Holy warrior for returning player

[Pajutek]

Hello peeps, I used to play here some time ago and recently decide to come back. Could you recommend me any paladin build that wont focus on buffing for 5 minutes before any fight like clerics do?
Possibly something with solar channeler if its any good, basically i would like to have holy warrior of the church devoted to his/hers God.

[Steve]

Me thinks your answer can be found in the Crusader (Paladin kit). No buffs required (okay, just one of Holy Sword).

Check it out on the Wiki.

[K'yon Oblodra]

Welcome back Pajutek,

I still remember playing with you in the UD. Happy to see you coming back *thumbs*

[Pajutek]

Welcome back Pajutek,

I still remember playing with you in the UD. Happy to see you coming back *thumbs*

Haha, I still have that character, I forgot everything gameplay wise but you might see me around from Time to Time

[K'yon Oblodra]

Would sure love that.

Looking forward to seeing you

[chad878262]

Crusader is certainly an option, but any Paladin can be made without the idea of 'buff for several minutes'... In fact, it would open up some interesting options as Paladins have the reserve spells (smites) which could be utilized in your spell slots as well as a few decent short duration spells that you could cast right before a boss fight or whatever.

Often times spells on many of the lists get overlooked for the standard path of WARD TO GODHOOD AND THEN RUN AROUND AND KILL STUFF FOR 22 MINUTES MUAHAHAHA! That is absolutely easy mode, but it is by no means the only way to play a PC with spells. The Paladin spell list is pretty interesting if you take the time to go through it, if you want to make a paladin who doesn't use the spells to give yourself ~22 minutes of godhood you have many other options that are by no means bad.

[Pajutek]

Crusader is certainly an option, but any Paladin can be made without the idea of 'buff for several minutes'... In fact, it would open up some interesting options as Paladins have the reserve spells (smites) which could be utilized in your spell slots as well as a few decent short duration spells that you could cast right before a boss fight or whatever.

Often times spells on many of the lists get overlooked for the standard path of WARD TO GODHOOD AND THEN RUN AROUND AND KILL STUFF FOR 22 MINUTES MUAHAHAHA! That is absolutely easy mode, but it is by no means the only way to play a PC with spells. The Paladin spell list is pretty interesting if you take the time to go through it, if you want to make a paladin who doesn't use the spells to give yourself ~22 minutes of godhood you have many other options that are by no means bad.

I see, short term buffs right before important fights would be more my thing, do you know if that Solar Channeler or Antointed Knight are good to mix with paladin or crusader thing? Also I really like the idea of wielding a warmace, would that be an okay choice or there aren't any good warmaces around?

[chad878262]

Well, warmace hs been improved on BG and there are epic shops which I am pretty sure include an epic warmace for sale...Plus holy sword makes any weapon uber.

Crusader is a great option for warmace by the way since the kit is specifically designed around great weapon fighting with no shield.

However, going the standard Paladin route has it's benefits too. Even if you don't always use them, being able to make any shield +5, get +8 STR and CHA, etc. are all still quite nice to have!

Anointed Knight is a pretty solid option to include in a Paladin build. However, only in moderation.
1. Crusader does best as a pure Crusader 30 (or Crusader 29/Paladin 1 I guess).
2. AK does not progress spell casting so any other Paladin should be P26/AK4 and don't forget to take practiced spellcaster.
3. If going AK, you should try to get level 4 by 18 if you want to take Steadfast Determination since you get free toughness at 4. However, if you aren't going for steadfast my opinion is you take AK at levels 6, 13, 20, and 27. Doing this will maximize your ability to save up points for Spellcraft and Tumble, which AK has as class skills and you really don't want to waste a feat on Able Learner.

Lastly I am pretty sure Solar Channeler was only ever implemented as a Cleric kit, so I do not think you can be one. Pretty sure Paladin options are:
Vanilla
Cavalier - Sword and Board focused. Loses Turn Undead (and thus no EDM) and can't use lay on hands, but in return is a BEAST at shield bashing/slamming enemies.
Crusader - Loses spellcasting, but gets some pretty decent Great weapon fighting perks and can have holy sword up pretty much all the time.
Divinate - Loses Smite Evil, but all spells are auto-extended (woot 60 minutes of +8 STR/CHA and 6 minute holy swords). Also gets a bonus spell per spell level per day. This one is the house favorite for most because buff and bash is easy mode. Personally I still think Vanilla is overall best, but to each their own.

[Pajutek]

Thank you for help, I think I Will go with vanilla paladin.

[sir_blacksoutalot]

Crusader is certainly an option, but any Paladin can be made without the idea of 'buff for several minutes'... In fact, it would open up some interesting options as Paladins have the reserve spells (smites) which could be utilized in your spell slots as well as a few decent short duration spells that you could cast right before a boss fight or whatever.

Can someone elaborate on these paladin "reserve" spells? Is this the Blessed Strike or Burning Strike spells that last one round?

Also, can someone please explain how these work, mechanically speaking? I've tried using these spells in JEGS but they don't seem to produce any effect.

[RedLancer]

Can someone elaborate on these paladin "reserve" spells? Is this the Blessed Strike or Burning Strike spells that last one round?

Yes.

You pull the feats to your quickbar, and so long as you have the correlating spell memorized, you can use the feats in combat to get the described effect.

Target an enemy, use the feat, and your character will "cast" the spell, getting the effect on a few of their attacks, but almost never the full round of attacks. The Paladin Strike spell/feats all work, but the timing in combat can sometimes sabotage them. It'd be better if their durations were set to 9 seconds or 2 rounds to ensure successful use.

Also, the Will saves on these are so low that the 4th-level Strike, Divine Retribution, will never work.

[sir_blacksoutalot]

Thanks, Red Lancer! I really appreciate the quick response.

As a follow-up question for these "reserve feat"/spells, does the paladin need to have Smite uses left to get these spells (i.e., Blessed Strike, Burning Strike, etc.) to function properly?

[RedLancer]

Not to my knowledge. Functionality should only be tied to having the corresponding spell memorized. If you've heard or experienced otherwise, I'll test it tonight.

[Steve]

As a follow-up question for these "reserve feat"/spells, does the paladin need to have Smite uses left to get these spells (i.e., Blessed Strike, Burning Strike, etc.) to function properly?

No, they don't. But as was mentioned, they are not worth use—except in extreme instances like when you need flame for a Troll—because they last only 1 round, and that includes the casting time, so you never get your full APR applied with these special Strikes. And, the casting can be interrupted—requiring high Concentration—and AoO. All that for 2d6 dmg for MAYBE 2-3 attacks.

And there is a cooldown as well!