Revisiting the TWF Drow Paladin for New Players (U23)

[KGKaos]

look up ;P

[Singular]

Unless you plan to use your bow a lot and thus really want Precise Shot ASAP I'd probably suggest one of:

• Ranger 1-2 Paladin 1-4 Ranger 3-4 Paladin 3-7 Ranger 5 Paladin 8-15
• Ranger 1-2 Paladin 1-7 Ranger 3-5 Paladin 8-15

Ranger 2 for TWF is obviously required immediately, but after that I feel that Divine Grace, SaD stance &/or KotC core damage, and DM are more beneficial in early levels than those extra Ranger levels. YMMV.

Now that I'm doing it, you're totally right. In addition to not needing the ranger levels for much beyond the access to enchantments, spacing them out helps maximize skill point use.

[Singular]

I'm only lvl 7 so far, and took cleave/great cleave - wow, so incredibly useful at low levels! I'm surprised you didn't add them to this build. Do they work less well with rapiers?

I'm running human w/khopesh if that makes a difference. I know cleave/great cleave cut down on your dps against single targets, but in low levels they just wipe out groups of mobs. Plus each c/gc increases the damage high enough that if I crit, it often kills the mob outright.

[Caprice]

I'm only lvl 7 so far, and took cleave/great cleave - wow, so incredibly useful at low levels! I'm surprised you didn't add them to this build. Do they work less well with rapiers?

I'm running human w/khopesh if that makes a difference. I know cleave/great cleave cut down on your dps against single targets, but in low levels they just wipe out groups of mobs. Plus each c/gc increases the damage high enough that if I crit, it often kills the mob outright.

The main issue is that the Cleaves only hit with your main hand weapon (e.g. see this list) so you gain nothing from your offhand unlike THF/SWF that retain their higher ability damage bonuses. IIUC the cleaves also have a different hitbox for each weapon style and TWF's is wide but not deep, which some people seem to say can make it harder to hit a full group of enemies. FWIW I've had good success with the cleaves on TWF myself.

The build also eventually takes the first KotC Cleave, which is "exclusive" with the Cleave feat but does more damage (+2[W] at the rank listed). You can take both but the cooldowns are shared so you can only use one.

[Singular]

The main issue is that the Cleaves only hit with your main hand weapon (e.g. see this list) so you gain nothing from your offhand unlike THF/SWF that retain their higher ability damage bonuses. IIUC the cleaves also have a different hitbox for each weapon style and TWF's is wide but not deep, which some people seem to say can make it harder to hit a full group of enemies. FWIW I've had good success with the cleaves on TWF myself.

The build also eventually takes the first KotC Cleave, which is "exclusive" with the Cleave feat but does more damage (+2[W] at the rank listed). You can take both but the cooldowns are shared so you can only use one.

Thanks. Yeah, I noticed that - sadly, I think I need cleave for Legendary Dreadnaught.

I guess his build doesn't need cleave/great cleave b/c it has Dance of Death. I'm not convinced that's how I want to take my build, though. The tier 5 KofC look very good to me - endless Exalted Smites, very tempting.

[Caprice]

Thanks. Yeah, I noticed that - sadly, I think I need cleave for Legendary Dreadnaught.

I guess his build doesn't need cleave/great cleave b/c it has Dance of Death. I'm not convinced that's how I want to take my build, though. The tier 5 KofC look very good to me - endless Exalted Smites, very tempting.

Yes, the logic here is that DoD replaces the cleaves for melee AoE. But if you are aiming for Momentum Swing/Lay Waste in LD then yes you still need the base Cleave feat (Great Cleave is optional).

Holy Retribution uses up a Turn Undead charge so it won't be truly endless. You need those for Divine Might too, so you will have to pace its use or you could run out of TU charges at an inopportune time. The "instakill" on Holy Retribution has a bad reputation at higher levels too, since very few monsters will be below its HP threshold until they are already near death, but some people recommend it in heroics. You can always try both options to see which you really prefer, although if you aren't taking Dance then the 5th Ranger level is a waste, and you may want to reconsider the split.

I agreee that KotC's tier 5 is far more compelling than Tempest though, since all of Sealed Life (on a fleshie), Avenging Cleave, and Censure's Melee Power passive are nice, whereas Tempest only has Dance for this build and 1k Cuts still suffers from an extreme CD.

[joey0901]

Hey guys,
I have played a bit of DDO in years past, but have been on a lengthy sojourn. I recently got the desire to return to the game, but don't really know where to start. TBH I never did fully grasp the nuances of the cross class builds and things like that. I'm pretty sure I have 32-pt builds, drow, etc unlocked, and am very interested in a TWF paladin build. I will try your pure pally build first I think.
I guess I'm just wondering if you guys have any tips and tricks for me? Because of the length of my absence, I am, for all intents and purposes, and n00b.
Thanks in advance!

[unbongwah]

EDIT: My bad, a pure build TWF. I do not have access to a dex tome at start.

TWF w/khopeshes, no tomes:

Human TWF Paladin
Paladin 20
Lawful Good Human


Stats
. . . . . . . .32pt. . .Level Up
. . . . . . . .----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 16 . . . 4: DEX
Dexterity . . . 16 . . . 8: STR
Constitution. . 14 . . .12: STR
Intelligence. . .8 . . .16: STR
Wisdom. . . . . .8 . . .20: STR
Charisma. . . . 14 . . .24: STR
. . . . . . . . . . . . 28: STR

Feats

.1. . . . : Two Weapon Fighting
.1 Human. : Power Attack
.1 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
.3. . . . : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
.6. . . . : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
.6 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
12. . . . : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
15. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
18. . . . : Quicken Spell
21 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic . : Improved Sunder
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
28 Destiny: Elusive Target


Enhancements (80 AP)

Human (8 AP)

Damage Boost, Strength

Action Surge: Strength III, Improved Recovery

Knight of the Chalice (41 AP)

Slayer of Evil, Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil II, Improved Courage of Heaven, Slayer of Evil III, Champion of Good

Extra Turning III, Extra Smite II
Divine Might III, Exalted Cleave III, Melee Power Boost III
Divine Sacrifice I, Vigor of Life, Exalted Smite I
Censure Demons, Vigor of Life, Empowered Smite
Censure Outsiders, Vigor of Life, Avenging Cleave III, Sealed Life

Sacred Defender (31 AP)

Holy Bastion, Sacred Defense, Divine Righteousness, Redemption, Glorious Stand

Extra Lay On Hands III, Resilient Defense III
Instinctive Defense I, Bulwark Aura III, Durable Defense III
Resistance Aura III, Strong Defense III
Spellshield Aura III, Swift Defense, Tenacious Defense III

[Eudaemonic]

1st time poster, long time viewer on these forums so sorry if it doesn't display correctly. used the planner for this as game is currently down so looking some other ddo-related way to wast time. previously played a BF pally 15, ranger 5 version using dual deathnip and bow of sinew... damage was highest i've ever achieved. the below i hope will be more fun to level and play. i love the passage dragonmark to dd out of danger and make some quests a lot faster. feedback on feats, enhancements and best gear would be great

deleted

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.23.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Eudaemonic Abraxas
Level 28 Lawful Good Human Female
(14 Paladin \ 6 Ranger \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 458
Spell Points: 555 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 26
Reflex: 22
Will: 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(36 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength             16                    28
Dexterity            16                    23
Constitution         14                    21
Intelligence          8                    15
Wisdom                8                    15
Charisma             16                    23

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Intelligence used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+1 Tome of Charisma used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7
+3 Tome of Strength used at level 11
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 11
+3 Tome of Constitution used at level 11
+3 Tome of Intelligence used at level 11
+3 Tome of Wisdom used at level 11
+3 Tome of Charisma used at level 11
+4 Tome of Strength used at level 15
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 15
+4 Tome of Constitution used at level 15
+4 Tome of Intelligence used at level 15
+4 Tome of Wisdom used at level 15
+4 Tome of Charisma used at level 15
+5 Tome of Strength used at level 19
+5 Tome of Dexterity used at level 19
+5 Tome of Constitution used at level 19
+5 Tome of Intelligence used at level 19
+5 Tome of Wisdom used at level 19
+5 Tome of Charisma used at level 19

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 28)
Balance               3                    21
Bluff                 3                    16
Concentration         6                    38
Diplomacy             3                    16
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle                3                    16
Heal                  3                    35
Hide                  3                    16
Intimidate            3                    16
Jump                  7                    28
Listen               -1                    12
Move Silently         3                    16
Open Lock             n/a                  n/a
Perform               4                    17
Repair               -1                    15
Search               -1                    15
Spellcraft           -1                    12
Spot                  3                    26
Swim                  3                    19
Tumble                4                    17
Use Magic Device      5                    30

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Force of Personality
Feat: (Human Bonus) Least Dragonmark of Passage
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Artificer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Barbarian
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Bard
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Druid
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Favored Soul
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Fighter
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Monk
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Paladin
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Ranger
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Rogue
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Sorcerer
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Wizard


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Completionist
Feat: (Deity) Follower of the Sovereign Host


Level 4 (Paladin)


Level 5 (Ranger)


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 7 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 8 (Ranger)


Level 9 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Piercing Weapons


Level 10 (Paladin)


Level 11 (Paladin)


Level 12 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting


Level 13 (Paladin)


Level 14 (Paladin)


Level 15 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 16 (Paladin)


Level 17 (Paladin)


Level 18 (Paladin)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 19 (Paladin)


Level 20 (Paladin)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Overwhelming Critical
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Damage Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Orien Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Orien Dragonmark Focus (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Lesser Dragonmark of Passage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Shield of Whirling Steel (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Tempest (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Reaction (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Whirling Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Parry (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Parry (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Improved Parry (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Whirling Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Haste Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Haste Boost (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Haste Boost (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Critical Accuracy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Whirling Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Critical Damage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - The Growing Storm (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - The Growing Storm (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - The Growing Storm (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Whirling Blades (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - A Thousand Cuts (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - A Thousand Cuts (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - A Thousand Cuts (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Dance of Death (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Dance of Death (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Tempest (Rgr) - Dance of Death (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Holy Bastion (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Sacred Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Extra Lay on Hands (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Durable Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Resilient Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender (Pal) - Tenacious Defense (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Slayer of Evil I (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Courage of Heaven (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Slayer of Evil II (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Turning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Extra Remove Disease (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Divine Might (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Improved Restoration (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Improved Restoration (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Knight of the Chalice (Pal) - Improved Restoration (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Arcane Archer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Arcane Archer (Rgr) - Conjure Arrows (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Deepwood Stalker (Rgr) - Far Shot (Rank 1)


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Blow


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Doubleshot

[Singular]

Yes, the logic here is that DoD replaces the cleaves for melee AoE. But if you are aiming for Momentum Swing/Lay Waste in LD then yes you still need the base Cleave feat (Great Cleave is optional).

Holy Retribution uses up a Turn Undead charge so it won't be truly endless. You need those for Divine Might too, so you will have to pace its use or you could run out of TU charges at an inopportune time. The "instakill" on Holy Retribution has a bad reputation at higher levels too, since very few monsters will be below its HP threshold until they are already near death, but some people recommend it in heroics. You can always try both options to see which you really prefer, although if you aren't taking Dance then the 5th Ranger level is a waste, and you may want to reconsider the split.

I agreee that KotC's tier 5 is far more compelling than Tempest though, since all of Sealed Life (on a fleshie), Avenging Cleave, and Censure's Melee Power passive are nice, whereas Tempest only has Dance for this build and 1k Cuts still suffers from an extreme CD.

You convinced me. Going with fighter for that last level for the 2 free feats. I'll probably drop Great Cleave for something else. That gives me 3 feats to think about. Either PBR/Manishot/Impr. Crit Ranged or go all out on twf w/weapon focus, power critical, etc.

[SeraphsBlade]

You already have access to most AA abilities with rgr 5, so there's not really any need to unlock the racial AA tree. You can shift APs from, say, KotC to AA or DWS if you wish to beef up ranged DPS; that's up to you, as resetting enhancements is pretty easy.

This build is based on drow because they're easy to unlock (just 400 Favor) and +1 DEX tomes are relatively cheap, thus making it a more newbie-friendly option. For 32 pt or more builds with access to better tomes, I would probably go human for the extra feat, heal amp, and racial Dmg Boost, which will stack with either Tempest Haste Boost or KotC Melee Power boost. But elf is also a reasonable choice; pallies are strong enough now that you can pick the race you want and not feel like you horribly gimped yourself.

Could you include your ideas for a Human Faith-sworn hunter 15 Pal/5 Ran 32 point build. I'm basing it roughly off of how you built the human and drow versions. Hopefully it will be agreeable

[unbongwah]

Could you include your ideas for a Human Faith-sworn hunter 15 Pal/5 Ran 32 point build.

Do you have a DEX tome to start?

[SeraphsBlade]

Do you have a DEX tome to start?

Yes I do, and have already used it. at lvl 5 as per your prior builds.
I also have access to Harper agent action point tree.

[unbongwah]

I'm not going to bother with skills or Enhancements, since they should be identical to the drow build. The only question mark is what to do with your extra human feat; this build takes khopesh prof., but you could take a Dragonmark, Force of Personality, or something else.

15/5 Paladin/Ranger
Lawful Good Human


Level Order

1. Ranger          6. Paladin        11. Paladin        16. Paladin
2. Paladin         7. Ranger         12. Ranger         17. Paladin
3. Paladin         8. Paladin        13. Paladin        18. Paladin
4. Ranger          9. Paladin        14. Paladin        19. Paladin
5. Paladin        10. Ranger         15. Paladin        20. Paladin


Stats
               32pt     Tome     Level Up
               ----     ----     --------
Strength        16                4: STR
Dexterity       16       +1       8: STR
Constitution    14               12: STR
Intelligence     8               16: STR
Wisdom           8               20: STR
Charisma        14               24: STR
                                 28: STR

Feats

 1        : Precision (or Power Attack)
 1 Human  : Point Blank Shot
 1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
 2 Deity  : Follower of: Sovereign Host
 3        : Exotic Weapon: Khopesh
 6        : Improved Two Weapon Fighting
 9        : Manyshot
 9 Deity  : Unyielding Sovereignty
12        : Greater Two Weapon Fighting
12 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Giant
15        : Improved Critical: Slashing
18        : Quicken Spell
21 Epic   : Overwhelming Critical
24 Epic   : Empower Healing Spell
26 Destiny: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
27 Epic   : Improved Critical: Ranged
28 Destiny: First Blood

[Nahiz]

Which epic destiny do you recommend for the Faithsworn Hunter?

Thanks

[unbongwah]

Which epic destiny do you recommend for the Faithsworn Hunter?

Legendary Dreadnought is the go-to ED for pretty much any melee (and most ranged) builds. Div Crusader is also good, particularly in raids where you might have trouble sustaining Blitz. FotW is still a good choice for burst DPS (Furyshot FTW!), but it doesn't get along with defensive stance and doesn't have the sustained DPS of the other two EDs. Primal Avatar is not as powerful so it's more of a fringe choice, but you do gain extra melee DPS from Symetric Strikes + Balanced Atks + Nature's Fury.

[Nahiz]

Legendary Dreadnought is the go-to ED for pretty much any melee (and most ranged) builds. Div Crusader is also good, particularly in raids where you might have trouble sustaining Blitz. FotW is still a good choice for burst DPS (Furyshot FTW!), but it doesn't get along with defensive stance and doesn't have the sustained DPS of the other two EDs. Primal Avatar is not as powerful so it's more of a fringe choice, but you do gain extra melee DPS from Symetric Strikes + Balanced Atks + Nature's Fury.

Thank you for your advice. I´ve alreadly maxed LD and Crusader and, as you said, LD is unbeatable on DPS (specially when soloing) but Crusader is great in groups. Since I won´t be doing all destinies, I was thinking about which primal destiny to cap for Perfect TWF, and I guess it will be Primal Avatar for twisting Cocoon, Balanced Attacks and Symetric Strikes (if i ever get the fate points for a T4 slot).

Thanks again.

[Lhohkar]

Hi! I love all of your build ideas and this one is no exception, it really helps because I've never played a paladin past level 3 ;-; But I've decided to play a paladin for role-play reasons, so is there anyway to do this build with Vulkoor as you deity instead of the Sovereign Host? Or would there have to be differences in stats to accommodate shortsword use? OR should i just refer to your 'Sohei of Vulkoor' build?

[unbongwah]

But I've decided to play a paladin for role-play reasons, so is there anyway to do this build with Vulkoor as you deity instead of the Sovereign Host? Or would there have to be differences in stats to accommodate shortsword use? OR should i just refer to your 'Sohei of Vulkoor' build?

The main reason I go for Sovereign Host is for Unyielding Sovereignty; it's always nice to have an extra panic button. The main problem with Vulkoor's Avatar is your summon is a static CR 10; i.e., it doesn't scale as you level, so it quickly becomes useless. But if you don't care about those special abilities - or you just care about role-playing flavor more - feel free to pick the deity you wish.

My Sohei build is designed to take advantage of being centered as well as Vulkoor bonuses to short swords from Warpriest and FvS feats; but paladins don't get those. Although a monk 6 / pal 14 version would also work: higher DPS thanks to KotC & Holy Sword, but of course much less healing w/out FvS 12.

[Lhohkar]

The main reason I go for Sovereign Host is for Unyielding Sovereignty; it's always nice to have an extra panic button. The main problem with Vulkoor's Avatar is your summon is a static CR 10; i.e., it doesn't scale as you level, so it quickly becomes useless. But if you don't care about those special abilities - or you just care about role-playing favor more - feel free to pick the deity you wish.

My Sohei build is designed to take advantage of being centered as well as Vulkoor bonuses to short swords from Warpriest and FvS feats; but paladins don't get those. Although a monk 6 / pal 14 version would also work: higher DPS thanks to KotC & Holy Sword, but of course much less healing w/out FvS 12.

Oh no I only care for role-play reasons So is nothing different if I just wanted to switch deities? Nothing stat-wise?