Spell Sword Paladin

[Kalanth]

Debating my next character, so I figured I would come here. I was talking with a friend who is doing a spell sword of sorts, with a Fighter Sorcerer mix. I decided I would look into much the same, but with a Paladin / X mix. The first of the two ideas I was looking at is the Paladin 8 / Sorcerer 6, with a strong focus on Charisma for the saving throws. I have a +6 Str Belt and +6 Cha cloak sitting in the bank, along with a +1 Cha tome, so I know what I can achieve with those (22 Str, 30 Cha).

I was unsure what to do with the feets here, but I figured extend was somewhat important and I could get me a nice shield and take advantage of the Shield Mastery to block doorways. It would likely be a stat focused character, with lots of rapiers and short swords on him.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 14 Lawful Good Drow Male
(8 Paladin \ 6 Sorcerer) 
Hit Points: 169
Spell Points: 774 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 13
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             14                    16
Dexterity            10                    12
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom               14                    14
Charisma             18                    24

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 14
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               0                     1
Bluff                 4                     7
Concentration         5                    19
Diplomacy             4                     7
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                6                    15.5
Heal                  2                     2
Hide                  0                     1
Intimidate            4                     7
Jump                  2                     3
Listen                2                     4
Move Silently         0                     1
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                     0
Search                0                     2
Spot                  2                     4
Swim                  2                     3
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell

Level 2 (Paladin)

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 4 (Paladin)

Level 5 (Sorcerer)

Level 6 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness

Level 7 (Sorcerer)

Level 8 (Paladin)

Level 9 (Sorcerer)
Feat: (Selected) Shield Mastery

Level 10 (Sorcerer)

Level 11 (Paladin)

Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons

Level 13 (Paladin)

Level 14 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Drow Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Drow Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Improved Drow Spell Resistence I
Enhancement: Improved Drow Spell Resistence II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity III
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III
Enhancement: Sorcerer Concentration I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Elemental Manipulation II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Energy of the Dragonblooded II
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Mastery I
Enhancement: Sorcerer Wand Mastery II

And here is the alternative. An Elf Paladin / Wizard which allows for more melee in the character, and a Dex focus overall. The Charisma wont reach the 30 Charisma mark as it would in the first, instead capping at 24. The BAB is the same, but with the added bonus feat of Maximize this character can potentially add more dmg with minor spells like scorching ray and magic missile. Enhancements were more readily available to sneak in Bulwark of Good, grant the +2 AC bonus. The biggest advantage is the increase in number of skill points, allowing the character to focus on Diplomacy to remove agro from himself if the need is there. Again more of a stat damage kind of character, but still a capable enough fighter to get by in a pinch.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.70
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 14 Lawful Good Elf Male
(9 Paladin \ 5 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 161
Spell Points: 366 
BAB: 11\11\16\21
Fortitude: 12
Reflex: 15
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 14)
Strength             14                    14
Dexterity            16                    22
Constitution         10                    10
Intelligence         14                    15
Wisdom               12                    12
Charisma             14                    18

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 14

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 14)
Balance               3                     6
Bluff                 2                     4
Concentration         4                    17
Diplomacy             6                    17
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                4                    12
Heal                  5                    18
Hide                  3                     6
Intimidate            2                     4
Jump                  2                     2
Listen                1                     3
Move Silently         3                     6
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                2                     2
Search                2                     4
Spot                  1                     3
Swim                  2                     2
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness

Level 2 (Paladin)

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Finesse

Level 4 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Extend Spell

Level 5 (Wizard)

Level 6 (Wizard)
Feat: (Selected) Dodge

Level 7 (Wizard)

Level 8 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell

Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Expertise

Level 10 (Paladin)

Level 11 (Paladin)

Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons

Level 13 (Paladin)

Level 14 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Fluidity II
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Wizard Improved Maximize I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Wizard Intelligence I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II

[Girevik]

Unfortunately I don't have the time right now to fully peruse your builds, but I did want to take the time to toss out one comment.

It seems to me that there is better synergy in a TWF (and to a lesser extent THF) Drow Paladin/Sorc than with a Sword & Board one.

You will be able to toss 12 minute Shield spells on yourself, losing only +3 AC from using a +5 Large Shield, and gaining all the benefits of the enhanced attack style.

I would be quite tempted to take advantage of that benefit.

[Kalanth]

Unfortunately I don't have the time right now to fully peruse your builds, but I did want to take the time to toss out one comment.

It seems to me that there is better synergy in a TWF (and to a lesser extent THF) Drow Paladin/Sorc than with a Sword & Board one.

You will be able to toss 12 minute Shield spells on yourself, losing only +3 AC from using a +5 Large Shield, and gaining all the benefits of the enhanced attack style.

I would be quite tempted to take advantage of that benefit.

That is, admittedly, something I never thought about. I like the idea and will definetly look into it. Gives me a reason to do the dragon again (SoS).