Paladin Job Guide for FFXIV — Dawntrail 7.0
Paladin is a tank job in Final Fantasy XIV that seek to protect their party members with their sword and shield, channelling the holy power bestowed upon them to smite down their foes. Paladin can only be played at Level 30 or higher, after receiving their job stone as a Gladiator.
What is Paladin's Playstyle?
Paladin is a tank job that uses a sword and shield and has strong burst damage
as well as many ranged attacks. It also offers a powerful set of targeted and raid-wide
mitigation tools for a raid and trial setting.
Paladin's rotation revolves around its powerful buff, 
Fight or Flight,
using it to buff big hits like 
Goring Blade and 
Confiteor.
On the defensive side, Paladin has access to powerful raid mitigation and
single-target mitigation tools, able to significantly lighten the load on
healers in raids and trials, as well as fill the gaps in your co-tank's defenses.
It also has access to unique run-saving tools in 
Clemency
and 
Cover.
Paladin Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Powerful raid mitigation from 
Divine Veil and 
Passage of Arms.- Unique, powerful tools for raid progression with Clemency and Cover.
- Several ranged attacks, allowing Paladin to keep uptime on prolonged melee disengagements, even during burst.
Weaknesses
Little sustain at lower levels, while Clemency is a significant damage loss.
Hallowed Ground has a significantly longer cooldown than other tank invulnerabilities
How do you Unlock Paladin?
Paladin upgrades from one of the starting classes, Gladiator, at level 30. To unlock Gladiator if it was not your starting class, visit the Gladiator's Guild at Ul'dah - Steps of Thal (x9.2, y11.7) and speak to Lulutsu.
Upon reaching level 30 on Gladiator and completing all of the class quests, speak to Lulutsu in the Gladiator's Guild at Ul'dah - Steps of Thal (X:9.2, Y:11.7) once more to accept the quest Paladin's Pledge. Upon completion, you will obtain the Paladin job stone and unlock the first of many Paladin abilities.
The Oath Gauge
The Oath Gauge indicates when you have your tank stance,
Iron Will, toggled on. After unlocking
Sheltron, it will also show your accumulated Oath.
You gain Oath by landing auto-attacks, which happen automatically in combat
approximately every 2.3 seconds.
At level cap, Oath can be spent on three defensive cooldowns, 
Holy Sheltron,
Intervention, and Cover, each costing 50
Oath.
Paladin Video Resources
If you would prefer to watch a video that provides an overview of Paladin, feel free to give the video below a watch. The video was provided by Julia Care, a member of the community on The Balance Discord server.
Paladin Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Fast Blade
Lv. 1
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 220. |
 Fight or Flight
Lv. 2
|
|
|
Increases damage dealt by 25%. Duration: 20s Additional Effect: Grants Goring Blade Ready Duration: 30s |
 Riot Blade
Lv. 4
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 170. Combo Action: Fast Blade Combo Potency: 330 Combo Bonus: Restores MP |
 Total Eclipse
Lv. 6
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. |
 Iron Will
Lv. 10
|
|
|
Significantly increases enmity generation. Effect ends upon reuse. |
 Release Iron Will
Lv. 10
|
|
|
Cancels the effect of Iron Will. |
 Shield Bash
Lv. 10
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Stun Duration: 6s |
 Shield Lob
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Increased enmity |
 Rage of Halone
Lv. 26
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Combo Action: Riot Blade Combo Potency: 330 |
 Spirits Within
Lv. 30
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 270. Additional Effect: Restores MP |
 Sheltron
Lv. 35
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by 15%. Duration: 6s Oath Gauge Cost: 50 |
 Sentinel
Lv. 38
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by 30%. Duration: 15s |
 Prominence
Lv. 40
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Combo Action: Total Eclipse Combo Potency: 170 Combo Bonus: Restores MP Combo Bonus: Grants Divine Might Divine Might Effect: Allows next Holy Spirit or Holy Circle to be cast immediately with increased potency Duration: 30s |
 Cover
Lv. 45
|
|
|
Take all damage intended for another party member as long as said member remains within 10 yalms. Does not activate with certain attacks. Duration: 12s Oath Gauge Cost: 50 |
 Circle of Scorn
Lv. 50
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 140 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 30 Duration: 15s |
 Hallowed Ground
Lv. 50
|
|
|
Renders you impervious to most attacks. Duration: 10s |
 Bulwark
Lv. 52
|
|
|
Block incoming attacks. Duration: 10s |
 Goring Blade
Lv. 54
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 700. Can only be executed while under the effect of Goring Blade Ready. |
 Divine Veil
Lv. 56
|
|
|
Creates a barrier around self and all party members near you that absorbs damage equivalent to 10% of your maximum HP. Duration: 30s Additional Effect: Restores target's HP Cure Potency: 400 |
 Clemency
Lv. 58
|
|
|
MP Cost: 4000.0 Restores target's HP. Cure Potency: 1,000 Additional Effect: Restores to self 50% of HP restored to target if target is a party member |
 Royal Authority
Lv. 60
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 180. Combo Action: Riot Blade Combo Potency: 440 Combo Bonus: Grants Atonement Ready Duration: 30s Combo Bonus: Grants Divine Might Divine Might Effect: Allows next Holy Spirit or Holy Circle to be cast immediately with increased potency Duration: 30s |
 Intervention
Lv. 62
|
|
|
Reduces target party member's damage taken by 10%. Duration: 8s Additional Effect: Increases damage reduction by an additional 10% if Rampart or Guardian are active Additional Effect: Grants Knight's Resolve to target Knight's Resolve Effect: Reduces damage taken by 10% Duration: 4s Additional Effect: Grants Knight's Benediction to target Knight's Benediction Effect: Gradually restores HP Cure Potency: 250 Duration: 12s Oath Gauge Cost: 50 |
 Holy Spirit
Lv. 64
|
|
|
MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 370. Divine Might Potency: 470 Requiescat Potency: 670 The effect of Divine Might will be prioritized over Requiescat when under the effect of both. Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 |
 Requiescat
Lv. 68
|
|
|
Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 320. Additional Effect: Grants 4 stacks of Requiescat Requiescat Effect: Increases the potency of Holy Spirit, Holy Circle, and all Confiteor combo actions and spells will require no cast time Additional Effect: Grants Confiteor Ready Duration: 30s |
 Passage of Arms
Lv. 70
|
|
|
Increases block rate to 100% and creates a designated area in a cone behind you in which party members will only suffer 85% of all damage inflicted. Duration: 18s Effect ends upon using another action or moving (including facing a different direction). Cancels auto-attack upon execution. |
 Holy Circle
Lv. 72
|
|
|
MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies. Divine Might Potency: 200 Requiescat Potency: 300 The effect of Divine Might will be prioritized over Requiescat when under the effect of both. Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 |
 Intervene
Lv. 74
|
|
|
Rushes target and delivers an attack with a potency of 150. Maximum Charges: 2 Cannot be executed while bound. |
 Atonement
Lv. 76
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 440. Additional Effect: Restores MP Additional Effect: Grants Supplication Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while under the effect of Atonement Ready. |
 Sepulchre
Lv. 76
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 480. Additional Effect: Restores MP Can only be executed while under the effect of Sepulchre Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Supplication changes to Sepulchre when requirements for execution are met. |
 Supplication
Lv. 76
|
|
|
Delivers an attack with a potency of 460. Additional Effect: Restores MP Additional Effect: Grants Sepulchre Ready Duration: 30s Can only be executed while under the effect of Supplication Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Atonement changes to Supplication when requirements for execution are met. |
 Confiteor
Lv. 80
|
|
|
MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 440 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 940 Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 Can only be executed while under the effect of Confiteor Ready. Effect fades upon execution. |
 Holy Sheltron
Lv. 82
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by 15%. Duration: 8s Additional Effect: Grants Knight's Resolve Knight's Resolve Effect: Reduces damage taken by 15% Duration: 4s Additional Effect: Grants Knight's Benediction Knight's Benediction Effect: Gradually restores HP Cure Potency: 250 Duration: 12s Oath Gauge Cost: 50 |
 Expiacion
Lv. 86
|
|
|
Delivers an attack to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 450 for the first enemy, and 60% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Restores MP |
 Blade of Faith
Lv. 90
|
|
|
MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 240 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 740 Combo Action: Confiteor Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Confiteor changes to Blade of Faith when requirements for execution are met. |
 Blade of Truth
Lv. 90
|
|
|
MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 340 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 840 Combo Action: Blade of Faith Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Blade of Faith changes to Blade of Truth when requirements for execution are met. |
 Blade of Valor
Lv. 90
|
|
|
MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 440 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 940 Combo Action: Blade of Truth Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 Additional Effect: Grants Blade of Honor Ready Duration: 30s ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Blade of Truth changes to Blade of Valor when requirements for execution are met. |
 Guardian
Lv. 92
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by 40%. Duration: 15s Additional Effect: Erects a magicked barrier which nullifies damage equivalent to a heal of 1,000 potency Duration: 15s |
 Imperator
Lv. 96
|
|
|
Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 580 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Additional Effect: Grants 4 stacks of Requiescat Duration: 30s Requiescat Effect: Increases the potency of Holy Spirit, Holy Circle, and all Confiteor combo actions, and spells will require no cast time Additional Effect: Grants Confiteor Ready Duration: 30s |
 Blade of Honor
Lv. 100
|
|
|
Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 1,000 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Can only be executed while under the effect of Blade of Honor Ready. ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar. ※Imperator changes to Blade of Honor when requirements for execution are met. |
Role Actions
| Action Name |
|
|
Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rampart
Lv. 8
|
|
|
Reduces damage taken by 20%. Additional Effect: Increases HP recovery via healing actions on self by 15% Duration: 20s |
 Low Blow
Lv. 12
|
|
|
Stuns target. Duration: 5s |
 Provoke
Lv. 15
|
|
|
Gesture threateningly, placing yourself at the top of a target's enmity list while gaining additional enmity. |
 Interject
Lv. 18
|
|
|
Interrupts the use of a target's action. |
 Reprisal
Lv. 22
|
|
|
Reduces damage dealt by nearby enemies by 10%. Duration: 15s |
 Arm's Length
Lv. 32
|
|
|
Creates a barrier nullifying most knockback and draw-in effects. Duration: 6s Additional Effect: Slow +20% when barrier is struck Duration: 15s |
 Shirk
Lv. 48
|
|
|
Diverts 25% of enmity to target party member. |
Paladin Traits
| Action Name | Acquired | Effect |
|---|---|---|
 Tank Mastery |
Lv. 1 |
Reduces damage taken by 20%. Furthermore, grants a bonus to maximum HP based on your vitality attribute, and a bonus to damage dealt based on your strength attribute. |
 Oath Mastery |
Lv. 35 |
Increases Oath Gauge by 5 each time an auto-attack lands. |
 Enhanced Fight or Flight |
Lv. 54 |
Grants Goring Blade Ready upon executing Fight or Flight. Duration: 30s |
 Chivalry |
Lv. 58 |
Restores MP when using Riot Blade or Spirits Within. |
 Rage of Halone Mastery |
Lv. 60 |
Upgrades Rage of Halone to Royal Authority. |
 Divine Magic Mastery |
Lv. 64 |
Halves MP cost for all spells while preventing casting interruptions via damage taken. Grants the following effects after successfully completing a combo with Royal Authority: Combo Bonus: Grants Divine Might Divine Might Effect: Allows next Holy Spirit or Holy Circle to be cast immediately with increased potency Duration: 30s |
 Enhanced Prominence |
Lv. 72 |
Grants the following effects after successfully completing a combo with Prominence: Combo Bonus: Restores MP Combo Bonus: Grants Divine Might Divine Might Effect: Allows next Holy Spirit or Holy Circle to be cast immediately with increased potency Duration: 30s |
 Enhanced Sheltron |
Lv. 74 |
Extends the duration of Sheltron to 6 seconds. |
 Sword Oath |
Lv. 76 |
Grants Atonement Ready after successfully completing a combo with Royal Authority. Duration: 30s |
 Enhanced Requiescat |
Lv. 80 |
Grants the effect of Confiteor Ready upon landing Requiescat. Duration: 30s |
 Sheltron Mastery |
Lv. 82 |
Upgrades Sheltron to Holy Sheltron. |
 Enhanced Intervention |
Lv. 82 |
Extends the duration of Intervention to 8 seconds. Grants Knight's Resolve to target, reducing damage taken by 10%. Duration: 4s Grants Knight's Benediction to target, gradually restoring HP over time. Cure Potency: 250 Duration: 12s |
 Divine Magic Mastery II |
Lv. 84 |
Adds a healing effect to Holy Spirit, Holy Circle, and Confiteor. Cure Potency: 400 |
 Melee Mastery |
Lv. 84 |
Increases the potency of Fast Blade to 200, Riot Blade to 140, Royal Authority to 140, Holy Spirit to 350, Atonement to 400, Supplication to 420, and Sepulchre to 440. |
 Spirits Within Mastery |
Lv. 86 |
Upgrades Spirits Within to Expiacion. |
 Enhanced Divine Veil |
Lv. 88 |
Adds a healing effect to Divine Veil. Cure Potency: 400 |
 Sentinel Mastery |
Lv. 92 |
Upgrades Sentinel to Guardian. |
 Melee Mastery II |
Lv. 94 |
Increases the potency of Fast Blade to 220, Riot Blade to 170, Royal Authority to 180, Holy Spirit to 370, Atonement to 440, Supplication to 460, Sepulchre to 480, Confiteor to 440, Blade of Faith to 240, Blade of Truth to 340, and Blade of Valor to 440. |
 Enhanced Rampart |
Lv. 94 |
Adds an additional effect to Rampart that increases HP recovery via healing actions on self by 15%. |
 Requiescat Mastery |
Lv. 96 |
Upgrades Requiescat to Imperator. |
 Enhanced Reprisal |
Lv. 98 |
Extends the duration of Reprisal to 15 seconds. |
 Enhanced Blade of Valor |
Lv. 100 |
Grants the effect of Blade of Honor Ready upon landing Blade of Valor. Duration: 30s Imperator changes to Blade of Honor while under the effect of Blade of Honor Ready. |
Paladin Lore
For centuries, the elite of the Sultansworn have served as personal bodyguards to the royal family of Ul'dah. Known as paladins, these men and women marry exquisite swordplay with stalwart shieldwork to create a style of combat uncompromising in its defense. Clad in brilliant silver armor, they charge fearlessly into battle, ever ready to lay down their lives for their liege.
To be a paladin is to protect, and those who choose to walk this path will become the iron foundation upon which the party's defense is built.
Changelog
- 09 Jul. 2024 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 7.0.
- 09 Jul. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 09 Jul. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 09 Jul. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 7.0.
- 09 Jul. 2024 (job changes): Endwalker changes removed and Dawntrail info added
- 09 Jul. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 7.0.
- 06 Jun. 2024 (job changes): Dawntrail media tour info added
- 23 May 2024 (keybindings page): Guide added.
- 23 May 2024 (job changes): Patch notes through Endwalker added, Dawntrail preview info added.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (how to improve page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (rotation page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (Leveling page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (melding page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 18 Jan. 2024 (this page): Updated for patch 6.55.
- 17 Jan. 2024 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.55.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 17 Oct. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.5.
- 13 Jul. 2023 (gear page): Added sets for old ultimates.
- 24 May 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 24 May 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 24 May 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 24 May 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 24 May 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 24 May 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 24 May 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.4.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (Leveling page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 22 Jan. 2023 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.3.
- 20 Sep. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 20 Sep. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 20 Sep. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 20 Sep. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 20 Sep. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 08 Sep. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.2.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (how to improve page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (FAQ page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (rotation page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (gear page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (melding page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 20 Apr. 2022 (this page): Updated for Patch 6.1.
- 30 Mar. 2022 (Leveling page): Guide added.
- 15 Feb. 2022 (gear page): Guide added.
- 14 Jan. 2022 (how to improve page): Guide added.
- 14 Jan. 2022 (FAQ page): Guide added.
- 14 Jan. 2022 (rotation page): Guide added.
- 14 Jan. 2022 (melding page): Guide added.
- 14 Jan. 2022 (this page): Guide added.
- 19 Dec. 2021 (job changes): Page added.
Guides from Other Classes
Early Access Countdown
Release Countdown
Nikroulah has been a Paladin player since he started the game in early Shadowbringers. Quickly diving into high-end raiding and theorycrafting, he is now a mentor and senior moderator on the Balance. He is always happy to teach and help people improve, and holds a large breadth of knowledge about the game as well as respectable parses in multiple savage tiers and in all three Ultimate raids. You can often find him lurking in Paladin channels on the Balance discord.
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