Paladins

Explore the Paladin class in Shadows of Doubt. Learn about its base abilities, saving throws, Lay on Hands, Detect Evil, and spellcasting progression, plus detailed breakdowns of kits like Cavalier, Inquisitor, Undead Hunter, and Blackguard.

The Paladin in Shadows of Doubt is a Lawful Good warrior with a strong focus on defense and divine abilities. They can wear any armor and use any weapon, achieve Specialisation in weapons and fighting styles, and gain significant bonuses to saving throws (+2 to all). Paladins can heal themselves using Lay on Hands (2 HP per level, once per day) and Detect Evil once per round. They also gain the ability to cast Protection from Evil on themselves (once per day per level) and can turn undead as a Cleric two levels lower starting at level 3. From level 9, Paladins gain access to Cleric spells, eventually casting up to 4th-level spells.

Paladin Class Features:

• May wear helmets
• May wear any armour and use any weapon
• May achieve Specialisation (two slots) with any weapon class
• May achieve Specialisation (two slots) in any fighting style
• May take three slots in Two-Weapon Style
• Receives +2 to all saving throws
• May use the Lay on Hands ability to heal 2 HP per level once per day
• May Detect Evil once per round
• May cast Protection from Evil on himself once per day per level
• May turn undead as a Cleric two levels lower starting at level 3
• May cast cleric spells from level 9
• Alignment restricted to Lawful Good
• 10 HP / level for the first nine levels, 3 HP per level thereafter

While the vanilla Paladin has useful abilities, the specialized kits offer more distinct advantages.

Paladin Kits

Cavalier

The Cavalier is a Paladin who leads from the front, specializing in close combat against specific powerful foes.

• +3 to-hit and damage vs. dragons, wyverns, demons and devils
• May cast Remove Fear once per day per level
• Immune to fear, charm and poison
• 20% Fire and Acid Resistance
• May not use ranged weapons.

The Cavalier's combat bonuses are effective against rare but powerful enemies, and its immunities are very strong, though the restriction on ranged weapons is notable.

Inquisitor

The Inquisitor specializes in battling evil Mages, with abilities focused on dispelling magic and detecting threats.

• May cast Dispel Magic once per day per four levels (cast at twice the Inquisitor's level)
• May cast True Sight once per day per four levels
• Immune to hold and charm
• May not turn undead
• May not use Lay on Hands
• May not cast cleric spells.

The Inquisitor's powerful Dispel Magic ability comes at the cost of divine spellcasting and turning undead.

Undead Hunter

The Undead Hunter is a Paladin specifically designed to combat undead creatures.

• +3 to hit and damage vs. undead
• Immune to hold and level drain
• May not use Lay on Hands

The bonuses against undead are significant given their prevalence, and immunity to level drain is a major advantage against a dangerous attack type. This is often considered the best Paladin kit.

Blackguard

The Blackguard is the evil counterpart to the Paladin, with abilities focused on draining life and debuffing enemies.

• Immune to fear and level drain
• May use the Absorb Health ability once per day, draining 2 HP per level from an enemy
• May use the Poison Weapon ability once per day per five levels (adds damage over time)
• From level 3, may use Aura of Despair once per day (inflicts combat penalties on enemies, scales with level)
• Alignment restricted to Evil
• May not cast Detect Evil or Protection from Evil
• May not use Lay on Hands.

The Blackguard offers powerful offensive and debuffing capabilities, though its alignment restriction and loss of some Paladin abilities make it a unique, albeit controversial, choice.

Paladin Spell Progression

Paladins gain limited spellcasting abilities starting at level 9, eventually accessing 4th-level Cleric spells.