Tags
AD&D1e, AEC, Dungeons & Dragons, Fantasy, Labyrinth Lord, OSR, Paladin, Random Tables, Random Thursday, RPG, Subclasses
The warriors of all things just, and good… and often an excuse to be an annoying prat at the table. The Paladin is an oft-maligned class because some people can’t role play lawful good without it being lawful-pain-in-the-ass and lawful I-have-a-stick-up-my-ass. To add variety to this list of lawful alignments, here’s a d12 table of paladin subclasses!
Remember – if using these rules, all characters must have a subclass. If you really don’t want a subclass, petition the GM to let you take the focused subclass (Focused Paladin), which provides no new abilities, but instead makes leveling up a bit faster.

Dawnstrike Paladin (c) Wizards of the Coast
Paladin Subclasses (roll d12)
- Paragon of Virtue – Protection from evil effect is increased by 5′ at level 1, and an additional 5′ / 5 levels thereafter
- Demon-Hunter – +1 damage / 3 levels against demons, devils and similar extradimensional evils
- Sun Sword – Can turn undead as a cleric of equal level and cast light once per day
- Knight Errant – +1 to hit and damage from horseback, good judge of horseflesh (roll mount hit points twice, take the better)
- Zealous Champion – Can frenzy in battle 1/day: +2 AC, +1 to hit and damage
- Blessed Sentinel – -1 chance to be surprised
- Learned Warden – Can use clerical scrolls starting at level 1
- Oathbound Protector – Double the effect of lay on hands ability
- Penitent Crusader – d10 hit die (d12 if using advanced hit dice)
- Arcon of Law – Detect Evil and Protection from Evil also detect and protect from Chaos.
- Focused – +10% to earned XP
- Choose one or make up a new one
The Sun Sword seems to be a bit out of line with the others, maybe. There are a LOT of things that can be done with the Turn Undead ability. Compared to the other subclasses, that one seems a bit strong.
Just tossing in a little IMO.
This series is really enjoyable. Lots of good ideas here!
+10% to earned XP?! Seriously?
Yeah, it seems to be a fair trade for not having a cool ability like the other Paladins.