WARNING: I am using Pathfinder as the basis of this build, but I am making use of 3.5 (3rd Party) rules and game options as well as features like Templates, Flaws, and Feats.
I wanted to build a shadow based paladin. Now I don't mean anti-paladin.
I wanted a character who uses the shadows and darkness to strike fear into the hearts of evil beings, to use the night they shroud themselves in to terrorize them.
So I am taking the Shade template
I am currently running this as strictly a one sided idea. But we tend to play Gestalt games, so I will have access to a whole different level run. I am thinking of taking something then adding Shadowdancer onto it.
The Shade Template has a CR of 2, currently I am keeping that on the Paladin side but with Gestalt I will likely shift it off to get the most out of my paladin levels.
Flaw Feat: Power Attack
Flaw Feat: Exotic Weapon Prof (Falcata)
Human Bonus: Weapon Focus (Falcata)
1: Amateur Swashbuckler (Parry and Riposte)
3: Combat Reflexes
5: Extra Smiting (Smite Evil 4/Day total)
Flaws are:
Chivalrous Courtesy
Code of Arms
Smiting at 4 times a day allows 1 smite per battle (Assuming 4 battles a day)
Now the Falcata I am using uses another 3.5 book called AEG's merceneries (might be 3.0 don't know)
But I am giving it the Laminated Steel and Serrated edge mods (900 and 300 GP) I add those and the price of the weapon (18 GP) and times it by the number of mods (x2) so I am paying 2436 GP for this sword but it is now dealing 1d8+1 and crits at 18-20/x4. So at level 8 I will be picking up Improved Critical or maybe buying Keen before that. A 15-20/x4 weapon when Smiting is dang scary and of course can add that to the riposte from the deed I am picking up.
Any insights on this idea so far?
Not really sure on most of the 3rd party stuff, but good luck hitting any female archer you come across.
Everything else, Pathfinder-wise, seems good.
Thanks and yeah any female opponent will be a pain, and I really should not have to deal with the ranged fighters that should be our ranged fighters job. But since there are ways to use a bow as a staff weapon i could probably argue it as a melee.
But since there are ways to use a bow as a staff weapon i could probably argue it as a melee.
Nah. It's a ranged weapon. Unless they have feats to use it as a melee weapon or are improvising it as a melee weapon, you're attacking someone with a ranged weapon. Arguing otherwise would be trying to ignore the penalties of the flaw you took.
As someone that ran D&D games that included flaws for a time, I HATED it when people tried to weasel their way out of the penalties. Don't be like that, you'll annoy your DM.
As to the actual build: yeah, that's a good feat selection. I'm wondering why you're taking Combat Reflexes, though. You're not using reach tactics, so are you merely trying to ensure you have more attacks open to you should someone try to run by, or are you building for a certain feat?
Gestalt is one of those weird places where playing a Rogue could actually work, so I'd be seriously tempted to take Rogue levels to go with your Paladin levels. You DID say you wanted to be shadow-centric after all. 8 skill points per level, sneak attack and the right archetype would make that good for you.
Do you plan on being lightly or heavily armored as this paladin?
Probably using medium to heavy armor, the +20 foot speed from Shade offsets the heavy armor penalty.
Combat reflexes is to allow for more use of the Parry and Riposte as it uses attacks of opportunity or something like it, so I just figured having more then 1 a round might help allow me to pull off more parrys.
Not really trying to side step the flaws weakness but i am saying if the person had the Caught off Guard feat I could argue if they are using it to count for a staff or club I could fight them without penalty. But only if they are using it as a melee weapon.
Go Rogue/Paladin and take Shadowbane Inquisitor from Complete Rogue. It has everything you're looking for including the sneakiness in full plate stuff.
I have never heard of Complete Rogue.
Rogue would be nice for the 8+Int
I am taking the trait Fate's Favored which turns that +4 luck bonus to saves to a +5 and it stacks with Divine Grace so my saves will be AWESOME.
Not really trying to side step the flaws weakness but i am saying if the person had the Caught off Guard feat I could argue if they are using it to count for a staff or club I could fight them without penalty. But only if they are using it as a melee weapon.
Yeah, that's fine.
Probably using medium to heavy armor, the +20 foot speed from Shade offsets the heavy armor penalty.
Hmm. A single dip into Cleric would get you a further +10 movement speed if you so desire (and an additional "ignore terrain penalties" ability a certain number of times per day). Travel Domain. Do that on your Rogue side and enjoy +30 movement speed without any levels of a class with Fast Movement.
Note: this may not be your BEST option, but it's certainly one way to ensure you always travel around the battlefield quickly. 50 movement speed in Heavy Armor is nothing to sneeze at.
Go Rogue/Paladin and take Shadowbane Inquisitor from Complete Rogue. It has everything you're looking for including the sneakiness in full plate stuff.
Complete Advenutrer, actually. It's a pretty solid setup.
You want a honorable knight who uses the shadows...
...YOU'RE BATMAN!!!
Question: Shade says you must be non-good while Paladin requires you to be LG. How are you reconciling this? Presuming you have taken this into consideration, I'd say maybe pick up 1 level of Oracle of Nature to grab Nature's Whispers; it lets you use Cha in place of Dex for AC. Also grab Scion of War to get Cha in place of Dex for Initiative and Paladin's Divine Grace adds Cha to all your saves. With this, you can disregard Dex altogether. Throw in a few levels of Bard and your Versatile Performance can sub Dance in for Acrobatics and Pageant of the Peacock can let you sub Bluff (Cha skill) in for any Int check or Int skill (uses 1 round of Bardic Perform per 10 minutes of effect). With this, you can disregard Dex, Int, and Wis and only rely on Str, Cha, and Con.
Well that alignment is tricky but it is not like you dont get the Shade template if you become Lawful Good. to become a shade they carve out a piece of your soul and implant Shadowstuff to turn them into a Shadow.
So a dark avenging warrior of goodness that is more at home int he shadow due to his own darkness fits the theme well.
Where is Scion of War?
You want a honorable knight who uses the shadows...
...YOU'RE BATMAN!!!
That was kind of the idea.
If you do need another class for the Gestalt you might want to look at the Slayer or maybe Ninja.
Ninja//Paladin does describe Batman pretty well.
I could use the Feather Fall, Fast Stealth, and either Wall Climber or Unarmed Combat Training.
One level of Shadowdancer and the Spring Attack feat might be very nice.