Nobody Messes With The Dom - A basic but effective pally/mafia build.

[BlueLightBandit]

So here's my not-so-creative but oh-so-effective pally build. I'm probably guilty of not having read every forum message out there yet, so I wouldn't be surprised if I've repeated some very basic things out there.

I have rolled some of the off-the-wall builds and taken them as high as lvl 12, but I've found that I enjoy the simple but brutal builds more than the specifically intricate niche builds. Again, that is only my personal opinion after playing for over a year.

That being said, this is my take on a Pure Pally UMD Aggro-Tank. I've never played a paladin to lvl 14, so I'd appreciate any feedback. The basic thought is Tony Montana (ala Scarface), but lawful good.

Goals:
1. Hit a UMD of 24+ specifically for equipping items. The occasional raise dead in a pinch doesn't hurt.
2. Maintain decent enough strength and con to keep up in combat.
3. Use intimidate to keep the aggro off the barb/rogue/etc.
(3A. Get a strong combo of reasonably high AC with a solid HP pool to withstand aggro when Intimidate actually works.)
4. Keep the build simple so it's easily adaptable to new content and possible character changes.
5. Uses bludgeoning weapons (but this is just to be different from my bastard sword using fighter and great-axe using barbarian builds)


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.65
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)
Tony Montana - UMD Aggro Tank
Level 14 Lawful Good Human Male
(14 Paladin)
Hit Points: 228
Spell Points: 240
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 20
Reflex: 11
Will: 12
Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(32 Point) (Level 1) (Level 14)
Strength 16 22
Dexterity 8 8
Constitution 15 16
Intelligence 12 13
Wisdom 10 10
Charisma 15 20
Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 14

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 14)
Balance 1 7
Bluff 3 5
Concentration 3 4
Diplomacy 3 5
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 3 5
Heal 0 0
Hide -1 -1
Intimidate 5 13
Jump 5 14
Listen 0 0
Move Silently -1 -1
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 1 1
Search 1 1
Spot 0 2
Swim 3 6
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device 5 13

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Level 2 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Level 4 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II
Level 5 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Charisma I
Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Righteousness I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Level 7 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Level 8 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II
Level 10 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Level 11 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Paladin Concentration I
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Level 13 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength II
Level 14 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma III


Assumptions:
+6 Str Gloves
+6 Cha Cloak
+4 Con Ring
Golden Cartouche (Delera's semi-static end-reward)
Necklace of Protection +4 (when not using cartouche)
Nightforge Gorget (BAM Ore turn-in)
Greater False Life Belt

Pro's:
* Can use any item, UMD of 24 from 8 pts, 8 cha bonus, 5 hv boost, 3 cartouche
* Can keep up in combat, with an undispellable attack bonus of 29, 14 BAB, 9 str, 1 feat, 5 weapon
* Can survive being the center of attention with an AC in the low to mid 40's, (I haven't done the math yet, but assuming simple +5 full plate, +5 heavy shield, +4 protection item, and yes... heavy fort)
* Enough HP to survive pulling aggro (again, no math, but expecting 260-275 range after Draconic Vitality, +4 con and GFL item)
* 30 pt resists to keep mana on the cleric/bard where it belongs
* Extra LOH for the same reason

Con's:
* Requires +6 Cha item to hit a UMD of 24
* Low-ish reflex and will saves
* AC -only- in the low to mid 40's
* HP -only- in the 260-275 range (Glass half full/empty conundrum)
* Uses three +1 tomes
(* Have to actually PULL the cartouche, and we all know how hard that is when a character could actually use the dang thing)

Anyway, like I said earlier... I'm open to criticism. Otherwise I'm trying to sneak this in before they shut down the forums for the night.

Thanks in advance
-The Dom

[QuantumFX]

Well one thing to remind you of the Nightforge Gorget is a neckpiece so you can't wear a +4 protection item in the same spot.

[Roguewiz]

Not bad. Why not go Kopesh instead though ;)

Also, your sig looks like the American Flag..did you do that on purpose, or just coincidence? ;)

PS

As far as hp/ac goes

228 hp +28 (from the +4 Con item) + 30 GFL + 10 Draconic vit = 296hp.

AC
10 Base
13 Armor
7 Shield
4 Protection
3 Aura
1 Dex (assuming of course, you use a +4 item)
= 38 AC (Granted, this isn't counting other items/buffs)

[BlueLightBandit]

Well one thing to remind you of the Nightforge Gorget is a neckpiece so you can't wear a +4 protection item in the same spot.

Doh, it was late. Thanks for the heads up... now I have to weigh the options of the helmet with a +5 to will saves, and a heavy fort belt, which would kill the GFL belt I was planning on wearing with the necklace... bah, it's something to play with until I get there I guess.


Not bad. Why not go Kopesh instead though ;)

Also, your sig looks like the American Flag..did you do that on purpose, or just coincidence? ;)

PS

As far as hp/ac goes

228 hp +28 (from the +4 Con item) + 30 GFL + 10 Draconic vit = 296hp.

AC
10 Base
13 Armor
7 Shield
4 Protection
3 Aura
1 Dex (assuming of course, you use a +4 item)
= 38 AC (Granted, this isn't counting other items/buffs)

I changed my sig for the holiday a couple weekends ago, and have been too lazy to change it again. But no... it's not a coincidence.

And I don't have any spiffy Khopeshes, feel free to send me some if you'd like. *grin* Actually, I do have some decent maces, and with improved crit on smiters and banishers it makes for a nice feat. (What, you didn't think I wanted the umd to run with a +3 acid mace of deception, didya? *grin*)

Oh, and thanks for the math.

[Impaqt]

I would take Power Attack over Power Critical..... WAY more useful for a DPS Build.

If your going UMD Route anyway, why not take a Level of Rogue? (Or Two for Evasion)

I know it then becomes just like all the other Evasion Paly Builds.. But then again this is already "Just another paladin"

Even with a 8 Dex, you shouldbe able to get your Reflex save up over 20 with some basic buffs and there really isnt any excting l4 paly spells.

[Mhykke]

I wouldn't go bludgeoning just to "be different."

Heck, I could try being different by not using a weapon at all. Doesn't mean it'd be a good idea.

[BlueLightBandit]

I would take Power Attack over Power Critical..... WAY more useful for a DPS Build.

If your going UMD Route anyway, why not take a Level of Rogue? (Or Two for Evasion)

I know it then becomes just like all the other Evasion Paly Builds.. But then again this is already "Just another paladin"

Even with a 8 Dex, you shouldbe able to get your Reflex save up over 20 with some basic buffs and there really isnt any excting l4 paly spells.


I wouldn't go bludgeoning just to "be different."

Heck, I could try being different by not using a weapon at all. Doesn't mean it'd be a good idea.

Good points all around, so let me just reiterate my point of view.

*Power Attack: Good point, I was just looking forward to imrpoved crit on bludgening for those smiters/banishers that I have.

*UMD: I can get to the necessary 24 without taking a level of rogue and I'm not looking for evasion, so I didn't think that taking a hit to my attack and damage rolls would be worth it.

*Spells: I like the 30 point resists, being pure pally makes those last longer. I also like keeping the possibilities open for the next level cap increase... you never know what they'll throw in there.

*Bludgeoning: I didn't take that feat to be different than everybody else... I took it to be different than the melee builds I already play. If I wanted to use great axes I would play my barbarian, if I wanted to do twf I would play my ranger, if I wanted to run with bastard swords I would play my fighter... If I just wanted to do the same thing as those characters I would just build another version of those characters... this one is different.

[axebender]

stay pure dont gimp your pally with rogue...pff evasion? when u got resist..i know it can be dispelled but still rather have 30pt resist anyday..as for lvl 4 spells deathward nuff said..this is a true paladins best friend...not flaming here just tellin it as it is ..stay pure it will be worth it as time goes by..especially in the enhancement line

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

stay pure dont gimp your pally with rogue...pff evasion? when u got resist..i know it can be dispelled but still rather have 30pt resist anyday..as for lvl 4 spells deathward nuff said..this is a true paladins best friend...not flaming here just tellin it as it is ..stay pure it will be worth it as time goes by..especially in the enhancement line

Sorry, Axebender, but it is obvious you have not played, nor really played with, a well-built Evasion Paladin. I can speak from personal experience, that an Evasion Paladin is a VERY Survivable build, a -1 BAB is worth the tradeoff for Evasion, +1d6 Sneak Attack, +2 Reflex Save, +1 Dex Enhancement, and 12-18 additional skill points (usually meaning a capped UMD). It is a VERY Worthwhile trade-off. Additionally, if you read the Paladin forums, you will see that the general consensus is that past Paladin 11, there are diminishing returns for staying pure Paladin.

I know there are many "purists" when it comes to builds, espeically Paladins, given their PnP heritage, but the reality is that DDO, as it currently stands, has very little to offer for Paladin 12-14, and way too much to gain with Multi-Classing.

[Snike]

Won't the low dex affect your AC needed at high levels? In affect making your push on intimidate skill for not.

[Dworkin_of_Amber]

It appears that he is planning for +5 Full Plate (not Mithral), so a +4 Dex Item caps his dex bonus in the armor, so I don't think that is an issue for the original build.

Now, for the 7/7 build I was talking about, then yes, the starting stats would be a bit different.

[axebender]

Sorry, Axebender, but it is obvious you have not played, nor really played with, a well-built Evasion Paladin. I can speak from personal experience, that an Evasion Paladin is a VERY Survivable build, a -1 BAB is worth the tradeoff for Evasion, +1d6 Sneak Attack, +2 Reflex Save, +1 Dex Enhancement, and 12-18 additional skill points (usually meaning a capped UMD). It is a VERY Worthwhile trade-off. Additionally, if you read the Paladin forums, you will see that the general consensus is that past Paladin 11, there are diminishing returns for staying pure Paladin.

I know there are many "purists" when it comes to builds, espeically Paladins, given their PnP heritage, but the reality is that DDO, as it currently stands, has very little to offer for Paladin 12-14, and way too much to gain with Multi-Classing.

your correct i have never played the typical evasion build..but i know this. the general concensus doenst matter when u build a character..you should build a toon because they are fun ..and the build depends on what ya want. evasion builds are not necessarely the best. i wouldnt trade deathward for anything. and as far as evasion,light armor just cant do it for some toons that dont have the dex to support there ac..i know the new sexy thing is more hp. but my standing 49 unbuffed ac does me good

[Zenako]

At high end, elite mobs will hit you anyway so a few point of AC in those ranges will not matter. Much better to have a nice Bard casting Displacement on you instead. As for lots of other normal mobs, AC should be workable in those ranges.

You might want to factor in some WIS gains however since Paladin spells will be dependant on Current WIS levels. With a WIS of only 10, you could only cast 0th level spells. Will need to have something boosting your WIS to larger values to actually be able to cast any spells. 14 for 4th level spells for example. While not hard to find, that will eat up another item slot.

[axebender]

true ac mean little but i would rather walk around with a 49 ac then an 20 ..umd is also a great thing i have it high enough so i can cast blur on myself..its not displacement but it helps..scrolls of blur are extremly cheap and last 3min a cast..just a thought for ya