Challenging a Paladin

First, understand the class and its strengths. They’re going to have great saving throws all around, due to Charisma being added. Their low stats are typically INT and DEX, but there are DEX build Paladins out there, so you’d want to have a general idea of whether that’s something that could be exploited against your particular Paladin. Their aura is their best support mechanic; pull their friends away from them.

Some ideas...

  • Anti-Magic Field: Instead of taking the (absurd) +5 item away from them, take it out of the equation. Can be a field from a spell, part of a lair, or ability of a Beholder-like creature. Will also keep the Pally from doing most of their best stuff, like Smiting. Won’t affect their aura.
  • Lair Obstacles and Obstructions: Paladins are notably not mobile, in general. Rough terrain to attack their mobility. Ice that cracks and puts them underwater. Monsters or spells that restrain (less effective because of Pallies’ great saves). Put them in a fight against a Kraken or other underwater monster. Disadvantage on all their attacks, half speed, and headaches developing all around them.
  • Ranged Tactics: Ranged attackers that hide, skirmish, and refuse to get pinned down.
  • Hordes: Paladin’s smiting is great against single targets. Less so against 6 targets that swarm for Advantage.
  • No-Save Control: Wall of Force to cut them off from the party, or pin them into less advantageous terrain.
  • Go after their INT saves, if you need to pick a low save. Illusions and psionics are the two areas that typically target INT.
  • Skills: Paladins are notably not skill monkeys. Things that force Acrobatics checks might help to keep them off their feet.
/r/dndnext Thread