Paladin

Type	Enemy
Environment	Dungeon
AI Type	Fighter AI
Damage	100/200/300 (contact); 120180270 (Paladin's Hammer)
Max Life	5000/10000/15000
Defense	50
KB Resist	100%
Banner	Paladin Banner(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions)
Immune to
Coins	5 GC12 GC50 SC
Hurt	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:NPC_Hit_4.wav
Killed	https://terraria.wiki.gg/wiki/File:NPC_Killed_6.wav

The Paladin is a rare, resilient Hardmode, post-Plantera enemy that spawns in the Dungeon after Plantera is defeated. It is immune to knockback and attacks by rapidly throwing hammer projectiles which can pass through blocks and inflict extreme damage.

It is one of the few entities that can be detected by the Lifeform Analyzer(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or its upgrades. The Paladin requires 25 kills to be awarded completion of its Bestiary entry and corresponding banner, as opposed to the usual 50 kills.

The Paladin spawns most often in areas of the Dungeon backed by Brick Walls, along with Blue Armored Bones and Necromancers. Removing these naturally occurring back walls will prevent these enemies from spawning, but they can be respawned by placing Cursed Dungeon Brick Walls. These areas can further be identified by the presence of Necromantic Signs and Marching Bones Banners, but these banners are purely indicative and do not influence spawning.

Notes

Paladins are exceptionally tough enemies. Their projectile attack is unusually versatile for a non-boss enemy and inflicts extreme damage. A Paladin has more health than Skeletron, immunity to knockback, and as much defense as the Moon Lord(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) and Duke Fishron (in its first form), making it difficult to kill and dangerous to try to slip past or ignore.
Although Paladins have a visual height of 4 tiles, they can pass through 3 tile-tall corridors.
Paladins cannot throw hammers while moving or being under attack.
Paladins are much less likely to attack players outside their line-of-sight.

Tips

Because a Paladin's attack will be interrupted if it takes damage, quickly firing weapons can stop it from attacking entirely.
- Most melee weapons are capable of hitting fast enough, although the Paladin's immunity to knockback, as well as other, surrounding enemies, may make this tough to pull off.
- Fast-firing ranged weapons can also be used, however, other enemies may get in the way, allowing the Paladin to attack. Consider using piercing or exploding shots. A Piranha Gun is exceptionally effective.
- Magic weapons with piercing capabilities can be used to great effect. Notable examples are the Heat Ray ((Old-gen console and 3DS versions)), Nettle Burst, or Magical Harp. Once obtained, a Shadowbeam Staff can also be used.
- Summoning weapons are extremely capable of taking the Paladin out. (Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) If the Paladin is targeted, the minions will almost always hit it fast enough to halt its attacks. The player can then focus on taking out other enemies and staying safe.
As Paladins usually cease to attack as soon as their line of sight is blocked, closed doors and walls (which may include openings with a width of one block) are a safe barrier. Weapons that are capable of attacking through blocks (e.g. Death Sickle) or those that fit through small holes (e.g. Scourge of the Corruptor or Nimbus Rod) can be used to defeat Paladins with little risk.
Fighting it in smaller hallways is not recommended, as this leaves no room for dodging, and often leads to a quick death. It may be possible to defeat a Paladin in a longer, two-way corridor by continuously attacking while backing away, but additional enemies potentially getting in the way still pose a threat.
Getting hit by a Paladin's body deals less damage than getting hit by one of its hammers, unless in Expert Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions) or Master Mode(Desktop, Console and Mobile versions).
Paladins will despawn even if they pick up coins.

Trivia

Out of all Dungeon enemies, the Paladin drops the most coins upon death.
It visibly holds the items that it drops: the Paladin's Hammer and Paladin's Shield.
The Paladin drops the third most coins of any non-boss enemy, tied with the Pirate Captain.
In real life, a paladin is usually a heroic champion (especially a knightly one) or a defender or advocate of a noble cause. The twelve foremost knights of Emperor Charlemagne's court are also called paladins.

The Bestiary entry for the Paladin: "In distant history, these mighty undead knights once guarded a prosperous city before a massive curse befell them."