Help w/ pre-epic Paladin builds ?

[Narsil]

Hi all, I have a slightly strange request for a build.

I am looking for a Paladin build, but one that will very likely NEVER see high epic levels. ( I spend too much time looking for RP, I suppose. )

So, what I am interested in would be a paladin build that is the "most survivable" in the pre epic levels.

I'm not so much concerned if it's based on the "Smiter" path, or the "EDM", or the "Tank" type of pally builds--- so long as it has the best chance at staying alive while being a good-guy adventurer.

I would really prefer pure Paladin, but a little bit of Monk would still fit the Tormite character. Not interested in mixing caster classes in. Was thinking Aasimar, but could go human, if better suited.

I have spent too much time browsing NWN2DB builds, and gave up since so many are late-bloomers focused on juicy Epic feats.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you can pass along !

[Steve]

You got it right with pure Paladin.

Or just put in 6 levels of Monk. But better yet 4 of Anointed Knight. Or, 3 levels of Cleric with Water Domain.

[chad878262]

You got it right with pure Paladin.

Or just put in 6 levels of Monk. But better yet 4 of Anointed Knight. Or, 3 levels of Cleric with Water Domain.

bad Steve (do any water domain deities allow LG alignment?)

Pure Paladin is perfectly survivable and the issue with multi-classing, especially if you don't plan to reach epics, is that it slows down your ability to gain spells, which are sorely needed pre-epic. You have spells to improve armor (+5 Shield AC!!!) weapons (GMW+Keen+2d6 vs. evil+on hit dispel+2d6 vs. Undead), STR/CHA (+8 to each!!!) just for some examples. However, you develop spells slowly so 6 levels of Monk (for example) will ensure you would never even get your first level 4 spell until you reach epics... Monk and Arcane Knight are both beneficial in the long run to dip into as a paladin due to opening Tumble and some of the other perks, but considering without epics your looking at +2 AC from Tumble, but losing casting I would call it a wash and just stay pure... Plus, the upside is should you eventually reach epics, however far in the future...staying pure is good 1-30.

[Kiran]

I am now 19 on my paladin, first dipped into monk now at 18.

I would 100% reccomend pure paladin till around 18 so you get a dip, though pure pala is fine too.

Dont use a 2 hander yet, go sword/shield due to the amazing +5 shield buff later on, bring lots of health packs..

My build is a smiter so its even tougher pre epics, what kind of build you aiming for?

[Steve]

bad Steve (do any water domain deities allow LG alignment?) .

DUDE!!!

How can you be on QC and not know everything?!!?

The answer is: Eldath. Canon Lore example.

[Narsil]

My build is a smiter so its even tougher pre epics, what kind of build you aiming for?

There's the heart of my problem...........

The "type" of build is what I am struggling with. I keep going back & forth between Smiter / EDM / Tank ideas. I suppose pre-epic the differences won't be AS dramatic, but still it means re-balancing a whole lot of feats & ability/skill points.

But great thoughts so far......I think at least it makes it easier to focus on pure paladin for at least the most part of the build, maybe all of it.

[Theodore01]

Or just make a Man at Arms with a Paladin dip, forget about spellcasting and get STR and some Con.
With that you can challenge all, about what is right and noble, like a real paladin

If you like dwarfs, add dwarfen defender and it even gets better.

[chad878262]

pro tip... cross class UMD for (improved) mage armor and barkskin, then you only have to worry about +3/4 dodge boots and deflection item for pretty solid AC. Get Divine Shield for a decent bump if you are going to push later on for EDM or Great smiter. Even if you are not going EDM Divine Shield can be a huge boon. Consider, 16 Base CHA + 8 = 24, that makes for +7 AC for 7 rounds... Not a bad bump for a tank. Otherwise, since you are in to RP if you have a regular group you don't need UMD...Have your friendly neighborhood cleric hit you with a magic vestment and maybe a druid or mage will give you a natural AC boost... Nice thing about Paladins is they can be fairly serviceable as both a tank and an occasional damage dealer/boss killer, depending on how you focus your build.

Also, if you do want to be a bit 'tankier' you can also cross class with man at arms for a decent bump in AC and a neat trick or two that is based on CHA... P26/MaA4 is a fine build in the end...but again, Paladin 30 is totally workable.

DUDE!!!

How can you be on QC and not know everything?!!?

The answer is: Eldath. Canon Lore example.

I'll go resign in shame right now...promise.

From a Lore perspective, isn't Eldath passive, requiring her clergy to avoid conflict/violence even when threatened? Don't Paladins focus on smiting evil rather aggressively? Would seem a stretch in the RP department (though I suppose no worse than some other RP scenarios we've had in game...)

[Deathgrowl]

Wish people would pick deity based on the RP of the deity and not the mechanics of the domains.

But yeah, Eldath has water and while she is the goddess of pacifism, her paladins and druids rather fiercely defend groves and such. They are not averese to violence in such situations. But they are much more likely to advocate non-violent solutions to actions that aren't about defense.

[Steve]

Where there is a will, there is a way.

And Chad, it is better to not know everything—being pleasantly surprised through your entire life is the way to go, mate...especially when you can get Water Domain!!!

Anyway, for any who want to nerd-out on Eldath, here you go: http://www.nj-pbem.com/data/Gods/humangods/Eldath.htm

[mrm3ntalist]

A perfectly viable preepic paladin build is a pure paladin with the Cavalier kit. I rcred my EDM paladin for a cavalier and it is so fun to play, with many tricks. CHA should be as low as possible and the rest should go on STR. I picked CE, ICE and Tower Shield. Knockdown and Improved knockdown combined with the shield slam granted by the cavalier is a lethal combination.

The AC should be 50+ even pre epic, while the damage is better than the EDM variants preepic becasue of higher STR, shield bash ( +3 attacks with 15ish damage ) and Favored Enemies - you can get up to +5damage for enemies in your list of FEs.

It performs very well and i imagine the Shield DCs will be very efficient even pre epic. You should try it.

If such builds interests you, let me know and i can give more details

[Narsil]

Wow, lots of food for thought and great advice here. Thanks everyone !

And, I had somehow totally overlooked the new Paladin Kits....... DUH !

Looks like I have some more reading-up to do.

[Theodore01]

....., shield bash ( +3 attacks with 15ish damage )....

Wait , does shield bash trigger now more than once a round ?
Was that changed, the feat description was always wrong about these additional attacks.

[mrm3ntalist]

....., shield bash ( +3 attacks with 15ish damage )....

Wait , does shield bash trigger now more than once a round ?
Was that changed, the feat description was always wrong about these additional attacks.

It does for me. Once on each flurry