Paladin

The Paladin is a heavily armored front-line fold, thick with reinforced creases and slow to fall. He is an advanced pattern — only the Prime or a Protege can fold him — and his real value is the Aegis Shield, a paper ring that turns his squad untouchable while it lasts. Paladins require a Printworks.

The Paladin is one of the only folds with armor built in rather than researched — 5 flat damage reduction on every hit he takes, before any Playbook Polish stacks on top.

Abilities

• Aegis Shield — Raise or lower a paper ring around the Paladin and nearby allies. Everyone inside becomes untargetable, but no one inside can attack out — the Paladin included. The ring itself is targetable and soaks about 260 damage before it pops, and it moves with the Paladin so the sheltered guard can advance under cover.

Strategy

The Paladin is a mobile bunker. Fold him at the head of a push and drop the Aegis Shield the moment enemy fire concentrates — your guard rides out the volley untouched while the ring absorbs it. Time it well: nobody inside can shoot back, so raise the ring to weather a burst or cross open ground, then lower it to strike. Because the ring soaks a fixed pool of damage, popping it early against heavy fire buys the same shelter as a long siege. Pair him with fragile advanced folds you want to keep alive.