[3.5] Seeking Help on the Crafting of a Paladin - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

[3.5] Seeking Help on the Crafting of a Paladin

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
danakir_odeiron
Oct 06, 2008 18:45:37 Culturally appropriate greetings to you all, good folks.

Tongue-in-cheeks humor aside, as the subject of my thread may suggest, I have come into your folds in the hope, be it vain or not, of using the collective wisdom held in this place to enhance a build I have in mind for the campain I am about to start.

They are no hardcover books that my DM has forbidden to my knowledge, they need only be of the 3.5 ed.

Now, I've spent some time scurrying around in the last few days, looked at a few threads, explored some FAQs, even vanquished the dastardly devil of Google to find a most practical Paladin's Hanbook, which I used meticulously in the construction of my holy warrior. Unfortunately, this guide, as useful as it might have been, does date back to a little more than a year, which does imply that it might be somewhat outdated.

Regardless, we shall soon see whether I have learned well or not, and so I humbly ask for this board to bring their attention upon my little creation.

Paladin 5 Human
Srt: 18 (Started at 17 but gets the +1 stat bonus from level 4)
Dex: 14
Con: 16
Int: 11
Sag: 14
Cha: 18

From there I took the level 5 substitution level from the Player's Handbook II to replace Special Mount with Charging Smite.

Further, I took the feats Awesome Smite, Sacred Healing and Power Attack.

Ah yes, almost forgot, the campain is based on a religious war between Heroneous and Hextor, therefore my character will have to be a Paladin of Heroneous, I'm afraid.

As for equipment, I've given her the following:

Keen Holy Falcion
Composite Longbow
Full Plate
Armbands of Might
Ring of Feather Falling
Reliquary Holy Symbol

That is all I've come up with for now. I'd appreciate greatly and be most thankful if any of the fine folks that dwell within this board would give me their thoughts and, well, advice as to how to optimize this character further.

Any and all questions are more than welcomed.

My utmost gratitude for taking the time to read this and, hopefully, heed my request for councel.
#2
innabinder
Oct 07, 2008 7:45:53 Is the character already in play, or can it be changed wholecloth?

If all books are allowed, Prestige Paladin is vastly superior to a straight paladin. Crusader 2/Cleric 3 is, IIRC, a fine lead-in. Take the Cleric levels first to access higher level Maneuvers. Doing this will allow you to forego Sacred Healing to qualify for Prestige Paladin, as well.

I'm unable to locate Awesome Smite in CrystalKeep or my books; did you mean Awesome Blow, or could you specify the source?
#3
ninjarabbit
Oct 07, 2008 7:58:14 I'd wait until later to take awesome smite, you can use it only twice a day right now and you don't qualify for it since it requires a BAB of 6. I'm also not too keen on sacred healing.

For feats I'd go with extra smite (setting you up for awesome smite later and to better take advantage of charging smite) and dreadful wrath if you're allowed anything from PGtF.
#4
danakir_odeiron
Oct 07, 2008 15:10:05 Awesome Smite is a feat in the Complete Champion, InnaBinder.

As for the character, it's now in play, but I wanted to play a pure Paladin regardless, so although your suggestion is sound, I'm afraid I didn't go for that.

As for your advice Ninjarabbit, I've taken it to heart and given up on both Awesome Smite and Sacred Healing in favor of Extra Smiting and Dreadful Wrath. The later was peculiarly useful. ^^

I thank you both wholeheartedly for your help. Is there anything else I could do, at later levels, to enhance my performance as a Paladin?
#5
ninjarabbit
Oct 07, 2008 15:28:30 Your next three feats should be divine might, battle blessing, and awesome smite.

See if your DM will allow the Sword of the Arcane Order feat from Champions of Valor. I'd put that in there too if it's allowed.
#6
danakir_odeiron
Oct 07, 2008 16:26:07 I've looked over Sword of the Arcane Order, and I'm pretty sure he'd allow it, though I'm not sure I see how it'd be very useful.

Care to enlighten me?

(Coincidentally, I was going to take Divine Might next level anyway, eheh.)
#7
ninjarabbit
Oct 07, 2008 16:59:16 It lets you cast wizard spells like enlarge person, wraithstrike, haste, polymorph, etc
#8
danakir_odeiron
Oct 07, 2008 17:05:21 Considering how few spells a paladin has access to, however, is it really worth it?

I just don't see the practical use, aside from utility spells, and even then. Am I missing something?
#9
innabinder
Oct 07, 2008 17:33:17
Considering how few spells a paladin has access to, however, is it really worth it?

I just don't see the practical use, aside from utility spells, and even then. Am I missing something?

The four spells ninjarabbit listed are among the most powerful in the game, especially for melee types. Use them and pwn, young padewan.
#10
danakir_odeiron
Oct 07, 2008 18:57:34 Hehe, I'm sure that's true but.... polymorph? How? ^^;
#11
ninjarabbit
Oct 07, 2008 19:54:08
but.... polymorph? How? ^^;

More like how not.

For example you polymorph into a 12 headed hydra and make 12 attacks a round even after a move action .... with power attack and divine might adding to the damage.

Combine Sword of the Arcane Order with battle blessing and you're as beastly as the melee types get since you can castall those spells as swift spells. Swift polymorph for example which would normally take a 8th level spell slot for a wizard.

SOtAO also allws you to qualify for feats and PrCs you might not normally qualify for, like the minor shapeshift feat which among other things gives you a temporary hit point battery.
#12
danakir_odeiron
Oct 07, 2008 20:03:53 That's indeed incredibly impressive, and very much overpowered but...

Wouldn't it pretty much completely break the game if I did this stuff? ^^;

Though I can easily see now how this could make for a completely, ridiculously, fearsome combo.
#13
innabinder
Oct 07, 2008 20:36:36
That's indeed incredibly impressive, and very much overpowered but...

Wouldn't it pretty much completely break the game if I did this stuff? ^^;

Though I can easily see now how this could make for a completely, ridiculously, fearsome combo.

It only breaks the game if you don't have any Wizards, Druids, Clerics, Psions, or really well made Spirit Shaman in the party. Otherwise, it lets you keep up in your primary role as Meat Shield for the primary caster(s).
#14
fallen-angle
Oct 07, 2008 20:39:52 I am afraid this is what you get from the Character Op boards. Optimized characters.

They are merely proposing ways to strengthen your build. You don't have to use them, as they are indeed likely to break the game.

Work with you DM explain what you are using, maybe you and he can strike a deal on how you play that will keep it fun for everyone.

Otherwise just pick and choose from the advice.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 danakir_odeiron Oct 06, 2008 18:45:37	Culturally appropriate greetings to you all, good folks. Tongue-in-cheeks humor aside, as the subject of my thread may suggest, I have come into your folds in the hope, be it vain or not, of using the collective wisdom held in this place to enhance a build I have in mind for the campain I am about to start. They are no hardcover books that my DM has forbidden to my knowledge, they need only be of the 3.5 ed. Now, I've spent some time scurrying around in the last few days, looked at a few threads, explored some FAQs, even vanquished the dastardly devil of Google to find a most practical Paladin's Hanbook, which I used meticulously in the construction of my holy warrior. Unfortunately, this guide, as useful as it might have been, does date back to a little more than a year, which does imply that it might be somewhat outdated. Regardless, we shall soon see whether I have learned well or not, and so I humbly ask for this board to bring their attention upon my little creation. Paladin 5 Human Srt: 18 (Started at 17 but gets the +1 stat bonus from level 4) Dex: 14 Con: 16 Int: 11 Sag: 14 Cha: 18 From there I took the level 5 substitution level from the Player's Handbook II to replace Special Mount with Charging Smite. Further, I took the feats Awesome Smite, Sacred Healing and Power Attack. Ah yes, almost forgot, the campain is based on a religious war between Heroneous and Hextor, therefore my character will have to be a Paladin of Heroneous, I'm afraid. As for equipment, I've given her the following: Keen Holy Falcion Composite Longbow Full Plate Armbands of Might Ring of Feather Falling Reliquary Holy Symbol That is all I've come up with for now. I'd appreciate greatly and be most thankful if any of the fine folks that dwell within this board would give me their thoughts and, well, advice as to how to optimize this character further. Any and all questions are more than welcomed. My utmost gratitude for taking the time to read this and, hopefully, heed my request for councel.
#2 innabinder Oct 07, 2008 7:45:53	Is the character already in play, or can it be changed wholecloth? If all books are allowed, Prestige Paladin is vastly superior to a straight paladin. Crusader 2/Cleric 3 is, IIRC, a fine lead-in. Take the Cleric levels first to access higher level Maneuvers. Doing this will allow you to forego Sacred Healing to qualify for Prestige Paladin, as well. I'm unable to locate Awesome Smite in CrystalKeep or my books; did you mean Awesome Blow, or could you specify the source?
#3 ninjarabbit Oct 07, 2008 7:58:14	I'd wait until later to take awesome smite, you can use it only twice a day right now and you don't qualify for it since it requires a BAB of 6. I'm also not too keen on sacred healing. For feats I'd go with extra smite (setting you up for awesome smite later and to better take advantage of charging smite) and dreadful wrath if you're allowed anything from PGtF.
#4 danakir_odeiron Oct 07, 2008 15:10:05	Awesome Smite is a feat in the Complete Champion, InnaBinder. As for the character, it's now in play, but I wanted to play a pure Paladin regardless, so although your suggestion is sound, I'm afraid I didn't go for that. As for your advice Ninjarabbit, I've taken it to heart and given up on both Awesome Smite and Sacred Healing in favor of Extra Smiting and Dreadful Wrath. The later was peculiarly useful. ^^ I thank you both wholeheartedly for your help. Is there anything else I could do, at later levels, to enhance my performance as a Paladin?
#5 ninjarabbit Oct 07, 2008 15:28:30	Your next three feats should be divine might, battle blessing, and awesome smite. See if your DM will allow the Sword of the Arcane Order feat from Champions of Valor. I'd put that in there too if it's allowed.
#6 danakir_odeiron Oct 07, 2008 16:26:07	I've looked over Sword of the Arcane Order, and I'm pretty sure he'd allow it, though I'm not sure I see how it'd be very useful. Care to enlighten me? (Coincidentally, I was going to take Divine Might next level anyway, eheh.)
#7 ninjarabbit Oct 07, 2008 16:59:16	It lets you cast wizard spells like enlarge person, wraithstrike, haste, polymorph, etc
#8 danakir_odeiron Oct 07, 2008 17:05:21	Considering how few spells a paladin has access to, however, is it really worth it? I just don't see the practical use, aside from utility spells, and even then. Am I missing something?
#9 innabinder Oct 07, 2008 17:33:17	Considering how few spells a paladin has access to, however, is it really worth it? I just don't see the practical use, aside from utility spells, and even then. Am I missing something? The four spells ninjarabbit listed are among the most powerful in the game, especially for melee types. Use them and pwn, young padewan.
#10 danakir_odeiron Oct 07, 2008 18:57:34	Hehe, I'm sure that's true but.... polymorph? How? ^^;
#11 ninjarabbit Oct 07, 2008 19:54:08	but.... polymorph? How? ^^; More like how not. For example you polymorph into a 12 headed hydra and make 12 attacks a round even after a move action .... with power attack and divine might adding to the damage. Combine Sword of the Arcane Order with battle blessing and you're as beastly as the melee types get since you can castall those spells as swift spells. Swift polymorph for example which would normally take a 8th level spell slot for a wizard. SOtAO also allws you to qualify for feats and PrCs you might not normally qualify for, like the minor shapeshift feat which among other things gives you a temporary hit point battery.
#12 danakir_odeiron Oct 07, 2008 20:03:53	That's indeed incredibly impressive, and very much overpowered but... Wouldn't it pretty much completely break the game if I did this stuff? ^^; Though I can easily see now how this could make for a completely, ridiculously, fearsome combo.
#13 innabinder Oct 07, 2008 20:36:36	That's indeed incredibly impressive, and very much overpowered but... Wouldn't it pretty much completely break the game if I did this stuff? ^^; Though I can easily see now how this could make for a completely, ridiculously, fearsome combo. It only breaks the game if you don't have any Wizards, Druids, Clerics, Psions, or really well made Spirit Shaman in the party. Otherwise, it lets you keep up in your primary role as Meat Shield for the primary caster(s).
#14 fallen-angle Oct 07, 2008 20:39:52	I am afraid this is what you get from the Character Op boards. Optimized characters. They are merely proposing ways to strengthen your build. You don't have to use them, as they are indeed likely to break the game. Work with you DM explain what you are using, maybe you and he can strike a deal on how you play that will keep it fun for everyone. Otherwise just pick and choose from the advice.