u/CynicalSigtyr

I have yet to play a Paladin in 2024 and I'm torn between a basic STR setup with decent damage or a full-send CHA setup for support. Looking for opinions: what's your preferred Devotion Paladin setup? In broad strokes,

1. GWM, prioritize STR, MAD
2. GWM, prioritize CHA, MAD
3. Full CHA, SAD, Shillelagh (and War Caster?)
4. Something else?

All of the first three seem viable to me, depending on if you want to lean damage or lean support. I understand that Paladin damage is low compared to true martials, but pure damage isn't the 2024 class identity.

Forever DM moving to a new city from the middle of nowhere, looking into trying AL to scratch the player itch. This would be my first dip into AL. I've read the Player's Guide (Version 2026.2) but have a few lingering questions.

1. Are AL characters limited to the official backgrounds in the PHB and newer books (e.g., Acolyte, Sailor, etc.) or can you make a “custom background” according to the layout presented in the PHB (i.e., choose your stats, choose your Origin Feat, choose your skill proficiencies, etc.)?
2. PHB+1 is gone, so does that mean I can create a setting-appropriate character with any combination of relevant player options? For example:
   1. Species: Warforged (Eberron campaign)
   2. Class: Paladin (PHB)
   3. Background: Giant Foundling (Bigby Presents Glory of the Giants)
   4. Subclass: Oath of the Noble Genies (Heroes of Faerun) *The Player's Guide says that this FR subclass is available in Dragonlance, Eberron, and Ravenloft*.
   5. And so on
3. A new character is level 1, playing in Tier 1 games (levels 1 - 4). Does this mean that my level 1 character could be playing alongside level 3 and 4 characters?
4. Does my new, level 1 character have to start at the first part of a multi-part tier 1 adventure, or can it drop in and play any tier-appropriate / level-appropriate session?
5. Can a single character “replay” an adventure, part of an adventure, or one-shot?
6. Do I need to make a different character for each campaign (FR, DL, EB, RV)? I assume yes, but I can also make an unlimited number of characters in each campaign and replay content that way (loops back to question #5).
7. Should I expect to be able to purchase Mundane Items (e.g., non-magical Plate Armor) during any given session?
8. Should I expect to be able to pick up specific magic items during play (e.g., high likelihood or guaranteed Gauntlets of Ogre Power by level 5), or should I cross my fingers and probably hit up a Trading Post with Downtime?
9. Do I need to use Downtime to level up at the end of a session? The “Downtime” section of the Player's Guide lists the option to use 10 DT to gain a level.

I appreciate any answers here. I don't want to treat AL like a home game if/when it's very much not.