Please help, Paladin Gear and Feat.

[SheffUK]

Hi all, I've asked for advice before however circumstances have changed slightly.

I have a level 5 angel-blooded Aasimar Paladin (oath of Vengeance). I've picked up combat reflexes and improved trip (my GM let me skip combat expertise).

My party has no problems dealing damage; we've got a full orc barbarian with 23 strength, a sorcerer focusing on blasting, an unchained knife master rogue and a caster focused druid... and my Paladin.

I was going to choose power attack as my 5th level feat however the campaign is very evil oriented which means that I have no issues with dealing damage, we're also out in the open and travelling a lot so I'm thinking of taking a mount as my divine bond so perhaps a mount feat would be good? (my GM has hinted that he's open to the idea of me taking a Griffon at later levels).

I also have 7500 gold to spend, and can buy 1 item at crafting cost as a quest reward.

My stats are Str 20, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 13 Wis 11 Cha 16.

Gear: +1 cold iron longsword, +2 heavy steel shield, +1 full plate, m/w lucerne hammer.

Any advice is welcome, if it helps, my Paladin worships Iomedae but has recently been learning of Desna and has come to respect her.

[SheffUK]

Unless anyone has any better suggestions I think I'll be buying a custom +2 strength +2 charisma belt which if I'm right is 5000 gold when applying the 50% discount.

I'll also be buying a wand of cure light wounds and a ring of protection.

My GM is letting me save my feat until next level if I wish which would let me take greater trip. I'm still tempted by power attack and have been thinking about quick draw too.

Can anyone think of anything better? I effectively have 15000 gold to spend on a single item if I wish.

[Rynjin]

Power Attack is a good one to have by 5th, since even with Smite enemy HP starts to skyrocket by 6th or so.

Why a Str/Cha belt instead of just a Str belt and Cha headband? Remember changing item slots is an extra cost too, so it'd be 15k, halved. Or, all your dosh.

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

wow you went pretty heavy on armor and weapons

With a +2 shield being an investment It is a shame you seem to be taking Reach feats Like combat reflexes.

Right Now you should be Sporting:

+1 armor, +1 weapon, a MW COld Iron Weapon (preferably one that breaks the other forms of Resistance like P/B/S), Belt of Str +2, Headband of Cha +2, cloak of Resistance +1, and a MW Quickdraw Shield

But with what you have been taking this Item suggestion comes to mind:
Dusty Rose Prism
Pair it with a Wayfinder and you will get +1 AC and +2 to CMB and CMD. This to me adds layered Defenses boosting your AC and CMD. Many people underestimate how good resisting a grapple really is till they are trying to fight against it.

If you get the DM to knock off half the price of the Stone the combo will cost you a easy 3k

Then you can get a Headband of CHA for 4,000gp. THis will help your smites but more importantly your saves...adding more layers to your defenses.

That makes 7k....save the 500g and have the GROUP pitch in for a wand of Cure Light Wounds.

As for a Feat Power attack is mandatory for your level 5. Like stated above...at level 6 you see a skyrocket in Enemy health. Since your Enemies become more creature based than Humanoid based at that point.

[Grond]

Why do you want combat reflexes in a non reach build? If you want to go sword and board why not take feats dedicated to make it work better for you?

[SheffUK]

I didn't buy any of the gear, it's just what I've picked up, I think my GM has a certain idea of how a Paladin should play XD. This was why I was thinking of quickdraw so I could make the most of my gear and feats.

Thanks Rynjin, I didn't realise that and my GM probably wouldn't have either so that's definitely good to know.

One other thing I should mention is that my lucerne hammer has trip but a reduced damage dice (d10).

Thanks for the advice Fruian, I do have a masterwork quickdraw shield which is the only thing that I've actually purchased since I bought my starting gear. I would prefer to go the more mobile and flexible reach approach.

Power Attack does seem like the sensible choice, I can always pick up greater trip at 7th.