Pure Pally combat style?

[Kodwraith]

What are folks using post u23 for pally combat? I'm about to TR a toon for a pally life.

It seems the main options are:

bastard sword + shield ==> taking THF + shield feats (THF, ITHF, GTHF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, imp shield bash, bsword)
- OR -
bastard sword + Orb ==> taking SWF feats + imp shield mastery for the double strike. (SWF, ISWF, GSWF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, bsword)
- OR -
bastard sword + tower shield and ditching THF ==> (shield mastery, imp shield mastery, imp shield bash, tower shield)

I should mention I have a large khopesh collection, so I'm also debating straight up 2WF and lookign at more exotci stuff like 6 monk wss/swf builds. Orbs making you uncentered? boo!

I'm likely going to splash 2 monk possibly 2 fighter mainly because I have no real heavy armor on this toon and I have a large pajama collection.

[ValariusK]

What are folks using post u23 for pally combat? I'm about to TR a toon for a pally life.

It seems the main options are:

bastard sword + shield ==> taking THF + shield feats (THF, ITHF, GTHF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, imp shield bash, bsword)
- OR -
bastard sword + Orb ==> taking SWF feats + imp shield mastery for the double strike. (SWF, ISWF, GSWF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, bsword)
- OR -
bastard sword + tower shield and ditching THF ==> (shield mastery, imp shield mastery, imp shield bash, tower shield)

I should mention I have a large khopesh collection, so I'm also debating straight up 2WF and lookign at more exotci stuff like 6 monk wss/swf builds. Orbs making you uncentered? boo!

I'm likely going to splash 2 monk possibly 2 fighter mainly because I have no real heavy armor on this toon and I have a large pajama collection.

My pure pally has just gotten to level 15 now. I'm going option 1---bastard sword, shield all 3 shield feats, two handed fighting, power attack, imp crit slash. At level 18 I'll probably snag quicken for epics.
For armor I cashed out some black dragonscales and got some black dragonplate. Looks pretty nice and relentless fury is really good. A lot of my other gear is crafted. Crafted plate is actually pretty decent up to level 14 when you can get black or white dragonplate depending on what scales you've got. Presently I've got Vanguard as my main line with heavy support from SD and light support from KOTC. All the cores in all 3 lines are pretty worthwhile now. DPS on a S&B vanguard with a bastard sword is pretty good, I outdo most members of groups I perform on DPS with the exception of save or die casters and big dog druids. Survivability is exceptionally good. I'm not sure exactly how much more dps a pally built for damage uber alles would net.

[Purkilius]

I went pure twf with precision in DC not optimal but really fun to play.

[ValariusK]

I went pure twf with precision in DC not optimal but really fun to play.

There's nothing wrong with getting precision over power attack, especially if you're TWF with a high crit component (eg rapiers or khopesh). If I went TWF I'd probably do the same.

[MacRighteous]

I've been thinking about TR'ing into a 19 pally/1 wiz going bastard sword + shield ==> taking THF + shield feats (THF, ITHF, GTHF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, PA, bsword, imp crit slash) The wiz level for the 1st level spell Masters Touch (Kite Shield) + Xtra feat + Metamagic feat (Empowered Healing? Extend? Quicken?) and using the extra feat slot for a Quality of Life feat like Dragon Mark (Human: Expeditious Retreat + DD while leveling is pretty attractive)

Or maybe buff up UMD and scroll Masters touch?

Question is - is taking one wiz level worth missing the pally capstone? I guess I could always LR before epic levels. Still on the fence...

[Loromir]

What are folks using post u23 for pally combat? I'm about to TR a toon for a pally life.

It seems the main options are:

bastard sword + shield ==> taking THF + shield feats (THF, ITHF, GTHF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, imp shield bash, bsword)
- OR -
bastard sword + Orb ==> taking SWF feats + imp shield mastery for the double strike. (SWF, ISWF, GSWF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, bsword)
- OR -
bastard sword + tower shield and ditching THF ==> (shield mastery, imp shield mastery, imp shield bash, tower shield)

I should mention I have a large khopesh collection, so I'm also debating straight up 2WF and lookign at more exotci stuff like 6 monk wss/swf builds. Orbs making you uncentered? boo!

I'm likely going to splash 2 monk possibly 2 fighter mainly because I have no real heavy armor on this toon and I have a large pajama collection.

I'm getting a lot of mileage from THF...Falchions/Great Axes/Great Swords. Cleave, Great Cleave, Lay Waste and Holy Retribution can clear a room full of mobs very quickly.

I've found that Holy Retribution will affect multiple mobs (Even though it is not specified in the description).

[EllisDee37]

The wiz level for the 1st level spell Masters Touch (Kite Shield) + Xtra feat + Metamagic feat (Empowered Healing? Extend? Quicken?)Empower Healing Spell isn't on the wizard bonus feat list, so you can't take that. Extend is largely worthless now that zeal lasts 1 minute per level. Quicken isn't needed if you use rejuvenation cocoon, which isn't interruptable.

The paradox is that if you use cocoon, the only wizard feat of interest is maximize, which doesn't work on cocoon.

[RD2play]

I've been thinking about TR'ing into a 19 pally/1 wiz going bastard sword + shield ==> taking THF + shield feats (THF, ITHF, GTHF, shield mastery, imp shield mastery, PA, bsword, imp crit slash) The wiz level for the 1st level spell Masters Touch (Kite Shield) + Xtra feat + Metamagic feat (Empowered Healing? Extend? Quicken?) and using the extra feat slot for a Quality of Life feat like Dragon Mark (Human: Expeditious Retreat + DD while leveling is pretty attractive)

Or maybe buff up UMD and scroll Masters touch?

Question is - is taking one wiz level worth missing the pally capstone? I guess I could always LR before epic levels. Still on the fence...

I like the EK-pally, take 5 levels of wizard tho... for 2 metamagic feats and to get blur/haste/displace. also weither you take one or more wizzard levels, spend at least one point in EK for the cleave

I have a 2wf 2mnk/18pal atm using PA and cleave, (its an old build that need to be TRed). If pure I would prolly go S&B.

[unbongwah]

I like the EK-pally, take 5 levels of wizard tho... for 2 metamagic feats and to get blur/haste/displace. also weither you take one or more wizzard levels, spend at least one point in EK for the cleave
Have a look at my Divine Fencer; I went pal 15 / wiz 3 / ftr 2 for 1 more feat (1 wiz + 2 ftr vs 2 wiz) and haste boost+extra action boost from Kensei. I lose Displacement, unfortunately, unless I farm up a bunch of GS clickies; but I didn't really want a 2nd metamagic and I like the extra feat & burst DPS from Kensei.

[Wipey]

I went pure twf with precision in DC not optimal but really fun to play.
Trying various styles doing etrs, but this has to be my favourite. I am a sucker for twf though.
Khops, Precision, Charisma level ups, Emp Heal, FoP.
Saves in 72+, 150 prr, 1.1k hp, close to 400 "character sheet" Devo, CSW hits for 500 -550, Consecration ticks for 380 (!).
TF Khops with 65-80 fort bypass are super fun. Undead, Constructs, plants fort, what is that.

Only wish Smite wasn't borked for twf ( have you tried Fury Smites ? ). The damage is superb and survivability off the charts. Easily the most powerful toon in years.

[Theolin]

Have a look at my Divine Fencer; I went pal 15 / wiz 3 / ftr 2 for 1 more feat (1 wiz + 2 ftr vs 2 wiz) and haste boost+extra action boost from Kensei. I lose Displacement, unfortunately, unless I farm up a bunch of GS clickies; but I didn't really want a 2nd metamagic and I like the extra feat & burst DPS from Kensei.


I did the same split 15p/3w/2f & liked it enough to change one of my toons to it.
Except I did THF with bSword (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/451334-15-Paladin-3-wiz-2-Fighter-CleavinBoard?p=5469204) & human with the shield feats & cleaves (I have a ton of bSwords hanging out on this toon anyway)
Took extend for the wiz spells & DPower

To me pure pally is not the way to go at the moment when you can get a lot from splashing

[Kodwraith]

Hmm, I may end up just going TWF pure as the feats are easier to fit in then THF + all the shield ones. Sounds like twf is still quite viable with enough armor piercing.

So second question: Is full plate a viable alternative to evasion these days if you have enough PRR?

Even though I've been playing this game for 6 years I basically have nothing but pajama toons so I don't actually know what to expect.

[Loromir]

Hmm, I may end up just going TWF pure as the feats are easier to fit in then THF + all the shield ones. Sounds like twf is still quite viable with enough armor piercing.

So second question: Is full plate a viable alternative to evasion these days if you have enough PRR?

Even though I've been playing this game for 6 years I basically have nothing but pajama toons so I don't actually know what to expect.

Full plate is a viable alternative to evasion. Since U24, the newly added MRR give some nice magic resistance.

[Alternative]

swf khopesh + orb

[Kodwraith]

swf khopesh + orb

That's my other option. I'm may end up with the 15/5 pally/rgr split from the other thread though.

I only upgraded my khopesh to T2, so they're not so expensive I can't bear the thought of using only one. Is there a specific enh to make orbs work with swf or does it just work?

[Loromir]

That's my other option. I'm may end up with the 15/5 pally/rgr split from the other thread though.

I only upgraded my khopesh to T2, so they're not so expensive I can't bear the thought of using only one. Is there a specific enh to make orbs work with swf or does it just work?


Swashbuckler. Can't remember the name of the enhacement.

[Palna]

That's my other option. I'm may end up with the 15/5 pally/rgr split from the other thread though.

I only upgraded my khopesh to T2, so they're not so expensive I can't bear the thought of using only one. Is there a specific enh to make orbs work with swf or does it just work?


It just works, though if you don't have magical training you aren't proficient with orbs. That shouldn't have any negative effect since orbs have ACP=0 (ddowiki (http://ddowiki.com/page/Proficiency#Non-proficiency_penalties)), and I couldn't see one when I tested it, but you might not like the [!] on your screen.

[unbongwah]

Is there a specific enh to make orbs work with swf or does it just work?
SWF feats (http://ddowiki.com/page/Feats#Single_Weapon_Fighting_Passive_Feats) work natively with orbs in your offhand: "Requires fighting with a single one-handed weapon, and wielding only an orb, runearm, or nothing in your off hand."

Swashbuckler. Can't remember the name of the enhacement.
Not quite: SWF and Swashbuckling have somewhat different pre-reqs. SWF works with any 1H melee weapon; Swashbuckling only works with Finesseable weapons. SWF feats will natively work with an orb or RA in your offhand, but not shields; Swashbuckling will normally only work with a buckler, but not with RA or orbs. So if you want SWF+Swashbuckling with an orb or RA, you need to take the Arcane Marauder or Cannoneer enh from SB, respectively. [EDIT: non-Swashies don't need to do anything to use RA/orb w/SWF.] If you want SWF+Swashbuckling with a buckler, you need to take Skirmisher from SB; currently there is no way to go SWF+shield outside of Swashies.

[Inoukchuk]

Swashbuckler. Can't remember the name of the enhacement.

Bard and Paly are not compatible due to alignment restrictions. I believe SWF and orb are just compatible anyway (haven't tried it).

[Devilteck]

I'm going to be doing a Dwarf Pally life using Daxes and hammers and I'm just curious why to take the THF line? Is it for the increase to glancing blows procs or am I missing something else?

[unbongwah]

I'm going to be doing a Dwarf Pally life using Daxes and hammers and I'm just curious why to take the THF line? Is it for the increase to glancing blows procs or am I missing something else?
Correct: d.axes and b.swords get glancing blows (http://ddowiki.com/page/Glancing_blow) while single-wielded (offhand can be anything but another weapon); THF feats boosts glancing blows and GTHF adds a 3rd glancing blow to your atk chain.

[Devilteck]

Correct: d.axes and b.swords get glancing blows (http://ddowiki.com/page/Glancing_blow) while single-wielded (offhand can be anything but another weapon); THF feats boosts glancing blows and GTHF adds a 3rd glancing blow to your atk chain.

TYVM kind sir yer alright no matter what they say ;)