Paladin Archer of the Silver Flame? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Paladin Archer of the Silver Flame? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
sozin
06-20-06, 11:38 PM Hey all!

I'm starting up a new character in a tabletop Eberron campaign. After some thought I decided to go with a paladin/knight templar of the silver flame.

See this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=444523) on the wizard site, where Keith Baker says:

Quote:
Favored Weapon
Longbow. Many believe that this dates back to the battle against the rakshasas, who are most vulnerable to piercing weapons. Furthermore, a quiver of arrows can include shafts with a wide range of enchantments or arrowhead materials, allowing a templar to operate at peak efficiency against all manner of beasts and fiends. Priests also encourage archery as a form of meditation, and in many communities the faithful can come to train at the local church of the Flame. This can result in an unusually high number of 1st-level warriors or commoners with Martial Weapon Proficiency (longbow) in areas devoted to the Flame.

This got me thinking about a untraditional paladin build: the dex-based paladin archer. My first reaction was that this idea was ruined by the fact that smite evil isn't a ranged attack, but it turns out that the Book of Exalted Deeds (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/880260000) has a Ranged Smite feat.

My second thought was that a paladin archer contradicts the traditional idea of a paladin -- a big, slow clunking fellow in the front of the fight waving his greatsword around. For example in the Paladins With Class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20050224a) article on this site, Skip Williams says

Your natural place in a party is in the front rank, where you can both take the fight to the enemy and place yourself between the opposition and the more vulnerable members of your party.

and

Primary Melee Weapon: Choose a martial or exotic weapon with a good damage rating and a decent capacity for making critical hits. A bastard sword or dwarven waraxe is a great choice because you can wield it in one hand if you take the right feat. Doing so lets you deal significant damage while still gaining the Armor Class benefits of a shield. For sheer damage-dealing ability, though, nothing beats a two-handed weapon, such as a greatsword or greataxe.

All of which contradicts the idea of having a paladin archer build.

Anyways, I figured there are two ways for me to do it:

1) Ditch the traditional notion of a paladin, and run with the idea of a Silver Flame worshipping purist that specializes in the bow, avoids heavy armor, and hangs towards the middle or rear of the party. Maybe take the paladin towards the Exorcist of the Silver flame prestige class, where he adds flying stakes and holy water grenades to his ranged attack arsenal...

2) Take a few minor bow feats so that his grounding in Thranian culture is still evident, but tend to favor the longsword/heavy armor approach.

The first approach has the benefit that it bucks the traditional paladin build. But are there any issues that anyone sees with it? (Other then annoying all the party members who expect the paladin to stand up front and take a beating for them.)

Thanks in advance!

--sozin
Cifer
06-23-06, 10:19 PM Depending on your attributes, you might want to use Zen Archery, a feat that lets you use wisdom for ranged attacks and is pretty fine with the rest of the concept. I'd go archery all the way - the concept of a paladin as Mr. Platemail is a time-honoured one, but a young and zealous adept detesting the heavy armor usually worn by its order which slows one down and developing an extraordinary proficiency with the bow sounds fun.

Alternatively, you could use the ranger class and change its fluff into a ranged paladin - the favored enemies are the enemies of the church, tracking was taught to you in order to be able to find hiding cultists, etc.
I at least like changing class fluff to fit what I want to play.

If you talk about character creation in your group, ask the other players whether they would have problems with a paladin that is outside the usual class and if someone else would play the tank.
Selnai
06-24-06, 12:57 AM I love your idea.

You have acaully inspired me to make a similar char. (althought not in Eberon I play in a custom camp setting)

I personaly love the idea of an otu of the box char, I like playing classes non tradtionaly. Zen archery is a great idea for you to take. That way you can still where FP, carry a big sword and be a good archer. Stack strength and carry a mighty bow.
Fithero
06-24-06, 11:19 AM If you wanted, you could be an elf and take the 1st level substitution for paladin, it takes away your smite ability. In return you can make a ranged smite attack (though only with comp/longbow and comp/short bow). It might not be what you looking for, but it should help.

I like the idea of a non-standard paladin... i once played a tribal paladin, wore hide armor, used a spear and a club.. covered in tats and had a big bone through his nose... :P fun to play

I recon go the silver flame archer paladin.... ye olde' slow paladin in heavy armor wielding a great sword... has be done to death.

Later
Ront Iron-Roar
06-24-06, 04:44 PM Actually, I've been wanting to do that build myself except it involved a Gnome Paladin of Gond, who specialized in Rifles. Except, I ran into the melee only smite thing. Since I didn't have Exalted Deeds I never explored it farther.
King Donkey
11-06-06, 05:48 PM I'm working on a build for just that type of char. I was thinking going Paladin/Ranger and using the Devoted Tracker feat from CW which lets Paladin and Ranger levels stack for determining Smite and Animal Empathy, PLUS your animal companion and mount abilities stack as well. Take mounted archery and you're good to go.

Does Silver Flame Exorcist work with ranged weapons?
Sang-Drax
11-08-06, 07:42 PM I'm working on a build for just that type of char. I was thinking going Paladin/Ranger and using the Devoted Tracker feat from CW which lets Paladin and Ranger levels stack for determining Smite and Animal Empathy, PLUS your animal companion and mount abilities stack as well. Take mounted archery and you're good to go.

Just what I was about to suggest. I really like the idea of doing non-standard builds like that, but, as an archer, you'll need some bonus feats. I'd also take a look at the Champion of Weald and Woe from Champions of Ruin... it's an archer with some great archery spells, bonus feats and sneak attack.

edit: sorry, I thought I was on the CO Boards... maybe I'm a little offtopic here ;)
TheAnthroDM
11-08-06, 10:05 PM Go for Zen Archery, and Mounted Archery I say, and weight out your battles in medium armor like breastplate and chainmail, save your money for your bow.
If you go Zen Archery you can stick the tradition stat root of paladin, just make sure dex is 10.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
sozin 06-20-06, 11:38 PM	Hey all! I'm starting up a new character in a tabletop Eberron campaign. After some thought I decided to go with a paladin/knight templar of the silver flame. See this thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=444523) on the wizard site, where Keith Baker says: Quote: Favored Weapon Longbow. Many believe that this dates back to the battle against the rakshasas, who are most vulnerable to piercing weapons. Furthermore, a quiver of arrows can include shafts with a wide range of enchantments or arrowhead materials, allowing a templar to operate at peak efficiency against all manner of beasts and fiends. Priests also encourage archery as a form of meditation, and in many communities the faithful can come to train at the local church of the Flame. This can result in an unusually high number of 1st-level warriors or commoners with Martial Weapon Proficiency (longbow) in areas devoted to the Flame. This got me thinking about a untraditional paladin build: the dex-based paladin archer. My first reaction was that this idea was ruined by the fact that smite evil isn't a ranged attack, but it turns out that the Book of Exalted Deeds (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/880260000) has a Ranged Smite feat. My second thought was that a paladin archer contradicts the traditional idea of a paladin -- a big, slow clunking fellow in the front of the fight waving his greatsword around. For example in the Paladins With Class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20050224a) article on this site, Skip Williams says Your natural place in a party is in the front rank, where you can both take the fight to the enemy and place yourself between the opposition and the more vulnerable members of your party. and Primary Melee Weapon: Choose a martial or exotic weapon with a good damage rating and a decent capacity for making critical hits. A bastard sword or dwarven waraxe is a great choice because you can wield it in one hand if you take the right feat. Doing so lets you deal significant damage while still gaining the Armor Class benefits of a shield. For sheer damage-dealing ability, though, nothing beats a two-handed weapon, such as a greatsword or greataxe. All of which contradicts the idea of having a paladin archer build. Anyways, I figured there are two ways for me to do it: 1) Ditch the traditional notion of a paladin, and run with the idea of a Silver Flame worshipping purist that specializes in the bow, avoids heavy armor, and hangs towards the middle or rear of the party. Maybe take the paladin towards the Exorcist of the Silver flame prestige class, where he adds flying stakes and holy water grenades to his ranged attack arsenal... 2) Take a few minor bow feats so that his grounding in Thranian culture is still evident, but tend to favor the longsword/heavy armor approach. The first approach has the benefit that it bucks the traditional paladin build. But are there any issues that anyone sees with it? (Other then annoying all the party members who expect the paladin to stand up front and take a beating for them.) Thanks in advance! --sozin
Cifer 06-23-06, 10:19 PM	Depending on your attributes, you might want to use Zen Archery, a feat that lets you use wisdom for ranged attacks and is pretty fine with the rest of the concept. I'd go archery all the way - the concept of a paladin as Mr. Platemail is a time-honoured one, but a young and zealous adept detesting the heavy armor usually worn by its order which slows one down and developing an extraordinary proficiency with the bow sounds fun. Alternatively, you could use the ranger class and change its fluff into a ranged paladin - the favored enemies are the enemies of the church, tracking was taught to you in order to be able to find hiding cultists, etc. I at least like changing class fluff to fit what I want to play. If you talk about character creation in your group, ask the other players whether they would have problems with a paladin that is outside the usual class and if someone else would play the tank.
Selnai 06-24-06, 12:57 AM	I love your idea. You have acaully inspired me to make a similar char. (althought not in Eberon I play in a custom camp setting) I personaly love the idea of an otu of the box char, I like playing classes non tradtionaly. Zen archery is a great idea for you to take. That way you can still where FP, carry a big sword and be a good archer. Stack strength and carry a mighty bow.
Fithero 06-24-06, 11:19 AM	If you wanted, you could be an elf and take the 1st level substitution for paladin, it takes away your smite ability. In return you can make a ranged smite attack (though only with comp/longbow and comp/short bow). It might not be what you looking for, but it should help. I like the idea of a non-standard paladin... i once played a tribal paladin, wore hide armor, used a spear and a club.. covered in tats and had a big bone through his nose... :P fun to play I recon go the silver flame archer paladin.... ye olde' slow paladin in heavy armor wielding a great sword... has be done to death. Later
Ront Iron-Roar 06-24-06, 04:44 PM	Actually, I've been wanting to do that build myself except it involved a Gnome Paladin of Gond, who specialized in Rifles. Except, I ran into the melee only smite thing. Since I didn't have Exalted Deeds I never explored it farther.
King Donkey 11-06-06, 05:48 PM	I'm working on a build for just that type of char. I was thinking going Paladin/Ranger and using the Devoted Tracker feat from CW which lets Paladin and Ranger levels stack for determining Smite and Animal Empathy, PLUS your animal companion and mount abilities stack as well. Take mounted archery and you're good to go. Does Silver Flame Exorcist work with ranged weapons?
Sang-Drax 11-08-06, 07:42 PM	I'm working on a build for just that type of char. I was thinking going Paladin/Ranger and using the Devoted Tracker feat from CW which lets Paladin and Ranger levels stack for determining Smite and Animal Empathy, PLUS your animal companion and mount abilities stack as well. Take mounted archery and you're good to go. Just what I was about to suggest. I really like the idea of doing non-standard builds like that, but, as an archer, you'll need some bonus feats. I'd also take a look at the Champion of Weald and Woe from Champions of Ruin... it's an archer with some great archery spells, bonus feats and sneak attack. edit: sorry, I thought I was on the CO Boards... maybe I'm a little offtopic here ;)
TheAnthroDM 11-08-06, 10:05 PM	Go for Zen Archery, and Mounted Archery I say, and weight out your battles in medium armor like breastplate and chainmail, save your money for your bow. If you go Zen Archery you can stick the tradition stat root of paladin, just make sure dex is 10.