D&D 5E Has anyone played a Paladin of Redemption? How was it?

[Gavin O.]

Of the XGTE subclasses, I've been most interested in the Oath of Redemption Paladin. It seems like a very unique character that might be fun to play, but it also seems like the kind of character who could easily become a liability to the party. You've got a lot of strong control magic, but since you're only a half-caster, your spells only advance at half the rate a wizard's would. In return, you get extra attack, a fighting style, divine smite... all features that a pacifist character wouldn't really be using very often. So I'm curious, have any of you actually played a Redemption Paladin, and what did you do in combat?

 

[FarBeyondC]

Of the XGTE subclasses, I've been most interested in the Oath of Redemption Paladin. It seems like a very unique character that might be fun to play, but it also seems like the kind of character who could easily become a liability to the party. You've got a lot of strong control magic, but since you're only a half-caster, your spells only advance at half the rate a wizard's would. In return, you get extra attack, a fighting style, divine smite... all features that a pacifist character wouldn't really be using very often. So I'm curious, have any of you actually played a Redemption Paladin, and what did you do in combat?

Haven't played one yet, but I'd imagine a 'proper' Redemption Paladin would play in combat similar to how I played my life cleric:

• Prioritized helping people being attacked/harmed over nearly everything else
• Attempts to get hostile targets to stop being hostile through communication and diplomacy (didn't work well in my character's case, because I suck at both, but should work semi-well for a paladin)
• Uses control magic to incapacitate/subdue hostile on whom communication/diplomacy have failed (sure, you don't many spell slots, but those slots can still do a lot)
• Engages hostiles that communication/diplomacy and control magic fail on, aiming to subdue rather than kill (real easy when any melee attack- weapon or spell- can subdue, and paladins have practically nothing but melee)
• Raze the irredeemable
• Offer to Raise / Revivify anyone accidentally killed by mistake

 

[Herosmith14]

Well, I havent played it yet, but have a strategy for possibly redemption paladins which I call Challenger Tactics. Basically, to minimize bloodshed against an organized force, the pally challenges the leader to a 1v1 for control of the army. Sanctuary, don't attack, but point out the failure to land a hit, decreasing the armies belief in the leader. Should he land a blow, RtV, LoH back to full, and recast Sanctuary. Eventually actually combat him and divine dmite him down, but leave him at 1 hit point if possible, and give the option to yield, or see if he's been humiliated out of office, and give the option of repentance. Other encounters, fight as normal, but use stuff to stall enemies(Counterspell, Sanctuary, etc) without killing, and let the enemies eventually just back off or something. Basically be the Afro drawing wall.