Goliath Paladin 5e D&D Guide

Goliath Paladins are towering figures of righteousness and power, a mountain of muscle clad in holy armor and wielding a mighty weapon. 

A Goliath Paladin wields explosive physical strength and spiritual energy drawn from the divine.

In battle, he can call upon the gods to aid him in battle, heal his wounds, or instill unwavering confidence in his fellow adventurers.

Don’t underestimate this hulking brute’s intelligence, as he is a skilled strategist, often using intimidation tactics or keen intellect to outmaneuver his foes.

If you need a champion to stand against the forces of darkness, you’ll find what you seek from a Goliath Paladin.

Creating a Goliath Paladin

Goliaths

Goliaths dwell in the highest mountain peaks, wandering around their realm of rock, wind, and cold.

They possess great physical strength and look as if they were carved from the mountains they inhabit.

Each Goliath has the responsibility to earn a place in their tribe; if they fail, they will live a life of utter despair and cold, most often leading to death.

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

Goliath Subraces

Much like Half-Orcs, Goliaths have no subraces – likely due to their rarity and already reclusive nature.

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 the light and darkness aside, all because of their 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.

They must 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 world’s evils.

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, hoping to turn 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 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 Goliath

Determining Your Paladin Subclass

You’ll be making your own subjective choice when choosing your subclass, so before choosing, try to understand what your character wants to do and how well the chosen subclass fits with your subrace.

Optimal Goliath Subrace

Similar to Firbolgs, Goliaths have no subraces, leaving players with the standard Goliath race, which doesn’t fit within the mold of a Paladin.

Since both ability score bonuses don’t benefit the Paladin, if you don’t focus on your Wisdom and Charisma attributes, your Paladin will become underpowered, being at a disadvantage.

Your Goliath Paladin Background

Your Goliath Paladin needs a unique background that will affect their choices, as well as the way they see the world and what they want 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

A Goliath Paladin needs a unique background that will affect their choices, how they see the world, and what they want to achieve.

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 

Goliaths are solitary creatures, speaking only to those they trust dearly, yet a minuscule number have ventured out of their solitude through the years; remember that when creating your Goliath.

Goliath Paladin Examples:

• I’m full of cautionary and inspiring tales from my military experience, which are relevant to almost every combat situation.

• I’m always picking things up, absently fiddling with them, and sometimes accidentally breaking them.

• No matter my situation, I always stay calm. I never let my emotions control me or raise my voice.

• I like finding common ground between the fiercest enemies, empathizing with their situation, and always trying to work toward peace.

Rare Traits

If you want to, you can give your Goliath a rare trait, just don’t make it overpowered; the DM can easily choose to dismiss it.

Sometimes, my skin turns to stone without warning, slightly limiting my movement but making my flesh nearly impenetrable.

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

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

Material goods come and go. Bonds of friendship last forever.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Goliath 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 protect those who cannot protect themselves.

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

Once I start a goal, I become completely obsessed with it, leading to the detriment of everything else going on in my life.

Inspiration

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

My strength lets me help people lift heavy things.

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 Goliath Paladins

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 them, inherited them, 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

Though Goliaths rarely leave their mountain tops, some have become Paladins, as their bulky size and insane strength help them to complete many trials.

In most cases, the ones who leave have been exiled or felt ashamed of their standing in the tribe, hence why some feel the need to serve a higher purpose and show their usefulness.

Even though they might look intimidating, Goliaths are some of the most humble creatures, often regarding other races as interesting.

It’s also said that if you treat them right, they might join you in your quest as a Defender or Striker.

You might also be interested in the following:

• Goliath Barbarian
• Goliath Fighter
• Satyr Barbarian
• Satyr Bard
• Satyr Paladin