DoS Pally 34 Point THF / S&B Help

[Crysae]

So I'm looking for a pure Paladin Defender of Siberys sword and board Threat/AC tank that switches to THF for dps. A lot of people say to use TWF, but I've spent too long grinding out ingredients and farming quests to simply toss aside all the two handers I've collected, and I especially don't like the idea of having to farm Shroud for double the mats. I would also like to be able to get DMIV, so a base Cha of 17 (with a +3 tome) would be nice. I have all the races, so feel free to pick and choose, although Helf seems to be a popular candidate with the Human Versatility and either cleric dilly for UMD or rogue dilly for 3d6 sneaks.A lot of people have told me that if I want to go tank I should go fighter, but I don't want to simply because I like Paladin. You can plan for either 32 or 34 point build. I know it's a lot to ask, but it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Ayseifn]

Been struggling to put one together ever since I read about the U11 changes to the prestige, the lack of feats means you either have to be narrow in what you can tank, lose self healing or DPS. The way things are at the moment Stalwart is just the better way to go unfortunatly, I hope someone show up and proves me wrong with an awesome build though as I'd love to play a pally tank again :)

[Crysae]

I don't necessarily want to be a tank, but as there is a lack of monsters KotC 3 is good against after Shroud (especially in epics), I figured DoS 3 would be a better option. This isn't to say I wouldn't want a tank, a tank build would be lots of fun to play. And it's nice to know that there are others thinking the same way I am =P

[justagame]

I know this doesn't answer the question, but I've stopped playing my paladin. KOTC is a one-trick pony that is not optimal for a whole lot after shroud, but I haven't farmed enough ac gear to have a truly relevant "tank" AC as a DOS. I fear I'd end up a dps-gimped featless fighter that still gets hit most of the time at endgame. That, plus getting a first-swing smite to land is frustratingly rare right now.

[sephiroth1084]

Check out Junts' guide to creating paladins (here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=218542&highlight=jaerlech ), and specifically his Jaerlech character. On Jaer, just drop Maximize, Quicken and something else (Dodge or Khopesh) for THF, ITHF and GTHF and you're set.

I use a different gear set-up than he does on my paladin, but you can work that out to your liking or check out my gear decisions here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=308252

[hcarr]

Its tough to get the 17 charisma with +3 tome and still make a ac tank build. You need the str with a little dex. and would prob want the int for ce and con for the needed hitpoints. Not enough build points to go around even for a 36 pt build.

Im going dwarf and just living with dm 2. still cant settle on the feats. Will most likely skip the thf feat chain though.

[sephiroth1084]

Its tough to get the 17 charisma with +3 tome and still make a ac tank build. You need the str with a little dex. and would prob want the int for ce and con for the needed hitpoints. Not enough build points to go around even for a 36 pt build.

Im going dwarf and just living with dm 2. still cant settle on the feats. Will most likely skip the thf feat chain though.
Eh.
I went 16, 14 (could go 12, but I have the Fighter PL feat and want to get +7 Dex out of Epic Cavalry Plate), 15, 12, 8, 15, level ups in Str. +3 Cha tome for DM III works. Could also go 14 Con, 16 Cha and Lesser Reincarnate if/when you acquire that tome.

[NoidRoid]

I have a 18/2(fighter) horc DoS tank that is very effective in new raids and tod. It's not optimal but good for now because I didn't want to convert my kensai to SD, I will eventually be TRing this DoS into a higher DPS tank.

For you, I'd say human 18/2 could work. 2 fighter is essentially 3 feats with tower prof and the sentinal DMs are nice for intim APs and epic fang/crown. There's just not enough feats on a pure. 18/2 would look like: PA, toughness/barbPLF, imp Crit, DMx3, shield mastery with 3 feats left over. Could go: thf chain, quicken+maximize+something, or AC feats depending on what you're into.

Capstone and DM IV(given the CHA req) ain't that great. Haste boost I, Tower Prof, 2 feats, and putting those costly last few CHA points somewhere else is better IMO.

[Crysae]

I appreciate the feedback, and I've been looking into Junts' Paladin guide and reading through. You're right that Paladin stats are spread too thin for 17 Cha, so I'll probably drop to 15 and use a +3 for DMIII like you suggested. I'll probably use Junts self-healing tank as a basis for my toon, but I'll have to tweak a few things (like the feats). I'll probably drop the Str to 17 instead of 18 to accommodate 34 points instead of 36 (is my math right here?). Junts' build is very tome dependent, so it looks like I'll be running a lot of raids.. Any other feedback is appreciated

Edit: With 17 Str on a 34 point build i have one point left, this goes to Int to make it easier to get C.E.

[Enoach]

A few suggestions while playing your paladin.

SP holds power for you. A Paladin without SP is like a Barbarian without Rage or a Fighter without Boosts.

That being said - Torc and/or Con-Op item goes a long way on a Melee character that utilizes SP.

Keep in mind while in defensive stance Rage has no effect on you and Madstone Boots will not proc.

Have a couple Shields and Armor with different effects. Some more DR oriented some more defensive oriented and some that Just say "Come On hit me, I dare you" Guards. Its also good to have a "Light" Armor for Jumping intense quests.

For a Paladin - Ardor Clickies (only need Max Level IV Superior is best) for when you can click before/after combat and Ardor Potions for a quick reset in combat will help keep your Cure Spells working in top form - Even more important if you have opted not to take the Maximize Feat.

At higher levels try to keep two cure spells memorized. This way you can quick heal as they will be on different timers.

Don't neglect UMD - This is not just for Heal Scrolls, ability to cast spells like Shield (Level 5 wand), Blur (level 5 wand), Displacement, Fire/Cold Shield, etc even at 50% can become priceless in midigating Damage. Also while not all Artificer scrolls are currently available at vendors some are, with UMD you can begin to collect the useful ones and be able to enhance your weapons and armor. Just remember when using scrolls put the shield down to avoid high ASF.

[Crysae]

Thanks Eno. I like the Str/Con from Madstone, but I don't like the inability to spellcast so I'm fine with not being able to proc it. Rage is a little more annoying, but I can live with it. I've been tooling around in House C lately and I love the sizeable bonus to HP from DoS III, as well as the extra LoH.