Paladins, the holy warriors of Dungeons and Dragons, are renowned for their martial prowess and unwavering devotion. But beyond their swords and shields lies a potent source of power: divine magic. Understanding how many spell slots a Paladin possesses at each level is crucial for effectively utilizing their abilities and maximizing their impact on the battlefield. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of Paladin spell slots, explaining how they work and offering tips for strategic spellcasting.
Understanding Paladin Spellcasting
Paladins are half-casters, meaning they gain access to spells later than full casters like Wizards or Clerics. They draw their power not from arcane study or divine devotion alone, but from their sacred oaths. This oath grants them access to a specific set of spells and abilities that enhance their combat effectiveness and support their allies.
A spell slot represents a unit of magical energy used to cast spells. Different spells require different levels of spell slots. A 1st-level spell requires a 1st-level spell slot, a 2nd-level spell requires a 2nd-level spell slot, and so on. Paladins can only cast spells if they have available spell slots of the required level.
To prepare their spells, a Paladin must choose from the Paladin spell list. They know all spells on the Paladin spell list, but they can only prepare a specific number of spells each day. The number of spells a Paladin can prepare is equal to their Charisma modifier plus their Paladin level, to a minimum of one spell. This means a Paladin with a Charisma modifier of +3 and who is 5th level can prepare 8 spells each day (3 + 5 = 8). These spells must be of a level for which they have spell slots.
Remember that prepared spells do not have to be the same each day. A Paladin can change their prepared spells after finishing a long rest.
How Spell Slots Are Determined
The number and level of spell slots a Paladin has are determined by their class level. As they gain levels, they gain access to more spell slots and higher-level spell slots. A Paladin’s spellcasting ability is Charisma, so a high Charisma score is essential for effective spellcasting.
A Paladin must have a Charisma score of 10 + the spell’s level to cast a spell. For instance, to cast a 3rd-level spell, a Paladin must have a Charisma score of at least 13. This is a crucial requirement to keep in mind when building and playing a Paladin character.
Paladin Spell Slots by Level
The following table outlines the number of spell slots a Paladin has at each level, from level 1 to level 20.
| Paladin Level | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | – | – | – | – |
| 2nd | 2 | – | – | – |
| 3rd | 3 | – | – | – |
| 4th | 3 | – | – | – |
| 5th | 4 | 2 | – | – |
| 6th | 4 | 2 | – | – |
| 7th | 4 | 3 | – | – |
| 8th | 4 | 3 | – | – |
| 9th | 4 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 10th | 4 | 3 | 2 | – |
| 11th | 4 | 3 | 3 | – |
| 12th | 4 | 3 | 3 | – |
| 13th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 14th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 15th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 16th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 17th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 18th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 19th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 20th | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
This table clearly illustrates how a Paladin’s spellcasting capabilities progress. Note that Paladins do not gain spellcasting ability until 2nd level. This is because the Paladin class is designed around martial combat for the initial levels. Once a Paladin reaches 2nd level, they start their journey to becoming a powerful spellcaster.
Spell Slot Recovery
Unlike some other spellcasting classes, Paladins do not have any innate abilities that allow them to recover spell slots during a short rest. Once a Paladin has expended their spell slots, they must take a long rest to regain them.
This limitation emphasizes the importance of careful spell management. Paladins need to be strategic in their spellcasting, using their limited spell slots wisely to maximize their effectiveness throughout an adventuring day.
Strategic Spellcasting for Paladins
Effective spellcasting as a Paladin requires careful planning and resource management. Because they have fewer spell slots than full casters, each spell must be used judiciously. Here are some strategies to consider:
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Prioritize Buffs and Support Spells: Paladins excel at enhancing their own combat abilities and supporting their allies. Spells like Bless, Shield of Faith, and Aid can significantly improve the party’s survivability and damage output.
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Utilize Divine Smite: While not technically a spell, Divine Smite allows a Paladin to expend a spell slot to deal radiant damage on a successful melee attack. This is a powerful ability that can quickly dispatch enemies, especially undead and fiends. Divine Smite can be used with any level spell slot, so it is important to use lower-level slots when appropriate to save higher-level slots for tougher encounters.
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Choose Spells Wisely: Because Paladins can only prepare a limited number of spells each day, it’s important to select spells that are versatile and effective in a variety of situations. Consider spells that provide both offensive and defensive benefits, or that can be used to control the battlefield.
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Conserve Spell Slots: Don’t be afraid to rely on your martial abilities when appropriate. Sometimes, the best course of action is to simply attack with your weapon instead of expending a spell slot. This is especially true in encounters with weaker enemies.
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Communicate with Your Party: Coordinate with your party members to determine the best way to utilize your spell slots. For example, if another party member is already providing healing, you may want to focus on other spells.
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Consider Oath Spells: Remember that your Paladin Oath grants you access to specific spells at certain levels. These spells are always prepared and do not count against the number of spells you can prepare each day. Oath spells are often thematic to the Oath and can provide powerful benefits.
Examples of Effective Paladin Spell Use
Let’s look at some examples of how a Paladin might use their spell slots in different situations.
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Combat: A 5th-level Paladin facing a group of enemies might start by casting Bless on themselves and their allies to improve their attack rolls and saving throws. They could then use Divine Smite to deal extra damage to a particularly dangerous enemy.
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Healing: If an ally is injured, a Paladin might use Cure Wounds or Lesser Restoration to restore their hit points or remove a debilitating condition. Lay on Hands is another fantastic source of healing that doesn’t require a spell slot.
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Utility: Outside of combat, a Paladin might use spells like Detect Magic or Protection from Evil and Good to gather information or protect themselves and their party from harm.
Multiclassing and Spell Slots
If you decide to multiclass your Paladin with another spellcasting class, the rules for determining spell slots become a bit more complex. You’ll need to consult the multiclassing rules in the Player’s Handbook to calculate your total spell slots.
In general, you add together your levels in all spellcasting classes (including half-casters like Paladins and Rangers, and one-third casters like Artificer and Eldritch Knight Fighter/Arcane Trickster Rogue), divide the total by two (rounding down), and then consult the multiclass spellcaster table. This table will tell you how many spell slots you have.
It’s important to note that multiclassing can delay your access to higher-level Paladin features and spells. Carefully consider the trade-offs before deciding to multiclass. While multiclassing offers versatility, sticking with the Paladin class offers focus and access to powerful high-level abilities.
Conclusion
Understanding the number and level of spell slots a Paladin possesses is essential for playing the class effectively. By carefully managing their resources and choosing spells wisely, Paladins can be powerful spellcasters and formidable warriors. Their blend of martial prowess and divine magic makes them a valuable asset to any adventuring party.
What level do Paladins gain access to spell slots?
Paladins begin accessing spell slots at 2nd level. This marks a significant milestone in their development, granting them the ability to channel divine power beyond their Lay on Hands ability. Gaining spellcasting capabilities drastically enhances their versatility in combat and during exploration.
From this level onward, Paladins gain an increasing number of spell slots as they level up according to the Paladin spellcasting table. This progression allows them to cast more spells per day, increasing their tactical options and supporting their party more effectively. The spellcasting progression is slower compared to full casters like Wizards or Clerics, reflecting the Paladin’s role as a martial character first and foremost.
How many spell slots does a 5th-level Paladin have?
A 5th-level Paladin possesses a total of four 1st-level spell slots and two 2nd-level spell slots. These slots can be used to cast any prepared Paladin spells of the corresponding level, offering a balanced mix of offensive, defensive, and support options. Effective management of these limited resources is crucial for Paladins.
At this level, the Paladin has gained access to 2nd-level spells which provide access to more potent effects, like “Aid” or “Magic Weapon”, further enhancing their capability in combat and granting them useful options outside of it. The availability of these higher-level spells increases the Paladin’s versatility significantly.
Can Paladins use higher-level spell slots to cast lower-level spells?
Yes, a Paladin can absolutely use a higher-level spell slot to cast a lower-level spell. This is often referred to as upcasting and it can provide enhanced effects depending on the spell. Many Paladin spells scale in effectiveness when cast using higher-level spell slots.
For instance, a Paladin might choose to cast the “Bless” spell using a 2nd-level spell slot instead of a 1st-level slot. While the base effect remains the same, upcasting it might increase the number of creatures affected by the spell. This flexibility allows Paladins to adapt their spellcasting to the specific needs of a situation, maximizing their limited spell slots.
Do Paladin subclasses grant additional spell slots?
Generally, Paladin subclasses do not inherently grant additional spell slots. The number of spell slots a Paladin possesses is determined solely by their class level, according to the Paladin spellcasting table. The subclasses instead grant specific spells that a Paladin always has prepared.
However, some subclass features or specific magic items might indirectly affect spell slot usage. For example, a subclass feature might grant the ability to cast a specific spell without expending a spell slot a certain number of times per day. These are exceptions to the general rule, as the base number of spell slots is determined solely by the Paladin’s level.
How are spell slots recovered in D&D 5e?
Paladins regain all expended spell slots after completing a long rest. A long rest is defined as at least 8 hours of rest, during which a character spends at least 2 hours performing light activity like reading, talking, eating, or standing watch. This rest period is essential for replenishing their magical energies.
Unlike some other spellcasting classes, Paladins do not have abilities that allow them to recover spell slots during a short rest. Therefore, careful management of spell slots and strategic spell selection throughout the adventuring day are particularly important for Paladins to remain effective.
What is the highest level of spell slot a Paladin can obtain?
The highest level of spell slot a Paladin can obtain is 5th level. This occurs when the Paladin reaches 17th level. They do not gain access to 6th-level or higher spell slots, as their spellcasting progression is designed to complement their martial prowess.
This limit reflects the Paladin’s role as a hybrid class, balancing combat abilities with divine magic. While they lack the raw magical power of full casters, their spells still offer significant utility and support capabilities. This ensures the Paladin remains a formidable force on the battlefield.
Do Paladins need to prepare spells each day?
Yes, Paladins need to prepare a list of spells each day after completing a long rest. The spells they can prepare must be chosen from the Paladin spell list and must be of a level for which they have spell slots. They can change the prepared spells each day, giving them versatility in adapting to different challenges.
The number of spells a Paladin can prepare each day is equal to their Charisma modifier plus their Paladin level. This number represents the maximum number of spells they can have prepared and ready to cast. This preparation process is a key element of the Paladin’s spellcasting mechanic.