How OP are Paladins in lore?

Argent Dawn
21

Let’s also not forget that the Paladins were losing badly against DKs every time they faced off and it took the power of light of the holy ground to save their sorry asses every time. What weaklings…

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22

It really, really, really depends on the Paladin & every other factor.

It’s worth mentioning that Paladins are physically stronger than most people, with Arthas mentioning that his hammer literally became lighter in his hands immediately. They have more stamina, are usually running around with blessings, and can cast pretty powerful defensive/offensive magic. Lay on hands is also more powerful than any priest spell.

This is a running theme. Their bubbles, lay on hands, much better offensive holy magic, etc. They use the Light much more liberally and with less training as casters than dedicated priests, and as such I personally believe they run out of mana much more quickly. (Obviously not reflected in game mechanics outside of flash of light)

Holy paladins are a bit of an exception to this, they seem to train more in terms of casting while still maintaining their martial pursuits, but they still aren’t on par with holy priests in terms of mana efficiency/capacity, imo.

They are almost immune to disease and poisons, and blessings etc also empower them before combat. However…

I don’t think they’re strong enough to avoid being pulled down by twenty dudes. They would certainly have to resort to protection magic like shields or aoe magical attacks to fend off twenty thugs.

Can your average, NPC Paladin maintain a bubble long enough to do that, or spam enough spells to take out twenty guys? I would say no, they’d eventually weaken (mana wise) and have a knife slipped through their helmet or otherwise, and at that point it’s fair to think they’d be going to sleep for an extended period.

As for DKs…
OP in what regard?
I think a DK would be more able to take on twenty dudes, if that is what you’re asking. They have much better and lighter armour, are much less likely to die or feel pain if something gets through their armour, are literally tireless, are much stronger and more agile than any regular mortal, and their magic is much better at taking out groups of normies, even twenty or so. Fast acting diseases and shadowfrost aoe will make short work of twenty guys, and their friends will be rising to turn on them even as they die. Keep in mind that DKs use replenishing runes rather than their own mana, in 99% of cases. They’ll not tire, that magic is gonna keep being spammed. Throw in death grips, strangulates, etc, DKs are much better against normies, in my opinion. They’d screw a group of thugs no problem.

As for DK vs Paladin, 1v1? Errr, you know, I’m not sure. On one hand, the light is effective vs the undead. On the other hand, saronite and anti-magic don’t give a damn how faithful you are (Ironic). I would think DKs are physically stronger, naturally as well as when armoured, since saronite is much lighter, and probably quicker because of that as well. Many fatal injuries don’t really phase them, and can actually open up opportunities… The guy who is holding the spear that is impaling you isn’t gonna be able to parry, after all.

That said, paladin protection magic and blessings could turn the tide. It really depends on where and who is fighting.

It could go either way, like others have said.

It should also be noted that Tirion did not defeat the Lich King… His weapon was just capable of shattering Frostmourne. Ashbringer really did all the work. If he had dueled Arthas atop ICC without being frozen and without player help… I don’t think he would have survived, frankly.

3 Likes
23

Downgraded warriors, nuff said.

:cowboy_hat_face: :smoking:

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24

As powerful as the narrative demands them to be. Not just in terms of the Warcraft narrative, but the tales we as role-players live through as well.

25

Heavily depends on what context.
My view of it is that Paladins are trained half and half-ish between a priest and a fighter. A fighter would win a paladin in a swordfight, whilst a priest would be more powerful with the light.
But this doesn’t mean a paladin can be better than the avarage priest/fighter.

This is at least the basic guidelime I use for the “generic” paladin.

Edit: for roleplaying characters.

26

Paladins were made for warfare, their martial prowess and faith serving as tools for devastation on the battlefield. Not to mention their ability to heal themselves and others with the Light. They’re extremely powerful, thus Blizzard have heralded them with such prestige over the years. On the side note, Paladins are most certainly in my mind an elite unit, so your average joe is actually extremely un average. As seen on Warfronts when Turalyon and his crew of paladins arrive, they’re not dressed like grunts.

Most certainly, a paladin not only has weapons, armour, super light powers, but they also have a mind and years of training behind them. Bandits on the other hand have blunt weaponry and tend to be equipped in rugged leather at most. They wouldn’t stand a chance.

The Orcish Horde Death Knights, yes, the Paladins brought devastations to their ranks and were the turning point for victory in the Second War. Ebon Knights are slightly far more balanced to the Paladin, and it primarily falls down to the power of the individual in my opinion. And the ground they fight on has also been shown to be a very major factor, whether it be the high ground or holy ground.

But yea those are my thoughts.

2 Likes
27

human male paladin rp is statistically and objectively the single most powerful force in the universe

28

I wouldn’t say a seasoned Paladin could defeat Arthas Prime in a 1v1, since Uther was THE paladin, and he got killed by Youngling Arthas.

29

  1. Pretty strong I’d guess. Blizzard’s portrayals of power are all over the place though.

  2. Twenty is a bit much, six or so I could see them dealing with. Unless the bandits were all idiots.

  3. I’d say they’re about on par with Death Knights. At least the playable, mass-produced ones.

30

Follow-up question: Using the power of the Light to amplify their strength, could a Paladin punt a Gnome clear over the Redridge Mountains?

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31

Can confirm.

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32

Paladins regularly beat the sun in staring contests.

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33

The answer, rather, is ‘not very’. Power is a pretty different thing in WoW so in a world with DH, mages, warlocks, giant monsters and whatnot, they’re not really OP at all. The only thing that makes them stronger than warriors is their Light, and you can certainly kill them without grandeur despite that. I’d say they’re pretty average on the power scale, perhaps a lil’ above warriors.

34

Have you noticed that all the notable Alliance paladins are either dead or evil?

Makes you think…

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35

Well. I had a Zandalari paladin bubble on me and use regeneratin’ the other day. That was pretty powerful stuff. Cut me to my core.

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36

Paladins are just failed attempts at becoming a real Warrior, and so they turned to their christmas decorations, and went pray-to-shine. No strength improvement, really. They just shine a bit.

37

Warriors have a passive called Titan’s Grip. Warriors are as powerful as the Titans, so realistically any real IC warrior could pull out Sargeras’ sword and use it.

Paladins can’t even equip a spear with a shield. They’re genuinely a joke.

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38

Lorewise they can, but Blizzard won’t let us have that much fun in-game.

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39

Once, a Paladin dropped his hammer into the sea. We call that the Maelstrom now.

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40

Didn’t know Thrall was a Paladin.