KotC or HotD?

[NSNeiko]

I have a warforged pally I'm going through with a two handed great sword, and was wondering what the benefits of the two prestige classes really are? I see people always going with KotC in their builds for WF, but I was wondering how good HotD works, since I haven't tried it yet.

[Martdon]

KotC used to work on both Evil Outsiders and Undead, which is why it made HotD useless. That got fixed with U7, and I think HotD will be used more now. Especially as a WF the healing amp would be nice. I don't know which to recommend now, but I always like HotD with Ghost Touch and healing amp.

[Ciaran]

I have a warforged pally I'm going through with a two handed great sword, and was wondering what the benefits of the two prestige classes really are? I see people always going with KotC in their builds for WF, but I was wondering how good HotD works, since I haven't tried it yet.

HotD is useful at levels 6-12 (though as a WF, some of what makes HotD nice at level 12 is redundant since you're already immune to certain things). At level 6 you get ghost touch weapons, additional +2 to saves vs undead, 2 more uses of Remove Disease and the ability to cast lesser restoration by sacrificing a use of RD. You also get +1 to your level when turning undead (which is more flavor than anything useful, unless things have changed). The biggest thing is the healing amp, which as a WF could potentially save you AP's (since you could conceivably get away with not taking Healer's Friend).

HotD II at 12 makes you immune to energy drain from any source and allows you to use a Restoration in place of remove disease and increases your healing amp. HotDIII gives you Greater Restore and a DC30 disruption effect on your weapons. Sadly, at level 18 most undead are already trivially easy to Paladin and there aren't many places with high level undead where HotDIII is useful. HotDIII also further improves your healing amp, remove disease uses, etc.

For end game, KotC is where it's at due to the prominence of evil outsiders.

[NSNeiko]

KotC used to work on both Evil Outsiders and Undead, which is why it made HotD useless. That got fixed with U7, and I think HotD will be used more now. Especially as a WF the healing amp would be nice. I don't know which to recommend now, but I always like HotD with Ghost Touch and healing amp.

Ah, I didn't know that. Cool beans. Thanks for the help.