A Protector Aasimar Paladin is an original 2014 build that combines Charisma and Wisdom species increases, legacy Healing Hands, and Radiant Soul’s flight and once-per-turn Radiant damage. It remains a valid legacy concept at original-rules tables, but Protector is not a revised 2024 Aasimar subrace.
Rules edition: Original 2014 fifth edition using the legacy Aasimar from Volo’s Guide to Monsters and the original Paladin. For current rules, use the revised Aasimar Paladin build and choose Heavenly Wings through Celestial Revelation when flight is needed.
Legacy Protector Paladin Quick Build
| Choice | 2014 recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Species increases | +2 Charisma, +1 Wisdom | Charisma supports Paladin magic and aura; Wisdom helps common saves and skills. |
| Primary abilities | Strength and Charisma | The species does not raise Strength, so assign it the highest base score. |
| Secondary ability | Constitution | Supports front-line durability and Concentration. |
| Transformation | Radiant Soul at character level 3 | Provides flight and once-per-turn extra Radiant damage for one minute. |
| Oath | Devotion, Ancients, or another allowed original oath | Select by party role and tenets rather than by species label. |
Legacy Protector Features
The Volo-era Aasimar grants +2 Charisma, Darkvision, resistance to Radiant and Necrotic damage, the Light cantrip using Charisma, and Healing Hands equal to character level once per Long Rest as an action. Protector adds +1 Wisdom and Radiant Soul.
Radiant Soul activates as an action at character level 3, lasts for one minute, grants a 30-foot flying speed, and can add Radiant damage equal to character level to one qualifying target once on each of the character’s turns. It is usable once per Long Rest. It is not the same feature as the revised Heavenly Wings option.
Ability Scores
Using the 2014 standard array, place 15 in Strength, 14 in Charisma for 16 after the species increase, and 13 in Constitution. Wisdom can receive 12 and become 13, or Constitution and Wisdom can be adjusted for a particular feat or multiclass plan. The species’ Wisdom bonus is useful but does not power Paladin spells.
A revised conversion removes both fixed species increases. Do not combine them with background-based increases.
Original Paladin Rules
The original class receives Lay on Hands at level 1; Fighting Style, Spellcasting, and Divine Smite at level 2; and a Sacred Oath at level 3. Lay on Hands uses an action. Divine Smite is a class feature used after a qualifying melee weapon hit, not the revised Divine Smite spell.
At level 5, Extra Attack increases the chance of landing a hit on a turn, but Radiant Soul’s extra damage still applies only once per turn. The flight can improve target access and positioning; it does not grant extra actions or ignore the risks of falling when the transformation ends.
Oath Choices
Devotion reinforces the luminous champion theme. Ancients emphasizes hope and protection against supernatural darkness. Vengeance creates a sharper avenging-angel story. Other published oaths can work, but identify their source and version before mixing books.
Write the oath as behavior the character can practice. “Protect people who cannot protect themselves” generates decisions; “always be good” is too vague to guide play.
Use Radiant Soul Efficiently
Because activation takes an action, use it before combat when there is clear warning or on a turn when flight changes access enough to justify giving up attacks. The damage benefit rewards maintaining the transformation across several rounds.
Apply the extra Radiant damage once on the character’s turn when a qualifying attack or spell deals damage. It does not apply to every hit from Extra Attack. Follow the legacy wording for which targets and damage events qualify.
Healing and Concentration
Healing Hands and Lay on Hands are separate legacy resources. Label both. Healing Hands uses an action and restores a fixed amount based on character level; Lay on Hands draws from the Paladin pool.
Bless, Shield of Faith, and many other buffs require Concentration. Choose the effect the encounter needs instead of trying to maintain multiple options. Taking damage while flying can also force a Concentration save for a spell, though Radiant Soul itself is not a Concentration spell.
Convert to Revised 2024 Rules
- Use the revised Aasimar and remove +2 Charisma and +1 Wisdom.
- Choose a revised background and apply its ability increases.
- Replace permanent Protector traits with Celestial Revelation; choose Heavenly Wings when flight is useful.
- Rebuild with revised Paladin level-1 spellcasting, Weapon Mastery, Bonus Action Lay on Hands, and spell-based smite.
- Choose a revised oath at Paladin level 3.
Common Mistakes
- Presenting Protector as a revised subrace.
- Adding the legacy ability increases to revised background increases.
- Applying Radiant Soul damage on every attack.
- Forgetting that legacy Radiant Soul takes an action to activate.
- Using revised Bonus Action Lay on Hands with the original class.
- Combining original Divine Smite timing with the revised smite spell.
Frequently Asked Questions
What replaced Protector Aasimar?
The revised Aasimar can choose Heavenly Wings whenever Celestial Revelation is activated, rather than belonging permanently to a Protector subrace.
Does Radiant Soul add damage to both Extra Attacks?
No. The legacy feature adds its extra damage to one qualifying target once on each of the Aasimar’s turns.
Is Protector better than Fallen for a legacy Paladin?
Fallen has the more convenient Strength increase for a typical Paladin. Protector supplies Wisdom and flight. The better choice depends on the intended story and encounter role.
