Half-Orc Paladin 5e D&D Guide

The Half-Orc Paladin is a creature of both brute strength and divine righteousness. They possess the brawn of their Orcish heritage – yet channel it through the holy powers of their Paladin training.

Imagine a towering figure covered in rippling muscles and sporting fearsome tusks, a creature who could easily crush a man’s skull with their bare hands.

But instead of using their might for evil, they have chosen the path of the Paladin, dedicating themselves to the cause of justice and protecting the innocent.

Their faith in their chosen deity is unshakable, and they wield their holy powers with deadly precision, charging at the foes who stand before them, wielding a sword glowing with divine energy – the fury of the gods.

Despite their intimidating appearance, Half-Orc Paladins are fiercely loyal companions and will stop at nothing to protect their friends and allies.

Creating a Half-Orc Paladin

Half-Orcs

Throughout the years, humans and orcs have made many alliances, often ending in interracial marriages, birthing Half-Orcs – inheriting the best of both worlds.

Half-Orcs tend to become mighty warriors, often becoming chiefs of Orc tribes due to their human blood’s intelligence advantage and orcish strength. 

Other Half-Orcs travel the world, living among humans and other civilized races to prove their worth.

Many of these Half-Orcs end up as mighty adventurers, wealthy smiths, or unmatched imperial soldiers who climbed the ranks due to their barbaric fighting style.

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

Half-Orc Subraces

Half-Orcs don’t have subraces as they’re not as widespread as many other races.

They don’t tend to band together as they see their mother races as their true families, finding comfort with them or abandoning their heritage and walking a new path.

However, there is a Variant Half-Orc bearing the Mark of Finding, a mark only given to Half-Orcs and humans.

Variant Half-Orc: Mark of Finding – Mark of Finding Half-Orcs are very wise, often living in the wilderness and knowing all of its secrets. 

Some also live deep underground, either becoming chiefs to a nest of goblins or destroying them to create their own home.

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 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 Half-Orc

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 Half-Orc Subrace

The only other variant of the Half-Orc, the Mark of Finding variant, fits best with the Paladin class.

Since the Mark of Finding Half-Orc has a bonus to Wisdom (2), it benefits one proficient saving throw but doesn’t do the same to the spellcasting ability modifier.

Your Half-Orc Paladin Background

Your Half-Orc 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

Think of the environment a Half-Orc Paladin grew up in, the physical and emotional outcome of it, and how it 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 

Half-Orc Paladins are proud, righteous warriors who enforce the will of the gods in the mortal realm. 

However, there are those who stray from the path, but becoming lost doesn’t always lead you to evil; sometimes, it leads you to enlightenment.

Half-Orc Paladin Examples:

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

Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws

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

I know that my deity will always guide my actions. I believe that if I start working hard, things will go well.

Bonds – Think of a single bond that your Half-Orc 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 will someday get revenge on that corrupt temple hierarchy who falsely branded me a heretic.

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

I previously put too much trust in those who wield power within my temple’s hierarchy.

Inspiration

The DM can use inspiration to reward you for playing according to your bond, personality traits, ideals, and flaw.

I enjoy teaching others my deity’s gospel.

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 Half-Orc 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, 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

Half-Orc Paladins have channeled their rage into serving a higher power, doing their bidding, and spreading the word of their deity.

A party who comes across a Half-Orc Paladin should try to recruit them if they’re in need of a powerful Defender, Support, or Controller.

You might also be interested in the following:

• Half-Orc Barbarian
• Half-Orc Cleric
• Half-Orc Druid
• Half-Orc Ranger
• Half-Orc Rogue
• Half-Orc Wizard
• Half-Orc Warlock