Loyal Oath

[Puck Norris]

Does not specify "other" but says "adjacent to" -- is it reasonable to argue to my DM that I am adjacent to my own square, and thus can target myself?

[Randy Lockard]

You can argue whatever you like with your DM...but the simple fact is that you are NOT adjacent to your own square. You are IN your own square....not in the one next to you. You seem to qualify for the rest of it (willing creature, line of sight, etc) though.

[Puck Norris]

It doesn't actually say, "Adjacent to square" but "Adjacent to target.":

Oath of Loyalty:

To most paladins, their word is everything. When they say something, it will be done. Those who take this oath put that ideal to the test every day. The oathbound paladin's word is a promise, a sacred bond, and also greater power in the cause of law and good. She is careful with her words, lest she agree to something she cannot fully support.

Loyal Oath (Su): Starting at 1st level, once per day as a swift action, an oathbound paladin can choose a willing creature within line of sight as the target of her loyal oath. When the paladin is adjacent to the target of her loyal oath, she grants the target a sacred bonus on saving throws and to Armor Class equal to the paladin's Charisma bonus. The loyal oath lasts 1 minute, or until the paladin dismisses it (a free action) or discharges it (see below), whichever comes first.

If the target is struck by an enemy and the paladin is adjacent to that enemy, as an immediate action she may make a single melee attack against that enemy; making this attack ends the loyal oath. At 4th level and every three levels thereafter, the paladin may use her loyal oath one additional time per day. This ability replaces smite evil.

Loyal Guardian (Su): At 8th level, whenever the target of the paladin's loyal oath is hit with a melee or ranged attack, if the paladin is adjacent to the target, she can spend an immediate action to have the attack automatically hit her instead of the intended target. This ends the loyal oath.

Code of Conduct: Keep all promises. Never make an oath or promise lightly. Never go back on an oath.

Oath Spells: 1st—wrath; 2nd—aid; 3rd—helping hand; 4th—sending.

How much more "adjacent" can you be than being the thing itself?

EDIT:

Also:

How Combat Works wrote:

Melee Attacks: With a normal melee weapon, you can strike any opponent within 5 feet. (Opponents within 5 feet are considered adjacent to you.) Some melee weapons have reach, as indicated in their descriptions. With a typical reach weapon, you can strike opponents 10 feet away, but you can't strike adjacent foes (those within 5 feet).

So.... I'll declare myself an opponent of myself (maybe im a schizo, who the f&#+ knows). There. Now I qualify?

Schizophrenic paladins ftw.

[chaoseffect]

RAI its for you to protect other people, not act as a self buff. It seems like "adjacent" was thrown in with that purpose, because you never think about how you are adjacent to yourself.

[Puck Norris]

Why can't I be loyal to others by tanking like a boss to protect them?

It's the same argument you get in video games where you are a bad team player if you run into the enemy base and spawncamp instead of walking like a drone with the back of the class.

You still win.

[chaoseffect]

What I'm saying is that the class option obviously wasn't meant to do that, so the rules really aren't on your side here. That said, try asking your DM if you can use it on yourself anyway. He might say yes :P

[Vicon]

You will never, ever, ever, be adjacent to yourself. This is ridiculous. This power isn't about self-sacrifice, it's about vowing to protect others. But as Chaoseffect says, good luck trying to bend the rules.

Though while you're at it, you may want to come up with a spurious reason that justifies you boofing a lightning bolt as well.