Good fighting style for Paladin solo ?

[charmor]

Paladin is a good class for solo play, right?

If yes, should I go two-handed style for more damage or weapon+shield for more AC? I'll probably get Power Attack at start, but what about feats such as Cleave and Greate Cleave for area damage? Are they really powerful or should I focus on other more defensive feats (since I believe solo play requires more survivability)?

I'm still undecided between Elf, due to scimitar/falchion enhancements, or Dwarf for the increased saves and axe bonuses (even with charisma penalty)..

[QuantumFX]

Both S&B and THF are great choices for a starting paladin. Personally, I like S&B for a pure pally and THF for a monk splash pally.

[Vormaerin]

You will want to have both sword and board and an offensive option. As a first timer, 2 weapon fighting is probably too expensive in terms of stat points, so go with two handed fighting.

Generally, you will be better off killing stuff faster with a two handed weapon than you will with the extra AC of a shield, but some experience will tell you which to use in what situation.

Look at either a greatsword or a falchion as your two handed weapon, because most paladin abilities (Divine Sacrifice, Exalted Smite, etc) revolve heavily around crits. THe extra 5% crit chance on the falchion outweighs the extra damage on the greatsword against crit susceptible foes.

[charmor]

Nice.

So seems a good idea to choose Elf due to scimitar/falchion enhancements. Dwarf gets better saves, hp and spell points, but on the other hand axes have very poor crit range, right?

[Angelus_dead]

If it were possible then TWF is better, but a new player's Paladin will have trouble getting enough dexterity (without hurting the other stats)

[Vormaerin]

Yeah, need either drow or 32pt character to afford the 17 Dex on top of the Str, Con, Cha, and some Wis a Paladin needs.