Optimized dpr devotion paladin

[dededo11]

Can a Devotion paladin be an optimized dpr character? If so, what build would make the devotion paladin an optimized dpr character?

[Composer99]

Any paladin works well with warlock for short-rest spell slots for smites, or, if crit-fishing is your bag, with Champion fighter for Action Surge and expanded crit range. Warlock 2 for 2 slots plus invocations is a less taxing (as it were) combo than is Fighter 3, though.

But what level range are we talking for the character as a whole? Do you know the character race?

[dededo11]

Any paladin works well with warlock for short-rest spell slots for smites, or, if crit-fishing is your bag, with Champion fighter for Action Surge and expanded crit range. Warlock 2 for 2 slots plus invocations is a less taxing (as it were) combo than is Fighter 3, though.

But what level range are we talking for the character as a whole? Do you know the character race?

Starting at level 1, not sure how far it will go

Race is Variant Human

[stoutstien]

Can a Devotion paladin be an optimized dpr character? If so, what build would make the devotion paladin an optimized dpr character?

Depending on what you consider optimized. A straight dev pally can lay down hurt with the best of them. Sacred weapon, while taken an action to setup, can add a ton of damage due to increases hit chance.

The bonus spells are all solid but nothing really screams damage until the higher levels.

Going v human like you want and grabbing GWM or PaM is pretty much all you need. Personally I'd grab something like shield master to increase party damage and the utility but u care little for DPR.

[Composer99]

Starting at level 1, not sure how far it will go

Race is Variant Human

If you're gunning for straight damage, then, as stoutsien suggested, pick up GWM or PAM. Emphasise Strength for weapon damage and Charisma for your Sacred Weapon channel effect and Aura of Protection. Pick GWF at 2nd level.

After that, you have a couple of places where you can wait before multiclassing: wait until after 4th level when you get your first ASI, or after 5th level when you get Extra Attack, or wait until after 6th or even 7th level when you get your Auras of Protection and Devotion, respectively, or even 8th level for the second ASI. Whichever breakpoint you pick, multiclass after that point.

If you take the fighter route, I wouldn't bother going past 4th level as a fighter for Action Surge, the subclass and the ASI. Fighter gets you a second fighting style for some versatility - maybe Archery to shore up your weakness as a ranged weapon attacker, or Defence for extra AC. Good subclasses are Battlemaster for Superiority Dice and special manoeuvres (If your party has a rogue, pick Commander's Strike. They'll thank you for it.), Champion for expanded crit range, or Samurai for bonus proficiencies and advantage on your weapon attacks 3 times/long rest.

If you take the warlock route, I wouldn't bother going past 5th level - you get 3rd level spell slots for 4d8 smite damage goodness on short rests, 3 invocations, a pact boon, and an ASI. Hexblade is good if you're going sword and board, not so great for great-weapon fighting, since Hex Warrior doesn't work with those weapons. Getting shield is pretty solid, though. Celestial is good for some versatility. Warlock also gets you eldritch blast.

Although, in all fairness, any paladin is pretty solid as a single-class all the way through.

[Nhorianscum]

Devotion 6/Draconic Sorc X holds up pretty well once it picks up steam. At 6/6 our full combat nova routine looks like Sweapon+Quickened Haste->(Smitex3+GFB smite) for about 200/round if you just blow everydamnthing in one go.

Then again... Full devotiondin is absolutely fine for DPR if you don't feel like piddling about until tier 3 which is unfortunately the fate of any paladin-multi.