The Purveyor of Good

[shores11]

All of your thoughts are welcome.

The Purveyor of Good (Paladin)
Race/Class: Human/Paladin - Pure Paladin level 20
Lawful Good
36 point build
In-game name: Fizikal on Khyber

Why this build? I wanted a melee DPS build that was a paladin. With this type of build I am looking for an above average melee DPS build that can provide support DPS and at times main melee DPS depending on the party mix. He needs to have some defensive ability of course but it is not a main stay for this build.

Ability Score(s):
STR: 18
DEX: 8
CON: 16
INT: 8
WIS: 12
CHA: 14
All level points in Strength.
Ability Tomes: Strength +7, Dexterity +5, Constitution +7, Intelligence +5, Wisdom +5, Charisma +7

Feats:
01 Power Attack
01 Shield Mastery
01 Follower of the Sovereign Host (Class Feat)
03 Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword
06 Tower Shield Proficiency
06 Unyielding Sovereignty (Class Feat)
09 Improved Critical: Slashing Weapon
12 Improved Shield Mastery
15 Improved Shield Bash
18 Metamagic: Empower Healing Spell
21 Overwhelming Critical
24 Metamagic: Quicken Spell
26 Holy Strike
27 Epic Damage Reduction (+10 Physical Resistance)
28 ?? Not sure here??
29 Dire Charge
30 ?? Not sure here??
30 Scion of Arborea
Comments:

Skills:
Maximize: Balance, Heal, UMD
Partial: Diplomacy 10, Tumble 2

Spell List:
1st: Devine Favor, Resistance, Virtue, Lionheart
2nd: Angelskin, Resist Energy, Remove Paralysis, Owl’s Wisdom
3rd: Cure Moderate Wounds, Prayer, Remove Curse, Remove Blindness
4th: Cure Serious Wounds, Holy Sword, Zeal, Death Ward

Enhancements:
Vanguard: 43 total
Core: 6 total
To the Fore 1 (+1 to hit & damage w/weapon & shield bash)
Shield Combat I 1 (+10% chance to make a secondary shield bash)
Vicious Shield I 1 +10% secondary shield bash, +5% bonus to melee attack speed)
Shield Combat II 1 (+10% secondary shield bash, +5% bonus to melee attack speed, shield gains +1(W))
Vicious Shield II 1 (shield gains +1 critical threat range, +1 critical multiplier and +1(W), +5% melee attack speed)
Shield Champion 1 (+2 attack, +2 damage, +5% double strike, +5% melee attack speed, shield gains +1(W), shield stuns 10% of the time)
Tier 1: 5 total
Shield Specialization I 2 (With shield equipped gain +1 to hit, damage and AC)
Shield Smash 3 (Shield melee +3(W) damage, on damage PRR & MRR are increased by 6 for 12 seconds)
Tier 2: 8 total
Shield Specialization II 2 (With shield equipped gain +1 to hit, damage and AC)
Brutality 3 (+3 to DC for stunning abilities)
Stunning Shield 3 (Shield bash +3 (W) attack, attack stuns enemies unless they make a save)
Tier 3: 9 total
Shield Specialization III 2 (With shield equipped gain +1 to hit, damage and AC)
Follow Up 3 (With a stunning attack your melee power is increase by 9 for 12 seconds)
Fatal Bulwark 2 (Shield gains +1 critical threat range)
Strength 2 (+1 Strength)
Tier 4: 7 total
Shield Specialization IV 2 (With shield equipped gain +1 to hit, damage and AC))
Myrmidon’s Edge 3 (+3 to attack rolls to confirm critical hits & +3 to damage on critical hits (before weapon multiplier)
Strength 2 (+1 to Strength)
Tier 5: 8 total)
Shield to the Face 2 (+10% chance to make a secondary shield bash)
Disorienting Smash 3 (w/shoeld bash damaged enemies gain 1 stack of Vulnerability)
Shielded Rush 3 (Mass shield bash, each opponent is knocked down & takes +6(W) damage shield bash)

Knight of the Chalice: 27 total
Core: 4 total
Slayer of Evil I 1 (+1 to attack evil, 1d4 Slayer of Light damage that scales w/100% melee power, +2 save vs. spells from evil creatures)
Courage of Heaven 1 (+2 sacred saves vs. fear & enhancement, +1 to attack, 1d8 Slayer of Light damage that scales w/100% melee power)
Slayer of Evil II 1 (+2 to attack evil, 2d6 Slayer of Light damage that scales w/100% melee power, +2 save vs. spells from evil creatures, weapons gain ghost touch)
Improved Courage of Heaven 1 (+2 sacred saves vs. fear & enhancement, +2 to attack, 3d6 Slayer of Light damage that scales w/100% melee power)
Tier 1: total 5
Extra Remove Disease 3 (+6 additional remove diseases)
Extra Smite 2 (4 additional Smite Evil)
Tier 2: total 3
Exalted Cleave 3 (Sweeping weapon attack +3(W) damage)
Tier 3: total 11
Exalted Smite 6 (Improved smite evil +2 to critical threat range & damage multiplier)
Vigor of Life 2 (+20 positive healing amplification)
Improved Restoration 3 (applies a greater restoration)
Tier 4: total 4
Vigor of Life 2 (+20 positive healing amplification)
Empowered Smite 2 (Smites increase melee power by 5 for 10 seconds)

Sacred Defender: 4 total
Core: 1 total
Holy Bastion 1 (+1 hit point, +1 positive energy spell power per point spent in tree)
Tier 1: 3 total
Extra Lay on Hands 3 (+3 lay on hands)

Human: 1 total
Core: 1 total
Human Versatility: Melee & Ranged Power Boost 1 (+20 to melee & ranged power for 20 seconds)

Falconry: 7 total
Core: 1 total
Summon Snow Owl 1 (+2 spot & +2 listen)
Tier 1: 6 total
Rugged 3 (+6 to Physical Resistance)
Out of Nature 3 (+15 to healing amplication)

Epic destiny:
Divine crusader
Tier 1: 5 total
Bane of undeath 2 (2 to hit and 2d6 damage vs undead)
Purge the wicked 1 (2 seeker, purification on crits)
Charisma 2
Tier 2: 5 total
Consecration 3 (28d6 damage to enemies when on consecrated ground)
Charisma 2
Tier 3: 4 total
Sacred ground 2 (heal 101 hp every 3 seconds when on consecrated ground)
Charisma 2
Tier 4: 4 total
Crusade 2 (10% damage when on consecrated ground)
Charisma 2
Tier 5: 4 total
Celestial champion 2 (+1 crit range, celestial fervor - 1% doublestrike on crit, stacks 10 times, lasts 6 seconds)
Charisma 2
Tier 6: 2 total
Charisma 2
Alternatively, you could drop 1-3 charisma and pick up any or all of castigation, heavenly presence, and strike down.
Note: Fatesinger is also a good option that allows you to maintain the CC potential of the build. Fury of the wild and legendary dreadnaught could work as well, but you'd lose 3 DCs in either destiny.

Twists:
1) Critical Damage (Legendary Dreadnought tier 3, +6 damage on critical hits (before weapon multipliers)
2) Improved Power Attack (Legendary Dreadnought tier 2, +0.5(W) damage with weapons)
3) Purge the Wicked (Divine Crusader tier 1, +2 confirm critical hits, +2 confirm critical hit damage)
4) Rejuvenation Cocoon (Primal Avatar tier 1, 150 temporary HP for 9 seconds, Heals 5d6 every 2 seconds)

[shores11]

All - Please if you can provide some feedback as I am looking to squeeze out a little more melee DPS if possible. I notice in other similar builds that players take the THF line for enhancing their glancing blows. Is this significant enough to remove some of the choices I already have.

I do have 2 slots in the build posted in the opening post that are blank I could take the THF line in but is that what is recommended?

[Hipparan]

This might not be a popular idea, but I like to use Scion of the Plane of Earth as opposed to Arborea. It gives you a little more PRR and the Acid damage per hit works nice with a corrosion item or augment. The only thing to watch out for is Clay Golems and Arcane Oozes.

As for your other feat slots, I recommend taking Acid spellpower in the 28 slot if you decide to go Scion of Earth. Otherwise, go with Elusive Target. The level 30 slot you can just throw in Weapon Focus: Slashing or Great Strength. Alternatively, take Knight's Training and see if you get more damage with any Battleaxes.

I know people love Dire Charge, but on my Paladin I tend to skip over that since I have Shield Rush and Stunning Shield. I take Embodiment of Law for the extra damage.

[Wipey]

All - Please if you can provide some feedback as I am looking to squeeze out a little more melee DPS if possible.

I'd strongly suggest not doing paladin, especially sword and board paladin for pleasant ddo experience but if you really have to.
Blitz (!), Sense Weakness, Grim Precision. Meld is also great for crappy dodge toons.
Crusader is garbage.

[Hipparan]

I'd strongly suggest not doing paladin, especially sword and board paladin for pleasant ddo experience but if you really have to.
Blitz (!), Sense Weakness, Grim Precision. Meld is also great for crappy dodge toons.
Crusader is garbage.

Would you suggest going SWF instead of Sword and Board?

[shores11]

This might not be a popular idea, but I like to use Scion of the Plane of Earth as opposed to Arborea. It gives you a little more PRR and the Acid damage per hit works nice with a corrosion item or augment. The only thing to watch out for is Clay Golems and Arcane Oozes.

As for your other feat slots, I recommend taking Acid spellpower in the 28 slot if you decide to go Scion of Earth. Otherwise, go with Elusive Target. The level 30 slot you can just throw in Weapon Focus: Slashing or Great Strength. Alternatively, take Knight's Training and see if you get more damage with any Battleaxes.

I know people love Dire Charge, but on my Paladin I tend to skip over that since I have Shield Rush and Stunning Shield. I take Embodiment of Law for the extra damage.

Will Acid Spellpower add damage to your weapon?

I have actually thought about Plane of Earth as well so it is not to far out there.

At level 30 I am considering Great Strength but the benefit from Weapon Focus: Slashing seems very small (+1 to attack & +2 to melee power).

I am thinking of not taking Dire Charge also because I also use Shield Rush. The problem is I am new to using Shield Rush and find I just get push through the mobs and have to run back to them.

Thank you for your reply.

[Dragbon]

Pure paladin is not good dps, especially if you plan on making a vanguard. Top tier dps right now are wolf barbarian, pure twf barbarian, and pure tempest rangers.

If you really want to have the paladin icon then I would suggest doing a 15 paladin 5 ranger twf build but it tops out at about 20k dps which is still above average.

[shores11]

I'd strongly suggest not doing paladin, especially sword and board paladin for pleasant ddo experience but if you really have to.
Blitz (!), Sense Weakness, Grim Precision. Meld is also great for crappy dodge toons.
Crusader is garbage.

Not doing Paladin is not an option for me as I do want to play a melee fighter type and prefer the Paladin. This is mainly because of my preferred character theme. You know for the King, for the good, etc...

I like sword & board as well and for the character theme. I would prefer not to have a Paladin that is THF or TWF.

I like your suggestions for some feats. Isn't Blitz though an enhancement in the ED Legendary Dreadnaught? I recently replaced Sense Weakness for Enhanced Power Attack which gives me +0.5(W) damage. My main ED is Unyielding Sentinel and have been told to use Legendary Dreadnaught as my primary. I like the increased damage in LD but I lose so much hit points that US gives me.

Thanks for your reply.

[shores11]

Pure paladin is not good dps, especially if you plan on making a vanguard. Top tier dps right now are wolf barbarian, pure twf barbarian, and pure tempest rangers.

If you really want to have the paladin icon then I would suggest doing a 15 paladin 5 ranger twf build but it tops out at about 20k dps which is still above average.

I agree that there are other melee DPS characters that do more melee DPS. Right now my Paladin is crit'ing at 5,000 to 7,000 HP or so. While this is certainly not 20,000 I am looking to be an above average support melee character with melee DPS.

I was a Knight of the Chalice in a previous life but like the sword & board play from a paladin. One thing I do want to know is adding THF feats really a big bonus?

[Grailhawk]

One thing I do want to know is adding THF feats really a big bonus?

Yes. To the point that if you are going to stick with this build either do Bastard Sword with all the THF feat or switch EWP: Bastard Sword to Knights Training and use Long Swords instead of Bastard Swords.

[shores11]

Yes. To the point that if you are going to stick with this build either do Bastard Sword with all the THF feat or switch EWP: Bastard Sword to Knights Training and use Long Swords instead of Bastard Swords.

I do use the Bastard Sword with this build and have taken the Exotic feat for it. If I do go Long Sword though I would not be able to use a shield right with Knights Training?

[Grailhawk]

I do use the Bastard Sword with this build and have taken the Exotic feat for it. If I do go Long Sword though I would not be able to use a shield right with Knights Training?

Long Sword is a one-handed weapon you can use a shield with it. Knights Training increase its crit multiplier to x3 from x2 it also increases the crit range of Battle Axes and Warhammers. Knights Training doesn't effect or require a combat style.

[Hipparan]

Will Acid Spellpower add damage to your weapon?

I have actually thought about Plane of Earth as well so it is not to far out there.

At level 30 I am considering Great Strength but the benefit from Weapon Focus: Slashing seems very small (+1 to attack & +2 to melee power).

I am thinking of not taking Dire Charge also because I also use Shield Rush. The problem is I am new to using Shield Rush and find I just get push through the mobs and have to run back to them.

Thank you for your reply.

Acid Spellpower won't add any extra damage to your weapon, but it will increase the damage done by Plane of Earth.