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So paladin's "Holy Smite" is persistent damage on their retributive strikes that comes online at 9th level.
Meanwhile, the cleric has a 4th Level Feat called Channel Smite that allows them to deal Positive Energy damage on top of a weapon attack, and that damage scales up quite well.
I think this Feat should be adapted and given to the paladin class, as a 1st or 2nd level class feature. If needed, make Retributive Strike a Feat that a defender paladin can opt-into.
Make Paladins Smite Again!
nothing to add to the conversation, just posting for general support.
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I'm still looking for a group to test it in play, but I'm really not confident that Retributive Strike can stand up as a core class feature, especially with Divine Grace and Shield Block competing for reactions.
I very much want to see Smite Evil brought back as a core level 1 class feature for paladins.
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My suspicion has been that a MC fighter/cleric would make a stronger paladin. I don't really want this to be true, mind.
It might be worth it though, running a mc fighter/cleric through scenarios, and then a paladin.
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My suspicion has been that a MC fighter/cleric would make a stronger paladin. I don't really want this to be true, mind.
It might be worth it though, running a mc fighter/cleric through scenarios, and then a paladin.
I can tell you first hand that the MC Cleric/Fighter is solid and has felt more like a Paladin to me than a Paladin.
Fighter dedication is really good for getting that martial feel, and Channel Energy scratches that Lay-On-Hands itch, though with much better numbers and versatility.
I've done Gorum, Iomedae, Sarenrae. I've gone sword-and-board, greatsword, bastard sword, double slice, combat grab, channel smite...
Paladins have been my favorite class for a long time, and this is the first edition where I feel more like a warrior of my god than a Paladin.
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It seems to me that the previous Paladin was a kind of aberration that could heal, defend and attack like a god.
Being able to do all of the above was too much and I was quite happy with PF2e change on that side (even if I would have preferred non-LG only version).
If you take Cleric/fighter over Paladin, you choose, less defenses, less weapon proficiency, less hit points, 2less class feats and harder time to cast heal in combat (since you will provoke AO) in exchange of Channel smite and spells to buff.
Cleric/fighter does make a great warrior priest but it doesn't seem to be better than a Paladin, it just enables two different style of play.
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I think Paladin needs some work. Depending on what they replace Retributive strike with, the class could surprisingly snap into a good place.
As it is, if it's stuck with a main class feature being entirely reactive, it's going to blow.