Overview: Best Paladin Weapons in D&D 5e
The best paladin weapons in D&D 5e balance high damage, suitable damage type, and useful properties for a Lawful Good tank or striker. Popular choices include longsword, greatsword, greataxe, glaive, and bardiche, each offering different trade-offs in damage dice, reach, and versatility. Paladin spellcasting and auras further influence weapon utility, so the ideal choice depends on your build, role in the party, and campaign damage environment. This guide covers core options, magical enhancements, and playstyle considerations to help you select the optimal weapon for your oathbound champion.
Top Melee Weapons for Paladins
Paladin weapon selection centers on hitting hard, maintaining combat utility, and fitting your martial archetype. Heavy armor proficiency and Strength-dependence shape choices, while two-weapon fighting and shields remain viable with proper build support. Below are the most common and effective options, along with their key attributes and typical availability.
Core Weapon Options at a Glance
| Weapon | Damage | Properties | Range | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longsword | 1d8 slashing | Versatile | Melee | 15 gp |
| Greatsword | 2d6 slashing | Heavy, two-handed | Melee | 50 gp |
| Greataxe | 1d12 slashing | Heavy, two-handed | Melee | 30 gp |
| Glaive | 1d10 slashing | Heavy, reach 10 ft | Melee, reach | 20 gp |
| Bardiche | 1d12 slashing | Heavy, reach 10 ft | Melee, reach | 10 gp |
Heavy Blades: Longsword and Greatsword
Longsword and greatsword are staples for many martial characters. The longsword offers versatility with finesse and reach options, dealing reliable 1d8 damage and suiting dueling or shield builds. The greatsword delivers higher average damage (2d6) at the cost of heavier weight and reduced versatility, fitting two-weapon or great weapon fighting styles. Both scale with magical enhancements and benefit from Bless or Divine Smite, making them solid all-around choices for damage-focused paladins.
Playstyle Fit
- Longsword: balanced damage and flexibility; works with shield or two-weapon styles.
- Greatsword: high burst damage; ideal for Great Weapon Master or Two-Weapon Fighting builds.
Heavy Slashing and Reach: Greataxe, Glaive, and Bardiche
Greataxe, glaive, and bardiche provide distinct advantages. The greataxe’s 1d12 is the highest single-damage die among common weapons, useful for crit-focused builds. Glaive and bardiche add 10-foot reach, improving control and safety against melee opponents, with bardiche costing less and trading some damage consistency. Reach weapons can provoke opportunity attacks less often and enable tactical positioning, valuable for paladins who must manage battlefield threats while supporting allies.
Reach and Control Benefits
- Glaive and bardiche: 10 ft reach reduces incoming attacks.
- Greataxe: highest single-target damage die.
- Bardiche: cost-effective reach for extended campaigns.
Magical Weapons and Enhancement
Magic elevates any weapon for a paladin. Standard plus patterns (e.g., +1, +2, +3) increase attack and damage rolls, while weapon properties such as Keen, Thrown, or Animate add tactical options. For Smite-heavy builds, weapons with bonus damage dice or versatile damage types can amplify Divine Smite returns. Bards and other parties can share enhancement bonuses, but a paladin should prioritize items that complement their spellcasting, auras, and combat role.
Enhancement Priorities
| Enhancement Level | Attack & Damage Bonus | Typical Market Cost |
|---|---|---|
| +1 | +1 to hit and damage | 2,000 gp |
| +2 | +2 to hit and damage | 8,000 gp |
| +3 | +3 to hit and damage | 25,000 gp |
Alternative and Ranged Options
While melee dominates paladin damage, ranged options have situational value. Hand crossbows work with Crossbow Expert for repeated ranged strikes, and wizards can offload blasting to free action spell attacks. Some DMs allow thrown weapon maneuvers or homebrew ranged paladin builds, but these are exceptions. For most groups, focusing on melee accuracy, damage, and defensive synergy with auras yields the best overall performance.
Party Synergy and Campaign Factors
Consider party composition when choosing a paladin weapon. In tanks-and-strikers groups, a reach weapon can protect allies by controlling space; in damage-heavy parties, a greataxe or greatsword may maximize burst. Campaign lethality, enemy resistances, and gold availability also affect value—magic weapons are rarer in low-magic settings, while high-level campaigns justify investing in +2 or +3 items. Align your choice with your oath, theme, and the table’s power level for consistent impact.
Recommended Loadout Examples
Here are three practical paladin weapon loadouts tailored to common roles. These are examples and can be adjusted based on campaign needs and table economics.
Tank/Guardian
- Shield + Longsword or Bastard Sword
- Focus on durability, auras, and holding position.
Damage/ Striker
- Greatsword or Greataxe with Two-Weapon Fighting or Great Weapon Master
- Optimize for burst and Smite efficiency.
Reach/Controller
- Glaive or Bardiche
- Control space, protect allies, and maintain safe engagement range.
Summary and Verdict
The best paladin weapons in D&D 5e depend on your build, role, and campaign context. Longsword and greatsword offer reliable damage for general use; greataxe excels at high-damage bursts; glaive and bardiche provide reach and tactical control. Factor in magical enhancements, party support, and setting rarity to choose a weapon that keeps your oathbound champion effective from level 1 to epic tiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can a paladin use finesse weapons?
- Yes, with the Dueling fighting style or class features that allow finesse, a paladin can apply Dexterity to damage for finesse-capable weapons like longsword.
- Is greatsword better than greataxe for smiting?
- Greatsword’s 2d6 average damage often yields higher Smite results, but greataxe’s 1d12 can outperform on high Strength or with bonus damage dice.
- Do reach weapons provoke opportunity attacks?
- No, when you use a reach weapon you don’t provoke opportunity attacks from enemies you threaten, provided you remain within reach.
- What is the best magic property for a paladin weapon?
- Keen, Thrown, and properties that add damage dice or utility are popular; the best choice depends on your build and how you plan to use bonus actions and smites.
- How do I choose between one-handed and two-handed weapons?
- One-handed weapons allow a shield or off-hand option; two-handed weapons typically increase damage output but reduce defensive flexibility.