Blackguard (Paladin Kit)

The Blackguard epitomizes evil and is nothing short of a mortal fiend. The quintessential black knight, this villain carries a reputation of the foulest sort. It is well deserved. Consorting with demons and devils and serving dark deities, the Blackguard is hated and feared by all. Some call these villains "antipaladins" due to their completely evil nature.

Advantages

• Immune to level drain and fear.
• May Turn Undead as a Paladin of the same level — but evil Blackguards can gain control of undead instead of destroying them.
• May use Absorb Health once per day.
  • Absorb Health: Deals 2 hp per level to an enemy, healing the Blackguard the same number of Hit Points. No effect on undead, constructs, or extraplanar creatures.
• May use Poison Weapon once per day, +1 use every 5 levels.
  • Poison Weapon: Each successful hit within the next round injects poison into the target — 2 points of damage per second (total 12), and on a failed save vs. Poison, an additional 1 damage per round for 4 rounds.
• 3rd level: may use Aura of Despair once per day, scaling by level:
  • 3rd level: Enemies within 30 ft. take –1 to-hit and damage, –2 AC for 1 turn.
  • 6th level: –2 to-hit and damage, –2 AC for 1 turn.
  • 15th level: –4 to-hit and damage, –4 AC; causes fear in enemies of level 8 or lower.
  • 20th level: –4 to-hit and damage, –4 AC; causes fear in enemies of level 18 or lower.

Disadvantages

• Alignment restricted to evil.
• May not cast Detect Evil.
• May not cast Protection From Evil.
• May not use Lay On Hands.
• May not use Cure Disease.
• Does not gain immunity to disease.

When to pick it

• The only Paladin kit that can be evil — and the only one that can use undead controlled via Turn Undead as servitors.
• Aura of Despair turns the Blackguard into an area debuffer; combine with a mid-range chokepoint for crushing crowd control.

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Source: iwdee/original_manuals/IWDEE - Mastering Melee & Magic.pdf — "Blackguard (Paladin Kit)".