Have 32 point builds but no drow

[Zachski]

I'm actually playing with a THF human build from Junts' topic (though I realize that sacrificing DM4 to choose Half Orc would've actually netted me MORE DPS due to the fact that Half Orcs get enhancements that boost their damage by 2, starting right from level 1)

However, I'm wondering if I should reroll and go TWF after all. Either way, there's going to be an in-game cost, whether it's for a +2 tome or a crafted falchion of awesomeness.

What do you think?

[Tajuh]

What level is your guy?

[Zachski]

What level is your guy?

Low enough that a reroll is no loss.

[yawumpus]

[edit: never mind, too late. I really don't recommend a fighter 1/cleric N repeater build as the whole point is to latch on to bb groups who are either have no chance surviving in the harbor or won't touch you with a 10' pole (of course any zergers expecting you to be left behind might be in for a shock as you catch up guns blazing).]

Does anyone know long the artificer is free? If you could get 6 or so levels you should be able to unlock drow.

Unlocking drow takes longer than you would think. When players said "never buy drow, it comes quick" they probably meant that it comes remarkably fast if you happen to be leveling something else. Leveling something else to open drow tends to drag unless you have VIP unlocking abilities or tag along with a bravery bonus group. My guess is that you should keep looking for a group until you find one accepting bravery bonuses.

Make an artificer. WF if you have it, otherwise human. My guess is 16/16/16/10 intelligence/dexterity/constitution/strength or 14/18/14/10 (make an even more obvious low-level glory toon). If human, take construct essence at 3rd, augmented summoning at first, and lots of crossbow feats (toughness is a good idea, but not necessary at the levels you will be at).

You should be be able to bring plenty of firepower to any bb group you join, and only running elites will get the favor you need.

My advice to anyone reading this after the free artificer test ends (and it will likely force the OP to either delete his arty or leave him until he buys/unlocks artificer) is to make that most hated of builds: the *ranged* fighter splashed cleric. WARNING: Did I mentioned "hated"? Don't expect to be welcomed with open arms into VIP groups. This will get most of the damage that our arty did (but won't be able to simply pile on the damage with weapon damage + flame arrow + elemental weapons + rune arm).

Note that in days past I made this build to unlock drow. It was made before casters got so buffed and is one of the few examples of a specifically made melee wizard. Now he is highly obsolete but has a chance to use a lesser heart of wood from a doomed fellow toon.

[Zachski]

I don't really care to unlock drow, though, that's the thing. The only reason I said "Don't have drow" is because I didn't want someone giving me a drow build :P

Not sure what Artificer has to do with Paladin.

[yawumpus]

Artificer was just to unlock drow. They are stupidly overpowered at the levels you need for the favor. Looks like the artificer trial is already over.

I'm pretty sure that you want either drow or 34-36 point builds for TWF paladins. Personally, I'm not so sure about paladins at all until they respec enhancements.

[wax_on_wax_off]

I'd stay well away from any DPS themed paladin until the enhancement pass (which keeps getting pushed back, last I've heard is November).

I've played a TWF'ing Drow DPS paladin at cap and it was thoroughly underwhelming. Low AB, rubbish DPS outside of devil content and reasonably squishy. Mind you, the character was twinked to the max complete with dual Divine Vengeance and dual Metallic Edges slotted Epic Brigands Cutlasses (having access to these weapons made it better to dump IC:P/racial weapon enhancements in favour of more paladin enhancements (which paladins have plenty to choose - my guildies loved my AC aura for their AC tanks).

Defender of Siberys or choose another class.

[Zachski]

I'd stay well away from any DPS themed paladin until the enhancement pass (which keeps getting pushed back, last I've heard is November).

I've played a TWF'ing Drow DPS paladin at cap and it was thoroughly underwhelming. Low AB, rubbish DPS outside of devil content and reasonably squishy. Mind you, the character was twinked to the max complete with dual Divine Vengeance and dual Metallic Edges slotted Epic Brigands Cutlasses (having access to these weapons made it better to dump IC:P/racial weapon enhancements in favour of more paladin enhancements (which paladins have plenty to choose - my guildies loved my AC aura for their AC tanks).

Defender of Siberys or choose another class.

Alright then. Know a good DoS build for 32 point?

Also, yawumpus, I already own arty It's a fun class to play, but I'm just not up for a favor rush like that.

[OliviaCrowley]

I'd stay well away from any DPS themed paladin until the enhancement pass (which keeps getting pushed back, last I've heard is November).

I've played a TWF'ing Drow DPS paladin at cap and it was thoroughly underwhelming.

Defender of Siberys or choose another class.

Snipped a bit, but I definitely agree with this. I made my TWF Drow paladin back in U5 or somesuch, and it was cool at the time. I was all, 'hell yeah, droppin' some double smites'. Then I quit for a while, came back and finishing off those last few levels was such a slog. I felt like a damper on every group I played in, until I decided to TR her and go for monk.

Literally the only good part of playing that character was when the stars aligned and I'd double-smite for 1200 damage. DoS is pretty great overall though, if I didn't go monk I would've tried that. The only upside I have taken from playing my TWF paladin is that I can say 'At least my Paladin life is done.'

[Indoran]

Snipped a bit, but I definitely agree with this. I made my TWF Drow paladin back in U5 or somesuch, and it was cool at the time. I was all, 'hell yeah, droppin' some double smites'. Then I quit for a while, came back and finishing off those last few levels was such a slog. I felt like a damper on every group I played in, until I decided to TR her and go for monk.

Literally the only good part of playing that character was when the stars aligned and I'd double-smite for 1200 damage. DoS is pretty great overall though, if I didn't go monk I would've tried that. The only upside I have taken from playing my TWF paladin is that I can say 'At least my Paladin life is done.'

I had a similar experience. My first toon was a cleric I played to 20 before making my first alt. A drow twf following junts guide. committed a couple mistakes that where somehow compensated (this was pre u5 as I remember the update hit my dps) I was KotC... was fun in amrath and vale seeing lots of numbers even more when I finally got lorinthor's ring... but then I rolled a monk and realized how gimp I was... after that I have played 2 more pallies (pally/monk and divine phoenix)...

My conclusion: pally dps sucks, stick with your half orc and enjoy it... get to 20 and decide whether to tr or not... for me pally it's a past life only now... great past life... not so fun class to play. Good AC when mixed with monk sometimes even when pure, but dps is always low when compared to fighter, blitz, barb, monk (lets not go into arcane dps)...

[Zachski]

Perhaps I'd be better off rolling a melee Cleric or FVS then?

[goodspeed]

clonks seem to do good. Though ive heard a wf favored is pretty nice melee.

Course either way ur still gonna run into the average pattern, of why are you meleeing? Heal meh!!

Though from ur suggestions it seems like you wanna play a self healing melee. Im thinkd ruid might be right up ur alley, but until then do you have helves unlocked? Cause the cleric dili allows you to whip heal crit wands and heal scrolls and all that stuff.

Or you could even be a ranger splash for self healing.

[Zachski]

clonks seem to do good. Though ive heard a wf favored is pretty nice melee.

Course either way ur still gonna run into the average pattern, of why are you meleeing? Heal meh!!

Though from ur suggestions it seems like you wanna play a self healing melee. Im thinkd ruid might be right up ur alley, but until then do you have helves unlocked? Cause the cleric dili allows you to whip heal crit wands and heal scrolls and all that stuff.

Or you could even be a ranger splash for self healing.

I more or less want to play a divine warrior of the church who smites evil for the sake of good, wielding divine might.

I'm not a complex person XD I play for flavor instead of role, lol.

[SisAmethyst]

Well, while not the DPS king a Paladin may still be a nice character to play if it fit your flavor and while the enhancement rework may get delayed till November, the Epic Destinies will probably not nor the other changes (see Beta forum for details), assuming you will want to get to level 25. However we don't know much about that yet so it is quite difficult to give a constructive feedback on that matter.

It won't help if you if a Sorc is a DPS king or a WF FvS is a nice combat caster if you prefer a holy shiny melee warrior in combat. Especially as with the next update all the advice given may worth nothing because all may upside down with the next update.

Additionally if you follow Junt's guide your character shouldn't be a total gimp

[Zachski]

17 Str, 14 Con, 17 Cha to start with (he's only level 2 right now, so that's why I said a reroll is not painful)

However, if I go Horc, I can change that to 19 Str (+1.5 damage), 14 Con, 15 Cha (-2 damage), (and I do lose a skill point) but then gain access to the Horc Melee Weapon enhancements (+4 Damage), Orcish Power Attack (+6 damage), and then Orc Strength (just one gives me another +1.5 damage)

The gain for this is pretty evident. A Half-Orc THF Paladin who sacrifices a rank of Divine Might will still outdamage a human paladin. That's not to say there aren't costs.

1. One less skill point. Considering Paladins are already skill point starved, this essentially means choosing between UMD and Balance.

2. Lay on Hands is slightly less powerful, Smite Evil is slightly less accurate...

3. Will probably still be outdamaged by TWF due to how Paladin abilities work (really, a proper balance would've been to make it so that all melee abilities that deal damage are boosted by 50% when using THF weapons, then the gap wouldn't have been so... large.)

That being said, Clerics and Favored Souls can also be shiny holy melee warriors of good, and their smiting prowess doesn't have to be so much a "I hit you for shiny!" but a "I call upon the divine wrath of my god! Die, worm!" sorta way.