Making a Paladin..

[Silverr]

This is my build so far. Any critiques or comments? Never really played a melee besides a monk.


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.09.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Daria Ma'Vir
Level 20 Lawful Good Drow Female
(20 Paladin)
Hit Points: 352
Spell Points: 300
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 29
Reflex: 24
Will: 20

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 14 19
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 14 16
Intelligence 10 12
Wisdom 8 10
Charisma 16 21

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 4 15
Bluff 3 5
Concentration 2 6
Diplomacy 3 5
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 3 5
Heal -1 0
Hide 3 4
Intimidate 7 28
Jump 3 10.5
Listen -1 2
Move Silently 3 4
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 1
Search 0 3
Spot -1 2
Swim 2 4
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device n/a 5.5

Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Paladin Focus of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I


Level 2 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 4 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II


Level 5 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I


Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 7 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice I


Level 8 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I


Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III


Level 10 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might II


Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice II
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice II


Level 13 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands III


Level 14 (Paladin)


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil IV
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite III


Level 17 (Paladin)


Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh


Level 19 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice III
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite IV
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice III
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness III


Level 20 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Weapons of Good
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might IV

[CanuckWisdom]

You could choose to use rapiers and save a feat, as drow get racial bonuses for them.

However, I am not sure what the mathematical difference is in terms of dmg output or +to hit, and it would cost some enhancements.

[Braxion]

Lower your Dex by 1, you only need 17 for the TWF line..
Raise your Str, later on you won't be able to hit **** as your "to-hit" will be in the can.

I would probably go human if you are doing khopesh, if you want drow then rapiers (for the racial bonuses to-hit & damage). Granted you will be feat and enhancement point starved, so split the difference and take Scimitars and call it a day.

[garynash7070]

I would change your dex to maybe 15 and save the extra points to put into something else like strength. You can use a +2 dex tome at level 7 to get your required 17 for greater TWF. Lower your starting INT and put into CON. Yes you will loose some skill points, but you will have more health. End-game you will want health more and use intim less.

I have had a pali for like 5 years. He was an intimitank until recently and he is TWF Khopesh spec'd KOTC3. Main attributes are STR--- CON-----CHAR. STR is for your to-hit and damage, the CON well is for your HP, and CHAR is for your smiting and intimi abilities.

[Kourier]

As a drow lowering your dex to 15 only gives you one point back. You COULD put it into int but either way you're looking at a +2 and a +1 tome to get to the same place. I recommend lowering your con by 2 (GASP) and putting it into strength.

[Bozone]

First thing I recommend is to read Junts' thread: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=218542

I'm no expert, but here's a few comments:

It's hard to get enough build points for a twf paladin. The dex could be reduced - with your +2 tome you have more than you need to qualify for the twf feats. I don't think 1 point from dex will get you a better strength or con, so I'd put that into charisma. Then if you get a +3 tome you could get DM IV without using your level-up points. It looks like you're using a couple level-up points to get your cha high enough for DM IV. I would probably go with DM III and put them all into Str.

I would shift something so you don't have .5 ranks in two skills - they get truncated so the extra 1/2 does no good. I would not bother with UMD if you are only getting 5 or 6 ranks.

I would probably swap power attack and improved critical. If I remember right, I had to run with power attack off fairly often at mid levels on my paladin. With a lower strength, I'm guessing you will have problems hitting with power attack until higher levels.

I'd consider dropping the khopesh proficiency and going with the drow racial weapons in order to save a feat.

[Ralmeth]

Hi Silverr,

It looks like a solid build, though I have a few suggestions to consider:
1) Your starting strength is a little low. On a DPS build I would highly recommend starting strength at 16, with the best place to get more points is to drop con to 12. I hate doing that, but I think a strength bracket is more valuable than 20 hit points as you'll be able to get items later on to give you more hit points.

2) One thing to consider is to go with rapiers, as someone else mentioned, as you can get a better to hit with these due to the drow racial enhancement. Then at 18th level you could take oversize two-weapon fighting for an even higher to hit, which you will need in epics.

3) I would probably take improved crit at level 9 and then move back ITWF to 12th and GTWF to 15th.

Hope that helps:)

[Silverr]

Because I'm a Drow, INT, DEX, and CHA all start at 10. I'd have to leave DEX at 14 if I wanted up upgrade STR, because it will cost me two points to upgrade from 14 to 15, wheras it only costs one point to go from 15-16 DEX. I didn't think it'd be any more use elsewhere. And I need 17 DEX for TWF.

I like Khopeshes, and while I know I could do good damage with rapiers, I just levelled a Drow rogue using rapiers and I want to try something a bit different.

Yeah, I would hate to drop my CON to 12, but you might be right. 350 health is low enough already that I was worried about lowering it further.

Thanks for the advice! :)

[Kourier]

Because I'm a Drow, INT, DEX, and CHA all start at 10. I'd have to leave DEX at 14 if I wanted up upgrade STR, because it will cost me two points to upgrade from 14 to 15, wheras it only costs one point to go from 15-16 DEX. I didn't think it'd be any more use elsewhere. And I need 17 DEX for TWF.

I like Khopeshes, and while I know I could do alright with them, I just levelled a Drow rogue and I want to try something a bit different.

Yeah, I would hate to drop my CON to 12, but you might be right. 350 health is low enough already that I was worried about lowering it further.

Pshaw, that's just base health with no items. Don't worry about it.

[Bozone]

You're right, another cha will also cost 2 build points as well so ignore my comment. I would be tempted to reduce con to get better strength...but I've never played a character with con that low so I'm not sure.

[Silverr]

Pshaw, that's just base health with no items. Don't worry about it.

Well I guess I'll be going to 412 with just a +6 CON item, so with a GFL item, maybe a Minos helm and a GS HP item... Yeah. You're right. :)

[Silverr]

First thing I recommend is to read Junts' thread: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=218542

I'm no expert, but here's a few comments:

It's hard to get enough build points for a twf paladin. The dex could be reduced - with your +2 tome you have more than you need to qualify for the twf feats. I don't think 1 point from dex will get you a better strength or con, so I'd put that into charisma. Then if you get a +3 tome you could get DM IV without using your level-up points. It looks like you're using a couple level-up points to get your cha high enough for DM IV. I would probably go with DM III and put them all into Str.

I would shift something so you don't have .5 ranks in two skills - they get truncated so the extra 1/2 does no good. I would not bother with UMD if you are only getting 5 or 6 ranks.

I would probably swap power attack and improved critical. If I remember right, I had to run with power attack off fairly often at mid levels on my paladin. With a lower strength, I'm guessing you will have problems hitting with power attack until higher levels.

I'd consider dropping the khopesh proficiency and going with the drow racial weapons in order to save a feat.

I think I will change it so I have a higher UMD skill, and less balance. I should be able to put a point in every level if I do that. I'd swap PA and Imp. Crit but the BAB is too high to get Imp. Crit at that level.

[Silverr]

Here is the updated build based on you guys advice. :)


Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.09.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Daria Ma'Vir
Level 20 Lawful Good Drow Female
(20 Paladin)
Hit Points: 332
Spell Points: 300
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 28
Reflex: 24
Will: 20

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 20)
Strength 16 21
Dexterity 16 18
Constitution 12 14
Intelligence 10 12
Wisdom 8 10
Charisma 16 21

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 20)
Balance 3 9.5
Bluff 3 5
Concentration 1 5
Diplomacy 3 5
Disable Device n/a n/a
Haggle 3 5
Heal -1 0
Hide 3 4
Intimidate 7 27
Jump 3 5
Listen -1 2
Move Silently 3 4
Open Lock n/a n/a
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 0 1
Search 0 3
Spot -1 2
Swim 3 5
Tumble n/a n/a
Use Magic Device 5 18



Level 2 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 4 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II


Level 5 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I


Level 6 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 7 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice I


Level 8 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I


Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III


Level 10 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might II


Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice II
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice II


Level 13 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands III


Level 14 (Paladin)


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil IV
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite III


Level 17 (Paladin)


Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 19 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice III
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite IV
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice III
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness III


Level 20 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Weapons of Good
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might IV

[svinja]

I had (until I TRed it) a very similar character. The only significant difference was that I used rapiers. It is in my opinion not a very good character at level 20. It was superb at beating on Horoth but that's about it. It is one of those characters that need babysitting in epics (CC, someone to tank for them, or lots of healing) to be able to kill anything which I really dislike. The attack bonus was also not as high as I would have liked it to be. You know how people say "you will hit on a 2 anyway", this is not true for this build.

[Silverr]

What was your end strength? Did you have many to-hit bonuses? I have a few things lying around for to-hit bonuses like Spectral Gloves, etc which I could easily throw onto this character and epic them to give them a boost with that sort of thing.

[Kourier]

If you're worried about to-hit one thing you could do is use rapiers, take the drow racial attack enhancements, and take oversized two weapon fighting as a feat over khopesh. If you really need that extra, you can use shortswords/daggers in offhand and take weapon focus: pierce or something.