@Anoplexian I wouldn't generally recommend multiclassing unless there's a very specific thematic build you're going for. The loss of single class progression can be a big deal for delaying major class milestones.
that's a complicated question. 1. everyone gets xp based on encounters. That counts defeating monsters, traps, etc. 2. everyone SHOULD also get xp based on interacting with and exploring the world.
@Anoplexian I've got a paladin that started at level 5 and is now level 16. Love the class and the character. Have you considered what oath you'll take?
@Anoplexian And as for Paladin tips - The spell smites are generally not that interesting. Your spell slots are better left for divine smites or buffs like Bless.
@Anoplexian But overall, I love the Paladin. There's a lot of freedom for what type of paladin you want (big damage focus, more tank type focus, etc), you can be a support player, and you can be ahealer.
Easier just to list the general classes Barbarian Bard Cleric Druid Fighter (and Eldritch Knight, the arcane fighter subtype) Monk Paladin Ranger Rogue (And Arcane Trickster, the rogue subtype) Sorcerer Wizard Warlock
@Anoplexian When you're doing an 'heroic stat roll" system where you end up with higher stats to start, Feats can be a very big deal given how powerful they can be.
You have a "Proficiency bonus" that goes up at certain levels. If you have proficiency in a skill or weapon or tool, you add your proficiency bonus when using it.
as in, there are no stacked bonuses/penalties unless you've got some special ability or spell going on. But if you have 2 ways of generating advantage and 1 way of generating disadvantage, it just says "Roll normally"
@Anoplexian If you decide to go Heavy Weapon Paladin and pick Great Weapon Fighting as your fighting style, you should talk to your DM about how it works with divine smites. My table likes to roll dice, so we allow it work with smites.
@Anoplexian There are "Long rests" (8 hours) and "Short rests" (1 hour). Depending on what your class is and what abilities you have, you can get some charges of your spent abilities back with each.
@NautArch The biggest problem for me was taking DEX penalties on rolls and having to do the math to figure out whether or not I was taking movement penalties.
@MikeQ Well for instance I asked my DM to have a cat as a companion.
@goodguy5 what I did was made it so even when they roll a second time, they have to get over the target AC and if they don't then there's no additional damage
@Anoplexian Yeah, definitely not a problem in 5e. I mean, it can make sense to track it, it's just highly unlikely to ever be a problem for a high strength character.
@Anoplexian Beast companions are more of a thing as a Ranger archetype in 5e. Doesn't mean you can't have one, but if I was a DM i'd be very careful to not let it become a mechanical advantage or use otherwise you're minimizing a sublcass.