Quick Links
Like many subclasses inDungeons & Dragons, the Oath of the Open Sea takes a much different angle than our traditional Paladin. Though they keep their focus on exploring a life well lived and exploring the dark, the class takes a different role than the Oath of Vengeance Paladin we know and love.
With oceanic tools and combat prowess, this archetype combines the love of the sea with combat finesse. Channel Divinity powers add strategic depth, benefiting your party in unique ways. Whether a sea enthusiast orCritical Rolefan, this class offers a treasure trove of captivating features for adventurers.
What Are The Oath Of The Open Sea Paladin Features?
Whenacquiring your oath at third level, a Paladin gains two things:Oath Spells, andChannel Divinityoptions.
Seventeenth
Each level is equipped with two spells that paint a clear picture as to what this archetype is all about.
Expeditious RetreatandMisty Stepare excellent spells to begin moving around the battlefield with ease; not only isMisty Step a bonus actionthat can be used before or after you make a round of attacks, butExpeditious Retreat allows you to use your bonus action after casting it to take a Dashaction.
Along with staples likeCreate or Destroy WaterandControl Water to manipulate the waves,Freedom of Movementis a particularly potent spell thatallows you or an ally to freely escape non-magical grappling and restraints.
Weaving in and out of combat are all things this class seems to do very well from their Oath Spells alone.
Second, we have theChannel Divinityoptions:
Marine Layer
Create a large fogthat moves with you, rendering you and creatures inside of itheavily obscured. You and creatures close to you treat the fog as lightly obscuring, allowing you touse the fog to your advantage to strike unsuspecting foeswhilekeeping your allies close.
Fury of the Tides
For one minute after using your bonus action, you can choose tohave an attack you make against a creature push them backanddeal damage to them when they impact an obstacle. Whenpaired with spells like Expeditious Retreat, you can use your attacks to drive enemies away from you before Dashing away.
With seventh level, you gainAura of Liberation, which ultimately creates aten-foot auraaround yourself that provides you and allies withthe same benefits as Freedom of Movement. Among other things, this means thatyou cannot be grappledwhile you are not incapacitated.
Albeit only relevant among certain enemies,this ability invalidatesa variety of creatures likeRopers,Giant Toads,and evenKrakens.
Fifteenth level allows you the ability to further manipulate your surroundings,as with a reaction, you can deal damage and knock enemies pronethat move in and out of your reach.
Finally, the twentieth level provides you with your magnum opus, allowing you to become aParagon of Heroic Adventurefor one minute. Yougain a climbing speed(or double it if you already have one),advantage on attacks against creatures you’re alone against,gain the DashandDisengageabilitiesas bonus actions, and haveadvantageonDexterity checksandsaving throws.
What Are The Best Species For An Oath Of The Open Sea Paladin?
The best features that this Paladin has to offer is through their ability to freely move within their surroundings. Capitalizing on that with a particular race can make it easy to slip in and out of combat.
Bugbear
An additionalmelee range of five feet is of great usewhen attacking enemies within the fog of your Marine Layer.Stealthas a free proficiency andadvantage against the charm conditionmake this species a great option for playing a powerful mid-range Paladin, especially after getting the level 15 ability.
Dragonborn - Gem
In general, Dragonborn make effective Paladins by grantingpotent resistancesandpowerful breath weapons. The Gem Dragon however, among other abilities,grants you a Fly Speed at fifth level(that’s unrestricted by armor, no less).
Using this to get in and out of combat from different angles can provide even more options to your combat strategies.
Sea Elf
Giving you all the other ocean-bound abilities the class lacks, theSea Elf grants you a swimming speed, the ability to breath underwater, communication with any Beast that has a swimming speed, along with all the other goodies and Elf gets. You can’t go wrong with immunity to sleep, advantage against charm and 60 feet of darkvision.
Shifter
Granted darkvision and a free proficiency in athletics, acrobatics, intimidation or survival is useful, what makes a Shifter fascinating is their Shifting ability. TheirBeasthide provides a few temporary hit-points and an additional point of ACfor when the fight gets tough.
Moreso, theirSwiftstride grants you an additional ten feet of movement, on top of their ability touse a reaction to move ten feetwhen an enemy ends their turn nearby (that doesn’t provoke an opportunity attack.
Tabaxi
Providing anadditional ten feet of movementis a great help, but they also give bothPerception and Stealthas free skills, on top of theirFeline Agility.
You can double your movement speed without using an action, and gain the ability back when you spend a turn not moving. This can provide valuable options on top of this paladin’s already mobile options.
Triton
Not dissimilar to the Sea Elf in terms ofswimming speed, breathing underwater and communicating with underwater Beasts, the Triton trades the Elf’s sleep immunity and charm advantage withability to cast the spells Fog Cloud, Gust of Wind and Water Walk, along with the ability tocommunicate with ocean-bound Monstrosities and Elementals as well.
What Are The Best Attributes For Oath Of The Open Sea Paladin?
Paladins are among a handful of classes that have to balance three different ability scores to be effective.Strength, Constitution, and Charismaare all scores that should remain relatively high, allowing you to survive the damage you are wanting to dish out.
This also means you canforgo Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdomwithout worrying too much about it.
Assuming you are starting with the point buy system for Dungeons & Dragons, here is a spread that would be effective to start out with:
17(+3)
10(+0)
14(+2)
8(-1)
16(+3)
you’re able to adjust which of the statsbetween Dexterity, Intelligence, and Wisdomstart with a score of 10 to provide your character with a bit of versatility while keeping them from being completely lopsided.
Starting Equipment
With this paladin’s ability to freely move in and out of combat,focusing more on damage than defense is a safe bet(especially if you already have another tanky character in the party).
Starting with amartial weapon like a Longswordallows you toswitch freely between two-handing the weapon for better damage or using a shield for better defense.
While not useful in later levels, starting withfive javelins provides a solid ranged attackthat you can switch to when you’re in a bind. Moreover, theexplorer’s packgrants you a rope and ten rations over the priest’s two rations, making it the optimal choice.
Fighting Style
Depending on your preference toward damage with and without a shield,Great Weapon FightingandDuelingare both great options to get your damage off on the right foot. Otherwise,Blessed Warriorcan fill in the gap, granting you great cantrips likeGuidanceorSacred Flame.
What Are The Best Spells For Oath Of The Open Sea Paladin?
Already possessing a variety of mobile spells, capitalizing on your movement is key for this paladin. You should also be worried about moving to and from your allies as well, ensuring that you can reach them if the fight turns sour.
What Are The Best Feats For Oath Of The Open Sea Paladin?
Prioritizing your feats at later levels is an easy way to make the best use out of your paladin. With their high mobility, taking theMobile featat 4th level is an absolute must.
Itgrants an additional ten feet of movement,enemies you attack can’t use their attack of opportunity against you, and with your easy access to a bonus action Dash through Expeditious retreat,ignoring difficult terrain is just the icing on the cake.
At later levels, theAthlete featandother feats that provide bonuses to your Strengthcan boost your damage while providing solid benefits. Knowing that your 15th level ability uses your attack range, grabbingSentinelorPolearm Master are easy ways to make the best of it.
