Paladins Community
Bubble
Skill
The Paladins Community is an active global group of players devoted to Hi-Rez Studios’ hero shooter 'Paladins,' collaborating on strate...Show more
Paladins Community
Bubble
Skill
The Paladins Community is an active global group of players devoted to Hi-Rez Studios’ hero shooter 'Paladins,' collaborating on strategies, builds, and sharing insider knowledge.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
300K
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Worldwide
Country Hotspots
US
General Q&A
The Paladins Community unites players who love Hi-Rez Studios' hero shooter Paladins, sharing their passion for team-based gameplay, champion skills, and strategic competition.
Community Q&A
The Paladins Community unites players who love Hi-Rez Studios' hero shooter Paladins, sharing their passion for team-based gameplay, champion skills, and strategic competition.
Players gather on Discord servers, official forums, and Reddit, forming teams for custom matches, collaborating in community-run events, and trading tips or memes.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Meta Guardians
Social NormsInsiders fiercely debate patch changes, almost ritualistically defending or criticizing hero balance, treating meta shifts as personal and community identity challenges rather than mere gameplay updates.
Champion Tiering
Identity MarkersRanking heroes into tiers is a social status marker; top-tier champions bring prestige, while mastery of underused heroes grants insider respect for strategic creativity.
Meme Signaling
Communication PatternsMeme references like 'OP nerf plz' and 'payload memes' act as social lubricants, instantly confirming community membership and shared history beyond pure gameplay talk.
Scrim Rituals
Community DynamicsCustom scrims and community tournaments form exclusive bonding spaces where strategic expertise and social hierarchy interplay, reinforcing trust and informal leadership roles.
Sub Groups
Competitive Teams
Groups focused on high-level play, scrims, and tournaments, often organizing via Discord and Steam.
Casual Players
Players interested in casual matches, sharing memes, and general discussion, active on Reddit and Discord.
Content Creators
Streamers and YouTubers producing guides, gameplay, and commentary, engaging audiences on Twitch and YouTube.
Esports Fans
Fans and followers of Paladins esports events, engaging primarily on Twitch and during offline tournaments.
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
1 / 3
Discord
40%Discord is the primary hub for Paladins players to coordinate, form teams, discuss strategies, and engage in real-time voice/text chat, making it central to the game's community ecosystem.
Reddit
20%Reddit hosts an active Paladins subreddit where players share news, guides, and community discussions, serving as a major forum for broader engagement.
Steam Community
15%As Paladins is available on Steam, the Steam Community provides forums, guides, and group features specifically for Paladins players.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
Discover Similar Bubbles
Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Inside Jokes
'Where’s the payload?',' 'Still waiting...'
This joke pokes fun at slow or poorly coordinated team pushes on the payload map, implying that the team is standing around without really advancing.
'Ult baited!',' 'That was a freebie.'
Players tease each other when an ultimate ability ('ult') is wasted or avoided by the enemy, effectively 'baiting' it out without consequence.
Facts & Sayings
„OP nerf plz“
A common request or complaint asking developers to nerf ('weaken') a champion or weapon considered overpowered ('OP') in the current meta.
„Payload memes“
Humorous references and jokes revolving around the payload game mode, often about strategies, map design quirks, or typical team behaviors.
„OB patches“
An abbreviation of 'Oblivion patches,' referring to the game's regular updates that profoundly change champion balance or game mechanics, often causing significant shifts in gameplay and community discussion.
„CC chain“
Refers to a series of crowd control abilities linked together by the team to disable a target for an extended time, a key tactical concept in Paladins.
„Flank and pick“
A tactic where a player uses a 'flanker' champion to sneak behind enemy lines to pick off isolated opponents.
Unwritten Rules
Always communicate ult cooldowns.
Informing teammates when ultimate abilities are ready or on cooldown is vital for coordinated team fights and increases chances of winning.
Don’t steal kills from flankers.
Flankers rely on picking off isolated targets; stealing their kills can disrupt their effectiveness and team strategy.
Respect map rotation timings.
Experienced players know payload timers and positioning; ignoring these can cause team disarray and missed objectives.
Avoid spamming 'OP' complaints without constructive feedback.
While frustration with balance is common, the community values thoughtful discussions over simple complaints for positive change.
Fictional Portraits
1 / 3
Emily, 24
Game DesignerfemaleEmily is a junior game designer from Canada who plays Paladins competitively and contributes strategy guides to fan sites.
Community supportFair playContinuous improvement
Motivations
- Compete at a high level and improve her gameplay skills
- Contribute helpful content to support newer players
- Stay updated on game meta and patch changes
Challenges
- Balancing gaming time with a busy work schedule
- Keeping up with rapid game updates and meta shifts
- Dealing with toxic or unconstructive community members
Platforms
Reddit Paladins subDiscord strategy serversTwitch chat
metabuildsCCburst damage
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
Organizations
1 / 3
1 / 3
Organizations
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 1-2 weeks
1
Install and Play Tutorials
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Download Paladins, complete in-game tutorials, and play several casual matches to learn basics.
Details: Begin by downloading Paladins on your preferred platform and creating an account. The in-game tutorials are designed to introduce you to the core mechanics, controls, and objectives of the game. Take your time with these tutorials, paying attention to movement, aiming, and ability usage. After completing the tutorials, play several casual matches against bots or new players. This will help you get comfortable with the pace of the game and its user interface. Beginners often rush through tutorials or skip them, missing out on foundational knowledge. Resist the urge to jump straight into competitive play; focus on learning the basics first. Evaluate your progress by tracking your comfort with controls, understanding of objectives, and ability to contribute to your team. This step is crucial because it grounds you in the game's mechanics, making future learning much smoother.
2
Join Community Forums
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Register on Paladins-focused forums or Discord servers to observe discussions and ask beginner questions.
Details: Find and join active Paladins community forums or Discord servers. Start by reading through popular threads, paying attention to frequently asked questions, strategy discussions, and patch notes. Introduce yourself in the appropriate channels and don't hesitate to ask beginner questions—most communities are welcoming to newcomers who show genuine interest. Avoid spamming or asking questions easily answered by a quick search. Instead, engage thoughtfully and respectfully. This step is important for connecting with the broader community, learning unwritten rules, and staying updated on game changes. Progress can be measured by your comfort in navigating discussions, receiving helpful responses, and starting to recognize community leaders and regular contributors.
3
Experiment With Multiple Champions
3-5 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Try at least 5 different champions in casual matches to understand diverse playstyles and roles.
Details: Paladins features a wide roster of champions, each with unique abilities and roles (Damage, Support, Front Line, Flank). Play at least one match with champions from each role to experience different playstyles. Focus on learning their basic abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Beginners often stick to one champion or role, which limits their understanding of team dynamics. By experimenting, you'll discover which roles suit you best and gain empathy for teammates' challenges. Use the in-game training area to test abilities and read champion descriptions. Track your progress by noting which champions you feel comfortable with and your ability to adapt to different team compositions. This foundational knowledge is valued in the community and will inform your future strategic decisions.
1
Install and Play Tutorials
2-3 hoursBasic
Summary: Download Paladins, complete in-game tutorials, and play several casual matches to learn basics.
Details: Begin by downloading Paladins on your preferred platform and creating an account. The in-game tutorials are designed to introduce you to the core mechanics, controls, and objectives of the game. Take your time with these tutorials, paying attention to movement, aiming, and ability usage. After completing the tutorials, play several casual matches against bots or new players. This will help you get comfortable with the pace of the game and its user interface. Beginners often rush through tutorials or skip them, missing out on foundational knowledge. Resist the urge to jump straight into competitive play; focus on learning the basics first. Evaluate your progress by tracking your comfort with controls, understanding of objectives, and ability to contribute to your team. This step is crucial because it grounds you in the game's mechanics, making future learning much smoother.
2
Join Community Forums
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Register on Paladins-focused forums or Discord servers to observe discussions and ask beginner questions.
Details: Find and join active Paladins community forums or Discord servers. Start by reading through popular threads, paying attention to frequently asked questions, strategy discussions, and patch notes. Introduce yourself in the appropriate channels and don't hesitate to ask beginner questions—most communities are welcoming to newcomers who show genuine interest. Avoid spamming or asking questions easily answered by a quick search. Instead, engage thoughtfully and respectfully. This step is important for connecting with the broader community, learning unwritten rules, and staying updated on game changes. Progress can be measured by your comfort in navigating discussions, receiving helpful responses, and starting to recognize community leaders and regular contributors.
3
Experiment With Multiple Champions
3-5 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Try at least 5 different champions in casual matches to understand diverse playstyles and roles.
Details: Paladins features a wide roster of champions, each with unique abilities and roles (Damage, Support, Front Line, Flank). Play at least one match with champions from each role to experience different playstyles. Focus on learning their basic abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Beginners often stick to one champion or role, which limits their understanding of team dynamics. By experimenting, you'll discover which roles suit you best and gain empathy for teammates' challenges. Use the in-game training area to test abilities and read champion descriptions. Track your progress by noting which champions you feel comfortable with and your ability to adapt to different team compositions. This foundational knowledge is valued in the community and will inform your future strategic decisions.
4
Watch Community Gameplay Streams
2-4 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Observe live or recorded Paladins matches by experienced players to learn tactics and positioning.
Details: Watching skilled players stream Paladins matches is a powerful way to accelerate your learning. Focus on how they position themselves, use abilities, and coordinate with teammates. Take notes on map strategies, champion builds, and communication styles. Beginners sometimes passively watch without analyzing; instead, actively look for patterns and ask yourself why players make certain decisions. Engage with chat if possible to ask clarifying questions. This step is important because it exposes you to high-level play and community meta, helping you avoid common mistakes and adopt effective habits. Assess your progress by your ability to recognize advanced tactics and apply them in your own matches.
5
Participate in Team Voice Chat
2-3 hoursIntermediate
Summary: Join voice chat in casual matches to practice basic communication and teamwork with other players.
Details: Effective communication is a cornerstone of Paladins team play. Start by joining voice chat in casual matches, even if just to listen at first. Gradually contribute by calling out enemy positions, requesting help, or coordinating pushes. Many beginners are hesitant to use voice chat due to nerves or fear of making mistakes, but most players appreciate constructive communication. Use a headset for clarity and keep your comments positive and concise. This step is vital for building teamwork skills and integrating into the community, as regulars value good communicators. Track your progress by your comfort level in voice chat and feedback from teammates. Over time, you'll become more confident and effective in team environments.
Welcoming Practices
„Welcome to the Rift!“
Newcomers are greeted with this phrase referencing the in-game battleground, signaling friendly inclusion into the community.
Beginner Mistakes
Playing multiple new champions at once.
Focus on mastering a few champions to understand game mechanics deeply before expanding your roster.
Ignoring the importance of loadout cards.
Customize loadout cards to enhance your champion’s strengths and adapt to team needs; it’s crucial for high-level play.
Pathway to Credibility
Tap a pathway step to view details
Climb ranked ladder consistently.
Demonstrates mechanical skill and understanding of the meta, gaining respect from peers.
Participate in scrims and community tournaments.
Shows commitment to teamwork and strategic depth, increasing standing within competitive circles.
Contribute to forums or guides.
Sharing knowledge helps build reputation as a trustworthy and helpful community member.
Facts
Regional Differences
North America
North American players often focus heavily on competitive ladder ranking and streaming, with a strong emphasis on mechanical skill and coordinated teamplay.
Europe
European Paladins communities tend to organize more community-run tournaments and have a mix of casual and competitive scenes emphasizing strategic meta discussions.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
Paladins is just a knockoff of Overwatch.
Reality
While both are hero shooters, Paladins features distinct mechanics such as customizable loadout cards, a different approach to objective modes, and a unique art style that cultivate a separate meta and community.
Misconception #2
The game is pay-to-win due to skins and champions.
Reality
Paladins uses a free-to-play model with purchasable cosmetics; all champions can be earned by gameplay, and the core balance does not favor paying players.
