Dwarf Paladin 5e D&D Guide

Dwarf Paladins are clad in gleaming armor that reflects the sun’s rays like a mirror, and they march into battle with unwavering determination.

Their loyalty to their deity or oath is unwavering, for a Dwarf Paladin is a bastion of faith, embodying the highest ideals of honor and virtue. Their mighty hammer is not just a weapon but a symbol of righteousness, a conduit through which their divine power surges.

A Dwarf Paladin’s resolve is as unyielding as the hardest diamond, and their conviction can move mountains.

Creating a Dwarf Paladin

Dwarfs

Dwarfs are mostly found in their vast cities carved deep into the roots of mountains. Echoing sounds of picks and hammers can be heard in their blazing forges and cavernous mines, a tradition burning as hot as their hatred for goblins and orcs – a common thread uniting all dwarfs.

Note: These features can be slightly changed or modified if some variations don’t fit your character.

Dwarf Subraces

Dwarfs have 4 distinct subraces, 2 of which populate most of the world, the rest being much rarer.

Hill Dwarf – Hill Dwarfs have keen senses, remarkable resilience, and deep intuition. 

Mountain Dwarf – Mountain Dwarfs are hardy and strong, familiar with a difficult life in rough terrain. They are also taller than most dwarfs, tending to have a lighter appearance as well.

Gray Dwarf (Duergar) – Gray Dwarfs live deep underground in the Underdark. They are vicious and stealthy and also have deep connections to the slave trade.

They’ll regularly go up to the surface to raid, taking their captives down to the Underdark to be sold as slaves to other races. Unlike most dwarfs, Gray Dwarfs possess innate magical abilities, like temporarily growing to a giant size or becoming invisible.

Mark of Warding Dwarf – These dwarfs are masters at protection, especially when it means protecting something valuable or precious.

They have mystical abilities allowing them to weave wards and place intricate locks – they even understand many locks and have no problem figuring out how to unlock certain locks, be it with magic or normal tools.

Paladin Class Features

Hit Points

Proficiencies

Paladin Sacred Oaths

Once you reach your 3rd level, you may swear an oath, binding you as a Paladin forever. Each oath has a different focus and brings you closer to the path of righteousness.

Ancients – The Oath of the Ancients is one of the oldest Sacred Oaths a Paladin can take. 

Those who take this oath cast both the light and darkness aside, all because of their endless love for nature and all things that grow. You can identify these Paladins by the images of plants their armor portrays.

Conquest – The Oath of Conquest calls for Paladins who seek glory on the battlefield and the destruction of their enemies.

Their duty is to crush the forces of chaos, serving gods and philosophies of war. Some Paladins even go so far as to reach out to powers of the Nine Hells, like the archdevil Bel, the warlord of Avernus.

Crown – The Oath of the Crown calls upon Paladins who value civilization above all else, the spirit of their nation, and their sovereignty.

In many cases, these Paladins become the watchful guardians atop palisades, protecting their civilization against the evils of the world.

Devotion – The Oath of Devotion contains Paladins who fight for justice, order, and virtue. They hold everyone to the highest standard of conduct, devoted entirely to their gods of good and law.

You can identify these Paladins by the angelic symbols and craftsmanship present on their equipment.

Glory – The Oath of Glory Paladins believe that they and their allies are destined for glory, achieved only through deeds of heroism.

Redemption – The Oath of Redemption Paladins believe in absolute vindication, seeing violence as a last resort. They face evil in the hopes of turning them to the light but are often reminded that their ideals are only that – ideals.

Vengeance – Oath of Vengeance Paladins seek retribution on those who committed the most horrific crimes.

Watchers – Oath of the Watchers Paladins are the protectors of the mortal realms, fighting against extraplanar intruders.

Oathbreaker – Oathbreaker Paladins are those who broke their sacred oaths to pursue a dark ambition or serve some evil power. 

Whatever light once burned in the hearts of these Paladins has long been extinguished; only darkness now remains.

Combining Paladin With Dwarf 

Determining Your Paladin Subclass

Choosing your ideal subclass is subjective, but if your objective is optimization, try understanding what your character wants to do and what stats fit best with their subclass.

Optimal Dwarf Subrace

Dwarfs receive a bonus to their Constitution (2) score, which doesn’t help them too much when it comes to spellcasting ability, but it does help quite a bit if they want to become a tank or frontline (which Paladins usually are).

You’ll probably want to choose between the Hill Dwarf and the Mark of Warding Dwarf. The main difference is that the Hill Dwarf has a bonus to their Wisdom (1) score, while the Warding Dwarf has more defensive spells to choose from.

Both options are solid for building a Dwarf Paladin, but you’ll have to think about which type of Paladin you want to be and how you want your background to look.

Your Dwarf Paladin Background

Your Dwarf Paladin needs a unique background that will affect its choices, as well as the way it sees the world and what it wants to achieve.

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: Where were they born, and where did they come from? Do they have any goals, bonds, or ideals, and what are their flaws? Where do they belong in social circles and society as a whole? What inspires them?

Place of Birth

Think of the environment a Dwarf Paladin grew up in and how it affected them physically and emotionally and eventually shaped their view of the world.

Try to make their place of birth and upbringing correspond with their personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws – this will truly bring their character alive.

Note: The birthplaces of races are usually mentioned in the Player’s Handbook or some of its expansion books.

Characteristics and Personality Traits 

Dwarf Paladins are pious warriors who seek to help others and better the world by spreading their righteous gospel.

You’ll find Dwarf Paladins in many major cities or Dwarf keeps, as they are some of the most devout Paladins in all the world.

Dwarf Paladin Examples:

• I idolize a specific hero of my faith, and I constantly refer to that person’s deeds and examples.

• I see omens in every action and event. If the gods try to speak to us, we just need to listen.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

Ideal – Express one ideal that is a driving force in a Dwarf Paladin’s life – their conviction, ethical principle, and moral standing (probably something about nature).

I trust my deity and that he will guide my actions. I have faith that if I put in the work, things will go well.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Dwarf Paladin has to an event, person, or place. Bonds will tie them to their background and can inspire bravery or stimulate memories driving them against their ideals.

I would die to recover an ancient artifact dear to my faith that was lost long ago.

Flaws – Choose a single flaw for a Dwarf Paladin – their unhealthy compulsion, greatest fear/weakness, or most vile vice.

I judge others harshly and myself even more severely.

Inspiration

Inspiration can be used by the DM to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaw.

As a Dwarf Paladin, I can stop at nothing until I spread the faith of my deity all over the mortal planes.

Note: If you’re struggling to create your background or just don’t want to think, the Player’s Handbook has well-thought-through backgrounds that you can use for your character or use as a mold.

Supplies and Gear For Dwarf Paladin

Paladins start with the following equipment, together with the equipment from their background. Choosing equipment based on your situation and your character’s proficiencies is the easiest way to go about things.

• (a) Martial weapon and shield or (b) Two martial weapons
• (a) Five javelins or (b) Any simple melee weapon
• (a) Priest’s pack or (b) Explorer’s pack
• A holy symbol and chain mail

You can decide how your character came about these goods – whether they stole, inherited, or purchased them some time back – adding to your character’s background.

Note: You can also use your starting wealth to buy equipment (5d4 x 10 GP for Paladins).

Final Thoughts

Dwarf Paladins are some of the most hardiest creatures around. It is because of their heritage and pious nature that many people think they are undefeatable in combat, making excellent Defenders.

So if you come across a Dwarf Paladin, ask him about his religion, and he’ll regard you as a friend. Maybe he’ll even join your party!

You might also be interested in the following:

• Dwarf Barbarian
• Dwarf Cleric
• Dwarf Fighter
• Dwarf Rogue