5. Dragonborn

Dragonborn Paladin is ready to fight in an arena

Looking for a good starting place to make a Paladin? Only have the Player’s Handbook? Dragonborn is the way to go.

They get a +2 increase to their strength and a +1 increase to their charisma. Both are needed as a paladin to deal damage and cast spells.

They also get a breath weapon too and depending on what they are, can do a cone or a line of elemental damage. They also get a resistance to whatever element they were born with.

They can worship either Tiamat or Bahamut, evil and good respectively.

Dragonborns are good starting races for those who only have the Player’s Handbook.

Why Dragonborn’s is Great for Paladins:

* Bonus to Strength and Charisma

* Elemental damage

* Built-in resistances

4. Changeling

Changeling Paladin guards a hallway

Changelings can turn into any humanoid race. You can choose whatever you want to be! What's not to love about a Paladin that can change into anyone?

Their charisma score increases by 2 and you can choose another ability score to increase by one. For Paladins, it’s good to go either Constitution or Strength.

They also get proficiency in two of the following: intimidation, persuasion, insight, or deception. That will free up a proficiency bonus from your paladin class.

If you have Eberron: Rising from the Last War, it’s great!

Why Changeling is Great for Paladin:

* More charisma

* Extra proficiencies

* Can change into anyone

3. Triton

Triton Paladin with a trident holds off enemies with an ally

Ever wanted to be a fishy Paladin? Tritons are a good way to go.

They get an increase in strength, constitution, and charisma all by 1. It’s good if you don’t know what to put an ability score increase in.

They’re amphibious so they get both a walking and swimming speed.

They also get access to some spells: Fog Cloud at level 1, Gust of Wind at level 3, and Wall of Water at level 5.

Like most races in D&D, they gain access to darkvision. They also have resistance to cold damage.

Tritons are in Volo’s Guide to Monsters. So, if you or a friend have that, then you can play it!

Why Triton is Great for Paladin:

* Cold resistance

* Good ability score increases

* More spells!

2. Zariel Tiefling

A Zariel Tiefling recieves a flaming blade

All Paladins can be devils, but not all devils can be Paladins. Tieflings are an exception.

All Tieflings get a charisma score increase by 2, but Zariel Tieflings also get a strength increase. It’s only by 1, but it’s still better than nothing.

They also get Legacy of Avernus. It gives them access to Thaumaturgy at level 1, Searing Smite at level 3 as a 2nd level spell, and Branding Smite as a 3rd level spell at level 5.

As a staple, they get darkvision and resistance to fire damage through Hellish Resistance.

New subraces for Tiefling were added in Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes. One from all the Archdevils. The base Tiefling, Asmodeus, is in the Player’s Handbook.

Why Tiefling is Great for Paladin:

* Fire resistance

* Spells through race

* An increase in strength

1. Fallen Aasimar

Fallen Aasimar looking around a thunderstorm

Called the poster child of Paladins due to them looking like Angels, an Aasimar is a brilliant choice for a paladin.

They get an ability score increase of charisma by 2 and strength by 1. 

Like usual, they have Darkvision. They also have resistance to Radiant and Necrotic damage.

They have Healing Hands which allows them to heal hit points up to their level.

For spells they only get Light. At least you don’t need a torch!

Fallen Aasimar gets an ability called Necrotic Shroud. It allows them to turn into a creature with flightless, boney wings. All other creatures within 10 ft of you must succeed a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened of you for one minute.

The Aasimar and Fallen Aasimar were both added as races in Volo’s Guide to Monsters. 

Why Fallen Aasimar is Great for Paladin:

* More healing abilities

* Great resistances

* Awesome transformation

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