A few Paladin Soloing Tips

[owens.forum]

Hello everyone ...

I have a 15th level human Paladin that does quite a wee bit of soloing while waiting for my guildies to come online.

Have been spending some time soloing the various explorer/slayer areas, e.g. Gianthold, Necro4 and Vale ... and kinda happy with the results. Although doing quests with guildies or joining PUGs really makes earning XP and loot easy (that is, most XP for overall time spent), soloing lets you hone your technique(s) and figure out what works against what ... so that you're more effective come guild/PUG quest time.

Just want to share a few techniques I currently use and hopefully get feedback and/or suggestions on how to further improve my soloing experience ... so here goes:

1. Scout the battlefield: Whenever checking out a new area and/or encountering a new opponent, stop and observe. Rushing in to whack the baddies with your +5 Holyburst Falchion of Pure Good is always fun, until you realize that you need to bypass their DR and don't have the appropriate weapon to do so (e.g. Flesh Golems at Necro4).

2. Try sneaking around: Yeah, paladins are usually the fearless type, but I learned that sneaking around does have its advantages. I got some tips from reading various forum posts ... and what works for me is getting the highest + Move Silently and + Hide in Shadows items for my current level WHILE using my Invisibility clicky. This works perfectly in Gianthold. Walked right beside several Fire Giants and Trolls without getting spotted. Fun, considering I didn't invest in any points in Hide/Move Silently skills.

Haven't tried this in Necro or Vale since I have not seen the need to sneak around there just yet. Sneaking around to check if a red-named boss is up prior to engaging the bunch of enemies also saves you a fight without getting a reward chest for your efforts.

3. Do some research: I know that this is boring ... but research on quests/weapons/skills can be as simple as asking another guildie what you should do/use in a specific quest. Of course, you could always use Google.

4. Bring the right equipment: Since you're choosing the "battlefield" and the opponents, take time out to do some research and pick your weapon inventory. Like in the previous example, I enjoy sniping foes from afar ... so I got a Metalline Returning Handaxe to bypass DR. Then I whack them with my Metalline Falchion of Pure Good when they get close.

Test your equipment, while you're at it ... see what works against each type of opponent; and what items work for you and your playing style.

5. Employ strategies and tactics: Play smartly ... use terrain and dungeon features to your advantage. One good example of this is in Ataraxia. Go to the mining cave and then just wait there under 'doorway/arch' on the cave ledge while the duergar rush up to meet you. Just bring out a Two Handed weapon, any will do ... I use a Quarterstaff of Enfeebling (since I like the animation) ... and smack them dead. Using a Two Handed weapon at a narrow doorway or arch does not give your foes the opportunity to make a decent attacks on you for some reason, so flail away until they're all dead.

Prepare yourself too ... set up your weapon sets, buff up as required, click them clickies BEFORE engaging.

Another tactic you can use is sniping foes from afar. This either allows you to get in a few free hits, or if lucky, you get to kill them without any risk to you.

Learn when to use Lay on Hands and/or the Unyielding Sovereignty heal. Developing the discipline as to when to use them will pay off in your guildie/PUG runs.

6. Know when to run: I know Paladins are supposed to be heroic and all ... but a dead hero isn't very heroic. Run away, wand whip to full health, then go back and bash their brains out. Get yourself a decent Boots of Striding set.

Running in a straight line also sometimes doesn't work. Jump down a ledge (don't forget featherfall, though!), zig zag and/or jump. These techniques sometimes make a big difference.

7. Don't bring a hireling: Yes, I know this sounds crazy, but I think soloing should be more of an exercise/training session rather than your primary means to level up. Of course, If you do use this approach ... by all means, fee free to bring a hireling along.

Hirelings will just slow you down, are usually a distraction (e.g. Hey, where's that hireling again?), cause dungeon scaling to activate (I think) and possibly cause you to be less careful. But hey, that's just my take on things.

8. Use SP wisely: Your SP pool will never match that of a caster, so be frugal. I try not to use SP on Cure Spells ... I just bring wands. But wands cost gold, so if you're kinda tight on funds, then I guess casting Cure spells will save you some. Using SP wisely also implies casting the right spell at the right time. Knowing when to cast Resist Energy will save you a bundle of wand charges, potions and/or Cure spells when cast at the right time.

Don't forget to keep a few SP on tap always for your Divine Sacrifices.

9. Use every trick in the book (over and over again): For me soloing is a training exercise, so I try using techniques I would use in 'real' quests to see how best to use them under pressure. Like spamming Divine Sacrifice and Exalted Smites while fighting red-named bosses, while swapping my Improved Destruction, Improved Cursespewing, Paralyzing and Holy Burst of Pure Good weapons as needed ... all at the same time.

Getting used to doing this in a relatively non-threatening (haha) situation gets you ready for the real thing.

10. Try not to die: The purpose of any training activity is to improve your current technique. Dying in-game means that you did something wrong. Make sure that each death in-game is a learning experience.

That's it for now. This is in no way a comprehensive end-all Paladin soloing guide, as things that I have described here may not apply after level 15 (?), haha. These are just some tips I've picked up after a few months playing and reading the forum posts.

More techniques or suggestions are very welcome!

[MateCarefor]

Glad you are enjoying the game, and having a good time of it.

I would mention two things:
1 - The tips above seem general to any character, not paladin specific (I would say the same even apply to spellcasters soloing to be honest). Not to say they are not valid or fun to document as you explore the game, just not really specific to anything...paladic.
2 - Soloing explorer areas with the current dungeon scaling is sort of like taking a raid group to misery's peak (if it were possible) - it can give you a false sense of omnipotence. Again, as test dummies, though, good fun to wander around and practice whatever you can learn about team play doing solo.

Well written, though, and welcome aboard!

[PNellesen]

Good advice, OP - I do alot of the same things with both my Ranger and my Cleric.

...

2 - Soloing explorer areas with the current dungeon scaling is sort of like taking a raid group to misery's peak (if it were possible) - it can give you a false sense of omnipotence. Again, as test dummies, though, good fun to wander around and practice whatever you can learn about team play doing solo.

This. I spent the past couple evenings running through the Red Fens solo (no hireling) with my Level 10 Cleric to get "Explorer", and while it wasn't exactly a cakewalk (I DID have to pay attention to my HP and make sure I had a few buffs going), it wasn't much of a challenge either, especially once I found all the shrines. I only "almost" died once, at the very top of the Ziggurat, and that was because of that "false sense of omnipotence" you describe - I got a little careless with my SP at the bottom and didn't realize there were Sahaugin at every corner, and then I got "lucky" and the rare was at the top of it. I managed to kill him and finished with about 15 hp left, so it was all good, but it was a pretty close thing. I made sure I stayed right next to the rez shrine during the entire fight

[Ralmeth]

At high levels it is much easier to bring an arcane hireling while soloing to have a permenant haste and displacement on. Just summon them, buff you up and tell them to stay where they are. Move ahead and adventure and when your buffs wear out and everything is clear summon the caster for fresh buffs. The trick is to tell the caster to stay where they are, or they will run with you and get themselves killed. You could also do the same with a Cleric if you want someone to keep you healed up. It's a bit of cheating, but on some difficult areas you want to explore to learn the area it works well.

[khaldan]

I made sure I stayed right next to the rez shrine during the entire fight

This is a bad idea. Fight about 20-30 feet away from the shrine, that way the monster you're fighting won't notice you and insta gib your 1 hp.

[nitronisto]

finally!!! someone comes along and though goin to go out on a limb and assume *still noobish* has the right ideas and is a diamond in the ruff to having the workings of being a great player and end game raider if the time and desire is there. Thank you !!!!
the only thing that stuck out to me is the shrine thing, dont fight next to it cause as mentioned above 1 hit ur dead keep in mind to ~Death Penalty~ u rezen and stancing and everything still will not be enough to get u though the fight with DP on you i know first hand..

but other then that i would like to try to keep this post near the top for a while cause, it has so many tips that vets try to tell noobs and only 1 in X like in this case understand and pick up on it letting the seed that was planted grow.
and so now when he reaches the zones like ToD, HoX ect then raids will get the benefit of even if it is his first time there he has the skill and knowledge to hold his own strong.

So with that and in closing i a plod you bravo *bow
+1 to ur rep if i can since i am not active on forms

[owens.forum]

Glad you are enjoying the game, and having a good time of it.

I would mention two things:
1 - The tips above seem general to any character, not paladin specific (I would say the same even apply to spellcasters soloing to be honest). Not to say they are not valid or fun to document as you explore the game, just not really specific to anything...paladic.
2 - Soloing explorer areas with the current dungeon scaling is sort of like taking a raid group to misery's peak (if it were possible) - it can give you a false sense of omnipotence. Again, as test dummies, though, good fun to wander around and practice whatever you can learn about team play doing solo.

Well written, though, and welcome aboard!

Hey MateCarefor! Thanks for the response, the welcome and the kind words.

Haha ... yup. I also use a lot of the tips above for my 5Wiz/1Rog, but I find that the playing styles are very very different ... so it's a continuous learning process.

My experience has been that questing in a group is usually much easier than soloing. I usually breeze thru quests when I join PUGs (maybe because they're zerging, haha), but really take things slowly while soloing. I did notice the scaling effect when I bring a hireling though. Good for racking up kills for slayer.

Good advice, OP - I do alot of the same things with both my Ranger and my Cleric.

This. I spent the past couple evenings running through the Red Fens solo (no hireling) with my Level 10 Cleric to get "Explorer", and while it wasn't exactly a cakewalk (I DID have to pay attention to my HP and make sure I had a few buffs going), it wasn't much of a challenge either, especially once I found all the shrines. I only "almost" died once, at the very top of the Ziggurat, and that was because of that "false sense of omnipotence" you describe - I got a little careless with my SP at the bottom and didn't realize there were Sahaugin at every corner, and then I got "lucky" and the rare was at the top of it. I managed to kill him and finished with about 15 hp left, so it was all good, but it was a pretty close thing. I made sure I stayed right next to the rez shrine during the entire fight

Thanks, PNellesen!

I've had a lot of close calls while soloing myself. I used to get one-shotted before by ogres and giants (I had a Heavy Fort item already, so why?) ... but after doing some research and realizing that ~120HP at 11th level wasn't so great (har-har!), I swapped Cleave for Toughness, and then availed of Paladin and Human Toughness enhancements. This made a really big diff in survivability. Still short of my end goal of getting around 450-500HP standing.

At high levels it is much easier to bring an arcane hireling while soloing to have a permenant haste and displacement on. Just summon them, buff you up and tell them to stay where they are. Move ahead and adventure and when your buffs wear out and everything is clear summon the caster for fresh buffs. The trick is to tell the caster to stay where they are, or they will run with you and get themselves killed. You could also do the same with a Cleric if you want someone to keep you healed up. It's a bit of cheating, but on some difficult areas you want to explore to learn the area it works well.

Hey Ralmeth! Thanks for the response.

Yup. Arcane buffs rule! Didn't realize this until I PUGged with a few sorcs and wizzies ... don't have an arcane in my regular party, so it was an eye opener.

This is a bad idea. Fight about 20-30 feet away from the shrine, that way the monster you're fighting won't notice you and insta gib your 1 hp.

Hey khaldan! Thanks for the tip.

Yup, this has happened to me quite a few times. I just end up hoping that the monsters decide to leave the area or have my partymates get their attention long enough for me to rez/heal.

finally!!! someone comes along and though goin to go out on a limb and assume *still noobish* has the right ideas and is a diamond in the ruff to having the workings of being a great player and end game raider if the time and desire is there. Thank you !!!!
the only thing that stuck out to me is the shrine thing, dont fight next to it cause as mentioned above 1 hit ur dead keep in mind to ~Death Penalty~ u rezen and stancing and everything still will not be enough to get u though the fight with DP on you i know first hand..

but other then that i would like to try to keep this post near the top for a while cause, it has so many tips that vets try to tell noobs and only 1 in X like in this case understand and pick up on it letting the seed that was planted grow.
and so now when he reaches the zones like ToD, HoX ect then raids will get the benefit of even if it is his first time there he has the skill and knowledge to hold his own strong.

So with that and in closing i a plod you bravo *bow
+1 to ur rep if i can since i am not active on forms

Hey nitronisto!

Am sure these tips have already been mentioned several times in this forum ... only problems is sorting thru all the posts. Am glad you found the tips useful ... hope you get to share tips with some newbies you get to meet in-game.

[Flyhalfer]

Thanks for posting this.

After reading quite a few posts and comments about max exp, and getting quests done fast etc. I thought I was crazy for doing pretty much the same things you are doing, for pretty much the same reasons.

It's nice to kow there's someone else out there who's suffering from, "Take your time and learnitis."


We should form a support group.

I'm going to have to try that two handed weapon in a narrow door trick. Makes sense. Thanks for that bit of knowledge too.

[owens.forum]

Thanks for posting this.

After reading quite a few posts and comments about max exp, and getting quests done fast etc. I thought I was crazy for doing pretty much the same things you are doing, for pretty much the same reasons.

It's nice to kow there's someone else out there who's suffering from, "Take your time and learnitis."

We should form a support group.

I'm going to have to try that two handed weapon in a narrow door trick. Makes sense. Thanks for that bit of knowledge too.

Hey Flyhalfer! You're very welcome.

Haha ... I can relate. I just had a guildie complain that after joining a zerging PUG, he got lotsa XP but no knowledge of the quest or quest map. So even after three runs of the same quest (with zergers), he was still at a loss as to where to go and what to do.

A tip I picked up from the forum is that after every zerg run, retrace your steps and learn the map. Haven't done this myself, but it sounds like really good advice.

Yup ... a support group sounds good. Have no idea how we'll get that up and running though. Good thing that the forum has a lot of active folks that don't mind giving advice.

[PNellesen]

This is a bad idea. Fight about 20-30 feet away from the shrine, that way the monster you're fighting won't notice you and insta gib your 1 hp.

Ahhh... I didn't think of that, but I'll keep it in mind next time. Thanks for the insight

[Tom_Hunters]

As a paladin, i think there is no problem soloing mostexplorer areas, expecialy after dungeon scaling. Only subT gives me a pain currently (i never tried devil battlefield though)

A paralyzer will take u to gianthold with ease
Stat dmging weapons are also great for the later ones
Just rmb energy resist, death ward, LoH, Sovereignty, and recharging shrines are your friends