I'm looking into this build, and I see on the message boards here that I'm not the first. Question: Why is the recommendation usually to take 2 levels of sorceror rather than only the one? I was thinking more Paladin4/Sorceror1/DD7/Eldritch Knight 8.
If anything maybe Paladin 5 to get divine bond, but I don't see the point of Sorceror 2
I'm looking into this build, and I see on the message boards here that I'm not the first. Question: Why is the recommendation usually to take 2 levels of sorceror rather than only the one? I was thinking more Paladin4/Sorceror1/DD7/Eldritch Knight 8.
If anything maybe Paladin 5 to get divine bond, but I don't see the point of Sorceror 2
I agree that Paladin 4 is better especially at the start (taking 2 sorc levels might result lagging behind for a while). I would however definately take DD8 as it also gives +1 to natural armor & 5 fire resistance (as it activates sorc bloodline level 9 ability).
Well but the obvious answer why people suggest to take 2 or more sorc levels to that build is of course to keep caster level up.
A second level of sorcerer gives +1 bab, 1 spell casting level, furthers you bloodline power by 1 level and you get +1 will save. Seems to me to be worth taking. This means when you hit DD1 you are 3rd level for blood line powers and 3rd is when you get boost in resistances. 1st level DD doesn't give you much, +1 to two saves, 12 Hit dice and +1 natural armor. Line 3rd level DD so you blood line is 3rd and you gain another +1 natural armor and 5 resistance to your energy type. Much nice for for a level boost.
I'd go Paladin 4, Sorcerer 2, DD 8, EK 6. EK 8 doesn't buy you much. You get the spell casting levels with the level of sorcerer and the extra level of DD. So all you really get is 1 hp with 2D10 vs 1D12 and 1D6 on average.
The important thing for you to do with this character, before you decide to try and do it all, is to pick a schtick, and stick to it. In general, they fall into two categories:
SMASH you hit things, usually pretty hard, emphasizing melee over your ability to cast spells. You focus on your strength, and so your spell DCs are not that good, thus primarily choosing buffs.
build: Paladin4, Sorcerer2, DD4, Paladin3, Sorcerer2, Eldritch Knight5
CAST you like to cast spells, emphasizing spells, and using your melee skills as a back up in case someone pulls an anti-magic field out. You focus on your charisma, and play a caster who has a big sword in case he needs it.
build: Paladin2, Sorcerer4, DD4, EK5, Sorcerer5
Here is a breakdown of the classes and where drop points are:
Paladin: Any level where you get a smite evil (smasher), or after you get the charisma bonus to all saves (caster - the less caster levels you lose, the better, so too big of a dip and you hamstring yourself in the later levels).
Sorcerer: Level 2(smasher - at level one you get no BAB, +2 will save, and 1 level of casting; at level two you get one BAB, +1 will save, and 1 level of casting...level 2 is a great level, it nets you a BAB and a spell level...with the will save as bonus.) As many levels as you can spare (caster-since this is your favored class for a caster build, if you take human, you can learn a spell as your favored class bonus (see APG), so taking more sorcerer levels = more spells known = more versatility)
Dragon Disciple: Easily the best hybrid melee/caster class, the DD packs a good set of abilities into a small number of levels. The come in two packages: DD4 or DD8. You have to make up your mind if you want to sacrifice a spellcaster level and a BAB in order to get to DD8. The best abilities of the class are in the first four levels, which is why so many people only dip for 4 levels.
Eldritch Knight: Ah Vanilla. Not vanilla bean, not vanilla with nuts or chocolate chips in it. Just plain ole vanilla. Not really a treat in and of itself, but put on the right dessert and it is suddenly a la mode! EK is not a bad prestige class, but it is not a good one. Dropping points are at level 5, or 9, depending on how much build room your have. If you can't fit in 5 levels of EK, don't take it...if you can fit in 9 levels of EK, it is not a bad investment. But levels 6-8 are dead levels and don't really net you that much unless your base melee class is fighter (feat qualification). The capstone ability of EK really stinks. It uses a swift action. Swift actions for hybrids are precious: Arcane Strike and Arcane Armor Training are added to your existing list of declaring smite and lay on hands, this makes your life difficult and really isn't worth focusing this kind of build towards. [please lets not get into the arcane armor traing -vs- still spell argument in this thread, neither of them are great solutions to the ASF and so it is entirely personal preference as to which you use]
Personal Preference:
I like to use items of spell storing, and just charge them up in the morning, and then release the spell when I need it, if I go the armored route. If I go the unarmored route (which I prefer), I don't have to worry about casting in armor...besides, mirror image is your friend when it comes to being attacked :)
To me DDs greatest strength is tanking. In order to make use of the great strength one would have to be a melee combatant. In order to use the natural armor, one should boost AC in other means also. The armor check penalty for casting isn't great even in full plate, if you do no (or very little) casting during combat. In order to tank I would do:
Paladin4/Sorceror1/DD8/Sorceror1/EK 6
Basically the plan is just to throw Shield & Mirror Image in the advance and then hold the line. Still Spell could be useful at some point.