiny on the surface but guaranteed to have a few weak spots when the heat is on. They're not heartless, just realistic—if a choice comes down to you or them, well, they've already written your eulogy. They may mask their goals under the guise of loyalty and protection. While their allies may believe them to be guardians of the weak, they are more invested in fortifying themselves, finding safety in their own resilience.

These paladins live by the following tenets:

• First and Foremost: Prioritize yourself. Only by protecting yourself first can you have any hope of surviving another day.
• Fortress of Many: Build defenses that serve you. An ally is a useful tool that can bolster your numbers and reduce risk, particularly if they can provide healing, buffs, or serve as primary targets. Bolster them in combat, but keep them isolated outside of combat. Strong bonds or relationships between teammates threaten your control—you must always be their first priority.
• Unyielding: Let no one breach your guard. Every strike you deflect and every minor wound you suffer before your allies reinforces your power and importance to others. You must always be the center of a group and the first one to be revived or rescued in an emergency.
• Acceptable Losses: Preserve yourself, even at the cost of others. Remember, a truly safe fortress will sacrifice walls before losing the foundation. Praise the fallen for their sacrifice to reinforce the concept with your followers.

Heavenly Fortitude

3rd-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

You have learned to turn your most powerful attacks into an even stronger defense. Whenever you hit a creature with a smite spell, you gain Temporary Hit Points equal to twice your Proficiency Bonus.

Unbreakable Shield

3rd-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

As a reaction when an ally you can see within 30 feet of you is dealt damage, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to conjure an ethereal shield emblazoned with your crest in front of the ally to prevent that damage. That ally may also use their reaction to move up to half their speed towards you.

Oath of Self-Preservation Spells

3rd-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

The magic of your oath ensures you always have certain spells ready; when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Oath of Self-Preservation Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Oath of Self-Preservation Spells

Paladin Level	Spells
3	Sanctuary, Shield
5	Aid, Warding Bond
9	Counterspell, Wind Wall
13	Otiluke's Resilient Sphere, Stoneskin
17	Hallow, Wall of Force

Aura of Self-Preservation

7th-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

You siphon the energy from nearby allies within your aura to bolster your defenses. You gain a bonus to your Armor Class equal to the number of allies within your Aura of Protection. Creatures with an Intelligence of 6 or lower do not count towards this number.

Swift Retaliation

7th-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

Inevitably, a persistent enemy will make it through your powerful defenses and you must make an example of them. When you are hit with a weapon attack, you gain Advantage on your next weapon attack.

Arcane Membrane

15th-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

You create a thin magical membrane that coats you and your allies like a second-skin. As a Bonus Action, you and a number of allies (up to your Charisma modifier) within your Aura of Protection gain resistance to a damage type of your choice until the start of your next turn. You can use this ability a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus and regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.

Avatar of One

20th-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

As a Bonus Action, you transform your Aura of Protection into a divine bulwark, granting the benefits below for 10 minutes or until you end them (no action required). Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Divine Protection. Allies in your Aura of Protection gain resistance to all damage.

United Front. Allies in your aura gain Half Cover while in your Aura of Protection.

Needs of the Few. When you would take damage, you can use your reaction to transfer the damage to an ally within your Aura of Protection.

Avatar of One

20th-level Oath of Self-Preservation feature

As a Bonus Action, you transform your Aura of Protection into a divine bulwark, granting the benefits below for 10 minutes or until you end them (no action required). Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a Long Rest. You can also restore your use of it by expending a level 5 spell slot (no action required).

Divine Protection. Allies in your Aura of Protection gain resistance to all damage.

United Front. Allies in your aura gain Half Cover while in your Aura of Protection.

Needs of the Few. When you would take damage, you can use your reaction to transfer the damage to an ally within your Aura of Protection.

Activate Avatar of One

Divine Protection. Allies in your Aura of Protection gain resistance to all damage.

United Front. Allies in your aura gain Half Cover while in your Aura of Protection.

Needs of the Few. When you would take damage, you can use your reaction to transfer the damage to an ally within your Aura of Protection.