Dragonborn Paladin Build Guide

Dragonborn Paladin Build Guide

A Dragonborn Paladin's fiery breath weapon perfectly complements their divine might, making for a fearsome hero.

10/10 Synergy Defender Role Medium Difficulty

Why Dragonborn Paladin?

The Dragonborn Paladin is a champion forged in draconic fire and divine justice. With a hearty d10 Hit Die, you'll be able to withstand plenty of punishment on the front lines. Your primary abilities, Strength and Charisma, are well-supported by the Dragonborn's natural gifts. For example, by focusing your Strength at 15 and Charisma at 14, you'll be a potent melee combatant and a persuasive leader.

The synergy here is remarkable! Dragonborn gain a Breath Weapon, offering area-of-effect damage that Paladins often lack. This, combined with their inherent damage resistance, means you'll be both dishing out and shrugging off blows. At level 5, you're already looking at around 7.8 melee damage per round, and this only grows. This combination makes for an incredibly durable and impactful defender.

Recommended Ability Scores

Strength★
15(+2)
Dexterity
10(+0)
Constitution
13(+1)
Intelligence
8(-1)
Wisdom
12(+1)
Charisma★
14(+2)
HP (Lv1)
11
AC
10
Initiative
+0
Passive Per.
11
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Dragonborn Traits That Benefit Paladin

Draconic Ancestry

Breath Weapon provides AoE damage that martial Paladins otherwise lack.

Breath Weapon

Breath Weapon provides AoE damage that martial Paladins otherwise lack.

Damage Resistance

Built-in damage resistance reduces incoming damage, keeping your Paladin alive longer in combat.

Draconic Flight

Flight provides incredible mobility, letting the Paladin reach otherwise inaccessible positions.

Combat Effectiveness

Level HP Melee DPR Spell DPR
Level 5 39 7.8 0
Level 11 81 7.15 0
Level 17 123 7.15 0

DPR = Damage Per Round (average, assuming standard combat conditions).

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • ♦ High hit points for frontline durability
  • ♦ Strong species-class synergy enhances core abilities
  • ♦ Strong melee damage output
  • ♦ Divine Smite provides burst damage
  • ♦ Built-in damage resistance improves survivability

Weaknesses

  • ♦ No Darkvision — may need light sources in dungeons
  • ♦ May require careful feat selection to optimize

Pro Tips

1

Use your Breath Weapon to hit multiple enemies before engaging in melee.

2

Your damage resistance is key; try to fight where you can take advantage of it.

3

As a Paladin, your Divine Smite adds extra damage to a single melee attack.

4

Don't forget your Draconic Flight for strategic positioning or escaping danger.

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Paladin Subclass Builds

Explore specialized builds for each Paladin subclass:

Dragonborn Oath of Devotion Paladin Defender Dragonborn Oath of Glory Paladin Striker Dragonborn Oath of the Ancients Paladin Defender Dragonborn Oath of Vengeance Paladin Striker

Related Builds

Other Dragonborn Builds

Dragonborn Barbarian 9/10 Striker Dragonborn Fighter 9/10 Striker Dragonborn Warlock 7/10 Blaster Dragonborn Monk 7/10 Striker Dragonborn Sorcerer 7/10 Blaster Dragonborn Wizard 7/10 Controller

Other Paladin Builds

Aasimar Paladin 10/10 Defender Dwarf Paladin 8/10 Defender Goliath Paladin 5/10 Defender Orc Paladin 5/10 Defender Tiefling Paladin 5/10 Defender Gnome Paladin 4/10 Defender

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dragonborn a good race for Paladin?
Absolutely! Dragonborn and Paladin are a perfect match with a 10/10 synergy rating. The Dragonborn's Breath Weapon and damage resistance significantly boost the Paladin's already formidable presence, enhancing their role as a frontline defender.
What stats should a Dragonborn Paladin prioritize?
Prioritize Strength for attacks and Charisma for your Paladin abilities. Aim for a Strength of 15 and a Charisma of 14. Constitution is also important for survivability, so try to get it to 13.
What party role does this build fill?
The Dragonborn Paladin fills the Defender role. With access to spellcasting, this build offers both combat effectiveness and utility.

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