Question on pallies and shield/sword builds

[Qbic]

Hi guys,

I posted a similar question on the official forums but I would like to get your input as well. I am a big fan of pallies (played one in every mmorpg I played) and would like to try one in NWN2 as well; I read however that pallies aren't really the best choice and certainly not as a tanking/melee class. What are your thoughts comments on that? I would prefer to go for a sword/shield build.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,

Martin

[Epirote]

My take is that Paladins can tank perfectly well. They get high BAB, can wear Heavy armor and carry medium shield and they have smite evil. You'll be fine with a Paladin.

[kgambit]

I've played a paladin in the OC and in MotB and, with all due respect to the posters on the official forums, I think they are off base. While a straight class paladin can't compare to a straight class fighter in number of feats, the paladin does have some awesome abilities and can make a very formidable melee fighter. Plus the divine champion PrC is made to order for this class.

Here's some of the advantages:

1) Awesome saving throws
2) Ability to self buff
3) Divine Might, Divine Favor and Divine Shield all cha based
4) Smite ability (smite Infidel from DC stacks)
5) Immunity to disease and fear
6) Divine wrath and Sacred defense from DC
7) Turning ability; Sacred Vengeance
8) Natural party spokesman
9) Can self heal

Disadvantages:

1) Fewer feats than a straight class fighter
2) Fewer hitpoints than a fighter
3) Alignment can be restrictive


Neutral:

1) limited skill abilities but actually better than a straight fighter
2) Can't use tower shields without burning a feat

While the paladin probably isn't the BEST class for a PvP melee build, it certainly can hold it's own and then some in either the OC or MotB. A paladin focuses on two primary stats (STR / CHA) while the Fighter focuses on (STR/CON) - hence the disadvantage in HPs but the CHA based mods add significantly to saving throws, AB, AC and damage and MORE than make up for the inability to take weapon specialization feats.

I'm a huge fan of Paladins - plain fighters are boring imo. :D

[akatosh]

Paladins are more defensive warriors. With (epic) divine might they can deal a lot of damage but a greatsword-swinging frenzied berserker will deal more damage. The advantage that paladins have is that they are less vulnerable to enemy attacks (both physically and magical due to their higher saves) so they are better at protecting other characters.
for MotB, I recommend 20 paladin and 10 divine champion levels. Go with Aasimar and take epic divine might or great smiting.

[Qbic]

Paladins are more defensive warriors. With (epic) divine might they can deal a lot of damage but a greatsword-swinging frenzied berserker will deal more damage. The advantage that paladins have is that they are less vulnerable to enemy attacks (both physically and magical due to their higher saves) so they are better at protecting other characters.
for MotB, I recommend 20 paladin and 10 divine champion levels. Go with Aasimar and take epic divine might or great smiting.
Thanks for the tips; what would you recommend for the oc?

[Epirote]

See my answer in the Character Optimizing forum. ;) Let your imagination run wild and don't be afraid to make mistakes in your build. I find, that it is from making mistakes, that I learn the most. Also, I recommend that you get Vordan's Hero Creator from the Download section and play around with it, until you think you found the build that suits you best. ;)

[Qbic]

Thanks again :-)

[akatosh]

For the OC, I would go for one these builds: (Just my opinion)
20 paladin
or 15 paladin (for level 4 spells) and 5 divine champion
or 9 paladin, 1 sorcerer and 10 red dragon disciple

I believe Aasimar is the best choice. If you really don't want that ECL+1 you should take human or gold dwarf. But if you take gold dwarf don't go for the last build or you'll have an XP penalty.
Since a paladin gains level 4 spells at class level 15, you only need 14 wisdom if you take at least 15 paladin levels.
The Pal(9),sor(1),RDD(10) build can only cast level 1 spells so in this case you don't need more than 11 wisdom.

[kgambit]

or 9 paladin, 1 sorcerer and 10 red dragon disciple

ARRRGH. RDD is a totally munchkin PRC. I wish they had done away with that PRC completely.



I believe Aasimar is the best choice. If you really don't want that ECL+1 you should take human or gold dwarf. But if you take gold dwarf don't go for the last build or you'll have an XP penalty.
Since a paladin gains level 4 spells at class level 15, you only need 14 wisdom if you take at least 15 paladin levels.


Aasimar is definitely the best choice for a pally build and the +1 ECL isn't that big of deal. +2 WIS and +2 CHA makes it the ideal race.