A basic and beginner paladin

[Strimtom]

Hello all. I am Strimtom here to bring you a quick basic guide to paladin for levelling, as well as a video that explains all of the core concepts as to how you paladin and what each ability and effect does.


https://youtu.be/EphGZuDcFL0

If you prefer a more advance paladin guide, Follow one of the ones below for something that isn't quite so beginner:

First Life Charisma Paladin (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/522061-First-Life-Friendly-THF-Charisma-Paladin?p=6406578#post6406578)
Single Weapon Fighter Paladin (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/526531-Don-t-sleep-on-single-weapon-fighting-paladin-it-s-good-for-first-lifers-too?p=6458441#post6458441)
Endgame THF Charisma Paladin (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/524752-Putting-the-Eidolon-of-Shadow-to-good-use?p=6437264#post6437264)
Vanguard Paladin (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/524332-PDK-Strikethrough-Vanguard-Mmmmmm-AOE?p=6432222#post6432222)


Free to Play Paladin
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Human


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . 32pt. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 16. . . .16 . . . 4: STR
Dexterity . . . .8. . . . 8 . . . 8: STR
Constitution. . 14. . . .14 . . .12: STR
Intelligence. . .8. . . . 8 . . .16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . 14. . . .14 . . .20: STR
Charisma. . . . 14. . . .16 . . .24: STR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: STR

Skills
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Intim . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
UMD . . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
Heal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 . 1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . 8. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2. 2


Feats

.1. . . . : Two Handed Fighting
.1 Human. : Power Attack
.3. . . . : Child of Faith
.6. . . . : Improved Two Handed Fighting
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
12. . . . : Greater Two Handed Fighting
15. . . . : Beloved of Faith
18. . . . : Toughness

.1 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
.6 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty


Spells

Bless (4), Cure Light Wounds (6), Lesser Restoration (14), Protection from Evil (18)
Angelskin (8), Righteous Command (10), Resist Energy (16), Owl's Wisdom (19)
Prayer (11), Cure Moderate Wounds (12), Magic Circle Against Evil (19), Dispel Magic (19)
Holy Sword (14), Zeal (15), Death Ward (19), Cure Serious Wounds (20)

Enhancements (Spent: 80 +0r +0u / Max: 80 +0r +0u AP)

Knight of the Chalice (42 AP) Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil III, Champion of Good Extra Smites III, Shieldbreaker I
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave: Melee, Action Boost: Power III
Holy Combatant, Divine Sacrifice: Melee I, Lead the Charge I, Exalted Smite: Melee III, Strength
Knight's Training, Censure Demons, Vigor of Life
Ascendency, Censure Outsiders, Vigor of Life, Avenging Cleave: Melee, Holy Retribution: Melee
Sacred Defender (26 AP) Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption Extra Lay On Hands III, Durable Defense III, Sacred Armor Mastery III
Bulwark Aura III
Resistance Aura III, Tenacious Defense III
Swift Defense, Hardy Defense III
Human (12 AP) Attack Boost, Strength Action Surge: Strength II, Improved Recovery
Great Weapon Aptitude III
Improved Recovery
Leveling Guide KoC0 Slayer of Evil; KoC1 Extra Smites I, II, III
KoC1 Shieldbreaker I; KoC2 Exalted Cleave: Melee; KoC2 Action Boost: Power I, II
KoC0 Courage of Heaven; KoC2 Action Boost: Power III; KoC3 Holy Combatant
SD0 Holy Bastion; SD1 Extra Lay On Hands I, II; SD1 Durable Defense I
SD1 Durable Defense II; SD0 Sacred Defense; KoC3 Exalted Smite: Melee I
KoC0 Slayer of Evil II; KoC3 Exalted Smite: Melee II
KoC3 Exalted Smite: Melee III; SD1 Durable Defense III; SD1 Extra Lay On Hands III; SD2 Bulwark Aura I
SD2 Bulwark Aura II; SD0 Divine Righteousness; SD3 Tenacious Defense I, II
SD3 Tenacious Defense III; KoC3 Divine Sacrifice: Melee I; KoC4 Knight's Training
KoC4 Censure Demons; KoC4 Vigor of Life; KoC3 Lead the Charge I
KoC2 Divine Might I, II, III; SD3 Resistance Aura I
KoC0 Improved Courage of Heaven; KoC5 Holy Retribution: Melee; KoC5 Ascendency
KoC5 Censure Outsiders; KoC5 Avenging Cleave: Melee
KoC5 Vigor of Life; SD3 Resistance Aura II; SD2 Bulwark Aura III; SD3 Resistance Aura III
SD1 Sacred Armor Mastery I, II; SD0 Redemption; SD4 Swift Defense
SD4 Hardy Defense I, II, III; SD1 Sacred Armor Mastery III
Hum0 Attack Boost; Hum1 Improved Recovery
Hum0 Strength; KoC0 Slayer of Evil III; Hum1 Action Surge: Strength I, II
Hum2 Great Weapon Aptitude I, II, III
Hum3 Improved Recovery; KoC3 Strength; KoC0 Champion of Good

[Riffolk]

Really appreciating your beginner basics series Strim. Thanks for your contributions to the community and builds in particular.

Few adjustments I'd make. (Your mileage may vary)

I would take Extra Lay On Hands I II III @ level 1. Having strong healing would be the top priority for me.
For total AP split, I would take:


Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Human - Points spent: 8
1 Core ·(1) Versatility I: Melee and Ranged Power
2 Tier1 (2) Improved Recovery I
3 Core ·(2) Adaptability: +1 Strength
4 Tier2 (1) Fighting Style: Great Weapon Aptitude
5 Tier2 (1) Fighting Style: Great Weapon Aptitude
6 Tier2 (1) Fighting Style: Great Weapon Aptitude
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Knight of the Chalice - Points spent: 41
1 Core ·(1) Slayer of Evil I
2 Tier1 (1) Improved Second Strikes
3 Tier1 (1) Improved Second Strikes
4 Tier1 (1) Improved Second Strikes
5 Tier1 (1) Extra Smite
6 Tier2 (2) Exalted Attack: Exalted Cleave
7 Tier2 (1) Divine Might
8 Tier2 (1) Divine Might
9 Tier2 (1) Divine Might
10 Core ·(1) Courage of Heaven
11 Core ·(1) Slayer of Evil II
12 Tier3 (2) Holy Combatant II
13 Tier3 (1) Lead the Charge
14 Tier3 (2) Exalted Smite: Exalted Smite
15 Tier3 (2) Ability I: +1 Strength
16 Tier1 (1) Extra Smite
17 Tier4 (2) Ability II: +1 Strength
18 Tier4 (2) Vigor of Life I
19 Tier4 (1) Censure Demons
20 Tier4 (2) Knight's Training
21 Core ·(1) Improved Courage of Heaven
22 Tier2 (2) Adept Combatant
23 Tier5 (2) Ascendancy
24 Tier5 (1) Censure Outsiders
25 Tier5 (2) Avenging Attack: Avenging Cleave
26 Tier5 (1) Holy Retribution: Holy Retribution
27 Core ·(1) Slayer of Evil III
28 Tier5 (2) Vigor of Life II
29 Tier1 (1) Extra Smite
30 Core ·(1) Champion of Good
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sacred Defender - Points spent: 31
1 Core ·(1) Holy Bastion
2 Tier1 (1) Extra Lay on Hands
3 Tier1 (1) Extra Lay on Hands
4 Tier1 (1) Extra Lay on Hands
5 Tier1 (1) Improved Sacred Defense I: Durable Defense
6 Tier1 (1) Improved Sacred Defense I: Durable Defense
7 Tier1 (1) Improved Sacred Defense I: Durable Defense
8 Core ·(1) Sacred Defence
9 Tier1 (1) Sacred Armor Mastery
10 Tier1 (1) Sacred Armor Mastery
11 Tier1 (1) Sacred Armor Mastery
12 Core ·(1) Divine Righteousness
13 Tier3 (1) Greater Sacred Defense I: Tenacious Defense
14 Tier3 (1) Greater Sacred Defense I: Tenacious Defense
15 Tier3 (1) Greater Sacred Defense I: Tenacious Defense
16 Tier3 (2) Ability I: +1 Charisma
17 Tier2 (1) Improved Sacred Defense II: Resilient Defense
18 Tier2 (1) Improved Sacred Defense II: Resilient Defense
19 Tier2 (1) Improved Sacred Defense II: Resilient Defense
20 Tier4 (1) Swift Defense
21 Tier4 (1) Greater Sacred Defense II: Strong Defense
22 Tier4 (1) Greater Sacred Defense II: Strong Defense
23 Tier4 (1) Greater Sacred Defense II: Strong Defense
24 Tier4 (2) Ability II: +1 Charisma
25 Core ·(1) Redemption
26 Tier4 (1) Reinforced Defense I: Reinforced Armor
27 Tier4 (1) Reinforced Defense I: Reinforced Armor
28 Tier4 (1) Reinforced Defense I: Reinforced Armor
29 Core ·(1) Glorious Stand
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Getting to 31 AP in Sacred Defender (Core 5) is a huge boost in survivability.
+25 Healing Amp, +3 Lay on Hands charges, +10% Sacred Bonus to Max HP, +5 to Physical and Magical Resistance Rating.

[magaiti]

With Ravenloft being only 99 DP until the end of the year, I'd recommend spending those 8 points in Vistani tree for Haste Boost.
Earning Vistani favor would take some time, but as you have 72 AP to spend in Pally trees, you can take your time till level 18 or so.

[makmakkabab]

Any advice on how to spend the ED points for a 2 handed paladin at this time?

[Kodwraith]

Any advice on how to spend the ED points for a 2 handed paladin at this time?

I split mine between mostly DivineCrusader (30ish) and Fury (11) with a side of LD (also 11). The system seems designed to really reward committing 11 points in two secondary trees then everything else into your main.

[makmakkabab]

I split mine between mostly DivineCrusader (30ish) and Fury (11) with a side of LD (also 11). The system seems designed to really reward committing 11 points in two secondary trees then everything else into your main.

Thanks. I read so many bad things on the new divine crusader that I was hesitant to put points there. i went t5 crusader and some fury, will see how it goes.

[Kodwraith]

Thanks. I read so many bad things on the new divine crusader that I was hesitant to put points there. i went t5 crusader and some fury, will see how it goes.

BTW if you put 13 points into Exalted Angel, you get a perpetual self heal for you and all your friends in the Mantle. It makes for a potent combo since your defensive stats are pretty high.

[magaiti]

Just theorycrafting, but I'd spend my 52 destiny points as follows:

37 Divine Crusader - take everything related to crusade, mantle, doublestrike, Smite Evil and Sundering bonuses (for cowering DC). T5 - mighty crusade, law feat improvement, crit on 19-20
14 Legendary Dreadnought - more tactical DC, cores, doublestrike
1 unyielding sentinel