Rules edition: This build uses the revised 2024 Dragonborn and Paladin rules. A short note at the end explains the main 2014 Dragonborn differences; use one rules version at a time.
2024 Bronze Dragonborn Paladin Build
A Bronze Dragonborn Paladin combines a martial front-line role with lightning damage, resistance, and short bursts of flight. The ancestry is a choice within the 2024 Dragonborn species, so its benefits come from the current species rules—not the fixed ability bonuses in the 2014 Player’s Handbook. This guide focuses on the revised rules and keeps the older version separate.
Bronze Dragonborn Traits in 2024
Choose Bronze as your Draconic Ancestry. It gives your Breath Weapon and Damage Resistance the lightning damage type. When you take the Attack action, you can replace one attack with a 30-foot-long, 5-foot-wide lightning line or a 15-foot cone. Creatures in the area make a Dexterity save against DC 8 + your Constitution modifier + your Proficiency Bonus. A failed save takes 1d10 lightning damage; a successful save takes half. The damage becomes 2d10 at character level 5, 3d10 at level 11, and 4d10 at level 17. You can use the breath a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, regaining all uses after a Long Rest.
You also have resistance to lightning damage and 60-foot Darkvision. At character level 5, Draconic Flight lets you use a Bonus Action to gain a Fly Speed equal to your Speed for up to 10 minutes. You regain this feature after a Long Rest. These traits come from the revised Dragonborn species; don’t substitute the 2014 breath weapon’s action, damage dice, or rest recharge.
Ability Scores and Background
Strength and Charisma support the Paladin’s weapon attacks, spells, and class features; Constitution helps you stay in the fight and maintain Concentration. The 2024 standard array suggestion for Paladins is Strength 15, Charisma 14, and Constitution 13 before background increases. Increase scores according to your chosen background: for example, Soldier can improve Strength and Constitution, while Acolyte can improve Charisma. Dragonborn does not add a fixed ability score bonus under the revised rules. Choose a background and feat that fit the character you want to play, then use the permitted ability-score method at your table.
Paladin Progression and Oath
The revised Paladin starts with Lay on Hands, Spellcasting, and Weapon Mastery at level 1. At level 2, Paladin’s Smite gives you Divine Smite as a prepared spell and one free casting between Long Rests. You choose a Paladin subclass at level 3, gain Extra Attack at level 5, and gain Aura of Protection at level 6. The subclass and spell options available to you depend on the books your table uses; choose an oath for its features and tenets, not because Bronze ancestry requires a particular alignment or personality.
When preparing for a difficult fight, Bless can support up to three allies’ attack rolls and saving throws, but it requires Concentration. That means you can’t maintain Bless alongside another Concentration spell. Divine Smite is now a spell, so weigh its spell-slot cost and timing against your other options. The revised rules also limit you to expending one spell slot to cast a spell on your turn. Use the breath when its area can catch multiple foes or when replacing one weapon attack is a better choice than making that attack.
Combat Approach and Feats
Use armor and a shield if you want to protect nearby allies, or choose a two-handed weapon if you prefer a more offensive role. At level 5, Extra Attack gives you two attacks with the Attack action; you can replace one of them with the breath, keeping the other weapon attack. At that level, Draconic Flight also adds a way to cross hazards, reach elevated enemies, or reposition—without making flight a permanent feature.
At level 4, consider an Ability Score Improvement if you want to raise Strength, Charisma, or Constitution. Feat choices depend on your weapon and party role. Check the revised 2024 feat text for its prerequisites and effects; older feat versions can work differently. Keep Concentration in mind when choosing spells and when deciding whether to take risks in melee.
Roleplaying a Bronze Dragonborn Paladin
Bronze ancestry can inspire a coastal history, a connection to storms, or a fascination with the sea, but it doesn’t dictate an oath, alignment, or attitude. Decide what your Paladin promised to do and whom that promise serves. Their lightning resistance and breath may shape how they approach danger; their oath should come from the character’s own choices and the campaign’s story.
Using the 2014 Dragonborn Rules
If your table uses the legacy 2014 Dragonborn from the Basic Rules, Bronze ancestry still gives lightning damage and a 5-by-30-foot line. The breath uses your action, deals 2d6 damage (increasing at character levels 6, 11, and 16), and recharges after a Short or Long Rest. The 2014 Player’s Handbook Dragonborn also increases Strength by 2 and Charisma by 1; Tasha’s optional origin rules can change those increases. These are legacy rules and do not replace the revised traits above. For a broader 2014 class overview, see the 2014 Paladin build and play guide. Tasha’s optional Customizing Your Origin rules can also move legacy ability increases; use that option only if your table permits it.
Related Dragonborn Paladin Guides
Official Rules Sources
- 2024 Basic Rules: Character Origins and Dragonborn
- 2024 Basic Rules: Creating a Character and Background Ability Scores
- 2024 Basic Rules: Paladin class features
- 2024 Basic Rules: Spellcasting and spell rules
- 2014 Basic Rules: Dragonborn
- 2014 Basic Rules: Paladin
- Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything: Customizing Your Origin
