Oathbreaker
An Oathbreaker is a paladin who has broken their sacred vows and turned to dark powers, forsaking the cause they once served. Available only with DM permission, this subclass represents a cautionary archetype — a dark mirror of the paladin's potential, showing what becomes of a holy warrior who abandons their principles entirely.
An Oathbreaker is not merely a fallen hero by circumstance, but one who has consciously turned away from the light. The power they wield now flows from shadow and despair rather than devotion and hope. Such characters make for compelling story material, but players and DMs should consider carefully whether this path serves the campaign's narrative.
Oathbreaker Table:
| Level | Subclass Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Oath Spells, Channel Divinity |
| 7th | Aura of Hate |
| 15th | Supernatural Resistance |
| 20th | Dread Lord |
Subclass Features
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed.
| Paladin Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | hellish rebuke, inflict wounds |
| 5th | crown of madness, darkness |
| 9th | animate dead, bestow curse |
| 13th | blight, confusion |
| 17th | contagion, dominate person |
Channel Divinity
3rd-level Oathbreaker feature
When you take this path at 3rd level, you gain the following two Channel Divinity options.
Control Undead. As an action, you target one undead creature you can see within 30 feet of you. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target must obey your commands for the next 24 hours, or until you use this Channel Divinity option again. An undead whose challenge rating is equal to or greater than your paladin level is immune to this effect.
Dreadful Aspect. As an action, you channel the darkest emotions and focus them into a burst of magical menace. Each creature of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw if it can see you. On a failed save, the target is frightened of you for 1 minute. If a creature frightened by this effect ends its turn more than 30 feet away from you, it can attempt another Wisdom saving throw to end the effect on it.
Aura of Hate
7th-level Oathbreaker feature
Starting at 7th level, you, as well as any fiends and undead within 10 feet of you, gain a bonus to melee weapon damage rolls equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1). A creature can benefit from this feature from only one paladin at a time.
At 18th level, the range of this aura increases to 30 feet.
Supernatural Resistance
15th-level Oathbreaker feature
At 15th level, you gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical weapons.
Dread Lord
20th-level Oathbreaker feature
At 20th level, you can, as an action, surround yourself with an aura of gloom that lasts for 1 minute. The aura reduces any bright light in a 30-foot radius around you to dim light. Whenever an enemy that is frightened by you starts its turn in the aura, it takes \(4d10\) psychic damage. Additionally, you and any creatures of your choice in the aura are draped in deeper shadow, and attack rolls against you and the chosen creatures have disadvantage.
While the aura lasts, you can use a bonus action on your turn to cause the shadows in the aura to attack one creature. Make a melee spell attack against the target. If it hits, the target takes necrotic damage equal to \(3d10\) + your Charisma modifier.
Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a long rest.