Blondie (a Build by Request)

[sigtrent]

This build is from Sigtrent's build request thread

Build Name: Blondie
Author: Sigfried Trent
Requester: Commacheck
Last Updated: 07/01/10

Key Words [Paladin, THF, Elf, KOTC]

Objectives
The request was for a blond female elven paladin that was as dissimilar to a ranger because Commacheck had played those already. She also noted she was a new player so it was a 28pt request. To avoid rangerdom I decided to avoid TWF and ranged attacks.

Design
The original build, a shadow mark psudo-defensive paladin, caught a lot of flack for not being so hot. And indeed it wasn’t. Elf and paladin just don’t go that well together, especially if you are avoiding doing TWF or ranged attacks. Shadow marks added defense but ate up precious feats.

Now that they have the Valenar enhancements, Elf also has a THF option so for the new build I dove at that and with the new smites and Knight of the Challace you can actually make a great falchion character.

I went with rogue this time to pick up UMD. I’d already decided to make this a more charisma based build than strength and to really leverage charisma based abbilities. UMD was a natrual pick. Rogue also brings evasion which is also great considering the slightly below par HP on an elf.

One aspect of the original I stuck with was the diplomacy skill. For a DPS that can’t handle too much agro, it can be a life saver. You really don’t want to pull agro if you can help it, you even get a bit of sneak attack damage and you want agro in groups to be predictable. But the smites here can be killers and. Shedding back to the main tank is a handy skill to have.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(18 Paladin \ 2 Rogue) 
Hit Points: 294
Spell Points: 245 
BAB: 19\19\24\29\29
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 16
Will: 13

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             14                    17
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         12                    12
Intelligence         12                    12
Wisdom               10                    10
Charisma             16                    20

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               4                    10
Bluff                 7                     9
Concentration         1                     1
Diplomacy             7                    28
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                7                     9
Heal                  0                     0
Hide                  0                     0
Intimidate            3                     5
Jump                  6                     7
Listen                4                     6
Move Silently         0                     0
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     3
Spot                  4                     6
Swim                  2                     3
Tumble                4                     5
Use Magic Device      7                    28

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Bluff (+4)
Skill: Diplomacy (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Listen (+4)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Rogue Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Skill Boost I
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Training I


Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Follower of the Undying Court
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I


Level 5 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I


Level 6 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I


Level 7 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice I


Level 8 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+6)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Undying Call


Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III


Level 10 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar II


Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil IV


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might II


Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice II
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice II


Level 15 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite III


Level 17 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II


Level 18 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II


Level 19 (Paladin)
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: CHA
Skill: Diplomacy (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice III
Enhancement: Rogue Sneak Attack Accuracy I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might III

Play
What you want to do is stand and deliver heavy hits and smites. What you need to do is try to arrange someone else to pull agro so you can do that reliably. Your AC is not going to be all that exceptional. When you don’t need evasion heavy armor is a good idea, especially at lower levels. You will need to wear a wisdom item for your spell casting to work.

Variations
A 32pt version could run more dex for a better AC or more strength. tomes could certainly help and would permit a lower starting Int.

[Borror0]

Diplomacy?

[sigtrent]

Diplomacy?

Ya I guess I didn't explain that. Stat's were kind of tight as they often are on a paladin and as an elven paladin there were some defensive issues to deal with. Diplomacy seemed like the most utility for a survivalist build so you can shrug off agro when you need to raise companions or just when things are getting to hot for comfort.

Concentration didn't look to usefull, nor did my oft used default balance since it was neither a class skill nor a dex based build.

[Borror0]

Ya I guess I didn't explain that. Stat's were kind of tight as they often are on a paladin and as an elven paladin there were some defensive issues to deal with. Diplomacy seemed like the most utility for a survivalist build so you can shrug off agro when you need to raise companions or just when things are getting to hot for comfort.

Well, if you ask me, diplomacy is a waste of skill points on this build.

If you look at it, you're supposed to be a defensive specialist. So, if you're aiming at defense, why would you want to throw aggro on the cleric/caster/rogue?

[sigtrent]

If you look at it, you're supposed to be a defensive specialist. So, if you're aiming at defense, why would you want to throw aggro on the cleric/caster/rogue?

It isn't exactly a tank build though, no intimidate or agro holding abbilities and not a ton of DPS. For class skills paladin really only gets Heal, Diplomacy, Concentration... Diplomacy just had the most potent effect of the three and I couldn't think of an CC skills where I could get a usefull score. I agree it's not amazingly usefull but if you are about to die... it's pretty handy.

[Ralmeth]

Looks like a decent build, but I also wonder if you could put those skill points into things like Jump, Balance, Spot and/or even Concentration. Yes, most are cross class, but then Paladin's get the short end of the stick when it comes to skills that they actually need in DDO. If you take that Fighter at level 1, then Jump would be a class skill so you could spend some more points there If you don't want to be an Intimitank or go the UMD route, then these are the skills I would (and do) dump my points into. I've done a lot of Paladin builds and I've never found Diplomacy to be affective in combat. It would be a bit humorous though to see a Paladin cowering in terror in the middle of big fight

[sigtrent]

I've done a lot of Paladin builds and I've never found Diplomacy to be affective in combat. It would be a bit humorous though to see a Paladin cowering in terror in the middle of big fight

I often go with jump when I've got nothing else to run with. Fighter at 8 is farily key to a smooth feat progression unless you don't mind putting off improved critical a bit because none of the other early feats are fighter bonus feats. You only have the points to take it a half step per level anyway so it wouldn't matter.

I kind of like the diplomacy but its good to get discenting views on the builds so the requester has some options. It's pretty easy to go wtih another skill and not really change the build in any significant way.

[Jondallar]

What about taking fighter at lvl 1 to open up a few diffrent skills..ala intim/balance ect, you could still take all the same feats, just power attack would be lvl 1 and impr crit would be 9 and extend at 12...just giving options not criticising

[sigtrent]

What about taking fighter at lvl 1 to open up a few diffrent skills..ala intim/balance ect, you could still take all the same feats, just power attack would be lvl 1 and impr crit would be 9 and extend at 12...just giving options not criticising

That could work. I would go for intimidate of course. You would need a nother skill point so you have to up Int by 2 and take the points from somewhere else though.

[Dexxaan]

Some builds are Bright, some are Good, Some are decent, and some are dog food.....some are so-so and some really bite.......Hope I remember to never invite this Diplo-Knight!


Explaining the reasons why this build reeks are as pointless as investing the time in building it.

[KoboldKiller]

Some builds are Bright, some are Good, Some are decent, and some are dog food.....some are so-so and some really bite.......Hope I remember to never invite this Diplo-Knight!


Explaining the reasons why this build reeks are as pointless as investing the time in building it.

Gee that was constructive and useful.

[Borror0]

Gee that was constructive and useful.

But true. No offense sig, but totally not your best build.

[sigtrent]

But true. No offense sig, but totally not your best build.

Of course, I agree its not an especialy impressive character overall. Keep in mind I start with the request parameters and work from there. If someone's got a clearly superior 28pt elven paladin geared for a new player I'd be curiouse to check it out.

I could see a rogue/paladin mix or a TWF paladin as a better overall build, but like I said, I wanted to stear away from TWF and rogue/paladin seems like a more advnaced build. Sometimes the fun builds are the ones where you have some limitations that keep you from going in the obvious directions.

None the less this build has some unique abbilities. The blur with the other defenses make it pretty hard to take down when it's geared up for trouble and having such a survivable character with build in raise dead is pretty nifty in my book. It's hard to sell a character that isn't a DPS machine or a dedicated caster these days.

[Dexxaan]

Gee that was constructive and useful.

Lets just say the Build itself is neither useful nor contributive, hence my comment.

If you are looking for an english 102 essay on the obvious reasons why it's not a practical build...there's TONS of research you can do in this very thread.... I have not the time nor the interest.

But for the Forum-Sake I'll be quite brief then Koboldkiller:

Constructive Comment: Use your time in a wiser fashion so you can enjoy the game with your fellow mates.

Useful Comment: Check Forums (Mainly Dworkin's Paladin Guide) for Some solid Paladin Building info/pointers.

[sigtrent]

Well Dexxann, what you probably don't comprehend because you havn't bothered to look into it, is that I do these builds at the request of people who come to my thread or send me a PM and ask me to make them.

The way it works is that they give me certain criteria they want and I do my best to meet them. The number one goal is to satisfy the request parameters. The next goal is to make a good playable character, and the final goal is to be creative and think outside the conventional wisdom a bit.

I've probably made more builds than you have ever read. I know the good ones from the bad ones. I also know that just because a build is not the very best possible, it may well still be fun and effective. In short your opinion means pretty much nothing to me.

If you want me to even have the slightest bit of respect for you, your skills, or your opinions what you can do is post your own build of a 28pt elven paladin that is very little like a typical ranger and which is made wtih a newer player in mind. It had better blow mine out of the water sicne you seem to think this one is so poor.

If all you are saying is that you could make a superior human or dwarven paladin with a very traditional template... I'll not be the least bit impressed because its already been done to death.

[GeneralDiomedes]

Human beings are capable of deciding when to press the Diplomacy button and when not to.

However, I'm not sure that a new player is .. so my analysis would be that the skill points are probably better spent elsewhere. Not that Diplo is a bad skill .. it's a very potent one as sigtrent suggests.

[Dexxaan]

Well Dexxann, what you probably don't comprehend because you havn't bothered to look into it, is that I do these builds at the request of people who come to my thread or send me a PM and ask me to make them.

The way it works is that they give me certain criteria they want and I do my best to meet them. The number one goal is to satisfy the request parameters. The next goal is to make a good playable character, and the final goal is to be creative and think outside the conventional wisdom a bit.

I've probably made more builds than you have ever read. I know the good ones from the bad ones. I also know that just because a build is not the very best possible, it may well still be fun and effective. In short your opinion means pretty much nothing to me.

If you want me to even have the slightest bit of respect for you, your skills, or your opinions what you can do is post your own build of a 28pt elven paladin that is very little like a typical ranger and which is made wtih a newer player in mind. It had better blow mine out of the water sicne you seem to think this one is so poor.

If all you are saying is that you could make a superior human or dwarven paladin with a very traditional template... I'll not be the least bit impressed because its already been done to death.

First of all I do understand you do this on request; hence you wouldn't play this one yourself.

Secondly, If I was to take a request such as this one and actually do my best to do a "Blondie" I'd make sure to PM the results (and definitely not post it publicly...it may hurt your rep...; geee maybe it already has?)

Third, I care not of your level of respect for me, you already showed a huge lack of it to me and others by expecting me(us) to admire this junk build in the first place.

Fourth; Sig you make assumptions that because you advertise a service in forums that you are the ultimate Build Guru......... I like it when people make assumptions, it allows that much more room for your comments to stumble and bust your nose over reality.

So out of the Challenge (if nothing else) I will post the bare-Bones Version of what I call the Keith Richards Elven Pal-Build with 28Pts.

28Pt Elven Paladin (with Splash allowed it appears) challenge that will be superior to that Debbie Harry Build (I mean Blondie) lets see: No time for all details as I have to get to office in 20 minutes, but I'll fill in the many blanks asap this afternoon prolly.

Elven Evasion UMD Paladin (28Pt) I call him "Keith Richards Build"

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 2.85
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Keith Richards
Level 16 Lawful Good Elf Male
(4 Fighter \ 11 Paladin \ 1 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 262 Final 310 - 340
Spell Points: 365 Final 400??
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 19 Final 28+ 
Reflex: 11 Final 21+
Will: 12 Final 21+

(My Saves are way off need to check them )
                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Stats          Modified Stats
Abilities        (Level 1)             (Level 16)
Strength             16                    28
Dexterity            11                    20
Constitution         12                    19
Intelligence         12                    13
Wisdom               11                    12 or 18 (as gear allows/preferences)
Charisma             12                    22

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 12

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 16)
Balance               3                     21
Bluff                 1                     3
Concentration         1                     1
Diplomacy             1                     3
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                1                     3
Heal                  1                     1
Hide                  1                     2
Intimidate            2                     6
Jump                  3                    23
Listen                1                     3
Move Silently         1                     2
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     1
Search                1                     3
Spot                  1                     3
Swim                  3                     6
Tumble                2                     3
Use Magic Device      3                    18

Level 1 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Good
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Elven Keen Senses
Feat: (Automatic) Enchantment Save Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Immunity to Sleep
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip

Level 2 (Paladin)
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands

Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Skill Focus: Use Magic Device
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity

Level 4 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Feat: (Automatic) Turn Undead

Level 5 (Paladin)

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

Level 7 (Paladin)
Feat: (Automatic) Remove Disease

Level 8 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR

Level 9 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Combat Expertise
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Automatic) Tower Shield Proficiency

Level 10 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Critical

Level 11 (Paladin)

Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Extra Turning

Level 13 (Paladin)

Level 14 (Paladin)

Level 15 (Fighter)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness (Replace later (L11) with Minos Legens and take Weapon Specialization for =2 Dmg

Level 16 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Stunning Blow
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Fighter Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy I
Enhancement: Fighter Critical Accuracy II
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) I
Enhancement: Fighter Strategy (Stunning Blow) II
Enhancement: Fighter Tower Shield Mastery I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Bulwark of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma I
Enhancement: Paladin Charisma II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness III
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness IV
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Vitality I
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning I

Gear:

Head: Minos Legens
Trinket: Head of Good Fortune (Farmable like all Raid gear nowadays)
Necklace: +6 CON (+5 = 18 CON)
Wrists: Chaosgardes
Armor: +5 MFP
Belt: GFL or STR and Use Resistance +4 Ring for Saves Calc
Cloak: +5 Protection
Ring 1: +6 STR
Ring2: Invaders Ring
Boots: Striders (until Madstone´s Acquired for +4 DEX)


Build Strongpoints: 13 DV's - Nightshield Spell -Very Decent AC 55 (56 with Madstone) - Loads of Spell Points-Longsword Spec'd and Elven so he'll be very-respectable for DPS - High Saves - Good Hit Points- Stunning Blow - Decent UMD for Gear/Wands? - Unyielding Sovereignity for Emergencies and AC calculation maybe later...I'm late 4 work.

BTW this guy took me 40 minutes.

[jmonty]

.Hope I remember to never invite this Diplo-Knight!

why would someone want to run with an elitist, arrogant person anyway? you know, hypothetically speaking.

[Taerdra]

A different alternative would be an evasion tank with DMs for displacement, etc. would be to go Pally 14/Rogue 2. Feats are very tight on this build, but with the new enhancements it requires no raid gear and provides the great AC by itself with a Daggertooth Belt which is prolly purchasable at the right level for a new player or pursuable in that you can run Crucible a lot with right team.

Stats: STR15,DEX14,CON12,INT14,WIS8 (not a fan of low WIS, but with 28 pts there are not many options), CHA12. +1 tomes for CHA and INT or CON could help you get STR to 16.
Feats: Combat Expertise, Lesser DM, Least DM, ImpCrit: Piercing, Toughness and Dodge/Extend Spell. Feats are tight at beginning.

AC Calc:
10 Base
10 +5 Mith BP
7 +5 Heavy Shield
5 DEX
2 Daggertooth Belt (possible using favor tome eventually)
5 Protection
3 Dodge (feat+Chaosgarde)
5 CE
5 Pally aura
3 Natural (potion)
1 Of Parrying Weapon
1 Haste
=============
57 Standing
Boosted with Raid Gear, Blokcing, etc., this AC can max out at 78, giving the character longevity. W/ Evasion and 10 or 20 min of Displacement, he can be a good tank in the end game as well.

I like the evasion build better as I think it is more new player proof (ie. Evasion will save you many times over from spell damage, etc.), provides UMD so character can really learn more aspects of the game, and soloability. 12 Pally 2 Fighter 2 Rogue is also very usable if you really want the 2 extra feats. 2 Feats should probably be SF: UMD and Force of Personality, but you can salt to taste. 15STR is a weakness for sure, but again 28 pt builds are tough for Pallies.

Anyway, just another alternative.

[Ron]

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 1
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 1
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 1
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 1
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 1
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 1
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 12

Errr, wasn't this a request from a new player? I don't think they are going to have a full set of +1 tomes to burn at level 1. Unless I missed something.