Should a Paladin take War Caster or Resilient (Con)?

Both protect concentration, but a Paladin with Aura of Protection already has strong saving throws across the board once the aura is active, which softens the case for Resilient specifically. War Caster is usually the stronger first pick since it also lets a Paladin cast a spell as an opportunity attack.

What is the best background for a Paladin in D&D 2024?

Soldier (Savage Attacker) is the cleanest mechanical fit for a martial Paladin swinging a weapon every turn. Acolyte (Magic Initiate: Cleric) suits an Oath of Devotion Paladin who wants a thematic tie to the divine and a small amount of extra spell access.

Which Epic Boon is best for a Paladin at level 19?

Boon of Truesight is the Paladin class's recommended Epic Boon. It grants 60-foot Truesight and a flexible ability score increase, making hidden, invisible, and shapechanged threats easier to handle.

Best Feats for Paladin in D&D 2024

Q: What is the best feat for a Paladin in D&D 2024?

Shield Master is the top General Feat pick for most sword-and-board Paladins. Shield Bash folds a push-or-Prone effect into your normal attack, and Interpose Shield adds a Reaction against area effects, without competing for the same bonus action slot as Divine Smite. War Caster is the top alternative for a Paladin who leans on Bless or another concentration spell every fight.

This guide is part of the D&D 2024 Feat Guides hub, ranking feat picks for the Paladin.

Paladin feat priorities revolve around a crowded bonus action economy (Divine Smite competes with Lay on Hands, and both compete with anything a feat adds to that same slot) plus keeping Bless or another concentration spell alive through the hits a front-line character takes. The 2024 feat system splits options across four categories (Origin, chosen through your background, General, Fighting Style, and Epic Boon), and a Paladin should weigh every General Feat pick against what it costs in action economy, not just its raw power.

This guide ranks Paladin feat options, flags the ones that do not fit the class, and lays out a level-by-level progression.

Auri Brightshield braces her rectangular shield against a fiend's blast while protecting ferry passengers

Paladin Feat Priorities

Shield Master for sword-and-board builds — a free Shove and Dexterity save advantage that does not compete with the Smite-or-Lay-on-Hands bonus action decision.
War Caster for concentration protection — keeps Bless and other buff spells alive through the hits a Paladin takes standing in melee.
A background that reinforces your build — Savage Attacker (Soldier) fits a weapon-focused Paladin cleanly.
Polearm Master and Sentinel for a lockdown build — a strong pair for a Paladin holding a front line with a qualifying polearm.
The class-recommended Epic Boon at level 19 — Boon of Truesight helps you deal with concealed or transformed threats.

Hot Take: A Paladin feat that asks for a Bonus Action has to beat the value of Lay on Hands or Divine Smite in the fight you are actually playing. Favor Shield Master and reaction-based control before adding another recurring Bonus Action demand.

Top Feats for Paladin

● Shield Master

Two benefits, both requiring a Shield. Shield Bash: as part of the Attack action, when you hit with a melee weapon you can force a Strength save; on a fail, push the target 5 feet or knock it Prone. Interpose Shield: as a Reaction, take no damage from an effect that would deal half damage on a successful Dexterity save (you still need to make and pass the save). Shield Bash folds into your normal attack without costing a separate Bonus Action. Full breakdown in the General Feats guide.

● War Caster

Advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration, plus the ability to cast a spell as an opportunity attack. Bless is a staple Paladin buff spell, and losing concentration on it mid-fight from a big hit sets a front-line character back badly.

● Polearm Master

A bonus action strike after attacking with a quarterstaff, spear, or qualifying Heavy and Reach weapon, plus an opportunity attack when a creature enters your reach. It can support a two-handed reach weapon or a spear-and-shield approach, and it is the other half of a lockdown combo with Sentinel.

● Sentinel

Stops a hit creature's movement, lets you make an opportunity attack when an ally near you is hit, and punishes Disengage attempts. Strong specifically for a Paladin holding a choke point alongside Polearm Master; more situational as a standalone pick.

● Savage Attacker (Origin Feat)

Granted by the Soldier background. Once per turn, reroll your weapon damage dice and use either result. A clean, always-on damage bump that costs no ASI slot since it comes from your background choice. See the Origin Feats guide for the full background-to-feat table.

● Inspiring Leader

Also increases your Wisdom or Charisma by 1. When you finish a Short or Long Rest, grant temporary HP equal to your character level plus the boosted ability's modifier to up to six creatures within 30 feet (including yourself). A Paladin's high Charisma makes this efficient, though it competes thematically with an Oath of Glory Paladin's own party-support tools.

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● Boon of Truesight (Epic Boon, level 19)

The Paladin class recommends this Epic Boon. It increases an ability score of your choice and gives you 60-foot Truesight, helping you identify invisible creatures, see through illusions, and handle shapechanged foes. It is a reliable party-protection choice for a front-line character whose Aura of Protection already rewards staying close to allies. Full detail in the Epic Boons guide.

Feats to Avoid

Sharpshooter / Crossbow Expert: A Paladin's core kit (Divine Smite, Lay on Hands, Aura of Protection) is built entirely around melee. Ranged-focused feats do not support that identity.

Skulker: Stealth and hiding do not fit a Paladin's role as a front-line, aura-anchored presence for the party.

Elemental Adept: Requires committing to a single damage type. A Paladin's damage mostly comes from weapon hits and Divine Smite's radiant damage, not a spell list built around one element.

Example Feat Progression

Character creation: Choose a background for its Origin Feat. Soldier (Savage Attacker) is the cleanest mechanical fit for a weapon-focused Paladin.

Level 4: Shield Master (sword-and-board builds) or Polearm Master (a qualifying quarterstaff, spear, or reach-weapon build). This is your first General Feat and should match your weapon setup.

Level 8: War Caster. Concentration protection for Bless becomes more valuable as you take on tougher encounters.

Level 12: Sentinel, if you took Polearm Master and want the full lockdown combo online.

Level 19: Boon of Truesight, the class-recommended Epic Boon.

FAQ

What is the best feat for a Paladin in D&D 2024? Shield Master for sword-and-board builds; War Caster for a Bless-focused build.

War Caster or Resilient (Con)? War Caster is usually the stronger first pick. Aura of Protection already boosts your saving throws once active, and War Caster also helps when a creature leaves your reach.

Is Polearm Master good for a Paladin? Yes. It works with a quarterstaff, spear, or qualifying Heavy and Reach weapon, and it pairs well with Sentinel for a control-focused front line.

Best background for a Paladin? Soldier for Savage Attacker.

Which Epic Boon is best at level 19? Boon of Truesight is the Paladin class's recommended Epic Boon.

For the full class breakdown, see the D&D 2024 Paladin Guide.

Feat choices and spell choices are the same decision for a caster - concentration protection only matters if you know which spells you are protecting. See the D&D 2024 Paladin Spell List for the other half.