NEW Paladin Oaths- Xanathar's Guide to Everything for 5E D&D

[@Nerdarchy]

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[@jgr7487]

Nerdarchy 1) do you guys ship overseas? 2) do girls rly buy that Nerdarchy thong?!

[@MrZriael]

Although I can see how it might be easiest to view the tenets of the Oath of Conquest from an evil perspective, I disagree that it is difficult to view from another. *Douse the Flame of Hope* _It is not enough to merely defeat an enemy in battle. Your victory must be so overwhelming that your enemies will to fight is shattered forever. A blade can end a life. Fear can end an empire._ This applies to your enemies, and your thoroughness will most often not cause contention with other party members. *Rule with an Iron Fist* _Once you have conquered, tolerate no dissent. Your word is law. Those who obey it shall be favoured. Those who defy it shall be punished as an example to all who might follow._ This applies to those who you have power over, those you have conquered. This does not apply to your party, who (at least for the time being?) are a large part of your power. Your party may wish to show mercy where you demand justice and they may disagree on the extent to which a "subject" should be punished. But this should cause RP not argument. *Strength Above All* _You shall rule until a stronger one arises. Then you must grow mightier and meet the challenge, or fall to your own ruin._ This is the tenet which most cements the position of the Oath of Conquest Paladin in a standard D&D campaign. You are far from the most powerful thing out there, your party is the vehicle through which you have attained what power and influence you currently have and the most reliable way to gain even more, they are important to you. You are in the position of one who is growing mightier, so you may challenge those with greater power and influence, and take that from them.

[@qwertyuiopaaaaaaa7]

I think the key to creating a "good guy" Oath of Conquest Paladin is to define who your enemies are. Nothing in XGtE says the paladin tries to conquer and dominate everyone, only their enemies. My conquest paladin was once a slave pet (Tabaxi) to a band of giants. His enemies are oppressors and slave drivers and his goal isn't to kill, but to overturn the social hierarchy so that the evil are the slave to the good. I've heard other players say that they rp the conquest paladin like a classic movie renegade cop. They do the right thing according to the law but use fear to subdue their foes. I think there's PLENTY of room to run a good, even lawful good, conquest paladin.

[@maromania7]

I love the temptations. it gives the DM something to work with, and a ultimate villain for them to overcome. what use is 'the goodness to overcome all temptation' if there is no temptation? everyone has a weakness. built-up tension, a man raised poor with a bit of greed or envy lingering from his survival days. I'd use it for clerics too. someone who took up the cloth but has never quite forgiven the army of the neighboring kingdom for destroying his hometown, which he secretly harbors. or better yet, treats people from that country better than others in an active overcompensation just in case, ashamed by his prejudice.

[@LukeCartner]

Flipping the paladin of redemption isnt hard, the high sparror from game of thrones is the perfect example of a paladin of redemption villian

[@EpicDwarfStench]

I have a drow paladin of conquest, he only wants to rule the drow. "Free" them from Loth so his race can advance. The pary has no problem with him.

[@proforeveryone]

Just made a Half-orc one who wants to kill Gruumsh lol, great minds think alike

[@conradkorbol]

EpicDwarfStench wouldn’t these work better as the lawful good or vengeance The conquest wants to bring order. It doesn’t care about the means

[@proforeveryone]

Mine wants to bring order to the orcs and the best way he sees to do that is to free them from the tyranny of gruumsh into a tyranny all his own.

[@conradkorbol]

Pro foreveryone conquest paladin want tyrant the lawful good paladin wants to end unjust rulers I am not saying you are wrong, but thematically in makes less sense. Unless he wants to be the new God of the orca

[@proforeveryone]

Yeah, he wants to kill Gruumsh not because he loves the orcs or anything like that, but because he sees himself as their rightful ruler. Freeing them from the tyranny of Gruumsh and straight into one of his own making.

[@trufax79]

I think thanos is the perfect fit for the oath of conquest

[@Nerdarchy]

Louis Kellam I concur. Nerdarchist Dave

[@Allbendias]

I like to twist the boundaries of the oath of redemption. I made a paladin, a former guard of a city now overrun by undead, who is now so disillusioned since his old home fell that he is now working for another kingdom. His take on the oath is not of peace but rather of order. He failed to preserve order once but never again. Peace through order as it were, even if that order is evil, but since evil can be inefficient and unpredictable he finds it distasteful/wasteful. If you ever played the Elder scrolls Oblivion's The Shivering Isle expansion his take on the world is that of its antagonist, Jyggalag. He believes in fate and free will is an illusion, but he keeps it to himself as telling everyone their lives are out of their control or worthless is not going to preserve order rather promote rebellion. Sometimes promoting a flawed status quo is the best way to preserve order rather than trying to improve or uproot it.

[@TheFrugalVideoGamer]

With mine, his vice was that he was a miser - he wasn't *greedy* per se, but he was definitely a skinflint. And one thing I just realized with that capstone - as written in Xanathar's, this means you CAN force them to make saving throws without breaking the ability, so long as the throw doesn't cause it harm or is caused by a spell. This means you can sit there and taunt the BBEG into attacking you while your party deals with the minions, and he'd just deal half the damage to himself that he is to you every time. The UA version of "Emissary of Peace" lumped in any saving throws, meaning you couldn't take any hostile action whatsoever and have it still work.

[@AENock]

"The fools have rejected the salvation of Pelor, and instead adopted depravity and greed. I no longer believe in the goodness of men. I will show them the light. I will make them see. I will force them to see." Conq Paladin is absolutely fantastic conceptually, thematically, and mechanically. They are a CCing murder machine that doesn't stop to eat or sleep, they live only to impose their divine will upon the masses, no matter the cost. To role play a Conq Paladin, is to play a deeply flawed individual who has all but given up on the mortal races. They impose their will because of perceived lawlessness and depravity have consumed the mortal races. They are undeniably cruel, but unlike the Oathbreaker who had failed to uphold their oaths, they cling to their oath the tightest. A STR based build, a reach weapon, with the Mounted Combatant or Mobile and Sentinel feats allow you to lock down enemies from the get-go and keep them locked in your fear aura. Unable to act and unable to move, they either surrender or perish - there is no resisting.

[@AZDfox]

I have a Dex Conquest Paladin who is the princess of a kingdom where their family has ruled forca long time. They are harsh, but fair. Brutal to thise who violate their laws, but kind and generous to their allies and those who obey. She is traveling to eliminate threats to her kingdom before they reach it.Sentinel, Menacing, and Shield Master are the feats for her build.

[@henckel93]

So the oath of conquest is basically like the sith? Lovely :)

[@Vaxtris]

I’m building a lawful evil Conquest Paladin using Darth Vader as inspiration.

[@puckels]

I think the paladin of conquest can fit in with a more usual 'heroic' player group with one tiny retake on their tenets of conquest, that being they need to only kick in when taking into account your characters social standing in their orders/societies hierarchy. After all these guys still operate within society and knightly orders/ religions, I mean they wouldn't just randomly walk up to the rightful monarch and challenge them to a duel for the throne! I can see these guys operating extensively during wartime within many paladin orders, sure the oath may be seen with some distaste but as necessary at times. My own idea for playing a 'good' paladin of conquest is one who undertakes the oath after his local paladin order is decimated and he feels his only option is to take extreme measures to stop anymore atrocities like this happening again. With his friends and in society he is still friendly and caring but once he strides forth to war and battle there shall be no quarter or holds barred, the enemies lands shall be razed their heads on pikes and the waters shall run red with their blood. For his cause is just and those who oppose righteousness must learn wickedness will be dealt with!

[@crazyscotsman9327]

I like it! And I have played a Paladin similar to that who was willing to do anything for the greater good including kill the man who raised him when he turned his back on the helpless leaving them to die because he thought that they were corrupt.

[@brand5621]

I have a tiefling conquest paladin for an adventurers league game...lawful evil, she isn't all gung-ho "I'm the leader, let's burn the town down" kind of evil...her matron is Zariel the leader of avernus and her whole goal is to destroy the ultimate evil, Chaos. Law abiding to only the higher laws of the universe and cares not for the laws of men. Hates demons and orcs (her father, who trained her as a knight, was killed by orcs) but isn't murder hobo. She follows the current party because their goals are aligned and has no problems following logical orders...she's been a blast to play!

[@JohanFaerie]

Still think Oath or Redemption with Tranquility Monk would make for a hilarious campaign. Especially if one of the group is either like a Berserker barbarian or necromancer wizard is in the group to antagonize them and constantly get into arguments. Even better if 2 of the players backstories are they where best friends at a young age, both went off to learn their trade then, now they have learned their skills/graduated met back up for adventure years later and are now constantly bickering even though their teamwork and trust are stupendous.

[@elricengquist9989]

I honestly with the paladin of redemption/peace I could see reworking the two abilities they lost into something that could still be used, as I hate when something loses abilities that gives them so much flavor. I could see a paladin like this having an aura that makes people attacking that have a weak will or resolve be impacted by how unthreatening they are, with the difficulty rating linked to what kind of armor an weapons they use/carry/wear, while with level the potency of the effect might increase. For instance I could see making it that those attacking the paladin that fail the check at low-levels have the damage of their attacks reduced, while then later it turns the damage of attacks into subdual damage, and finally making it that the attack misses or gives the paladin a boost to armor class against those that fail the roll. Though that said this would be really powerful, and so would say that it might have a charge-based system, with the stronger versions taking more charges an the lesser ones allowing them more uses of it.

[@momqabt]

Aasimar conquest paladin cha-con focus, half plate so no need to sink str, hexblade. Curse someone, blink with relentless hex, AoE fear the start wacking away at them motors, throwing intimidate skillchecks left and right to make them submit to your will. It's a perfect character for a political game. What's more heroic? Killing the goblins and rescuing the smiths daughter, or saving the girl, and taking all surviving goblins in to your service, making them rebuild the town they sacked and seeding rumours after you've got a fortress to make other towns join, while you are out conquering another few band of hostiles to go and harass the neighbouring lord to force a civil war then take over his land with a hand of aid but only after he vassalises and submits to your rule, all the same while all you're doing is saving as meny lives as you can with your political game to amass an army and march on tiamats realm? Smiths daughter? Or the whole empire marching against tiamat?

[@timkramar9729]

I like the one about destroy all hope. When you think about it, if you best someone once, they can come back and try again, to get revenge or whatever. But if you beat them so decisively that they never think of attacking you again, you've won a victory.

[@kylemayberry5073]

I recently played a level 6 Redemption Paladin in a one-shot and found a great combo in Compelled Duel against the big bad and Sanctuary on myself. Makes it really hard for them to hit anyone and I could spend my turn healing others or laying ball bearings to slow down the big bad.

[@ASunlessLand]

I wish they'd kept a variation of the armour feature for Redemption Paladin. Would be nice for them to have supported some form of a dex-based paladin

[@exomancer3632]

Oath of Redemption: The tenets are don't hurt people, be patient, believe that good is inherent and that evil is a learned behavior and understand that sometimes you have to use violence. To vilify this, simply rename it the Oath of Corruption. Keep the same tenets. Don't hurt people (so you can use them later), be patient (leading people off the righteous path is difficult), believe that evil is taught (so you can teach it), and know that it is ok to use violence when you need to to get what you want.

[@thiagodeandradeneves4585]

Daenerys Targaryen is a perfect example of Oath of Conquest in a close to Lawful Good mindset. Her goal is to dethrone and exterminate all the tyrants and help the oppressed and those in need, but her way to achieve that is by becoming herself the tyrant/ruler.

[@robertlombardo8437]

1:43 Fifth Edition is also the edition under which it is now no longer required to even serve a god. Yes. You heard that right.

[@BlackHeart1216]

Alittle late here but, dunno about earlier editions but in 3e paladins didnt need to worship a deity either.

[@VikingFyre]

That conquest Paladin subclass sounds perfect for the player that wants to be a Dark Lord.

[@samsonstone7178]

A level 20 Troll nice guy Paladin. "Stop it, you are only harming yourself." He says to the wizard casting a fireball at him.

[@Avigorus]

A Paladin of Conquest hero is a brutal warrior who believes in the tactic of crushing his enemy so completely that future potential villains hear the well-known historical account that they can easily verify, crap themselves, and say, "no thanks I think I'll take another career path." Granted, the part about demanding obedience isn't quite as easy to reconcile with a heroic campaign, but going the path of you are just so sick of a corrupt government that you've decided to force a fair status quo and hold it for long enough that people lose interest in abusing the system isn't out of the question. I actually want to play a Half-Elf Paladin of Conquest who starts with one level in Hexblade Warlock and whose best friend is a Necromancer Wizard, because how better to demoralize an enemy than by showing them that death is no release? (Plus, he can fear my enemies and leave my Concentration free lol!) Yes no immediate heavy armor but you're only one shy and with either a 16 Dexterity + Medium Armor Mastery or the Heavily Armored feat you're talking equal AC, and either way it makes you slightly less MAD while replacing your more defensive daily 20th level feature with a significantly earlier, short rest recharge, more offensive yet single-target option (and given that daily abilities are rarely used outside of boss fights, the hex will see more use). The only real debate I'd have left would be whether to take a second level of Warlock earlier making the expanded auras the level 20 capstone or wait and make the Invocations the level 20 capstone, plus whether a pact weapon and 2nd level pact spell slots and spells are worth losing the expanded auras. Also I'd want a campaign that isn't planning on focusing on fear-immune enemies like undead or constructs or fiends, for hopefully obvious reasons.

[@gregoryfloriolli9031]

To me, Oath of Conquest feels like Darth Vader.

[@thurmanstevenson5692]

Gregory Floriolli I was gonna say feel like sinestro from green lantern

[@ETREDROOMREVIEWS]

I feel its like Griffith from Berserk

[@chapel2613]

Negan from Walking Dead could be a Paladin of Conquest

[@tronali5703]

Judge Dredd

[@drakkonusfrostburn4038]

Tron Ali Yes! I feel like Oath of Conquest could totally work for a heroic character who takes the concept of Law & Order, read: lawful good, to the ultimate extreme. " I am the law."

[@angelskyd]

Cant stop laughing...Tedd at 19:55 "Not even gonna carry a weapon" hahaha

[@vindex57]

Fallen Aasimar + 3 levels Hexblade warlock with chain pact for gift of the eveliving ones + x levels Conquest paladin + the Mencing feat. This is my favorite build so far.

[@CanisMythson]

I see there is another Knight of the Open Road. Good to see I'm not alone XD

[@chapel2613]

Tiefling Paladin of Conquest working for an infernal master

[@kurtpryor6334]

Oath of Conquest sounds like the order of knights who destroy any opposition, like the steel inquisitors, they might have issues with patience and restraint, but they are there to crush their enemies, working alongside the ranger and rouge to scout and eliminate their quarry

[@zavexcapricious2519]

the 15th level ability for oath of conquest us actually fucking POWERFUL, I have NO idea why you think it is weak. If the damage was only taken by the enemy once then I could understand, but it is EVERY TIME an enemy hits you, which is ESPECIALLY useful against an enemy with extra attacks, because they take that damage each time they hit you. That is VERY useful.

[@anthiondel]

I play a L/G Conquest Paladin. He worships Tyr and takes his dogma a bit too seriously (tyrrans are called "tyrants" by their detractors for a reason)

[@davidharris915]

Darthvader is a oath of conquest paladin

[@simonedebbo6]

What are the additional spells that xanathar brings to paladins?

[@SolarFlairIsBestPony]

I think while watching this I came up with a really good way to do a Conquest Paladin. See, the way it's flavored, we all have a very good reason to assume battle is all very literal, that the conquering is kingdoms. But, man, what if it's just conquering guild politics and becoming the guild master, woe to those who try to undercut? Or what if you're a grand chess master? Or what if you're a noble and you want to take over your family or outmaneuver rival families? What if you're a drill sergeant or an artist? What if you want to be such an amazing explorer of new lands you just make everyone else look like shit? Pursue different battles. Pursue them FIERCELY. Just do your best to make sure your character's attitude about the pursuit matches the oath.

[@mileslugo6430]

I'm playing a Chaotic Good Conquest paladin in the curse of Strahd setting. He's haunted by a Napoleonic figure who's his tiefling ancestor named horror.

[@ptrlyonawesome]

The Oath of Conquest Paladin makes me think of Ender from Ender's Game

[@erikrey378]

I mean, batman is a hero. And he has the same if not similar way of thinking as the oath of conquest. The only thing is that batman doesnt kill

[@Vaxtris]

Wouldn’t Batman be a paladin if Vengeance?

[@Ebonzai]

Yeah it's well agreed Bats is a Vegeance Pally. Sorry but Conquest is Dr. Doom if anything.

[@ericcollins1727]

I love the idea of not knowing your nemesis ahead of time! Will add a nice degree of RP when an old friend betrays you over a perceived slight! Or a former trainer who’s been turned! The possibilities are amazing!

[@thurmanstevenson5692]

I would love to make a divination paladin of redemption multiclass with the luck feat nobody's fighting anyone XD

[@Joshinyu]

Colonel Nathan Jessup is fine example of a Conquest Paladin.

[@mitchcowan1446]

I have a player who doesnt want to be evil buy wants to play Paladin Oath of Conquest, basically a warlord type who sees the world as might makes right, ir if a just ruler cannot maintain hold of his/her land, they arent worthy to rule. He will aid said rulers but that is his ideology. Not sure he can be good but perhaps nuetral. I wonder what gd would fit him. He mentioned Bane but that is dsrker than I think he is intending

[@VanisKira]

If you're in the Forgotten Realms, maybe it could be Tempus. If you're using the Dawn War Pantheon it could be Kord, though he might be too fluffy for Oath of Conquest.

[@AZDfox]

Paladins don't need to follow a Deity in 5e; they get power from their conviction, not a god. But I do have a LG Conquest Paladin who worships both Bane AND Helm.

[@Cyberpsychos_Dirge]

I play my OoC pally as an anti hero. He wants to create an empire based on tyranny so he can destroy a create evil. He works with his party not out of love, but cause he understands he can learn and become stronger with them

[@Never_heart]

I am going to play a heroic conquest paladin. A blue Dragonborn whose parents worshipped Tiamat and her power blessed his birth. He was intended to be her champion on the Prime Material yet he turns from tgat power. Her power is so strong that when in combat her ego and want to dominate though power comes out, hence the conquest powers. But his spells are almost completely healing and support spells.

[@TarikRever]

Hi guys could you do a review of the Netflix movie Bright? I think since they show a lot on Orks, Elves, and other magical races it is within your Domain.

[@Nerdarchy]

Rever Entertainment I've watched it twice and ready to pull the trigger. Just need the other guys to watch it. Nerdarchist Dave

[@TarikRever]

Nerdarchy very cool

[@Jawn15]

Ted, Nate get on it! Lol

[@SnowDayJ]

I wanted Something like the Oath of Conquest For a while. Tiefling Paladin with the Personality of Asuka from Evangelion. Perfect. Fit.

[@aldinlewis5579]

I think there are a number of neat conquest paladin types that could peacefully fit into a party, but I don’t think all of them fit into all scenarios. Like for example you could have a conquest paladin that believes the weak should perish and only the strongest will survive, but Isn’t actively culling the weak. That paladin could fit in with others but won’t if the party is always trying to help the weak and defenseless.

[@freeman2582]

Is it me or Dave really looks like Santa?

[@ryanrhino2318]

Oath of conquest is a bit like the arbiter from halo

[@garmr2512]

You can work around the paladin of conquest oaths a bit with the right personality much easier than the standard goodie to shoes. He may not take action if he catches the thief stealing because he views it as a failure of the authorities of this country and him intruding may make it a diplomatic issue. Making them from a different country/or wanting to reform this one gives you heaps of tools to work around.

[@dogle9258]

Playing a redemption pally now, and man.. it's hard. I feel like the party just ignores my pleas for peace, so I decide to stay more silent then I want too.

[@onemisterfranko]

Is that your fellow players, or the characters? I mean if you want to do this sort of build I would hope they would work with you a bit or your DM chimes in and helps so you don't just sit in the back. :(

[@dogle9258]

onemisterfranko I've tried it with a few different groups in one shots and sometimes it worked and others it didn't. Unfortunately because IRL things when I posted this I haven't played much lately. I think when I can give this some more time it would be better played as more of a flawed individual seeing the redemption and others. Like the dude from Hunger Games

[@onemisterfranko]

I don't get your reference but flawed or tragic hero's can defiantly work well in this game its awesome, just at a glance from what is touched on this build feels like a healer and buffer build in armor. The concept is interesting but like you said it could really work or fall apart depending on the group dynamic. Still something different and could be cool for role playing purposes. Hope you get to keep experimenting with the build.

[@jadestephan7395]

Hey, me too! I'm playing an aasimar redemption pally, and his guide is this vengeful Solar who just want him to go out and kill evil. Meanwhile he sees the world through two sets of eyes in a way, the solar is powerful enough to instill this urge to combat in him, but he is kinda broken, and doesn't want to kill, very emo character sometimes, gets interesting.

[@fhuber7507]

I want to work on creating a new oath.... Not an easy one to create and will not be wanted by many players because it will limit the pally to non-metal armor. Sort of a pally gone ranger-druid a bit without multi-classing. (Robin Hood was a pally gone-ranger, but still all pally.)

[@burningreach]

Pointless

[@AZDfox]

I'm actually designing a ranged Paladin oath: Oath of the Wanderer. One of their big abilities will be the ability to "charge" a bow or crossbow with smite, so that it will go off on the next time you hit.

[@PvE2PvP]

I have a real sweet redemption palidin with sentinal ! Armor of peace works out well for this shirtless paliden with two shields! Really fun class only unsheth my blade/bane weapon vs undead vampires. Anyway I am sad to see Armor of peace go.

[@Senki99]

Gold Dragonborn Conquest paladin with Dragon fear feat... with the concept: 'I will make the world a better place as I see it fit, even if you dare to disagree!' Oh man, I will try this next time. How the fear part is 'The evil is shattered before the just!' The strong to rule is either another party member you serve right and challenge when the leader makes a wrong decision and you will take over and lead. Be open about it and emphasize you expect nothing else from your own group: if you would become weak they do have to challenge you as that's nature's law and that's how civilizations are changing too.

[@AZDfox]

Only down side is that they get a save every time they take damage, which means that if they start in your aura, they get a save immediately AND at end of turn. I actually prefer the Menacing feat, so you can intimidate them, then keep them in what I call Fearlock, where they fail the check because they are frightened, and can never escape the fear. Beautiful, especially if you want to lock down a single tank or heavy hitter.

[@shadow8928]

Lawful good/neutral oath of conquest IMO : "This region/kingdom is not being ruled properly and its people live in poor conditions, if it's ruler can't or won't tend to his land then I shall do it for him" // I see this paladin acting much like a kingpin, in times of need he will help the people and he'll only ask that they remember that it was HIM that helped them. Also, helping your party also helps you :p happy minions are useful minions.

[@omega447636]

Hey guys I'm pretty new to d&d, still doing my first campaign and I'm looking to multiclass my paladin but unsure if I should do sorcerer or barbarian. We have dps and magic users in party already

[@AZDfox]

Maybe go warlock? Use the short rest spell slots as Smite-fuel

[@walterosorio6233]

Guys I have a question, how would you handle drugs in DnD

[@richardmahle1882]

Walter Osorio my answer is if you have a player who is addicted, and they aren't using it I give them penalties. If they are using them roll 1d20 on a 1 the character dies. The rest just do whatever the drugs effect is.

[@Chatedh]

I kind like the idea of a table of consecuences for not using their drugs but killing them for it would be too boring.

[@grevari1772]

I would have the 1 be more of a ticking off. It could drop you CON stat by 1 or something. That way it still has the real effect of drugs can kill but only if they hit a 1 so much that they go to a 0 CON. It still has an effect against their health I'm the meantime.

[@drakkonusfrostburn4038]

Walter Osorio In my campaign the Rogue wanted his character to start up as some kind of drug dealer. As most people would probably realize the concept of illegal drugs is a modern one. What I came up with was that the rogue's guild was smuggling "Dragon weed' to get by the tax collectors. Basically pipe weed was taxed at a lower rate than Dragon weed, therefore you smuggle it past customs as so that you can gain more profit.

[@leothewhiteranger]

The Conquest Paladin doesn't need to lead the party necessarily. You haven't conquered them, they aren't your minions, they're allies. They may not have the conviction to follow your way, but thats fine, you can use them still.

[@McBabe12329]

Thanos is a Paladin of Conquest

[@DrukenReaps]

DnD early on stereotyped the paladin as a force for good but paladins are warriors that fight for their god or goddess. Ambiguous morals and words like 'good' really just get in the way when your gods mortal enemies have started a church across the street. You gotta burn that shit down!

[@evilallensmithee]

😁I want to play in your game & show you how to play the conquest paladin heroically👍 I would play a human or aasimar who would do a 180 in and out of combat. “You will be good, or else!”

[@Demortom]

How do I send you a deviation on this concept? Guys? Guys?...

[@Nerdarchy]

Not sure what you mean, but we can be reached at [e-mail]. Nerdarchist Dave

[@onemisterfranko]

I would totally see the conquest being a big bad for a story arc, but what if he had a redemption paladin that agreed with him but not his methods? perhaps they think they can with time make the conqueror a benevolent ruler and thus both are aligned against the adventures. What are your thoughts Nerdarchy?

[@BahamutZerodragon]

i had a paladin concept of a paladin who didn't wear armor but just had sword and shield.

[@jgr7487]

BahamutZerodragon start as a Barb, then go Paladin from Lv.2 onwards.

[@lukecarroll4052]

BahamutZerodragon or convince your dn to let you use the old armor of peace for redemption paladin

[@jessegraves7745]

I used a dragon born with the dragon hide feat and did it

[@onemisterfranko]

Maybe go with a dragon born? The dragon Hide feat would give you some AC, its 13 combined with Dex modifier, you can also use a shield and keep the feat going.

[@severknight1143]

Luke Carroll they removed it and made the class lame. Didn't even care about it after they took that off.

[@Cadian575]

I love Oath of Conquest so much more than Oathbreaker of other "bad" paladins. My current character is Oath of Devotion with a big emphasis on justice, and it would be easy for him, under the right circumstances, to drift into Conquest without actually changing his outlook or view of himself.

[@CanisMythson]

I think people miss the most important ability that Conquest Paladins get. It's not the fear; it's not the auras. I think it's the "you hit me, you die" capabilities. You have Armor of Agathys (and FYI I think this marks the only way to get it outside of Warlock levels or feat investment), and the feat that does psychic damage equal to your CHA. Those two mesh pretty well together, and can be quite potent on a frontline fighter. BUT... ... It also opens up a little build I like to call "Heaven's Wrath". Paladin (Conquest) 3 and Sorcerer (Divine Soul) 17. You need two feats (Great Weapon Master and, ideally, Heavy Armor Master) First off, you need only a few particular spells for this to be effective to the extreme. First, you need Booming Blade as a cantrip. You also need Spirit Guardians; and Armor of Agathys is also featured prominently, but you get that for free with Oath of Conquest. Step 1: Cast Armor of Agathys at 9th level (yes, you read that right) before combat if possible, or if not, Quicken Cast it as a bonus action. This gives you 45 temporary HP, which also deals 45 cold damage to anything that hits you. Don't forget damage reduction from Heavy Armor Mastery, as it can easily help you squeeze one or two more hits out of that temporary HP. Step 2: Use your main action to cast Booming Blade, taking the GWM -5 to hit for +10 damage; save your Channel Divinity, as it allows you an easy extra hit if you roll bad. Throw a max level Divine Smite on top (I believe the top Divine Smite level is 4, chump change for what is effectively an 18th level caster). This strike deals (assuming 20 on STR and using a greatsword variant of a Divine Avenger, plus Great Weapon Fighting style) 2d6+5+10+3d8+6d8 with a chance for 4d8 extra if the target moves, which after this round seems quite likely. Step 3: If you have your bonus action available this turn, cast Spirit Guardians at 8th level for a total of 8d8 damage in a 15 foot radius around you, as well as a decent control effect. If not, wait until next round. Yes, it is Concentration, but a lot of people don't know that you don't make concentration saving throws while you have temporary hit points. On an optimal non-crit turn (enemy fails Spirit Guardians save, attacks you the standard three times for that level, and gets hit by your attack), the enemy takes a rather sustainable 214 average DPR. At least until your Armor of Agathys drops. Then, there's the other fact that when you have no other options with your bonus action, you can Quicken Cast Booming Blade for a massive nova.

[@davidharris9833]

I'm playing Cabrini Caledon of redemption and I am trying to figure out how I can really play it when I get to level 3 for my oath maybe one of you could help me out for both of you I am trying to figure it out I Am David

[@davidharris9833]

I am only wobble to and I am still trying to figure out how I should act

[@gregkirby9059]

i am creating a triple class paladin.... v.human magic initate feat = bard and after level 5 paladin going warlock....

[@fredilhos2]

Conquest could be a Ranking officer NPC... not "evil" per se...

[@AnimeNPC.]

If i were to make Redemption a villian and i may do this. He would be the cult leader. Smooth talker , healing the sick to gain a following. They fight for him and his goals he never raises a sword just heals those who weild swords for his name

[@AnimeNPC.]

Id also give him generals that are powerful clerics that act as proxy for him . so he is difficult for the party to find

[@nardopolo7407]

"The only way to save the world. is to tag along and mend the wounds of people who will destroy everything only then will there be true peace"

[@tomforge614]

I was a little disappointed to see the Paladin of Redemptions "Aura of Peace" or whatever the 16+ ability go, but I agree that got overpowered quickly. Still, I think I would have replaced replaced it with an Unarmored Defense affected by Dexterity and Charisma, seeing how the Redemption Paladin already feels like a Bardic Paladin. What disappoints me a out losing that ability is that it felt like an outlet for neutral and chaotic good paladins to deities like Sune and others who might prefer no armor on their wards.

[@darknight910]

Yeah, another option could have been dropping the armor bonus to like... 14 + Dex, so players max at first level would be 17. I would probably run it that way as a homebrew idea. Or, keep the 16 + Dex bonus and loose Shields and Martial weapons as starting proficiences, going along with the "merciful shepherd of peace" idea where their weapons are just that of peasants. Losing it and Warrior of Reconciliation completely make it kind of an empty class for roleplaying if you ask me.

[@tomforge614]

darknight910 Well, there are a few issues. First off, no oath has a third level feature aside from spells and their prayers. Second, because it's a third level decision, it can't affect first level proficiencies. There is also the debate of the dex power creep against str as more abilities and armor alternatives relying on dex makes str feel like a second tier stat already unless you feel greataxe is the way to go. I do admit that it loses the characterization of peace a little bit, but at least they can raise their ac with their proficiencies, unlike wizards. Besides, it depends on the dm's taste more than anything.

[@comradeaxel1030]

I currently have a conquest paladin who I wouldnt say is good but he definitley isnt an evil bastard either. The land where the campaign is in has just gotten out of a 50 year long time of war and he took part and is a follower of the god of war. He basically just believes people need to follow the laws of the lands and if they dont then they need to be punished. He is very military minded and a bit of an asshole but he (at least in his mind) is doing everything to make a better world for the people.

[@longtimber]

"I'm shielding everybody with my piece." Hehe. Hehe. Maturity is not my strong suit.

[@Pantjay]

Oh and easy evil oath of redemption paladin is a Warrior of Slaanesh from warhammer fantasy. Pain is pleasure and he takes those wounds and spreads them to his enemies. Completely carefree in battle because a to him getting stabbed and having sex are both rapturous experiences.

[@mattmark94]

I was so disappointed in this new version of the Redemption Paladin, it was way more interesting in the UA article

[@timkramar9729]

Justice Lord Superman

[@woodsman105]

The pacifist paladin as an adversary reminds me of the High Sparrow from Got in some ways.

[@DefaultProphet]

For the pacifist Paladin villain I would make him a champion of the status quo of an unjust but lawful city/country. Like one of those “we should hear the Nazis out and engage them in debate” types

[@oOPPHOo]

That's kinda the route I would take as well. In the fight between a clear evil and those the party serves, the pacifist villain leads a faction who's trying to broker peace with two factions that both want none of it. He might lead a cult who has kidnapped soldiers on the same side as the party who he aims to "redeem". This is a villain the party might be able to reason with, but also something that can be fought through albeit I would like it leave a bitter taste in their mouth to do so. You did touch a nerve with me on that last part and I need to address it. I've seen a lot of people advocating punching Nazis "simply" for having Nazi viewpoints. I'm thus not talking about people who are guilty of committing atrocities, but I am talking about people who are pursuing democratic options of making the atrocities legal. It's not that I necessarily want us to sit down and reason with these Nazis. It's that if we start punching them while they obey the rules of democracy, we might lose the one suitable alternative to fascism that we have. They will be able to use the argument that we don't practice what we preach and thus they can win even greater sympathy. Nothing can inspire like a peaceful martyr and one of the last things I would want to hand over to Nazis is something as powerful as that. By telling them that we're not afraid of what they have to say because we don't believe anyone would want to listen to them anyway, we strike a harder blow directly to the ideology itself than any fist could ever do.

[@snuffsaid1703]

oO PPH Oo I agree but both beating them (not too harshly at all beyond a punch or a slap) and beating them by the system is best. The nazis win by seeing that their violent revolt at first failed and then simply went “what if we legitimately win?” And of course, they cheated the system, but in a way it allowed them to through making the masses fall under them. I feel as though education of their atrocities both minor and large is the best way to keep people from it AND legally keeping them from gaining power

[@oOPPHOo]

Snoot Snat, there's a comic making the rounds on social media essentially about the tolerance of intolerance. It essentially ends up saying "If we allow the Nazis to even speak they are going to win just like last time". That's the sort of thing that ends up helping Nazism more than anything. Just look at the satanic hysteria surrounding D&D. We beat Nazism by actively showing Nazis that even when they're allowed to speak, nobody cares about what they have to say. Like you say, we just need to make sure that people are prepared to hear the words of Nazism and then pull them apart. Anything else just risks motivating Nazis even more or make them intriguing to the impressionable. Democracy is essentially a peace treaty among numerous ideologies. People respect the peace because everyone is promised a fair shot at making society conform to their ways _if_ they can simply convince society to do so. In the meantime everyone else is expected to follow the current law. If we break the laws we made ourselves, we can't expect others to respect them either which is why any criminal use of violence against Nazis must be avoided.

[@Bigred073]

You do realize this is no longer the 1940s, right? Or did you just wake up from an 80 year coma or something? The group I assume you're referring to is a minor, powerless, fringe group that nobody listens to. The real threat are the uncivilized scourge of neo-Marxists that started all that crap in the first place; with their "do as I say, think as I do, or else we'll destroy your property and ruin your life" attitude. Yeah... real democratic and freethinking there... hypocritical fascists.

[@Pantjay]

Oath of conquest Paladin can easily be a Lawful Good Judicator you are literally Judge, Jury and Executioner. In a setting that allows Trial by combat the champions of justice must be harsh and unrelenting. Those who obey the laws set are favored those who defy them are punished. A Judge in this way is feared and it is good for them to be feared for they are what stands between the Chaos Beyond the Wall and if they inspire fear in those beneath them so too will they inspire fear in those that would oppose them. This isn't the paladin that argues for saving the orc baby, its the one that burns the entire orc enclave because that is a bastion for Chaos and she is a champion of Law. In this Lawful is more important than good whereas redemption paladins are more good than lawful. Now I want to see a Oath of Conquest Inevitable so they can say I AM THE LAW.

[@finnianquail8881]

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[@DonRaynor]

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