When is Wisdom needed on a Paladin

[pappo]

Increasing your bonus SP stat (in a Pali's case, WIS) does not increase available SP. It only increases the max SP. Since buffs such as Owl's Wisdom go away when zoning in, or shrining, they are useless for gaining SP. Those pots are only good for getting your WIS high enough to be able to cast.

Find a Power or Wizardry item, and wear that to increase your max SP. You might get a scepter of Power or Wizardry, for example, equip it before shrining, use the sp to buff, then swap in your weapon.

That is what I did. I got a Scepter of Power IV for 40 more SP. I put it in my hand and use an owl pot for the ability, then when I am charged up, I go into the quest and cast Seek Eternal Rest (5 minute spell) and zap some undead. Then just before shrining I do the same thing. Thanks for the explanation/information... very helpful.

I know there are many more Pally "tools" out there (i.e. Divine Light, Divine Might, etc etc) but I am only lvl 5 now and just trying out this new Paladin toon. I never ran a Pally before so it is a slow learning process, but these forums have been a huge help.
Many thanks to all who commented.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

What in this thread makes you think spending build points on WIS is a good idea for Palis? That its mildly tricky to cast at fourth level? Ninth level and beyond, the item bonus progression out-paces the Pali spell level progression. Owl's pots work until then. Is slightly easier casting for a few low levels worth losing effectiveness in some other area the rest of the time?

The frustration worth having to deal with that. I prefer my char to just be able to use his abilities without spending so much effort to do so.

My preference.

[Hokonoso]

run tangleroot on hard at lvl 4 and get the 30 min +4 wis buff that works as you zone, this is how my paladin was able to cast lvl 1 spells (cause no way im starting with more than 8 wis unless cleric/fvs hybrid)

[donfilibuster]

Wis 8 is working for my pally using owl or wise hat and any scepter of power.

Note that you need not wear those all the time but only to cast the spells, then switching them off.
At low levels it can only be on shrines but later on you may have enough sp to do it on the run.
This item switching also goes for rangers.

[pappo]

Wis 8 is working for my pally using owl or wise hat and any scepter of power.

Note that you need not wear those all the time but only to cast the spells, then switching them off.
At low levels it can only be on shrines but later on you may have enough sp to do it on the run.
This item switching also goes for rangers.

I made lvl 6 and my base SP is 22, but I also found a Power Tiny Guild Augment for 20 more SP that I put a Charisma ring I wear all the time, so I can get 40 SP now without having to do any swaps when I am in the quest. That's good for 4 virtues or 4 seek eternal rest's. If I equip my Power IV scepter before shrining I have 90 SP to use before I switch to a weapon, and then in drops to 42.
It has been a learning process, but fun.
Thanks again to all who commented.

[jstawarz2]

That's good for 4 virtues or 4 seek eternal rest's. If I equip my Power IV scepter before shrining I have 90 SP to use before I switch to a weapon, and then in drops to 42.
It has been a learning process, but fun.
Thanks again to all who commented.

Good job finding the gear to make it work. One thing you'll note, soon. Divine Favor (+1tohit/+1dam per 3 levels after 3, so +2/+2 at level 6 and caps at +3/+3) will come in handy. Also, Divine Sacrifice does a LOT of damage on a very short cooldown (1.5 or 2 sec CD). Adds light damage (+5d6 for DS I) and increases the crit multiplier of your weapon. Cost is 5 hp and 1 sp. Early on, you'll need to make a choice between DF and DS due to the lack of SP. That's part of why I went with a 12 Wisdom from start instead of dumping it, completely. Even without using SP to heal myself (3x Lay on Hands and multiple Cure Moderate/Serious wands on hand), I still run out regularly on longer quests w/o shrining.

Is the choice of a higher WIS good for everyone? Not necessarily. Even with 32 points to play with, I had to drop a couple things (pushing a 16 DEX +1 levelup to get I/GTWF meant that CHA and STR took a small hit).