Paladin Job Guide for FFXIV - Endwalker 6.5 - Final Fantasy XIV

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Last updated on Oct 17, 2023 at 12:00 by nikroulah 3 comments

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.

Paladin Guide

Leveling Melding Gear and Best in Slot Tank Rotation FAQ How to Improve Asphodelos Tank Tips

TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE

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 Icon Fight or Flight, using it to buff big hits like Goring Blade Icon Goring Blade and Confiteor Icon 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 Icon Clemency and Cover Icon 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 Icon Iron Will, toggled on. After unlocking Sheltron Icon 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 Icon Holy Sheltron, Intervention Icon Intervention, and Cover Icon 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	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Fast Blade Lv. 1	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 200.
Fight or Flight Lv. 2	Instant 60.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Increases damage dealt by 25%. Duration: 20s
Riot Blade Lv. 4	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Combo Action: Fast Blade Combo Potency: 300 Combo Bonus: Restores MP
Total Eclipse Lv. 6	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100 to all nearby enemies.
Iron Will Lv. 10	Instant 2.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Significantly increases enmity generation. Effect ends upon reuse.
Release Iron Will Lv. 10	Instant 1.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Cancels the effect of Iron Will.
Shield Bash Lv. 10	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Stun Duration: 6s
Shield Lob Lv. 15	Instant 2.5s	↔ 20y 0y	Delivers a ranged attack with a potency of 100. Additional Effect: Increased enmity
Rage of Halone Lv. 26	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 100. Combo Action: Riot Blade Combo Potency: 330
Spirits Within Lv. 30	Instant 30.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 270. Additional Effect: Restores MP
Sheltron Lv. 35	Instant 5.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Reduces damage taken by 15%. Duration: 6s Oath Gauge Cost: 50
Sentinel Lv. 38	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Reduces damage taken by 30%. Duration: 15s
Prominence Lv. 40	Instant 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	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	Instant 120.0s	↔ 10y 0y	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	Instant 30.0s	↔ 0y 5y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 120 to all nearby enemies. Additional Effect: Damage over time Potency: 30 Duration: 15s
Hallowed Ground Lv. 50	Instant 420.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Renders you impervious to most attacks. Duration: 10s
Bulwark Lv. 52	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Block incoming attacks. Duration: 10s
Goring Blade Lv. 54	Instant 60.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 700. This weaponskill does not share a recast timer with any other actions.
Divine Veil Lv. 56	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 30y	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	1.5s 2.5s	↔ 30y 0y	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	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 140. Combo Action: Riot Blade Combo Potency: 400 Combo Bonus: Grants 3 stacks of Sword Oath 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	Instant 10.0s	↔ 30y 0y	Reduces target party member's damage taken by 10%. Duration: 8s Additional Effect: Increases damage reduction by an additional 10% if Rampart or Sentinel 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	1.5s 2.5s	↔ 25y 0y	MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 350. Divine Might Potency: 450 Requiescat Potency: 650 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	Instant 60.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Deals unaspected damage with a potency of 300. 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	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 8y	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	1.5s 2.5s	↔ 0y 5y	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	Instant 30.0s	↔ 20y 0y	Rushes target and delivers an attack with a potency of 150. Maximum Charges: 2 Cannot be executed while bound.
Atonement Lv. 76	Instant 2.5s	↔ 3y 0y	Delivers an attack with a potency of 400. Additional Effect: Restores MP Can only be executed while under the effect of Sword Oath.
Confiteor Lv. 80	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 400 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 900 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	Instant 5.0s	↔ 0y 0y	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	Instant 30.0s	↔ 3y 5y	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	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 200 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 700 Combo Action: Confiteor Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Blade of Truth Lv. 90	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 300 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 800 Combo Action: Blade of Faith Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.
Blade of Valor Lv. 90	Instant 2.5s	↔ 25y 5y	MP Cost: 2000.0 Deals unaspected damage to target and all enemies nearby it with a potency of 400 for the first enemy, and 50% less for all remaining enemies. Requiescat Potency: 900 Combo Action: Blade of Truth Additional Effect: Restores own HP Cure Potency: 400 ※This action cannot be assigned to a hotbar.

Role Actions

Action Name	Cast Recast	Range Radius	Effect
Rampart Lv. 8	Instant 90.0s	↔ 0y 0y	Reduces damage taken by 20%. Duration: 20s
Low Blow Lv. 12	Instant 25.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Stuns target. Duration: 5s
Provoke Lv. 15	Instant 30.0s	↔ 25y 0y	Gesture threateningly, placing yourself at the top of a target's enmity list while gaining additional enmity.
Interject Lv. 18	Instant 30.0s	↔ 3y 0y	Interrupts the use of a target's action.
Reprisal Lv. 22	Instant 60.0s	↔ 0y 5y	Reduces damage dealt by nearby enemies by 10%. Duration: 10s
Arm's Length Lv. 32	Instant 120.0s	↔ 0y 0y	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	Instant 120.0s	↔ 25y 0y	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.
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 three stacks of Sword Oath 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, and Atonement to 400.
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

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.

10.

Changelog

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 (Asphodelos page): Updated for Patch 6.1
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 (Asphodelos page): Guide added.
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.

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Paladin Guide

Leveling Melding Gear and Best in Slot Tank Rotation FAQ How to Improve Asphodelos Tank Tips

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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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Paladin Job Guide for FFXIV — Endwalker 6.5