A revised 2024 Aasimar Paladin combines a durable front-line class with resistance to Radiant and Necrotic damage, emergency healing, and a once-per-Long-Rest Celestial Revelation chosen when it is activated. Prioritize Strength and Charisma, keep Constitution solid, and plan Bonus Actions so Revelation, Lay on Hands, and smite spells do not compete at the wrong moment.
Rules edition: Revised 2024 D&D (5.5e). The revised Aasimar has no permanent Protector, Scourge, or Fallen subrace. At character level 3, Celestial Revelation lets the character choose Heavenly Wings, Inner Radiance, or Necrotic Shroud each time the feature is activated.
Aasimar Paladin Quick Build
| Choice | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary abilities | Strength and Charisma | Strength supports common weapon and armor plans; Charisma powers spells, Channel Divinity DCs, and Aura of Protection. |
| Secondary ability | Constitution | Supports Hit Points and Concentration. |
| Background | A package that can improve the abilities the build actually uses | Revised backgrounds, not species, provide ability increases. |
| Weapon plan | Weapon plus Shield for defense, or a two-handed weapon for offense | The choice determines Fighting Style, mastery, and feat priorities. |
| Subclass at level 3 | Devotion, Glory, Ancients, or Vengeance | These are the four revised Player’s Handbook oaths. |
| Celestial Revelation | Choose the form for the encounter | Heavenly Wings, Inner Radiance, and Necrotic Shroud solve different positioning problems. |
What the Revised Aasimar Adds
The revised Aasimar can be Small or Medium and has a 30-foot Speed, 60-foot Darkvision, resistance to Radiant and Necrotic damage, Healing Hands, and the Light cantrip. Healing Hands is a Magic action that restores a number of d4s equal to Proficiency Bonus once per Long Rest. It is separate from the Paladin’s Lay on Hands pool.
At character level 3, Celestial Revelation activates as a Bonus Action and lasts for one minute. Each activation can use Heavenly Wings, Inner Radiance, or Necrotic Shroud. The older Protector, Scourge, and Fallen labels are not revised subraces and their fixed ability increases do not belong on this character.
Ability Scores and Background
For a conventional armored Paladin using the standard array, start with Strength 15, Charisma 14, Constitution 13, then place Dexterity, Wisdom, and Intelligence according to the campaign. Apply the revised background increases afterward. A background able to improve both Strength and Charisma is convenient, but its Origin feat, skills, tool, and equipment should also fit.
A Dexterity Paladin is possible, but heavy armor and many common weapon plans point toward Strength. Decide before selecting mastery, Fighting Style, and feats. Do not try to maximize Strength, Dexterity, Charisma, and Constitution simultaneously.
Revised Paladin Progression
| Level | Features | Build checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lay on Hands, Spellcasting, Weapon Mastery | Choose two mastery weapons and prepare two spells. Lay on Hands now uses a Bonus Action. |
| 2 | Fighting Style, Paladin’s Smite | Divine Smite is always prepared and receives one free casting per Long Rest. |
| 3 | Channel Divinity, Paladin subclass | Select the oath; Celestial Revelation is also available at character level 3. |
| 4 | Feat or ability increase | Raise a primary score or select a feat that supports the established weapon plan. |
| 5 | Extra Attack, Faithful Steed | Find Steed is always prepared and gains a free casting once per Long Rest. |
| 6 | Aura of Protection | Position so nearby allies benefit from the Charisma-based saving-throw bonus. |
Choose the Oath by Job
Devotion supports the classic protective champion and a dependable Sacred Weapon plan. Glory favors athletic heroics, mobility, and visible accomplishment. Ancients brings fey and nature themes with defensive support. Vengeance focuses pressure on a priority foe. Read the revised oath rather than importing a remembered 2014 feature.
The oath is a source of power and conduct, not a requirement that the character worship a deity. Define three behaviors the character tries to practice and one situation that genuinely tests them. A failure can lead to restitution and story; it does not need to end the character immediately.
Plan the Bonus Action
Several important options use a Bonus Action: revised Lay on Hands, Celestial Revelation, Divine Smite after a hit, other smite spells, and features from some oaths. A character has only one Bonus Action on a turn. Decide whether the current turn is for setup, damage, recovery, or movement.
Heavenly Wings is strongest when flight changes access or safety. Inner Radiance pressures nearby enemies over multiple turns. Necrotic Shroud can impose Frightened but should be placed carefully around allies and noncombatants. Because the form can be selected on activation, it is an encounter decision rather than a permanent identity.
Spell and Smite Discipline
The revised Paladin prepares spells from level 1. Keep at least one Concentration plan, a non-Concentration option, and utility or recovery. Bless, Shield of Faith, and several control spells require Concentration; they cannot run together.
Divine Smite is now a spell used with a Bonus Action after a hit. It competes with other Bonus Actions and is affected by rules that apply to spells. Do not spend every slot on damage when a prepared spell could prevent more harm or solve the encounter.
Common Rules Mistakes
- Adding old Aasimar species ability increases to revised background increases.
- Choosing Protector or Fallen as a permanent revised subrace.
- Using Lay on Hands as an action; it is a Bonus Action in the revised class.
- Using Divine Smite without its revised Bonus Action and spell timing.
- Selecting an oath before Paladin level 3.
- Concentrating on two spells simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Aasimar Paladin oath?
There is no universal best. Devotion is dependable, Glory supports movement and athletics, Ancients supplies a nature-fey defense theme, and Vengeance pressures one important enemy.
Can an Aasimar Paladin still be Fallen or Protector?
Those are legacy subraces. In revised rules, use the current Aasimar and choose among the three Celestial Revelation forms on each activation. The site preserves separate, clearly labeled Fallen and Protector guides for original 2014 tables.
Should Strength or Charisma be higher?
A weapon-first build often begins with Strength higher; an aura, spell, and social-focus build may push Charisma sooner. Both should remain useful, with Constitution supporting survival.
For more specialized plans, see the Paladin/Warlock multiclass, diplomatic Paladin, lore and oath, and magic-item and artifact guides.
