Thoughts on a Paladin

[Ill_Made_Knight]

Hello fellow pfs,

I am playing a Dragoon/Paladin and I completed my first mod this past Sat. I wanted some thoughts on a build I am planning. I want my character to be good but have a little style of my own style (the Lucerne Hammer is a non negotiable). I am going for a Mount Heavy build but I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket. I have a lot of Questions....

Here are my stats
Str 14
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 12
Wis 7
Cha 17
Race Human
Feats at 1st: Skill Focus (Ride), Mounted Combat, Ride by Attack, Combat Reflexes.
Traits: Dangerously Curious, Armor Expert
Skills: Handle Aninmal, Ride, UMD. I gave up my skill points for Heart of the Wild.

Level Progression and questions
01 Dragoon (as stated above)

02 Paladin +1 Ride, UMD, Handle Animal. After gaining 5 ranks in Handel Animal is it worth it to continue? at that point I would have a +8. I have an extra skill point what should I do with it? (Paladin being my favored class or should I continue to gain more hit points?).
Gear: War Horse, Studded leather Barding,. Mw Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer. Lance, Long Bow, Battle Axe, Steel Shield, Dagger. MW Chain Shirt.

03 Paladin +1 Ride, UMD. I have +2 skill points. What should I use them on? I was thinking Knowledge (Religion or Nobility), but then if I travel with a healer they probably have the religion but is Nobility ever worth it? Diplomacy is another thought but I don't think I would ever have enough points to be a face. Thoughts? Also Feat: Indomitable Mount (How do I gain last wall affinity or w/e in PFS?) or Rewards of life? Or some other feat...
Gear: War Horse, Chain Shirt Barding,. Mw Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer. MW Lance, MW Composite Str (+2) Long Bow, Mw Silver Battle Axe, MW Steel Shield, Dagger. MW Chain Shirt. Potion of enlarge.

04 Paladin +1 to Cha. What Mercey is the best? I was thinking Fatigue. Gear: War Horse, Chain Shirt Barding,. Mw Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer. MW Lance, MW Composite Str (+2) Long Bow, Mw Silver Battle Axe, MW Steel Shield, Dagger. MW Mithril Breast Plate.

05 Paladin. Gear: War Horse, Chain Shirt Barding,. +1 Cold Iron Lucerne Hammer. MW Lance, MW Composite Str (+2) Long Bow, Mw Silver Battle Axe, MW Steel Shield, Dagger. +1 Mithril Breast Plate. Wand of reduce animal, wand of reduce person. Wand of enlarge person.

06 Paladin: So as a Human, is heavy warhorse the only available mount for me (other then camel or light warhorse)? Can I wait till latter to get like a Tiger or something. I mean a Heavy War Horse is BA but what are some other options? What would be some good selection of feats for it, I was thinking Armor proficiency (Light, Medium), but other then that I really don't know. Also Barding, How much would it be for Mithril Breastplate Barding? How would the math work out? Feat: I was thinking Spirited Charge or Power Attack.

07 Paladin: I am thinking remove Disease for my mercy, other thoughts
08 Paladin: +1 Cha
09 Paladin: Spirited Charge or Power attack

Ill probably know enough by level 10 to know what I am doing. I have heard people call cheese a at reduce person/ reduce animal but I have also hear that when you pass level 5 these mods are no joke, so how do you balance "cheese" with not being worthless? I hope to acquire these other wands along the way, Glitterdust, Grease, Haste, Freedom of Movement. If I am trying to do too much with this character please tell me.

[calagnar]

Your build realize on the enemy's being evil. This can get you in a world of trouble in later levels.

If your going for a mount focused build. Taking Eye for talent in place of a feet is a good idea. Replacing Skill Focus Ride is the best way to do it.

With the bond mount you do not need to increase your Handle Animal. All other mounts require Handle Animal checks. Pushing a mount is DC 20 just keep that in mind.

Other then that focus focus focus. Do not spread your character out to much. Pick the skills you want at level 1 and keep them maxed out. Having just a few skill ranks in a skill is a wast.

Humans and large mounts. Over all there effectiveness is very limited. When you can use them they are very powerful, but that is when.

[Cheapy]

I was under the impression that relying on enemies being evil was bad at low levels, but a really safe bet at high levels.

[Jeranimus Rex]

As always, it's up to the GM, he could throw out at whole bunch of Chaotic, or Lawful aligned enemies their way just to neuter the paladin.

[nosig]

Hay, Ill made - did I judge for you this weekend? were you playing in a PFS game in St Charles (First Steps part 3)?

[calagnar]

Cheap wrote:

I was under the impression that relying on enemies being evil was bad at low levels, but a really safe bet at high levels.

For the most part your right, but it only takes one encounter to kill you.

[Ill_Made_Knight]

Nosig, you did Judge for me!

A couple of things, this is for the society, so "the GM deciding..." is not really an option. Since all the mods are premade.

"If your going for a mount focused build. Taking Eye for talent in place of a feet is a good idea. Replacing Skill Focus Ride is the best way to do it."

So I am a dragoon, I can't change out the feat of Skill Focus. Also, since majority of my feats focus on being an awesome mounted warrior already if I get him out I am going to dominate anyways. The character is already made by the way. All the questions are geared towards after the first level.

[nosig]

Ill_Made_Knight wrote:

Nosig, you did Judge for me!

A couple of things, this is for the society, so "the GM deciding..." is not really an option. Since all the mods are premade.

"If your going for a mount focused build. Taking Eye for talent in place of a feet is a good idea. Replacing Skill Focus Ride is the best way to do it."

So I am a dragoon, I can't change out the feat of Skill Focus. Also, since majority of my feats focus on being an awesome mounted warrior already if I get him out I am going to dominate anyways. The character is already made by the way. All the questions are geared towards after the first level.

Hay - you've got a fun character.

First Steps Part 3 spoiler:

too bad you got stuck in First Steps 3 first (if it had been 2nd or 3rd you would have had your mount I think, and been able to use it for at least part of the mod.

Not sure if I can offer much - let me see what I can come up with in random order.

1) Potion of Mage Armor - for when you get awakened in the middle of the night, if you are not in Chain Shirt Jammies. (it will also work against Shadows etc. )

2) If you are tinkering with the build any still (realizing that you have only just started playing him) I would question the Feats Skill Focus and Combat Reflexs - but that is just me. I like Improved Init. more, and likely take the Skill Focus at 3rd or 5th (after you have a really good mount to protect).

3) Skills - Diplomacy would be good. Even if you don't think you are the party face, sometimes you are going to be. And almost every mod gives a Gather Info roll or six, and if you are not makeing them, you can be aiding the player who is. Looks like you are going to want to max UMD and Ride - at least for a while. Are you taking your Human skill point (and the one from Favored Class?)

4)Studded leather Barding - buy it Master Work. it's only 150 more and the AC Penility is 0. Unless you decide later to go with Chain Shirt Barding. (also check out a want of Mage Armor - with your UMD it might just surprize people).

(edited add) - also check out the thread titaled "Painlords what to expect at a PFS table" (something like that) for suggestions on what you buy...

All for now