A Sharn Ready Paladin - Vanguard for all seasons

[Strimtom]

Hello Friends, Strimtom here!

You might have had the chance to play my fighter vanguard build, but let me tell you about paladin vanguard. It is versatile, defensive, and also more supportive than fighter vanguard. I explain the differences in this video here.

FAQ

So tiefling is the best race? What about war hammer?

No, Aasimar is the best race since you can use the ascendant fallen bond. To play that just swap some points out of stalwart defender if you don't have enough racial to make it work.

War hammer was used by me since I thought it would be cool for flavor. Soul Razor is a better option. Just swap all the war hammer stuff for sword stuff.

Is this better or worse then fighter?

• Better HP
• Better Armorclass
• Better Healing
• Instant True Resurrection in Combat
• Same Crowd Control
• Same PRR/MRR
• 2/3 of fighter DPS

Good for soloing?

Absolutely! This build is able to solo really easily thanks to access to cure spells and lay on hands for sticky situations. You also get full wand access.

First life friendly?

This build is 100% first life friendly. It won't be as useful in the endgame as fighter vanguard but it is still good, although on a first lifer stay below R3, especially in sharn.

How come you don't have Sharn items?

There are like 50 bazillion items in this expansion and I haven't finished my PHD yet, so I haven't been able to make a new gear set. I'm sure if you love this build you can find something better.

Vanguard Paladin
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Tiefling


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . 32pt. . .34pt . . 36pt. . .Tome. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .---- . . ----. . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 14. . . .16 . . . 16. . . .16 . . . +6 . . . 4: CHA
Dexterity . . . 14. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . . 8: CHA
Constitution. . 14. . . .14 . . . 15. . . .16 . . . +6 . . .12: CHA
Intelligence. . .8. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . .16: CHA
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . .20: CHA
Charisma. . . . 18. . . .20 . . . 20. . . .20 . . . +6 . . .24: CHA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: CHA

Skills (Errors)
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Intim . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 21
UMD . . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . 8. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4
Max . . . 4. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4


Feats

.1. . . . : Shield Mastery
.3. . . . : Completionist or Weapon Focus Bludgeoning or Toughness
.6. . . . : Knight's Training
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
12. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
15. . . . : Quicken Spell
18. . . . : Child of: Onatar
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Beloved of: Onatar
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Pierce Damage Reduction: Adamantine
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Precision
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea

.1 Deity. : Follower of: Onatar
.6 Deity. : Onatar's Forge


Spells

1. Divine Favor (4), Cure Light Wounds (6), Lesser Restoration (14), Seek Eternal Rest (18)
2. Resist Energy (8), Remove Paralysis (10), Angelskin (16), Eagle's Splendor (19)
3. Remove Blindness (11), Remove Curse (12), Prayer (19), <Any>
4. <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>

Enhancements (80+8 AP)

Vanguard (42 AP)

• To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion
  1. Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
  2. Shield Specialization, Brutality I, Stunning Shield III, Melee Power Boost III
  3. Shield Specialization, Fatal Bulwark, Strength
  4. Shield Specialization, Armor Mastery III, Shield Charge III
  5. Disorienting Smash III, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength

Sacred Defender (25 AP)

• Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption
  1. Item Defense III, Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III, Sacred Armor Mastery III
  2. (none)
  3. Tenacious Defense III, Charisma
  4. Swift Defense, Strong Defense III

Knight of the Chalice (13 AP)

• Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II
  1. Extra Smite II, Attack Boost I
  2. Divine Might III

Tiefling (8 AP)

• Bloodhunt I
  1. Hellish Rebuke, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
  2. Ferocious Rebuke, Infernal Resistance: Acid

Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

1. Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
2. Strength
3. Haste Boost II, Strength
4. Strength
5. Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
6. Master's Blitz, Pulverizer

Twists of Fate (30 fate points)

1. Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
2. Endless Lay On Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
3. Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
4. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

Pre-Sharn Items
Goggles: Precision Lenses
Helm: Executioners Helm
Necklace: Ward Inscribed Pendant
Trinket: Curse Bane Focus
Cloak: Mantle of Fury
Belt: Animated Rope
Ring1: Slavelords Ring - Trip, Accuracy, Sheltering, Quality Strength
Ring2: Band of Insightful Commands
Gloves: Gauntlets of Innate Arcanum
Boots: Softsole Slippers
Bracers: Bracers of the Fallen Hero
Armor: Coat of the Traveler
Weapon: Echo of Whelm
Shield: Best Defense

[dgtgtd]

What would you replace completionist with?

[Strimtom]

What would you replace completionist with?

Added it to the guide, I would do weapon focus or toughness. Those seem like the best options.

[Citiplaysddo]

Added it to the guide, I would do weapon focus or toughness. Those seem like the best options.

I went with Force of Personality for the saves.

[Zeratide_]

I went with Force of Personality for the saves.

Paladins already get to add their Charisma modifier to all their saves, so that's honestly not necessary.

[Rush007]

I'd use this for sharn gear. Does need raid boots. Slavelord belt needed for MRR and vertigo. Symbol of slavelords seems odd, but covers the hard to slot diplacement and insight CON. Castigator is an all star piece of equipment to boost healing and prr/mrr. Ruby ring could be upgraded to 21 STR and then free up boot slot to avoid raid gear. Could put 3rd slavelords piece there or flightfoot boots for haste/natural AC.

Armor: Enforcer ^^
Weapon: Soulrazor and Everstorm
Belt: Shelter / Resistance / Vertigo / Quality STR
Offhand: Best Defense
Boots: Piston
Cloak: Fury
Gloves: Hammerfist ^^
Helm: Umber
Bracers: Castigator
Goggles: Collective Sight - CHA / Insight CHA
Necklace: Sigil ^^
Ring: Celestial Ruby
Ring: Radiant Ring of Taer Valaestas - Artifact
Trinket: Symbol of Slavelords

STR: 21 enhancement + 2 profane + 4 quality (insight covered by divine might)

DEX:

CON: 19 enhancement + 8 insight + 2 profane

INT:

WIS: 22 enhancement + 2 profane

CHA: 21 enhancement + 10 insight + 2 profane

Accuracy: 33 enhancement + 17 insight + 8 quality

Doublestrike: 23 enhancement + 11 insight

Seeker: 21 enhancement

PRR: 54 + 26

MRR: 45 + 26

Ghostly, Lesser Displacement

Devotion: 214 spellpower, 31% crit

Stunning: 24 + 5 Quality

Vertigo: 20 + 5 Quality

Heal Amp: 81

Deadly: all 3

And more, but it looks good to me.

[tsteigner]

a couple of things i found, which i would change a bit

[QUOTE=Strimtom;6215745]Hello Friends, Strimtom here!

You might have had the chance to play my fighter vanguard build, but let me tell you about paladin vanguard. It is versatile, defensive, and also more supportive than fighter vanguard. I explain the differences in this video here.

FAQ

So tiefling is the best race? What about war hammer?

No, Aasimar is the best race since you can use the ascendant fallen bond. To play that just swap some points out of stalwart defender if you don't have enough racial to make it work.

* totally agreee on Aasimar as the best race, whatever you use fallen or protector bond is up to playstyle (but 7 AP's for recharging LoH is hard to beat)

Skills (Errors)
i don't see the use for diplomacy unless you plan to run in standart groups ....
here i would rather put some pts in concentration (all the clw / csw / cmw won't help you, if you get perma interupted)
and put the rest in Heal

Spells

here in 4th lvl 2 Spells are a no brainer the 3rd is imho 99%

[4th]Holy Sword, Zeal, *Cure Serious Wounds*

[Raiztlin75]

Strimtom. Let me preface this by saying I love watching your stuff on YouTube. But I definitely need your help can this be done with no tomes and on a dwarf and warforged I'm trying to get the facials for dwarf and warforged and epic pls started making me a bit sturdier as I'm leveling

[Corrupt]

So my static group is about to TR and I'm the tank and nobody else is gonna tank and there's a distinct structural weakness when fighting the abundant undead. So, I'm thinking, Paladin may be way to go for proper undead destroying power and tanking/damage in every other situation. Problem is, I don't know **** about how to build a Paladin like that.

So I'm looking at the Paladin forum and like the first build I open, it's Strimtom. Ok cool, Strimtoms "acid arrow" made me play a ranged ranger. Not *his* build for a ranged ranger but still. But when reading this build all I'm thinking is "Is this a troll build" and I don't know if this is a troll build, because I don't know pallies enough, I don't know if some actual obscure mechanics that are not explained or that I'm overlooking make this work somehow.

Assuming it is not a troll build, reading it just makes me go ***. No Power Attack or Precision? Full Vanguard without Improved Shield Bash or Tower Shield Proficiency? Child of Onatar? SERIOUSLY IS THIS A TROLL BUILD? I repeat, I haven't built a pally in like a decade and simply don't know.

[Alled78]

So my static group is about to TR and I'm the tank and nobody else is gonna tank and there's a distinct structural weakness when fighting the abundant undead. So, I'm thinking, Paladin may be way to go for proper undead destroying power and tanking/damage in every other situation. Problem is, I don't know **** about how to build a Paladin like that.

So I'm looking at the Paladin forum and like the first build I open, it's Strimtom. Ok cool, Strimtoms "acid arrow" made me play a ranged ranger. Not *his* build for a ranged ranger but still. But when reading this build all I'm thinking is "Is this a troll build" and I don't know if this is a troll build, because I don't know pallies enough, I don't know if some actual obscure mechanics that are not explained or that I'm overlooking make this work somehow.

Assuming it is not a troll build, reading it just makes me go ***. No Power Attack or Precision? Full Vanguard without Improved Shield Bash or Tower Shield Proficiency? Child of Onatar? SERIOUSLY IS THIS A TROLL BUILD? I repeat, I haven't built a pally in like a decade and simply don't know.

1) best shield atm is a large shield
2) u need very high to hit to run with powrr attack , probably paladin cant reach high to hit numbers
3) improved shield bash prob is needed

[Discpsycho]

Assuming it is not a troll build, reading it just makes me go ***. No Power Attack or Precision? Full Vanguard without Improved Shield Bash or Tower Shield Proficiency? Child of Onatar? SERIOUSLY IS THIS A TROLL BUILD? I repeat, I haven't built a pally in like a decade and simply don't know.

I'm honestly not sure why Precision isn't in there. IMO, take it at 3 or 18, depending on whether you have Completionist. Regardless, the Onatar feats are underwhelming given they lock you in to Warhammer - the whole point of Knight's Training is to open up a range of weapons (provided they have Keen/Impact), eg Oathblade at 20

Power Attack will soon no longer be required for LD, and as Alled says it's not going to do a lot for you at cap. Alled also hints at the lack of Tower Shield Proficiency - Sharn and Ravenloft Tower shields are meant for pure tank builds. Legendary Best Defense, on the other hand, is clearly a DPS shield, which Strimtom mentions in his other thread is the whole point of his Vanguard builds

Depending on your gear, ISB may not get you much DPS. Shield bashing is apparently capped at 1/s for animation purposes. The Vanguard tree grants 40% bashing by level 12 and you can easily get another 9 from the heroic Best Defense. You'll be making at least two attacks per second by level 12, so you can expect an average of one bash per second with this rate. By 30 you can bump that to a total of 71% without ISB, by which point you'll be attacking at least three times per second. More bash chance isn't bad, but there are diminishing returns

[Doomflayer]

I'm honestly not sure why Precision isn't in there. IMO, take it at 3 or 18, depending on whether you have Completionist. Regardless, the Onatar feats are underwhelming given they lock you in to Warhammer - the whole point of Knight's Training is to open up a range of weapons (provided they have Keen/Impact), eg Oathblade at 20

Power Attack will soon no longer be required for LD, and as Alled says it's not going to do a lot for you at cap. Alled also hints at the lack of Tower Shield Proficiency - Sharn and Ravenloft Tower shields are meant for pure tank builds. Legendary Best Defense, on the other hand, is clearly a DPS shield, which Strimtom mentions in his other thread is the whole point of his Vanguard builds

Depending on your gear, ISB may not get you much DPS. Shield bashing is apparently capped at 1/s for animation purposes. The Vanguard tree grants 40% bashing by level 12 and you can easily get another 9 from the heroic Best Defense. You'll be making at least two attacks per second by level 12, so you can expect an average of one bash per second with this rate. By 30 you can bump that to a total of 71% without ISB, by which point you'll be attacking at least three times per second. More bash chance isn't bad, but there are diminishing returns

You are a tank, tanks have all defensive stats, precision doesn't sound defensive to me.

[ElrondElfKing]

could this be modified for thf with broadaxe and 36 pt build?

[SpartanKiller13]

could this be modified for thf with broadaxe and 36 pt build?

Vanguard tree effectively requires a shield, so any THF variant is no longer a Vanguard build.

[Azure_Pyre]

Hello Friends, Strimtom here!

You might have had the chance to play my fighter vanguard build, but let me tell you about paladin vanguard. It is versatile, defensive, and also more supportive than fighter vanguard. I explain the differences in this video here.

FAQ

So tiefling is the best race? What about war hammer?

No, Aasimar is the best race since you can use the ascendant fallen bond. To play that just swap some points out of stalwart defender if you don't have enough racial to make it work.

War hammer was used by me since I thought it would be cool for flavor. Soul Razor is a better option. Just swap all the war hammer stuff for sword stuff.

Is this better or worse then fighter?

• Better HP
• Better Armorclass
• Better Healing
• Instant True Resurrection in Combat
• Same Crowd Control
• Same PRR/MRR
• 2/3 of fighter DPS

Good for soloing?

Absolutely! This build is able to solo really easily thanks to access to cure spells and lay on hands for sticky situations. You also get full wand access.

First life friendly?

This build is 100% first life friendly. It won't be as useful in the endgame as fighter vanguard but it is still good, although on a first lifer stay below R3, especially in sharn.

How come you don't have Sharn items?

There are like 50 bazillion items in this expansion and I haven't finished my PHD yet, so I haven't been able to make a new gear set. I'm sure if you love this build you can find something better.

Vanguard Paladin
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Tiefling


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . 32pt. . .34pt . . 36pt. . .Tome. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .---- . . ----. . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 14. . . .16 . . . 16. . . .16 . . . +6 . . . 4: CHA
Dexterity . . . 14. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . . 8: CHA
Constitution. . 14. . . .14 . . . 15. . . .16 . . . +6 . . .12: CHA
Intelligence. . .8. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . .16: CHA
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . .20: CHA
Charisma. . . . 18. . . .20 . . . 20. . . .20 . . . +6 . . .24: CHA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: CHA

Skills (Errors)
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Intim . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 21
UMD . . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . 8. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4
Max . . . 4. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4


Feats

.1. . . . : Shield Mastery
.3. . . . : Completionist or Weapon Focus Bludgeoning or Toughness
.6. . . . : Knight's Training
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
12. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
15. . . . : Quicken Spell
18. . . . : Child of: Onatar
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Beloved of: Onatar
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Pierce Damage Reduction: Adamantine
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Precision
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea

.1 Deity. : Follower of: Onatar
.6 Deity. : Onatar's Forge


Spells

1. Divine Favor (4), Cure Light Wounds (6), Lesser Restoration (14), Seek Eternal Rest (18)
2. Resist Energy (8), Remove Paralysis (10), Angelskin (16), Eagle's Splendor (19)
3. Remove Blindness (11), Remove Curse (12), Prayer (19), <Any>
4. <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>

Enhancements (80+8 AP)

Vanguard (42 AP)

• To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion
  1. Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
  2. Shield Specialization, Brutality I, Stunning Shield III, Melee Power Boost III
  3. Shield Specialization, Fatal Bulwark, Strength
  4. Shield Specialization, Armor Mastery III, Shield Charge III
  5. Disorienting Smash III, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength

Sacred Defender (25 AP)

• Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption
  1. Item Defense III, Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III, Sacred Armor Mastery III
  2. (none)
  3. Tenacious Defense III, Charisma
  4. Swift Defense, Strong Defense III

Knight of the Chalice (13 AP)

• Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II
  1. Extra Smite II, Attack Boost I
  2. Divine Might III

Tiefling (8 AP)

• Bloodhunt I
  1. Hellish Rebuke, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
  2. Ferocious Rebuke, Infernal Resistance: Acid

Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

1. Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
2. Strength
3. Haste Boost II, Strength
4. Strength
5. Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
6. Master's Blitz, Pulverizer

Twists of Fate (30 fate points)

1. Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
2. Endless Lay On Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
3. Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
4. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

Pre-Sharn Items
Goggles: Precision Lenses
Helm: Executioners Helm
Necklace: Ward Inscribed Pendant
Trinket: Curse Bane Focus
Cloak: Mantle of Fury
Belt: Animated Rope
Ring1: Slavelords Ring - Trip, Accuracy, Sheltering, Quality Strength
Ring2: Band of Insightful Commands
Gloves: Gauntlets of Innate Arcanum
Boots: Softsole Slippers
Bracers: Bracers of the Fallen Hero
Armor: Coat of the Traveler
Weapon: Echo of Whelm
Shield: Best Defense

Good morning Strimtom,

I have some questions and I'm fairly new so I'm confident they are dumb questions but I have a general lack of understanding. That being said, the idea of a stalwart wall against the tides of evil really sounds like an appealing build to me and this seems like exactly that. I should note that I watched the vanguard video you did for this and it's extremely insightful for how to play the character.

1) I liked the idea of Aasimar, so I'm kind of building for that. In your video you said Fallen Aasimar which seems like it's for the strength bonus or maybe the enhancements.

2) Stats. I have 32pt builds but I'm not understanding why so little wis. The character creator warns that I can't use spells without 11 wis. I feel like I'm missing something that everyone else just knows.
Stats I was able to get up to:
Str 16
Dex 8
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 10
Cha 18

3) Skills. I only seem to get 4 skill points to spend when I try and create the character. How do I get 2 more for UMD?

4) Enhancements. I'm not understanding the priority order for these. Everything looks so shiny but I doubt I just start by filling up Vanguard then move on to Sacred Defender then Knight of the Chalice ect. I understand this is what the build will look like in the end, but what level would you take the listed enhancements? Honestly I feel like I could figure everything else out but this part really overwhelms me. So many choices and I don't want to mess things up.

I should note, I have VIP 32pt builds and Ravenloft but not Sharn. I'm not sure if that changes anything towards the build.

Thank you so much for your time and I apologize for my lack of understanding.

[Riffolk]

I have some questions and I'm fairly new so I'm confident they are dumb questions but I have a general lack of understanding. That being said, the idea of a stalwart wall against the tides of evil really sounds like an appealing build to me and this seems like exactly that. I should note that I watched the vanguard video you did for this and it's extremely insightful for how to play the character.

No dumb questions There's lots to learn.

1) I liked the idea of Aasimar, so I'm kind of building for that. In your video you said Fallen Aasimar which seems like it's for the strength bonus or maybe the enhancements.

Extra healing hands is quite helpful.

2) Stats. I have 32pt builds but I'm not understanding why so little wis. The character creator warns that I can't use spells without 11 wis. I feel like I'm missing something that everyone else just knows.
Stats I was able to get up to:
Str 16
Dex 8
Con 14
Int 8
Wis 10
Cha 18

What you might be missing is that you'll get gear/buffs/bonuses/or tomes that will boost your Wisdom to be high enough to cast spells. You'll need 11 WIS for lv 1 Paladin spells which you get at Paladin lv 4. So something like https://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Kneeza%27s_Bauble would be enough to cast spells. Up to WIS 14 needed to cast lv 4 Paladin spells at Paladin lv 14.

3) Skills. I only seem to get 4 skill points to spend when I try and create the character. How do I get 2 more for UMD?

I found getting enough WIS to cast spells was easy enough starting with 8 (keep in mind I have guild buffs giving me +2 to all stats) so I started with 10 INT and that gave me enough skill points. Also, Strim may be getting extra skill points from and INT tome.

4) Enhancements. I'm not understanding the priority order for these. Everything looks so shiny but I doubt I just start by filling up Vanguard then move on to Sacred Defender then Knight of the Chalice ect. I understand this is what the build will look like in the end, but what level would you take the listed enhancements? Honestly I feel like I could figure everything else out but this part really overwhelms me. So many choices and I don't want to mess things up.

My priorities (and others may have better ideas here) would be to grab Extra Lay on Hands III from Sacred Defender, then get Extra Smites III and Divine Might III from Knight of the Chalice. Then Improved Sacred Defense (Durable Defense) and the second core of Sacred Defender. From there it's almost all Vanguard (following the build post).

I should note, I have VIP 32pt builds and Ravenloft but not Sharn. I'm not sure if that changes anything towards the build.

This mostly just changes what gear you have available to acquire (and there's some great gear out of Ravenloft).

Thank you so much for your time and I apologize for my lack of understanding.[/QUOTE]

No need to apologize, there's so much to learn about this game (I still feel like quite a newbie). All the best!

[Torkzed]

I am planning to do a Purple Dragon Knight Paladin life to pick up two nice Past Life feats on an alt character.

I thought Strimtom's vanguard build looked like fun, but I want to try out the new(-ish) strikethrough mechanics as well. (I normally play ranged or caster, so I don't have a tremendous amount of experience with melee.)

I am thinking of doing an 18/2 Paladin/Fighter split for this build, using bastard swords. I have to start with Fighter as a PDK, and I don't want to waste a +1 heart on what will be a temporary build for this character. The 19th paladin level seems less useful than a 2nd fighter level.

This split will give me 3 more feats which will give me room for the THF line. It looks like I get strikethrough with a bastard sword and shield, so while I doubt the single target damage will be optimal, I should get more AOE-ish damage. I will be leveling at R1, but probably will do some first time high reaper at cap before I ETR/TR out of this build. I don't want to be a complete waste of a party slot in R7-8 quest content.

This character does not have completionist. It has a +8 Supreme Tome.

What do you think?



PDK Paladin Vanguard
18/2 Paladin/Fighter
Lawful Good Purple Dragon Knight


Level Order

1. Fighter . . . . 6. Paladin . . . .11. Paladin . . . .16. Paladin
2. Paladin. . . . .7. Paladin. . . . 12. Paladin. . . . 17. Paladin
3. Paladin. . . . .8. Fighter . . . .13. Paladin . . . .18. Paladin
4. Paladin. . . . .9. Paladin. . . . 14. Paladin. . . . 19. Paladin
5. Paladin. . . . 10. Paladin. . . . 15. Paladin. . . . 20. Paladin


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 16. . . .+8. . . .4: CHA
Dexterity . . . .8. . . .+8. . . .8: CHA
Constitution. . 16. . . .+8. . . 12: CHA
Intelligence. . .8. . . .+8. . . 16: CHA
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . .+8. . . 20: CHA
Charisma. . . . 18. . . .+8. . . 24: CHA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: CHA

Skills
. . . . . F .P .P .P .P .P .P .F. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P. P
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Diplo . . . .1 .1 .2 . . . .1 . . . .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 2. 4. 2. 3. 23
Intim . . 2 .2 .2 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 1 . . . . . 1. 1. 1. . .1 .1 .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 11
Jump. . . 2 . . . . . . . . . .4. . . . . .1 . . 1. 1. 1. . . . . . . 10
Heal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . 1
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . 8 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .4 .4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5


Feats

.1. . . . : Stunning Blow
.1 PDK. . : Shield Mastery
.1 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Slashing
.3. . . . : Two Handed Fighting
.6. . . . : Quicken Spell
.8 Fighter: Improved Critical: Slashing
.9. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
12. . . . : Improved Two Handed Fighting
15. . . . : Precision
18. . . . : Greater Two Handed Fighting
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Improved Shield Bash
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Perfect Two Handed Fighting
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Bulwark of Defense
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea

.2 Deity. : Follower of: Helm
.7 Deity. : Ever Watchful


Spells

1. Protection from Evil (5), Divine Favor (7), Lesser Restoration (16), Lionheart (20)
2. Angelskin (10), Resist Energy (12), Owl's Wisdom (18)
3. Magic Circle Against Evil (13), Cure Moderate Wounds (14)
4. Holy Sword (16), Zeal (17)

Enhancements (80+2 AP)

Vanguard (41 AP)

• To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II
  1. Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
  2. Shield Specialization, Brutality I, Stunning Shield III, Melee Power Boost III
  3. Shield Specialization, Fatal Bulwark, Strength
  4. Shield Specialization, Armor Mastery III, Shield Charge III
  5. Disorienting Smash III, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength

Sacred Defender (25 AP)

• Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption
  1. Item Defense III, Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III, Sacred Armor Mastery III
  2. (none)
  3. Tenacious Defense III, Charisma
  4. Swift Defense, Hardy Defense III

Knight of the Chalice (13 AP)

• Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II
  1. Extra Smite II, Attack Boost I
  2. Divine Might III

Purple Dragon Knight (3 AP)

• Attack Boost
  1. Cormyrean Knight Training

[Torkzed]

Edit to enhancements. I just realized that I need the new Improved Second Strikes enhancement from KOTC. I hate to do it, but I will probably pull the points in Hardy Defense from Sacred Defender.

[Stravix]

Hello Friends, Strimtom here!

You might have had the chance to play my fighter vanguard build, but let me tell you about paladin vanguard. It is versatile, defensive, and also more supportive than fighter vanguard. I explain the differences in this video here.

FAQ

So tiefling is the best race? What about war hammer?

No, Aasimar is the best race since you can use the ascendant fallen bond. To play that just swap some points out of stalwart defender if you don't have enough racial to make it work.

War hammer was used by me since I thought it would be cool for flavor. Soul Razor is a better option. Just swap all the war hammer stuff for sword stuff.

Is this better or worse then fighter?

• Better HP
• Better Armorclass
• Better Healing
• Instant True Resurrection in Combat
• Same Crowd Control
• Same PRR/MRR
• 2/3 of fighter DPS

Good for soloing?

Absolutely! This build is able to solo really easily thanks to access to cure spells and lay on hands for sticky situations. You also get full wand access.

First life friendly?

This build is 100% first life friendly. It won't be as useful in the endgame as fighter vanguard but it is still good, although on a first lifer stay below R3, especially in sharn.

How come you don't have Sharn items?

There are like 50 bazillion items in this expansion and I haven't finished my PHD yet, so I haven't been able to make a new gear set. I'm sure if you love this build you can find something better.

Vanguard Paladin
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Tiefling


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . 32pt. . .34pt . . 36pt. . .Tome. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .---- . . ----. . .---- . . --------
Strength. . . . 14. . . .16 . . . 16. . . .16 . . . +6 . . . 4: CHA
Dexterity . . . 14. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . . 8: CHA
Constitution. . 14. . . .14 . . . 15. . . .16 . . . +6 . . .12: CHA
Intelligence. . .8. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . .16: CHA
Wisdom. . . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . +6 . . .20: CHA
Charisma. . . . 18. . . .20 . . . 20. . . .20 . . . +6 . . .24: CHA
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28: CHA

Skills (Errors)
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Intim . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 21
UMD . . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . 8. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4
Max . . . 4. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 3. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4. 4


Feats

.1. . . . : Shield Mastery
.3. . . . : Completionist or Weapon Focus Bludgeoning or Toughness
.6. . . . : Knight's Training
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning
12. . . . : Improved Shield Mastery
15. . . . : Quicken Spell
18. . . . : Child of: Onatar
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Beloved of: Onatar
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Damage Reduction
28 Destiny: Pierce Damage Reduction: Adamantine
29 Destiny: Dire Charge
30 Epic . : Precision
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea

.1 Deity. : Follower of: Onatar
.6 Deity. : Onatar's Forge


Spells

1. Divine Favor (4), Cure Light Wounds (6), Lesser Restoration (14), Seek Eternal Rest (18)
2. Resist Energy (8), Remove Paralysis (10), Angelskin (16), Eagle's Splendor (19)
3. Remove Blindness (11), Remove Curse (12), Prayer (19), <Any>
4. <Any>, <Any>, <Any>, <Any>

Enhancements (80+8 AP)

Vanguard (42 AP)

• To the Fore!, Shield Combat I, Vicious Shield I, Shield Combat II, Vicious Shield II, Shield Champion
  1. Shield Specialization, Shield Smash III
  2. Shield Specialization, Brutality I, Stunning Shield III, Melee Power Boost III
  3. Shield Specialization, Fatal Bulwark, Strength
  4. Shield Specialization, Armor Mastery III, Shield Charge III
  5. Disorienting Smash III, Shield Charge III, Armored Strength

Sacred Defender (25 AP)

• Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption
  1. Item Defense III, Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III, Sacred Armor Mastery III
  2. (none)
  3. Tenacious Defense III, Charisma
  4. Swift Defense, Strong Defense III

Knight of the Chalice (13 AP)

• Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II
  1. Extra Smite II, Attack Boost I
  2. Divine Might III

Tiefling (8 AP)

• Bloodhunt I
  1. Hellish Rebuke, Wand and Scroll Mastery III
  2. Ferocious Rebuke, Infernal Resistance: Acid

Destiny (24 AP)

Legendary Dreadnought

1. Legendary Tactics III, Extra Action Boost III, Strength
2. Strength
3. Haste Boost II, Strength
4. Strength
5. Advancing Blows, Devastating Critical
6. Master's Blitz, Pulverizer

Twists of Fate (30 fate points)

1. Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
2. Endless Lay On Hands (Tier 3 Sentinel)
3. Legendary Shield Mastery (Tier 2 Sentinel)
4. Rejuvenation Cocoon (Tier 1 Primal)

Pre-Sharn Items
Goggles: Precision Lenses
Helm: Executioners Helm
Necklace: Ward Inscribed Pendant
Trinket: Curse Bane Focus
Cloak: Mantle of Fury
Belt: Animated Rope
Ring1: Slavelords Ring - Trip, Accuracy, Sheltering, Quality Strength
Ring2: Band of Insightful Commands
Gloves: Gauntlets of Innate Arcanum
Boots: Softsole Slippers
Bracers: Bracers of the Fallen Hero
Armor: Coat of the Traveler
Weapon: Echo of Whelm
Shield: Best Defense

So, how is this build changed after the KotC change, if at all?
22AP grants access to a decent chunk of flat damage and the knights training feat. That might be worth diverting some AP from SD, but if so, what should you get with the extra feat no longer dedicated to Knights Training?

Edit: Couple more questions. Why take weapon focus before the Child of feats? Aren't they typically better, or is the +2 MP good enough to offset the damage difference?
Second, if taking KotC for knight's training, how does this AP split work? Less defensive, but I would imagine it would have more opportunity for damage.

Enhancements (80 AP)

Vanguard (42 AP)
Same

Sacred Defender (13 AP)

• Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness
  1. Item Defense III, Extra Lay On Hands I, Durable Defense III, Sacred Armor Mastery III
  2. (none)
  3. Strong Defense III

Knight of the Chalice (25 AP)

• Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven
  1. Holy Combatant, Extra Smite II
  2. Divine Might III, Adept Combatant
  3. Holy Combatant, Exalted Smite II, Charisma
  4. Knight's Training, Charisma

[Nikoru-chan]

Any thoughts on adding/how to add Feydark Illusionist to this build? I imagine the CHA to hit and damage would be helpful, plus GCS!