| silentnights |
I'm looking for help with optimizing my paladin build. I've read through Cryptic and Thallin's guides but went a whole different route than what has been suggested before.
Background on the setting: I will be the party face, which is interesting with the paladin to say the least. The setting is completely custom, but I still get to follow the paladin code. I will be playing him like the valkyrie for purposes of combat, and as the tai master for social interaction. Yes, I worked his back story to support both mindsets. All stats were rolled (no point buy, high powered campaign). There are 7 members of the adventuring party: Me, a rogue, summoner, oracle, ranger, sorcerer, and a wizard. That makes me the primary tank role. So on to the build.
Level 2 Human Paladin:
Str: 17 (15 +2 for human)
Dex: 15
Con: 17
Int: 14
Wis: 13 (15 with misc -2 from in game trial)
Cha: 18
Fort: 10 Ref: 6 Will: 8
Feats: Two Weapon Fighting, Improved shield bash
Skills: Diplomacy, Intimidate, Sense Motive, Knowledge Religion and nobility
Traits: World Traveler and Bullied
Equipment: Mithral Full Plate, 2X Heavy Mithral Spiked Shields
AC: 25 (9 armor, 4 shields, 2 dex)
GM allows two weapon fighting with spiked shields, allowing shield bonus to both be applied to AC, but enhancement bonus only from one of them. Consider it a house rule.
Feat progression that I'm considering is as follows:
3) double slice, 5) step up, 7) Shield Slam, 9) Extra lay on hands, 11) shield master 13) Improved TWF, 15) Greater TWF, 17) Following step, 19) Improved crit
Ability bumps I'm considering are: str, con, wis, str, str
Any suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated.
| silentnights |
Have you considered a diety yet?....
The two shield sounds like Torag or possibly Abadar.....
Tell me a bit more about that!
Deity was initially Iomedea. The trial that lessened my wisdom was part of the changing of my deity to one created by the DM for a remote civilization that we came across and will probably spend most of our campaign with. It was a personal choice that helped both the DM and myself become more established with the community. The campaign looks like it will be a strong mix of fighting and role playing as we have so far spent roughly half our time with both aspects of the game. The deity in question is a giant turtle, hence the strong focus on defense.
The backstory I came up with for my character summed up is: His parents were emissaries. He spent most of his days in the back alleys causing trouble (carousing, playing games of chance and the such). He wanted to become a rogue, and was trying out a new set of loaded dice in the wrong neighborhood. Was just about dead when a paladin was walking by and saved him. This plays well with the Valkyrie style since he has been there, and seen the underbelly of the beast and has no problem removing the scum that resides within it. Also, since he has been there he knows what it looks like when someone is the victim, and can sympathize with them. He was not raised with the church and it was as much a surprise to him as it was to everyone else when the gods chose him as one of their holy champions.