This build focuses on creating a versatile Paladin who can deal significant damage using a pair of shortswords. At level 1, the character will have basic Paladin abilities along with Weapon Finesse to improve attack rolls using Dexterity.
Stat Block Level 1:
Halfling Paladin 1; CR 1; Small Humanoid (Halfling); HD 1d10+1; hp 11; Init +3; Spd 20 ft.; AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +1; Grp -2; Atk Shortsword +5 (1d4+2/19-20) or Shortsword +3 (1d4+2/19-20); Full Atk Shortsword +5 (1d4+2/19-20) or Shortsword +3 (1d4+2/19-20); SA Smite Evil 1/Day; SQ Detect Evil, Aura of Good; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +3, Ref +3, Will +2; Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities and Feats:
Ride +6; Weapon Finesse.
Possessions: 2 Shortswords, Full Plate Armor, Holy Symbol.
At level 5, this Halfling Paladin is a resilient defender with a strong morale boost, thanks to abilities like Aura of Courage and Divine Grace. Equipped with a pair of shortswords and clad in the best armor affordable, they can Smite Evil twice per day and turn the tide of battle. Their impressive dexterity boosts both their defense and offense, ensuring they can handle multiple foes with ease.
Stat Block Level 5:
Unnamed: female, Halfling Paladin 5; CR 5; Small Humanoid (Halfling); HD 5d10+5; hp 35; Init +3; Spd 20 ft.; AC 20, touch 14, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +5; Grp +2; Atk +9 melee (Shortsword, 1d6+2) or +9 melee (Shortsword); Full Atk +9/+4 melee (Shortsword 1d6+2) and +9/+4 melee (Shortsword 1d6+2); SA Smite Evil (2/Day); SQ Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, Divine Health, Aura of Courage, Turn Undead; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5; Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Possessions: Pair of Shortswords, Full Plate Armor, Holy Symbol.
By the time they reach level 10, our Halfling Paladin/Fighter can make several attacks during combat, all thanks to abilities such as Two-Weapon Fighting and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting. Utilizing two shortswords and emphasizing dexterity, she adeptly deals with different enemies with the added strength of paladin powers and fighter abilities.
Stat Block Level 10:
[Unnamed Halfling Paladin/Fighter]: female, halfling Paladin 8/Fighter 2; CR 10; Small humanoid; HD 10d10+10; hp 65; Init +3; Spd 20 ft.; AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +10/+1; Grp +7; Atk +14 melee (1d4+1/19-20, shortsword) or +14/+9 melee (1d4+1/19-20, shortsword); Full Atk +14/+9 melee (1d4+1/19-20, shortsword) and +14 melee (1d4+1/19-20, shortsword); SA Smite Evil 2/Day; SQ Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, Divine Health, Aura of Courage, Turn Undead; AL LG; SV Fort +11, Ref +7, Will +8; Str 14, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities and Feats:
Ride +16; Weapon Finesse, Two-Weapon Fighting, Dodge, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (Shortsword). Special Attacks and Qualities: Smite Evil 2/Day allows for added damage against evil foes, Divine Grace adds Charisma bonus to all saves, Lay on Hands heals wounds, Turn Undead repels undead creatures.
Possessions: Two masterwork shortswords, +1 full plate armor, holy symbol.
At level 15, the Halfling Paladin/Fighter excels in high mobility and multi-hit capabilities. With feats like Spring Attack and Two-Weapon Fighting, the character can strike and move fluidly across the battlefield, dealing significant damage with her shortswords. High Dexterity increases Armor Class and attack accuracy, making her a formidable and evasive warrior.
Stat Block Level 15:
Divine Whirlwind[1]: female, Halfling Paladin 8/Fighter 12; CR 15; Small humanoid (Halfling); HD 8d10+12d10+20; hp 163; Init +4; Spd 20 ft.; AC 29, touch 15, flat-footed 24; Base Atk +15; Grp +14; Atk +25 melee (1d4+5/19-20, shortsword) or +25 melee (1d4+3/19-20, off-hand shortsword); Full Atk +25/+20/+15 melee (1d4+5/19-20, shortsword) and +25/+20 melee (1d4+3/19-20, off-hand shortsword); SA Smite Evil 2/Day; SQ Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Divine Grace, Lay on Hands, Divine Health, Aura of Courage, Turn Undead, Special Mount; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +15, Ref +14, Will +9; Str 14, Dex 20, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities and Feats:
Ride +12; Weapon Finesse, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (Shortsword), Weapon Specialization (Shortsword), Greater Weapon Focus (Shortsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (Shortsword), Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Initiative. Special Attacks and Qualities: Smite Evil 2/day – adds Cha bonus to hit and +8 damage against evil foes.
Possessions: A pair of masterwork shortswords, the best armor available (e.g., +3 Full Plate), and a Holy Symbol.
This Halfling Paladin 8/Fighter 12 excels at close combat with dual shortswords, delivering up to seven attacks per round. High Dexterity enhances her armor class and mobility while Paladin abilities provide crucial support and healing.
Stat Block Level 20:
Divine Whirlwind[1]: female, halfling paladin 8/fighter 12; CR 20; Small humanoid (halfling); HD 8d10+8d10+1d10+12; hp 126; Init +7; Spd 20 ft.; AC 25, touch 17, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +20/+15/+10/+5; Grp +4; Atk +25 melee (shortsword +3, 1d4+12/19-20) or +23 melee (shortsword +1, 1d4+10/19-20); Full Atk +25/+20/+15/+10 melee (shortsword +3, 1d4+12/19-20) and +23 melee (shortsword +1, 1d4+10/19-20); SA Smite Evil 2/day, Turn Undead; SQ Aura of Courage, Aura of Good, Detect Evil, Divine Grace, Divine Health, Lay on Hands, Remove Disease 1/week, Special Mount; AL Lawful Good; SV Fort +17, Ref +14, Will +10; Str 14, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities and Feats:
Ride +10; Weapon Finesse, Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Focus (shortsword), Weapon Specialization (shortsword), Greater Weapon Focus (shortsword), Greater Weapon Specialization (shortsword), Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Improved Initiative. Special Attacks and Qualities: Smite Evil 2/day – adds Cha bonus (+2) to attack roll and paladin levels (+8) to damage; Turn Undead – can turn undead as a cleric of level 4; Divine Grace – adds Cha bonus to saves; Remove Disease 1/week – removes disease as per spell.
Possessions: +3 shortsword, +1 shortsword, full plate armor, holy symbol.
Milestones Of Character Development
Levels 1-5: Your Paladin starts developing core abilities. Detect and Smite Evil, Lay on Hands, and gaining a Special Mount lay the foundation. Two-Weapon Fighting begins your journey as a whirlwind of blades.
Levels 6-10: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting and Divine Grace enhance combat and durability. Two-Weapon Fighting upgrades, and gains in Dexterity make you more agile and deadly. A high Attack of Opportunity count begins to shine.
Levels 11-15: Transition to Fighter puts focus on weapon specialization. Feats like Weapon Focus and Dodge improve combat precision and evasion. Further specialization in short swords maximizes your combat efficiency.
Levels 16-20: Combat mastery peaks with feats like Spring Attack, Improved Initiative, and Greater Weapon Specialization. Dexterity boosts make you nearly untouchable, cementing your status as a force no foe wants to face.
Core Abilities & Features of the Divine Whirlwind
Race: Halfling
The Halfling race is integral to the Divine Whirlwind[1] build, providing a crucial bonus to Dexterity (+2) and a size bonus to attack rolls, AC, and skills like Hide. These bonuses enhance the build’s main strengths: agility and accuracy with dual short swords.
Key Feats Progression
This build prioritizes two-weapon fighting capabilities, essential for maximizing attack output. Early feats like Two-Weapon Fighting and Improved Two-Weapon Fighting pave the way, culminating in Greater Two-Weapon Fighting. Essential Fighter feats like Weapon Specialization and Greater Weapon Specialization optimize damage.
Notable Paladin Abilities
Smite Evil (with increased daily uses at higher levels) serves as a powerful damage boost against evil foes. Turn Undead adds utility when facing undead adversaries. Divine Grace significantly enhances survivability through improved saves, making the Paladin not just a damage dealer but a resilient presence on the battlefield.
Fighter’s Versatility
Levels in Fighter add substantial flexibility and combat efficacy. Feats like Spring Attack and Mobility allow for nimble tactics, minimizing retaliation from enemies. Improved Initiative ensures the Paladin often takes the first step in combat, setting the tone for engagements.
Endgame Strategy
At level 20, this build allows for up to seven attacks per round using the dual short swords, a whirlwind of slashing damage. The blend of high Dexterity and specialized feats ensures that each attack is both frequent and lethal, capable of carving through enemies swiftly.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
Masterwork Shortswords
Provides a +1 bonus to attack rolls. Essential for early levels to maximize hit chances.
Breastplate Armor
Grants a +5 AC while allowing for a +3 Dex bonus. Balances protection with mobility.
L6-10
Flaming Shortswords
Each sword deals an extra 1d6 fire damage. Effective against most enemies.
Full Plate Armor
Provides a +8 AC bonus. Max Dex bonus reduced to +1 but greatly increases survivability.
L11-15
Holy Avenger (Shortsword)
Aids a Paladin’s fight against Evil with +2d6 damage and dispel magic once per encounter.
Adamantine Full Plate
Grants DR 2/-. Reduces physical damage taken, making the Paladin even harder to defeat.
L16-20
Vorpal Shortswords
On a natural 20, these can instantly decapitate enemies, taking them out of the fight immediately if they fail a DC 15 Fortitude save.
Celestial Armor
A light, chainmail armor with a +8 AC bonus that allows for an additional +6 Dex bonus. Grants Fly spell use once per day.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls:
Leverage the confined spaces using the Fighter’s superior mobility and the Paladin’s defensive auras. Use hit-and-run tactics with Spring Attack, darting in to strike before retreating to a defensible position.
Open Fields:
Utilize the Special Mount to traverse the battlefield swiftly. Engage enemies with your high number of attacks, ensuring you’re always in positions to threaten vital targets and protect allies with your divine abilities.
Ambushes:
With Improved Initiative, you often react first. This, combined with a surprise attack, can quickly turn the tide. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous foes first with your Smite Evil and high damage output.
Defensive Stands:
Hold the line with Aura of Courage, preventing allies from falling into panic. Use your high Dexterity and Defensive Fighting feats to parry and block attacks while dealing consistent damage with your shortswords.
Urban Encounters:
Your mobility and heightened Dexterity are key in crowded streets and tight alleyways. Use Mobility and Dodge feats to avoid enemy blows and lead them into traps or ambushes of your own design.
Weaknesses & Counters of the Divine Whirlwind
Weakness
Counter
Low Intelligence
Focus on simple yet powerful tactics; use items like Headband of Intellect +2 to boost Int.
Relatively Low Constitution
Use Amulet of Health +4 to bolster Constitution; prioritize defensive skills.
Limited Range
Equip Javelins or Throwing Axes for basic ranged options; consider magic items like Shadow Veil for teleport to close gaps.
Heavy Armor Limits Dexterity
Choose Mithral Full Plate to reduce armor check penalty and max Dex bonus; focus on medium armors when high Dex is crucial.
Magic Reliance of Enemies
Equip Cloak of Resistance +3 to enhance saves against spells; develop tactics to disrupt enemy spellcasters early.
Mobility Restriction
Use Winged Boots for flight and improved mobility; Boots of Striding and Springing for better land speed.
Roleplaying
Your Divine Whirlwind[1] Paladin, a small yet formidable Halfling warrior, embodies themes of courage, loyalty, and surprise. Despite your diminutive size, you stand tall against insurmountable odds, wielding your twin shortswords with a grace that belies your strength.
Embrace the unforeseen. Although your size may cause others to underestimate you, you can actually use it to benefit yourself. Your character enjoys going against expectations, frequently diving eagerly into fights with a self-assured smile. Embrace the contradiction of being tiny but powerful, displaying your steadfast belief and indomitable will.
Portray your Paladin’s journey as one of proving oneself. You may have faced skepticism from your peers and even superiors due to your stature. Each battle is a chance to demonstrate your valor and skill. Use your background to inform interactions with NPCs, especially those who might doubt your abilities initially.
Halflings offer crucial Dexterity bonuses and size advantages. These bonuses enhance agility and accuracy. Dexterity improves dual-wielding efficiency and attack rolls with shortswords. The small size bonus boosts AC and skills like Hide. All these fit perfectly with the Divine Whirlwind[1] build’s combat style.
How does the Paladin/Fighter class combination benefit the Divine Whirlwind[1]?
Combining Paladin with Fighter grants a mix of divine magic and combat prowess. Starting as a Paladin offers Divine Grace and Smite Evil. Fighter levels then bring feats for weapon specialization and combat versatility. This blend makes the character both powerful and adaptable in battle.
In dungeon crawls, use hit-and-run tactics with Spring Attack. Open fields benefit from the Special Mount for swift movement. Ambushes are countered with Improved Initiative and focus on eliminating top threats with Smite Evil. Defensive stands make use of high Dexterity and defensive feats to parry and block.
Smite Evil is a significant damage boost against evil foes. Turn Undead offers utility for undead adversaries. Divine Grace improves survivability through enhanced saves. These abilities balance between high damage output and resilience on the battlefield.
Roleplay a small yet formidable Halfling warrior showcasing courage and loyalty. Use unexpected size advantage to defy expectations. Each battle is a chance to prove valor and skill, especially to doubters. Highlight bonds with family and oaths of loyalty, portraying a mix of strength and faith.
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
They were cornered, the army of orcs and giants slew their way into the town that was surrounding the King’s Castle. They had ran away towards the gates, but they were too late. They were shut. As his mother and younger siblings knocked against the gate with a few other villagers, the young man turned around. Down the street, orcs were pillaging and a hill giant, taller than some houses, was slowly making his way towards them, a carnivorous and stupid smile on his face. The young man without hesitation picked a sword from a dead guard nearby and stood his ground. The giant laughted at the sight.
The sword was heavy, his hands were trembling in fear. Yet he stood, no one was coming to save them, so he had to save his family, no matter what. That’s when the impossible happened. A young girl, smaller than him, clad in full plate armor and armed with a pair of short swords ran past him and jump straight into the giant’s face. It took her merely seconds to vanquish that foe. That’s when he saw her bare feet. A Halfling took down a giant that easy?
She turned around and gave him a genuine smile.
“You were brave kiddo, but don’t worry, the cavalry has arrived”.
Race
Halfling
Class
Paladin 8/Fighter 12
Ability Scores
Str 14/Dex 17/Con 12/Int 8/Wis 12/Cha 14
Skills
Ride
Equipment
A pair of shortswords and the best armor you can afford, plus a Holy Symbol.
Goal
You rule the battlefield from the get go. Your pair of shortswords will let you attack seven times per round by lvl 20 without buffs, and your damage will be impressive. You are an absolute whirlwind of blades and not many can nor will dare stand in your way.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Paladin
11
Weapon Finesse
Detect Evil, Smite Evil 1/Day, Aura of Good
2
Paladin
1d10+1
–
Divine Grace, Lay on Hands
3
Paladin
1d10+1
Two-Weapons Fighting
Divine Health, Aura of Courage
4
Paladin
1d10+1
–
Turn Undead, +1 Dex
5
Paladin
1d10+1
–
Smite Evil 2/Day, Special Mount
6
Paladin
1d10+1
Improved Two Weapons Fighting
Remove Disease 1/Week
7
Paladin
1d10+1
–
–
8
Paladin
1d10+1
–
+1 Dex
9
Fighter
1d10+1
Weapon Focus(Shortswo rd)
–
10
Fighter
1d10+1
Dodge
–
11
Fighter
1d10+1
–
–
12
Fighter
1d10+1
Weapon Specialization(S hortsword), Greater Two Weapons Fighting
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