Rules scope: This guide uses the legacy 2014 D&D fifth-edition multiclassing and class rules. It does not combine them with the revised 2024 rules. Multiclassing is an optional rule; use it only if your DM allows it.
A paladin multiclass can add spell slots, skills, or combat tools, but each level delays features from the paladin class. The useful question is what a second class gives your character at the level you take it, and what you give up by waiting for the next paladin feature.
Check the ability-score prerequisites
Under the 2014 multiclassing rules, you need the required ability score for both your current class and the class you enter. Paladin requires Strength 13 and Charisma 13. Meeting a target class’s prerequisite does not waive the paladin’s requirements. For example, a paladin who wants cleric levels still needs the paladin scores and Wisdom 13 for cleric.
If you use 27-point buy, one legal starting array before any species increases is Strength 15, Dexterity 10, Constitution 14, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 10, and Charisma 14. It meets the paladin prerequisite and leaves room to improve Charisma, Constitution, or an attack stat later. Recalculate if your chosen species or table rules change ability scores.
Know what a multiclass level gives
You gain features for the new class levels you take, but you do not receive that class’s starting equipment. Starting class also matters for proficiencies: a character who starts as a paladin receives the class’s normal armor proficiencies, including heavy armor. A character who adds paladin after starting in another class gains light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, and martial weapons from the multiclass proficiency rules; that entry does not grant heavy armor.
Class features advance by class level, not total character level. A paladin gets Extra Attack at paladin level 5, Aura of Protection at level 6, a Sacred Oath feature at level 7, and Improved Divine Smite at level 11. Taking another class delays those features. If another class also gives Extra Attack, the two features do not add together.
Calculate spell slots separately from spells
For characters with the Spellcasting feature from multiple classes, add bard, cleric, druid, sorcerer, and wizard levels, plus half your paladin and ranger levels rounded down. Special rules count a fighter’s Eldritch Knight or a rogue’s Arcane Trickster levels at one-third. Use that total with the multiclass spell-slot table.
Spell slots and class spells are tracked differently. You learn or prepare spells for each class as though you were a single-class character of that class level. A paladin 6/sorcerer 3 counts as a 6th-level multiclass spellcaster for slots, but still chooses paladin and sorcerer spells based on paladin 6 and sorcerer 3. Higher-level slots can upcast eligible spells, and Divine Smite can use a spell slot, but neither gives you access to higher-level spells for a class.
Warlock levels use Pact Magic rather than the Spellcasting progression table, so keep Pact Magic slots separate. If you have both features, the 2014 rules let you use Pact Magic slots for eligible spells from your Spellcasting classes and Spellcasting slots for your Warlock spells. Pact Magic slots return on a short or long rest; that can help fuel Divine Smites, but it does not turn Warlock levels into extra multiclass spellcaster levels.
Compare common directions
- Sorcerer: Shares Charisma with paladin and adds full-caster Spellcasting progression. Sorcery points and Metamagic arrive at specific sorcerer levels; a one-level dip does not grant every sorcerer feature. Slot conversion is limited by the Sorcerer’s rules and points, so it is not an unlimited source of smites.
- Warlock: Pact Magic slots return on a short rest and can be used for Divine Smite. Track them separately from Spellcasting slots. Patron and Pact features have their own level requirements; do not assume a Warlock level automatically changes your weapon ability score.
- Bard: Adds full-caster Spellcasting, skills, and support options. A College feature may arrive only after several bard levels, and a second Extra Attack feature does not stack with the paladin’s.
- Fighter: Adds martial options. Fighter levels do not advance the multiclass Spellcasting table unless the character has the Eldritch Knight subclass, which counts at one-third. Action Surge begins at fighter level 2 and returns after a short or long rest.
- Cleric: Adds a second spell list and domain features, but requires Wisdom 13 and uses Wisdom for cleric spells. That can spread ability scores across Strength, Charisma, Wisdom, and Constitution. Check the cleric-level requirement for each feature you want.
Plan around the level you will play
There is no split that is best for every campaign. Reaching paladin 5 provides Extra Attack; paladin 6 adds Aura of Protection; paladin 7 gives the next Sacred Oath feature; and paladin 11 adds a steady damage feature. A multiclass can be worthwhile before one of those levels when it supports a clear character plan, but write down which feature you are delaying and for how long.
For example, a character who wants Aura of Protection before branching can plan to take six paladin levels first. A character built around another class may choose fewer paladin levels and accept that the paladin features arrive later. Check the actual class table at each character level instead of relying on a final-level build split alone.
Use feats and subclasses with their own rules
Under the 2014 optional feats rule, you can take a feat instead of an Ability Score Improvement when your class grants that improvement. The feat is not an extra choice on top of the increase. Read its prerequisites and decide whether it is worth delaying an ability score increase.
Some multiclass advice uses subclasses from supplements, such as Hexblade Warlock or Divine Soul Sorcerer. Those choices are separate from the Basic Rules and keep their own prerequisites and feature text. Check the source your table allows before building around a subclass feature. This guide does not assume that any supplement or optional rule is permitted.
Before play, confirm multiclassing is allowed, note which rules sources the table uses, and track spells, slots, and class features by their source class. That makes the character’s options easier to run and shows the real cost of each level split.
Official Rules Sources
- 2014 Basic Rules: Customization Options — multiclass prerequisites, class proficiencies, spell slots, Pact Magic interaction, and the optional feats rule.
- 2014 Basic Rules: Classes — paladin and other class features, levels, and spellcasting.
- 2014 Basic Rules: Spellcasting — spell slots, casting with higher-level slots, and spell rules.
- 2014 Basic Rules: Character Creation — the point-buy method and ability scores.
