Are you looking for a fighter-tank-caster hybrid? The Paladin is the ideal class for a character like this. Paladins are always on a conquest against wickedness. If you want to play with the challenge of following some set rules, play the Paladin.

Create an Elf to add elegance and nimbleness to your Paladin character. Plus, an Elf is a perfect race to play a Paladin following the Oath of the Ancients.

The Elf race AND the Paladin class can be found in the Player’s Handbook. Click here to pick up your own copy of The Player’s Handbook!

How to Make an Elf Paladin

Put your highest rolls under your Strength score and then under Charisma next. You’re an expert in all armor and weapons, including martial and simple weapons. It means you can use heavy, two-handed, and even versatile weapons. 

Pick any Elf subrace that suits your fancy. Because the traits don’t align with the class well, Elves aren’t part of the top-tier choices for Paladins. If you want to optimize, choose a subrace with traits that will best suit your playing style. Also, Paladins can come from any background. 

How to Play an Elf Paladin

You have access to a wide array of defensive spells and abilities. As a Paladin, you are a protector first and a healer second. Your job is to prevent injury and death by wielding your shield and sword. 

Your spells include buffing yourself and your allies to keep them protected. If an ally is at 0 hit points, you can use your life point pool from Lay on Hands to stabilize him or her.

Finally, never forget to use your Divine Smite. It is a powerful ability, giving off extra radiant damage in exchange for a spell slot. In essence, you can cast Divine Smite with every hit you make. Plus, you don’t need to announce that you’re doing Smite until you hit the enemy.

How to Roleplay as an Elf Paladin

The Paladin class may feel restrictive to new players because of its Tenets of Devotion. Playing a Paladin well takes some talent and creativity. You need to find the balance between sticking to your devotion or code and having fun. As a tip, use your Tenets of Devotion as a guide rather than law. 

Let’s say your character, Khal’an, has taken the Oath of the Ancients. Before this new development, he took the richness of their forest lands for granted. He ignored the elders’ words about preserving the land, and he took what he needed without giving back.

When a band of soldiers traveled through their woods, Khal’an saw his actions reflected. Yet, he saw nothing wrong with it. More visitors passed through their woods and took what they needed. Khal’an would defend them from the anger of his village. “The trees will grow, and the rivers will flow again,” Khal’an always said to himself. The day came when none of that happened. 

His village had very few resources now. Khal’an realized how he had aided the outsiders in the destruction of their land. Now, it is his job to protect and preserve nature and life.