The Best Races for Paladin in D&D 5e (Race Guide for Divine Warriors)

Paladins are the righteous champions of Dungeons & Dragons 5e, holy warriors who blend martial prowess with divine magic. Whether you’re a smite-heavy tank or a charisma-fueled party face, the right race can elevate your build from strong to legendary. In this guide, we’ll break down the best races for Paladin 5e, highlight their unique advantages, and show how to create a character that balances raw power with divine purpose.

This Paladin DnD 5e race guide will help you choose a race that strengthens your core stats, improves your survivability, and enhances your sacred mission.

Understanding the Paladin Class (Core Abilities Explained)

Paladins are hybrid warriors who wear heavy armor, wield powerful melee weapons, and cast spells fueled by divine magic. Also, their signature ability—Divine Smite—lets them burn spell slots to deal radiant damage on weapon attacks. They also support the party with healing, auras, and defenses against evil forces.

Key Stats for Paladins:

• Strength: For melee attacks, weapon damage, and athletic checks.

• Charisma: Fuels your spellcasting, Divine Smite, and aura features.

• Constitution: Keeps you alive and boosts concentration checks.

Dexterity can work for niche Dexadin builds, but most Paladins prefer heavy armor and Strength-based weapons.

What Makes a Good Paladin Race?

The best race choices for Dungeons and Dragons Paladin will offer Strength, Charisma, or Constitution boosts, plus combat-enhancing features like resistances, darkvision, or healing. Races that match the class’s divine or noble flavor are also excellent for roleplay.

Top 5 Best Races for Paladin in 5e

1. Half-Elf

Why it’s great: Versatile, charismatic, and skill-rich.

• +2 Charisma, +1 to two other abilities (typically Strength and Constitution)

• Darkvision and Fey Ancestry (charm resistance)

• Two bonus skill proficiencies

Suggested build: Oath of Devotion or Oath of Redemption Paladin who leads the party both in battle and socially. Great for party faces and versatile builds.

2. Dragonborn

Why it’s great: Classic paladin race with a breath weapon and strong stats.

• +2 Strength, +1 Charisma

• Breath Weapon: AoE damage in your draconic element.

• Damage resistance to a chosen type (fire, cold, lightning, etc.)

Suggested build: A proud oath-bound warrior of draconic lineage. Excellent with Oath of Glory or Oath of Vengeance for damage-heavy builds.

3. Custom Lineage / Variant Human

Why it’s great: Early access to a feat like War Caster, Sentinel, or Great Weapon Master.

• +2 to one stat (Custom Lineage) or +1 to two (Variant Human)

• Bonus feat at level 1

• Darkvision and skill proficiency

Suggested build: Frontline smite engine with Polearm Master + Sentinel combo, or a War Caster who maintains concentration on key buffs like Bless.

4. Aasimar

Why it’s great: Radiant flavor, healing support, and solid stats.

• +2 Charisma, +1 Strength or Constitution (based on subrace)

• Healing Hands and resistance to necrotic and radiant

• Transformations that add flight, radiant damage, or AoE burst

Suggested build: Protector Aasimar for a holy warrior with built-in smite flavor, or Scourge Aasimar for radiant AoE devastation.

5. Mountain Dwarf

Why it’s great: Durable, strong, and rarely needs armor upgrades.

• +2 Strength, +2 Constitution

• Darkvision, poison resistance, and tool proficiencies

• Armor proficiency if multiclassing from a non-martial start

Suggested build: Great for a pure tank or a Paladin who’s always in the fray. Less emphasis on Charisma, more on durability.

Honorable Mentions: Flavorful and Creative Paladin Races

These top races for Paladin in 5e offer great flavor or fit niche builds that stand out at the table.

Tiefling

• +2 Charisma, +1 Intelligence (or flexible with Tasha’s)

• Darkvision and resistance to fire damage

• Infernal Legacy spells like Hellish Rebuke and Darkness

Why it works: Great for a vengeance-fueled or cursed protector Paladin. Especially thematic for Oath of Conquest or Oathbreaker builds.

Goliath

• +2 Strength, +1 Constitution

• Stone’s Endurance: Reduce damage once per short rest

• Powerful Build: Carry and grapple more

Why it works: Ideal for a tanky, high-damage Paladin who protects the party through size and sheer might. Great with Oath of the Ancients or Vengeance.

Triton

• +1 Strength, Constitution, and Charisma

• Cold resistance, amphibious, and aquatic-themed spells

Why it works: Perfect for an oceanic campaign or divine warrior from the sea. Combine with Oath of the Ancients for nature-powered aquatic smites.

Custom Lineage and Tasha’s Rules: Any Race, Any Oath

With Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, players can assign their racial stat bonuses freely. This means you can create a Charisma-based Paladin from any race you love.

Assign:

• +2 Charisma

• +1 Strength or Constitution

• Pick a feat or unique trait that fits your vision

Creative combos include:

• A Tabaxi Paladin of speed and righteousness.

• A Kenku Paladin with mimicry-based prayer and devotion.

• A Firbolg Paladin who champions nature with silent strength.

Flavor and optimization don’t have to be opposites!

Choosing a Race for Roleplay and Story

Paladins often have strong beliefs, strict codes, or divine missions. Your race can support that story.

Ask:

• What shaped your character’s moral code?

• Does their divine power come from a god, a cause, or their ancestors?

• How does your race impact how you view justice or protection?

Examples:

• A Dragonborn Paladin might be the last hope of a fallen kingdom.

• A Half-Elf Paladin could strive to unite their dual heritage in the name of peace.

• A Tiefling Paladin may seek redemption through radiant deeds.

Let your race and class work together to tell a powerful tale.

Conclusion: Smite with Style

The best races for Ranger 5e combine Dexterity and Wisdom with natural agility, stealth, or mobility. Wood Elves, Shadar-kai, and Variant Humans dominate in terms of power, while Tabaxi and Firbolgs bring rich flavor and surprising utility.

Thanks to Tasha’s customizable rules, your ideal Ranger can come from any background or lineage—just follow the trail that excites you most.

And when you're ready to gear up for adventure, don’t miss our top dice sets for Paladins in D&D 5e—perfect for any divine warrior in your party (or your next multiclass build).