Newbie paladin

[epjm]

I started playing DDO a week ago and managed to bring some friends along with me so we've been running our own little group when we can. So far I've kinda been the "tank" since I'm the only one in heavy armor, I never really built or planned to tank when I rolled my paladin so my first question is : How long will I be able to continue tanking before my AC stops holding up and how important will it be as we level? We're a pretty casual group so I'm only really expecting to do normal/hard.. might do some elite if I can get a group as a 2nd melee I guess but from what I've read, probably not gonna happen as a dps paladin. (Group so far is Paladin/Fighter, Rogue, Cleric, Monk, Wizard).

My second question.. I was planning on going Paladin 12/Fighter 4 but I'm wondering if it's worth it to add 2 rogue and get evasion for a dps build? If it's not, would 1 level of rogue be worth it to get max UMD? So either end up Paladin 11/Fighter 3/rogue 2 or Paladin 11/Fighter 4/Rogue 1? I'd post the builds I was debating but the character generator keeps crashing on me. On that note, any suggestions for levels, enhancements or feats for a THF paladin would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[elraido]

The rogue would depend on what your dex is and if you want to use light armor. Your Paladins AC will be great until around lvl 10 or so, then it will drop off unless you get the proper gear.

[Matsu_Ieyasu]

Without seeing the entirity of you build it is hard to answer...

AC at level 10 your AC could be anywhere from 30 to 40 depending on what you find and can afford. Of course 30 is low and 40 is okay.
A quick breakdown
10 - Base
13 - +5 Full Plate
01 - Dex
07 - +5 Heavy Shield
03 - Pally Bulwork of Good II
02 - Protection Item
35 - Total

Evasion - Do you have a high Dex? For evasion to work you need to have a high enough reflex save to make the saves. You will also need to wear light Armor -

AC at Level 10 with Light Armor and an 16 Dex
10 - Base
09 - +5 Chain Shirt
03 - Dex
07 - +5 Heavy Shield
03 - Pally
02 - Protection Item
34 - Total

Of course there are a lot of factors that I am not covering, for example you could have a 22 Dex, have dodge, Two Weapon Defense, carry a parrying weapon and have mithral armor.

[epjm]

My Dex is sitting at 11 currently, figured at some point I could get a tome or if I went 2 rogue I'd get the dex enhancement.. so with a +6 dex item eventually I can get to 18 but that's about as far as it goes. How high are the saves at later levels? I assumed that with my aura, adjusted dex, cha to saves and possible resistance items I could keep up somewhat well. I don't mind switching to light armor, wasn't really considering evasion until after I get to the point where my AC stops holding up anyway.

How needed is a tank type character? Will we get to lvl 10 and find we just can't handle most encounters without one?

The main idea I had when I was thinking up this character was a self-sufficient melee and support if/when I find myself in a pug, mostly frontline when I'm running with my friends.

[elraido]

Your saves will be more than high enough. All will easily be in the 20's.
You will be fine as a group as long as the casters learn PK, Finger of death etc later on. You guys will have enough DPS until then. When you get to end game stuff, you will have a DPS problem....but a good player can overcome that.