Need 28-Point F2P Pally for My Daughter

[Dulcimerist]

My teenage daughter is new to DDO, and is looking for an easy-to-play and self-sufficient melee character. Paladin seems to be the ticket here. She's still getting the feel for the game, and isn't certain if she likes DDO yet, so she's completely F2P at the moment - no premium races or classes yet.

Unless people have some alternate ideas, I believe we're looking at a human paladin, "sword & board" style, probably using the new Knight's Training feat.

In addition to a build, could someone please help figure out how to get the character to look like Gal Gadot from the new Wonder Woman movies?

Thanks for helping out my kid!

[Coffey]

EllisDee37's Vanguard Paladin for new players is a very good guide.

Best of luck to you

[unbongwah]

If you plan to use Knight's Training on a Vanguard, skip the THF feats (since they don't apply to KT weapons). Which is to say, it looks like a khopesh build but with KT instead of khop prof.

[Coffey]

If you plan to use Knight's Training on a Vanguard, skip the THF feats (since they don't apply to KT weapons). Which is to say, it looks like a khopesh build but with KT instead of khop prof.

Something like this using a Longsword with Knights Training could work:

1 Shield Mastery
1 Power Attack
1 Deity: Follower of: Sovereign Host
3 Stunning Blow
6 Knights Training (+4 BAB Req)
6 Deity Unyielding Sovereignty
9 Improved Critical: Slashing
12 Improved Shield Mastery
15 Child of the Sovereign Host (You have +2 to attack and damage rolls with longswords)
18 Beloved of the Sovereign Host (You have +2 to attack and damage rolls with longswords)

There are discussions about weapon choice in the guide if youre looking for maximum damage for the build it is worth the time reading it through.

Also the feat selection may be better for a Heroic build with something like this since Glancing Blow damage is so extensive on a brawling class like this:

1 Two Handed Fighting
1 Human: Exotic Weapon: Bastard Sword (Dwarf skips this, uses Dwarven Axe instead)
1 Deity: Follower of: Sovereign Host
3 Stunning Blow
6 Improved Two Handed Fighting
6 Deity Unyielding Sovereignty
9 Improved Critical: Slashing
12 Greater Two Handed Fighting
15 Shield Mastery
18 Improved Shield Mastery

You can still use a BSword and Shield all the way through heroics. Pushes back Shield Mastery feats (8% Doublestrike 15 PRR +6 Melee Power) to later levels in exchange for 50% Glancing Blow Damage by level 12.

[cru121]

Some gear tips. For a free player, help her get Nightforge Avenger Blade at level 9.
If she ends up using Tower Shields, consider The Mother Board from anniversary event, still 3 days to go. Maybe the Heavy Armor as well.

[unbongwah]

On the one hand, the Anniversary Party gear is pretty nice for a newbie just getting started. The boots, armor, and tower shield are worthwhile.

OTOH, if you're a newbie and your first exposure to DDO is "farm this quest full of boss fights for three days," it might sour you on the game entirely.