With 28 pages of content, Legendary Paladins delivers an intriguing look at a class all too often steeped in stereotypes. I came into this review not quite knowing what to expect but I must say I’m pleasantly pleased with the results. I’m rather hard on published material and I can say without doubt that this one is definitely worth the money for a player or GM looking to provide his players with new options for Paladins [and a few for paladin-style Non-Paladins as well.]
Legendary Paladins earns its 4 stars out of 5, no doubt in my mind.
Pages 3 -5 provides alternate class features, similar to those of the 3.5 days and a breath of fresh air in the face of Paizo’s whole-cloth Archetype replacements. A defensive support power in place of Smite Evil, an offensive Smite-Evil rider effect in place of Mercies.
Pages 5 and 6 provide a suite of Monk-style vows [which - similar to Monk vows - fall woefully out of the power bracket I personally expect of the game.]
The Paraclete prestige class presented on pages 6-9 is a real sight for sore eyes. A Pathfinder prestige class that is Actually Worth Taking! Not overpowered by a longshot, this class emphasizes the classical guardian theme often associated with Paladins but poorly represented by Pathfinder [and the edition from which it sprung] mechanically. While it’s Paladin themed [and supports Paladin entry] the Paraclete isn’t restricted to Paladins, being a fun path any Good Martial PC might pursue.
Next come the expected Archetypes, spanning 10 pages and pleasantly surprising me with Paladin-style options for Bloodragers and Magi in addition to a plethora of Paladin archetypes. Of especially great appeal to me was the Dragon Knight, a Paladin who gains dragon related stuff including a dragon partner he can eventually ride.
The spells that follow on page 19-25 open up some interesting versatility to the Paladin, improving his ability to support his party and adapt to the hooks the game throws at him. While far from overpowering, these spells just might tempt that player who usually trades away his Paladin Spellcasting to hang onto it instead.
Last are the Magic Items, in my personal opinion the weakest section of the book. Nothing is woefully out of balance [except perhaps the Surcoat of Smiting which doesn’t stack with expected gear and can’t be used frequently enough to replace said gear] but the only item that really spoke to me in the whole section is the Saddle of Shared Smiting.
