The characters starting level will be 5 using 15 point point buy starting gold of a level 5, only half gold can go to item creation feats (if i take them) and no more than half gold can go to 1 item.
That is the info the dm has given me to make a character. Currently I believe there will be a cleric and a bard in the group, and there might be another person or 2.
Yeah definitely need more information.
What race do you want to be?
What fighting style will you be using? Most common for Paladins are Two-handed weapon (Greatsword, Falchion, etc.), one-handed weapon and shield, and Mounted combat. Each of these have their advantages and disadvantages, and will require different feats, ability scores, and skills to be effective.
I'll try to put together a sample build though.
As far as race goes i have no real preferance, however it was alluded that darkvision would be very useful so maybe half-orc. I like the idea of mounted combat especially with a palidan but my dm for some reason isnt to keen on mounts idk why. The palidan will be the front liner and therefore needs to be doing good damage but with survivability. Nonetheless if you have something in mind for a mounted build i'd like to see it.
Heres a pretty basic human paladin 5. He primarily uses a Greatsword but has a morningstar and shield he can use if he wants to boost his AC.
Human Paladin 5
LG human, humanoid
Init +1; Senses Perception -1
DEFENSES
AC 21, touch 11, flat-footed 20 (+10 armor, +1 Dex)
hp 42 (5d10 +5 +5)
Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +6
Immune: fear, disease
OFFFENSE
Speed 20 ft./x3
Melee +1 Adamantine Greatsword +9 (2d6+5/19-20)
Ranged Mwk Composite Longbow (Str +2) +7 (1d8+2/x3)
Special Attacks Smite Evil (2/day, +3 attack, +5 damage), Channel Positive Energy (3d6, DC 15)
Spell Like abilities (CL 5th)
At will-Detect Evil
1/day-divine bond (celestial spirit +1)
Spells Prepared (CL 5th)
1st – Bless Weapon, Protection from evil
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 16
Base Atk +5; CMB +8; CMD 19; (+2 sunder)
Feats Armor Proficiency (all), Shield Proficiency (all but tower shields), Weapon Proficiency (simple, martial), Power Attack, Cleave, Improved Sunder, Great Cleave
Skills Diplomacy +11 (5r), Handle Animal +7 (1r), Heal +3 (1r), Knowledge (nobility) +4 (1r), Knowledge (religion) +4 (1r), Ride +4 (5r), Sense Motive +3 (1r)
SQ Aura of Good, Divine Grace, Lay on Hands (5/day, 2d6), Aura of Courage, Divine Health, Mercy (fatigued)
Gear (10,500gp) +1 Adamantine Greatsword (5,100), +1 Full Plate (2650), Wand of cure light wounds (CL 1, 50 charges) (750), Mwk Morningstar (8), dagger (2), Mwk Heavy Steel Shield (170), Mwk Composite Longbow (Strength +2) (600), 20 arrows (1), Backpack (2), Bedroll (1sp), Winter Blanket (5sp), Everburning torch (110), 50ft silk rope (10), waterskin (1), silver holy symbol (25), trail rations x3 (15sp), spell component pouch (5), potion of Enlarge person (CL 1) (50), potion of Shield of Faith +2 (CL 1) (50), potion of bull’s strength (CL 3) (300), potion of eagle’s splendor (CL 3) (300), potion of lesser restoration (CL 3) (300), 70gp
Notes:
Starting stats were 15 Str, 12 Dex, 12 Con, 10 Int, 9 Wis, 14 Cha. The +2 at first level went into Cha, the +1 at fourth level went into Str.
I gave him the rather expensive adamantine greatsword to use with Improved Sunder. That sword can cut through other weapons like butter.
If you want a mounted paladin then take the mount instead of celestial spirit for your divine bond. Feats should be Power Attack, Mounted Combat, Ride by Attack, and Spirited Charge. Drop the Greatsword and Morningstar for a +1 lance and a +1 longsword (or other one handed weapon).
If doing a Half-orc instead of human, then refigure his skills since he'll get 5 less skill points. He'll need to lose a feat, either Great Cleave or Improved Sunder. Everything else should stay the same.
If doing a Half-orc who does mounted combat, then feats should be Mounted Combat, Ride by Attack, and Spirited Charge. He'll be a bit of a one trick pony (get it?) until he can get some more feats like Power Attack. Refigure his skills for the loss of 5 skill points, and change his gear as above for a mounted combatant.
The mounted Paladins are just sick when chargin with a lance and Spirited charge; thats x3 damage. Its real nasty when you get your smite evil going with it too, since the extra damage would also be tripled. Very situational of course, but when it works its devestating.
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinderR PG/general/archives/crypticsGuideToThePaladin
http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/paizoPublishing/pathfinder/pathfinderR PG/general/archives/thallinsGuideToPaladinsOptimization
Linkified.
cryptic