Bard vs Paladin
Bard deals more damage, while Paladin offers more spellcasting versatility.
At a Glance
| Bard | Paladin | |
|---|---|---|
| Hit Die | d8 | d10 |
| Primary Ability | CHA | STR and CHA |
| Spellcasting | Yes | Yes |
| Party Role | Support | Defender |
| Subclasses | 4 | 4 |
| Best Race | Human | Aasimar |
Combat Comparison
Using Human as baseline race for fair comparison.
| Level | Bard DPR | Paladin DPR | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 7.8 | 7.8 | Tie |
| Level 11 | 10.18 | 7.15 | Bard |
| Level 17 | 13.2 | 7.15 | Bard |
When to Choose Bard
- ♦ Strong species-class synergy enhances core abilities
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Jack of all trades with inspiration and spellcasting
When to Choose Paladin
- ♦ High hit points for frontline durability
- ♦ Strong melee damage output
- ♦ Divine Smite provides burst damage