More newbie Pally questions

[Khurse]

OK a few more questions I probably should have asked before starting down this career path..

I'd like to play a 16 Human Pally that uses 2 handed weapons, is it possible (not asking for a build) to set up a pally this way that will be effective enough at DPS (with enough AC) to contribute to a group? Or am I simply going to be so far behind 2wfs and Barb THF DPS that it'd be pointless.
I don't really care if I lead the kill count or not(well I do, but not that much..) as long as I know I can contribute to a group.

That being said- is there any point to taking CE (I assume I'll have to take PA) on a THF? I know I'd be losing shield AC, but can I still get it high enough to be worthwhile?


Thanks (as always) for any help you can provide!

[Ralmeth]

I'm a big believer that you should play the character that you will have fun playing. So if you want to play a THF Paladin, then go for it. Just be aware you won't have as much DPS as if you went TWF. TWF is really the king of DPS atm. However come Mod 9, who knows. Perhaps an interesting build would be to go the Knight of the Chalice, and take Cleave and Great Cleave along with the THF feats, so that you can utilize the additional damage you get against outsiders. A THF Paladin wading into hordes of trash outsider mobs they are likely to throw at us in Mod 9 sounds like it would be a blast.

As for what AC you will need, IMO at the current end game on normal a good benchmark to shoot for is the mid 50s. You could take CE if you wanted, but on this build you will likely be using power attack most of the time, so I'm not sure I would bother.

Hope that helps.

[Khurse]

Yep, I was kinda leaning towards PA anyway (whatwith the big axe and all)

I know it's better to build what I'd like, just I don't want to gimp groups I hang out with insanely sub par dps.
(I kinda gimp groups with my cleric, no need to spread it across 2 characters )

[Ralmeth]

I hear you. In addition to building the character you want, I also think you should be a good character that contributes to the party. The issue with any melee is that you either need to have some real kick butt DPS so you can get away without having as much AC / defenses, or you need to have a good AC. The issue I see on this build is that by going THF you could be pulling some major aggro from a lot of mobs at once. So in order to not "gimp" your party you're going to want to survive this so that you are not a mana sponge. As you are not going to be using a shield and you are not going to have CE, I would probably heavily consider taking 2 levels of Monk for the wisdom bonus to AC as well as evasion. A Paladin 18 / Monk 2 split would be nice.

[Reversion]

I just threw some quick numbers together to give you a very rough comparison of the two. Others can probably fine tune things a little better for you.

Paladin 16, THF, Human
-Str 28, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 26

HP: ~420
AC: 48(53 w/ shield wand and haste)
UMD: 31(+ human boost)
Feats: Toughness, Power Attack, SF: UMD, IC: Slashing, Extend, THF, ITHF

-----------------------

Paladin 14/Monk 2, THF, Human
-Str 26, Dex 22, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 22, Cha 26

HP: ~400
AC: 51(56 w/ shield wand and haste)
UMD: 31(+ human boost)
Feats: Toughness, Power Attack, Dodge, SF: UMD, IC: Slashing, Extend, THF, ITHF, GTHF
Perk: Evasion

[Isys]

If one should make an evasion pally 18/ rouge or monk 2, what is the highest type of armor the toon can wear? Is it mithril breast plate or does it matter with the pally able to use heavy armor?

Ok... now the next question is what's the best raid loot mix for an evasion pally to wear at lvl 16? and best for dragontouched?