need critique and advice on my pure drow pally C:

[Jayzilla]

Hullo all, my drow pally is currently level 7 (with enough exp to turn over to 8). I want this character to be end-game viable but I haven't been following a guide strictly (which is kinda scary ) I'm going to post what I've done so far and what I expect to do. any advice would be greatly appreciated. (inb4 gimp )

starting setup Drow Paladin
str 16
dex 16
con 12
int 10
wis 8
cha 16

ate +1 wis +1 dex and +2 cha tomes at min level.

gear:
Used nicked longsword + flaming kukiri level 2, keen khop + holy dagger level 4, dual +4 khops (for critable mobs) and +2 holy warhammer + +1 holy light mace for undead. for level 6-8.
Picked up 4 aid bracers from korthos, I spam them whenever i don't have temp hp to feed divine sacrifice. i've got a +2 wis ring which allowed me to cast Virtue at level 5. looking for a + 3-4 wis item so I can cast my level 2 and 3 spells.

feats:
level 1: two weapon fighting
level 3: khopesh
level 6: itwf

enhancements:
knight of the chalice (which applies the 1d6 damage to undead?)
attack 3, saves 1
drow dex, pally cha
divine sac, divine light, exalted smite
smite 2 (working on 3), loh 1.

for level 8 I have a +1 bodyfeeder khopesh of backstabbing, not sure what to run with that. I also am not sure what i should pick for a level 9 feat...... I'm stuck between IC:slash and toughness. In fact, both of those seem rather sub-par to me, but I've seen a lot of smarter people go with toughness. I'm tempted (gasp!) to pick up Otwf.... dunno.

I've totally gimped my skill points, I didn't think of them at all. I've maxed my concentration (lol) and put points into jump, balance, umd w/e. I basically closed my eyes and clicked randomly.

In conclusion, I very much enjoy the character, even though there are a few rough edges. Critting on giants for 170 at level 7 is very satisfying, as is a last minute LoH to save your poor cleric at higher levels getting holy sword and mulching demons should be lots of fun, and good farming for when I TR into something new (tempest/kensai is what i'm thinking...... lol not sure) Any help would be appreciated!

[Ralmeth]

In general, your character looks fine. One thing to consider is what weapon you want to use. Most drow use rapiers because the drow enhancments you can take for these. I would recommend checking these out to determine if you want to stay with Khopesh or swap to rapier. Either way works, but khopesh will cost an extra feat.

Improved Crit:
This is an awesome feat, whether you take slashing (khopesh) or piercing (rapier). This doubles your crit range allowing your crits to go off more often. This is especially cool when your exalted smite crits.

Toughness:
If this feat was only about the extra hit points from the feat, it would be meh. However, if you have this feat you can take additional enhancements for more HP, namely racial toughness and Paladin toughness. Each tier of each one adds 10 more hit points. So even if you take the 1st two tiers of each for a total of 6 APs, you will add 62HP! At end game it is extremely helpful to have high HP, so I would highly recommend it.

Your other must have feat is greater TWF, but also highly consider power attack for more DPS, extend for longer short term buffs, or skill focus UMD for a little extra UMD (if you some day lesser reincarnate to max out UMD). UMD is an awesome skill that will let you use race restricted items, and when you get it high enough, raise dead scrolls, teleport scrolls, heal scrolls, etc. Concentration is not really needed on a Pally as most of your spells will be cast out of combat (or cast quickly enough that you can usually time when to cast them so you don't get knocked out of your spell).

Have fun and good luck

[Shishizaru]

I believe KoTC is currently bugged where it does in fact affect Undead as well, although it's not supposed to. As already mentioned, get Toughness ASAP. Improved Crit and GTWF soon-ish. Other feats to consider would be Power Attack and Extend Spell. Power Attack is a staple of most melee builds, since your to-hit will get a lot of bonuses. Extend helps you keep your short term buffs on longer and keeps you from having to re-buff mid-fight.

Skill Focus: UMD would be great, but I would say a Drow Paladin simply does not have the room. Since you took Khopesh as well, you're down one more Feat on an already Feat starved class.

Summation of feats:

"must haves"

TWF
ITWF
GTWF
Toughness

"should haves"

Power Attack
Improved Critical

"nice to haves"

Extend Spell
OTWF
Skill Focus: UMD
EWP: Khopesh

You get 7 feats. 4 are "required" and 2 are highly suggested, leaving you with 1 personal choice Feat. As you've already taken Khopesh, I would say the rest of your Feats are more or less decided (hooray standards and cookie-cutter-ness!)

[unbongwah]

I consider Toughness, TWF, ITWF, GTWF, Improved Critical, and Power Attack the must-have feats for any TWF DPS build. Add Khopesh and you've burned your 7 feats. As Ralmeth mentioned, a lot of drow paladins use rapiers to save a feat and make use of the drow racial enhancements to them; but as you've already invested in Khopesh, there's little point in switching now.

[lord_of_rage]

I would have rolled this build human to be honest because thats basicly what you have done. You have set that stats up the way you would on a human and gone kopesh. Just dont take extend spell.That way you can keep kopesh.

[Murderface]

I would have rolled this build human to be honest because thats basicly what you have done. You have set that stats up the way you would on a human and gone kopesh. Just dont take extend spell.That way you can keep kopesh.

rapier are outdated weapons with wop obsolete they are just not good str damage weapons they take too much damage the hardiness sucks
go with a 32 point elf or heck even 28 point you can always respec via greater reincarnation later.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.34
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Burst  Angel
Level 20 Lawful Good Elf Female
(20 Paladin) 
Hit Points: 322
Spell Points: 246 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 15
Will: 11

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 21                   21
Dexterity            16                 17                   17
Constitution         12                 12                   12
Intelligence          8                  8                    8
Wisdom                8                  8                    8
Charisma             16                 16                   16

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               3                  3                    3
Bluff                 3                  3                    3
Concentration         1                  2                    2
Diplomacy             3                  3                    3
Disable Device       n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle                3                  3                    3
Heal                 -1                 -1                   -1
Hide                  3                  3                    3
Intimidate            3                  3                    3
Jump                  3                  5                    5
Listen               -1                 -1                    1
Move Silently         3                  3                    3
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                 -1                   -1
Search               -1                 -1                    1
Spot                 -1                 -1                    1
Swim                  3                  5                    5
Tumble                n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device      5                 13                   13

Level 1 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
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
Feat: (Automatic) Smite Evil
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Follower of the Undying Court


Level 2 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Grace
Feat: (Automatic) Lay on Hands
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil I
Enhancement: Paladin Devotion I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness I


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Aura of Courage
Feat: (Automatic) Divine Health
Feat: (Automatic) Fear Immunity
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I


Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Automatic) Turn Undead
Spell (1): Bless
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Spell (1): Divine Favor
Spell (1): Lesser Restoration
Spell (1): Lionheart
Spell (1): Protection From Evil
Spell (1): Resistance
Spell (1): Seek Eternal Rest
Spell (1): Virtue
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar I
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness II


Level 5 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might I


Level 6 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Remove Disease
Enhancement: Undying Call
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite I


Level 7 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 8 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (2): Angelskin
Spell (2): Bull's Strength
Spell (2): Eagle's Spendor
Spell (2): Owl's Wisdom
Spell (2): Remove Paralysis
Spell (2): Resist Energy
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II


Level 9 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Paladin Courage of Good II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands II


Level 10 (Paladin)
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil III


Level 11 (Paladin)
Spell (3): Cure Moderate Wounds
Spell (3): Dispel Magic
Spell (3): Magic Circle Against Evil
Spell (3): Prayer
Spell (3): Remove Blindness
Spell (3): Remove Curse
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite II
Enhancement: Paladin Energy of the Templar II


Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice II
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Might II


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice II
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Lay on Hands III


Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Spell (4): Break Enchantment
Spell (4): Cure Serious Wounds
Spell (4): Deathward
Spell (4): Holy Sword
Spell (4): Neutralize Poison
Spell (4): Restoration
Spell (4): Stalwart Pact
Spell (4): Zeal
Enhancement: Paladin Extra Smite Evil IV


Level 15 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)


Level 17 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness III


Level 18 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Paladin Exalted Smite IV
Enhancement: Paladin Knight of the Chalice III
Enhancement: Paladin Toughness IV


Level 19 (Paladin)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+0.5)
Enhancement: Paladin Divine Sacrifice III


Level 20 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Paladin Weapons of Good
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good I
Enhancement: Paladin Resistance of Good II

thats a 32 point build but refer to my burst angel build thread for a 28 point version. gear ending stats etc. As you can see the gtwf feat chain i take last because you have an edge for falchion. also when you add a +4 cha tome which you probably would want anyway you go dm 4. drows with there pseudo 32 points just doesnt seem to mesh as well as this guy

falchion or scim&sheild till lvl 12 then you can start twf maybe vorping or just go pure twf from then on your full potential is maxed when you grab a +3 dex tome you can go back set your dex down to 14 and ad those 2 points into con every little bit helps...
also you probably should eat a +2 int tome at lvl 7 and put 2 half points into tumble and th erest into balance.

[lord_of_rage]

Iwont reopen the debate but if you are rolling a 32pt or above pally I still say human and kopesh is the way to go.
To murderface not really sure why you quote me talking about human and kopesh then start talking about rapiers. Was this some attempt to show me up on something I wasnt talking about?

[Jayzilla]

Iwont reopen the debate but if you are rolling a 32pt or above pally I still say human and kopesh is the way to go.
To murderface not really sure why you quote me talking about human and kopesh then start talking about rapiers. Was this some attempt to show me up on something I wasnt talking about?

thanks for the input guys. I'm currently level 12: these are the feats i've taken.

1.twf
3.khop (if i could change this i probably would have delayed the khop til level 6)
6.itwf
9.icrit:slashing
12. gtwf

Plan for next levels: pick up toughness and power attack. which one should i get at 15 and which should i get at 18? I've got minos legens on, and with only a +2 con item i have ~195 hp, and i usually stack 30-50 temp HPs. my to hit self buffed (with +3 action point) is +20 with both hands (with +1 bodyfeeder khops and +1 weakening/enfeebling khop) and 22/21 (with my undead slayer setup, a disruption dagger and a holy light pick of undead bane)

as far as my taking human instead of drow, 32 point build was not available to me at the time i made this character. I basically started over a few weeks ago, rolled a haggle bard, got him to 8 with ~40 haggle, got the 400 favor, rolled the pally. I plan on capping him out and farming for a week or two, then TR'ing into rog/wiz wf. not for sure on the rog/wiz though: since i'll have all this melee gear lying around i might do a fvs. i'm not sure.

the reason i didn't take rapier (or short sword) is because I'm already starved for enhancement points, blowing another 10 to make rapier/ss viable didn't seem attractive. Khopesh feat for me is basically +10 enhancement points + overall better DPS at the cost of a feat slot and a TON of platinum. now, if i would have had 2 sunblade lying around in my bank......... that would be a different story

What do you guys think about me taking the paladin enhancement res? it would be handy, but worth 7 enhancement?

[hockeyrama]

Given the level your HP are a bit on the low side, I know you have some work arounds but you could really use the toughness as soon as possible. When you take it and then get the toguhness enhancements you will gain alot of HP right away and won't be taken down quickly if for whatever reason you are stunned, held or other reason a mob gets a whack of attacks off on you. The further you get in the game the more important HP are going to become. DO i would take it next. Also don't forget if you do want to change a feat just visit old fred and you can make an adjustment for some cash (first one free).