Paladin Subclass Defender

Oath of Devotion Paladin Guide

Oath of Devotion paladins are dedicated to acting with honor and righteousness. Their oath grants them the power to protect others and vanquish evil.

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Best Races for Oath of Devotion Paladin

All 10 races ranked by synergy with the Oath of Devotion. Click any to see the full build.

Oath of Devotion Features

Oath of Devotion Spells

Level 3

You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed in the Oath of Devotion Spells table. See the Sacred Oath class feature for how oath spells work. [Oath of Devotion Spells: 1st - Command, Sanctuary; 2nd - Lesser Restoration, Zone of Truth; 3rd - Beacon of Hope, Dispel Magic; 4th - Freedom of Movement, Guardian of Faith; 5th - Commune, Flame Strike]

Sacred Weapon

Level 3

As a Bonus Action, you can imbue one weapon that you're holding with positive energy. For 10 minutes, you add your Charisma modifier to attack rolls made with that weapon (in addition to your Strength or Dexterity modifier). The weapon emits bright light in a 20-foot Radius and dim light 20 feet beyond that. If the weapon is not magical, it becomes magical for the Duration of the effect.

Aura of Devotion

Level 7

You emanate an aura of dedication while you aren't Incapacitated. You and friendly creatures within 10 feet of you have Advantage on saving throws against being Charmed. If a friendly creature in the aura is Charmed, that condition ends on it.

Smite of Protection

Level 15

When a creature within 30 feet of you that you can see takes damage, you can use your Reaction to reduce the damage by half (round down) using your Lay on Hands. If a creature has taken more damage than its hit point maximum from the triggering damage, the creature is Incapacitated until the end of its next turn.

Holy Nimbus

Level 20

As an action, you can imbue your presence with holy power, causing bright light to surge out from you. You emit bright light in a 30-foot Radius and dim light 30 feet beyond that. Creatures of your choice that you can see in that light gain Advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects until the end of your next turn.

Is Oath of Devotion Right for You?

Pick the Oath of Devotion if you want a Paladin focused on protecting the party and soaking damage on the front line. Compare it with the other Paladin subclasses to make sure it fits your party, then build the Aasimar version for the strongest start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best race for a Oath of Devotion Paladin?
Aasimar rates highest (10/10) for the Oath of Devotion Paladin. Built-in damage resistance reduces incoming damage, keeping your Paladin alive longer in combat. Dragonborn (10/10) and Dwarf (8/10) are also strong picks.
What does the Oath of Devotion specialize in?
The Oath of Devotion fills the Defender role — protecting the party and soaking damage on the front line. Its features unlock at levels 3, 7, 15, 20.

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