Would like to roll a paladin.

[Zhec]

Well you may not know this but I'm new (What a shocker!?). I'm extremely addicted to this game and got so impatient I dropped a **** load of cash into points, which i'm not doing anymore, almost had to give up cigarettes O.o. but I did unlock everything except FvS. I have a 32 pt Rad Serv pure cleric thats at level 9 who is a beast and so much fun, but I want more dps than what he is bringing to the table, just get out of the primary healer role and have some fun.

While running Delera's I ran into a paladin wielding two longswords and she was gorgeous, not the toon, just watching the toon fight. I decided to roll a paladin, came on the forums for some build advice and was blown away. This class is ridiculously diverse and has a lot of stats that are needed.

I decided to dip into the paladin forum and get some ideas from you guys. I'm not opposed to any specific fighting style except khopesh, I have a really nice set of level 4 khopesh in the bank but would not be able to afford upgrading them in the future. TWF or THF no problem. All races unlocked and 32 point builds. Looking to dish out more damage than I am taking and fill any roles a paladin is typically expected to fill in a party so I can find groups easier.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've been through junt's guide and a few guides I found on the internet, just don't know what some of the purposes of the acronyms are (like HotD).

I'm sorry for the wall of text and thank you in advance for the help.
-Zhec

[TheDearLeader]

I can answer the simple question.

HotD - Hunter of the Dead
KotC - Knight of the Chalice
DoS - Defender of Siberys

The three Prestige Enhancement (PrE) Lines for Paladins in game.

[Kourier]

Looking at some of the sample builds here is a pretty good start...

Would you like to try two handed fighting or two weapon fighting?

Regarding those three acronyms (they're the prestige enhancements),

DoS gets you extra hp, str, ac, and defensive spells, one extra lay-on-hands, and the stances which do various things.

HotD gives you free Restoration spells, 20% more heals received, effectiveness against undead, ghost touch, and immunity to neg levels.

KotC gives you extra smites, a better anti-fear aura (meh), and extra damage against "evil outsiders" (Devils, demons, etc).

HotD is very nice at lower levels, but after a while the game switches from undead to evil outsiders.

[Barumar]

I'm sorry for the wall of text and thank you in advance for the help.
-Zhec

Actually very well formatted first post!

I have two Pally's, both Human for the extra feat and human versatility.

I like UMD and have tons of rr (race restricted) gear when leveling them up (I like having +4 stat items for STR, CON, CHA at lvl 7, +5 at lvl 9, +6 at lvl 11), as well as being able to use scrolls (Heal, Raise Dead, Restoration, Break Enchantment, Teleport, etc).

One of my Pally's is a TWF Knight of the Chalice and does quite well with end game content being most involve Devils and or Outsiders.

The other is a THF Defender of Siberys, and is in the process of leveling back up as a TR. I really enjoy using two handers, and already have two Green Steel Falchions, and am making a Maul next. I rarely go into Sword & Board mode, but still use my Defensive Stance a lot, as it boots STR and CON - so why not!

Anyway, remember that a Paladin is one of the most challenging builds to make/play so be patient with yours. Also, save some of those Turbine Points for a Lesser Reincarnation should you decide yours needs to be re-worked - or just roll more than one .

Barumar

P.S.

If you plan on Khyber send my name sake in game mail, I probably have some extra Khopeshes I can let you have.

[Phidius]

I would think the hardest part is getting them drunk first.

[Dylvish]

I would think the hardest part is getting them drunk first.

not to mention trying to get them out of that armor. o.0

[Kourier]

Oh no, my Paladin usually wears robes. Quick access, you know.

[Zhec]

Thank you for the constructive criticism, definitions, and guidance.

I decided to start out with one of Junt's sample builds.

Which was:

X. Sample Human Tank

Lawful Good Human Paladin 18 / 2 fighter (fighter at 1 and 8

Str: 15 + 5 levels (30 endgame)
Dex: 12 (qualifies for dodge, theoretical filling-out of best-in-game epic armor)
Con: 14 (22 endgame)
Int: 12 (+1 tome for ce; 4 skill points/level)
Wis: 8 (pattern forming)
Cha: 16 (Dm3 qualified; 26-28 endgame depending on gear)

28 pt version: drop dex 4 points (take skill focus: umd instead of dodge), pick dex+dodge back up when greater reincarnation available

1: Power attack
1f: EWP: Khopesh
1h: Toughness
3: Two-handed fighting
6: Extend Spell
8f: Improved crit: slash
9: Combat Expertise
12: Improved two-handed fighting
15: Greater two-handed fighting
18: Dodge

Fighter 1: 4 ranks in intimidate, 2 in UMD, 2 in tumble.
Paladin levels: intim 2, umd 1 point
Fighter 8: Intim 1, umd 1, 1 point in jump

A +2 int tome really helps have points for other skills!

Enhancements:

Defender of Siberys 1-3 (8 ap)
Paladin Courage of Good 1 (1 ap, pre-req)
Paladin Focus of Good 1 (1 ap, pre-req)
Paladin Resistance of Good 1-3 (6 ap, pre-req but awesome)
Paladin Bulwark of Good 1-4 (10 ap, pre-req but awesome)
Follower of the Sovereign Host (2 ap, pre-req)
Unyielding Sovereignty (4 ap)
Paladin Divine Might 1-3 (6 ap)
Paladin Divine Sacrifice 1-2 (3 ap)
Paladin Extra Smite 1-3 (6 ap)
Paladin Exalted Smite 1-2 (3 ap)
Paladin Toughness 1-3 (6 ap)
Racial Toughness 1-2 (3 ap)
Human Adapt: strength (2 ap)
Human Improved recovery 1-2 (6 ap)
Paladin Divine Righteousness 1 (1 ap)
Paladin Charisma 1 (2 ap)
Fighter Haste Boost 1 (1 ap)
Fighter Strength 1 (2 ap)
Fighter Intimidate 1 (1 ap)
Paladin Extra Lay on hands 1-3 (6 ap)


It has been working out fine so far but I'm having two problems.

1. The Defender of Siberys requirements are not met with the above enhancements, and as the 80 ap are already used up I don't know what to drop in order to get Paladin Armor Boost. I was thinking Fighter Haste Boost but wasn't sure as Haste plus THF just seems like a good idea.

2. EWP: khopesh: I currently have this selected even after my comment about it in the original post. Now I am quite uneducated about the game mechanics but some stuff I read about weapons and in particular Bastard Sword is leading me in a different direction. As it seems BS benefit from THF feats in some way (I think) in that they get glancing blows. I really don't trust myself to make this kind of intuitive leap just yet so if you have an idea please let me know.

Thank you very much, criticism is greatly appreciated and if you have any comments on the build I decided to go with please let me know.

-Zhec

[unbongwah]

If you want a pally tank, you may want to hold off for the next update; Intimidate is about to become a pally class skill.

[elujin]

you might not have to get the 2 figheter levels like umbong said intimi is coming as class skill so if you can spare the feats also

a high ac dos is hard to pull of and needs goooood high lvl gear i think its best to take a more dps pally to cap first
or accept ac prob won't be that high (lvl 12 and up the levels where meaningful ac is hard to get)and be happy with the boost to con and str from dos and the dmg reduction from shield blocking

outher people could have better advice on that but if your not going ac you can cut dodge and Combat Expertise from the feats and go pure

[Bombfish]

If you want a pally tank, you may want to hold off for the next update; Intimidate is about to become a pally class skill.

This...

Can I assume from this that when the update comes it won't retroactively boost your already trained points? What a bummer :/

[unbongwah]

I still like rogue 1 / ftr 1 / paladin 18 for a DoS tank: add full ranks of UMD, tower shield prof., and 1 extra feat in exchange for capstone DPS. In fact, making Intim a pally class skill might make that combo a little more attractive, because it will take fewer skill points to max UMD & Intim, letting you get away with slightly lower INT or putting extra skill pts elsewhere.

[nitronisto]

though i am not sayin the build is perfect using junts starter pali builds is a great idea even i fall back on them for time to time, but like eveyone is sayin i to would hold off on makin a pali till after update 7, i have even stoped lving my lv 8 human 2nd tank just cause i dont want to have to make him TR just to be wroth while.

the only 2 issues i have and see lookin over it is makin a pali tank is not easy on the first char or first time playin the game, survival is the highest but reality of it is until u understand the game and how it works tanking and healing arnt 2 rolls to hop into. say this cause tanks have to do like the dps does but also make it so they can survive those painfull hits and know what dps to give up in the name of survivability. and u dont just hide behind a shield punching intimidate every 6 seconds if u do that pls play WoW were skill and knowledge isint a requirement

for the CE / 12 int + 1 tome. u could do like i did and do 13 int and +1 tome cause when u lv this gives u another pt to spend in were at 13 int ur not gettin anything since in ddo pts on stats have to be on evens to give purks

[Zhec]

Thank you everyone for the awesome help. Any word on when update 7 is coming about?

I understand tanking may be a bad idea for a first character and although it isn't my first character (lv 9 radiant servant cleric) I probably will hold off on it a bit. I will still play a paladin post update 7 but by the time he hits 10-12 I'm hoping to have my hagglebot leveled a bit more (for monetary support) and my cleric to 20 to farm items.

As to the WoW comment, let me start of by saying I don't take offense to this comment, but as a side note I believe that WoW was the death of modern p2p games. Also I have played mmos for a very long time, and my proficiency at multiple role characters is quite good. I being a noob, 2 days playing ddo, simply freaked when I saw a cleric healbotting. You have a weapon...use it. I can efficiently heal, melee, and cc at the same time, dancing my fingers across the keyboard. (I'm tired, but I'm pretty sure the last few sentences had a purpose.)

After talking to some people in game and from my clan though, I have come to the realization that I probably should start out with a dps paladin. I know there are quite a few THF builds like the one I posted above is capable of but I'm starting to get annoyed by the 2hander's edges out animation. Don't like running with my Greatsword "sideways," just a pet peeve.

So I am looking into TWF builds, I saw a few mnk/paladin builds that use khopesh and someone told me that you are uncentered if you don't use the monk weapons, this true?

Whirling steel allows you to twf longswords but I'm told Longswords are gimp, which blows because they look awesome to me. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance and for your continued support.

[nitronisto]

Zhec: with the wow comment in regards it wasnt intended at you so thank you for seein that far i commend you.
and i do agree with what u see in wow, i played it for a year myself still waitin on a refund for life lost and not ever getting back:S
but u wont be disappointed with the pali class and i wish u all the best luck man u seem to be one step ahead of most already

[Mark_G]

Zhec---in response to your question about Bastard swords. Yes, Bastard swords produce glancing blow chances as if they were a two handed weapon.

Good luck with your paladin build. I've always found paladins fun to play, but I've never tried a TWF Paladin. Even with 32 point builds, it seemed like the starting stats get very spread out which makes the build more gear intensive. Good luck to you, though!