1st level half-ogre paladin.

[dragonis111]

For a 3rd level campaign I will be running, I will be playing a 1st level half-ogre paladin, he will take the feat Reckless Offense which when he makes an attack he can temporarily take a -4 penalty to ac to gain a +2 bonus on melee attack rolls until next round, his +4 natural armor balances the penalty so using this feat wont leave me too vulnerable. which since I will be first level my BAB is 1, so a +2 will really help for hard to hit enemies. With this character I want to go the tank route with the best AC I can have and decent offense. So what does everyone think so far.

Current plans:

Feat: Reckless Offense
Skills: TBA
Armor: Full Plate along with a heavy steel shield (+10 to ac total)
Abilities: STR 24 DEX 12 CON 16 INT 8 WIS 8 CHA 16
Weapon: Longsword (I know other people recommend going the 2 handed route but I prefer the traditional sword and shield for a paladin and I prefer the armor bonus from the shield)
Current AC:24 (10-1 for large size +1 for dex +4 for natural armor +8 for fullplate +2 for heavy steel shield) or 20 if I use Reckless Offense
Current BAB: 1 (+1 for 1 level of paladin)

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Quick note: Your BAB is fixed with your HD and class level, 1 in your case. Penalties and bonuses to hit don't actually alter your BAB, they are just melee (or ranged) modifiers. This is important ot understand, since BAB affects whether you get iterative attacks, and qulify for feats and such.

 

[dragonis111]

Thanks for the info

 

[Runestar]

I won't actually recommend that you decrease your AC anymore. Your +4NA is really what is preventing you from soaking damage. And with only 1HD, your hp won't be that stellar.

You shouldn't have too big a problem hitting either, with +1bab, +7str, -1size, +1masterwork for +8 to-hit (comparable to a 3rd lv human fighter with 16str).

Are you using point buy? Those are some rather extreme stats you have there. I might consider reducing str to 24, and allocating that 6 points to wis and int.

Also, while not directly related to the OP, I did find this interesting article about a half-ogre paladin npc on the wotc website. Definitely an interesting read for anyone desiring more inspiration on role-playing him.

Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Article (Lawbringer Hemtose)

 

[Dandu]

You know, you can two hand a longsword as well as wield it one handed. Just fyi.

 

[Runestar]

You know, you can two hand a longsword as well as wield it one handed. Just fyi.

Yeah, but then he would be better off using a greatsword, plus he wants the benefit of a shield as well.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Yeah, but then he would be better off using a greatsword, plus he wants the benefit of a shield as well.

There's always the Improved Buckler Defense feat...

 

[Starbuck_II]

For a 3rd level campaign I will be running, I will be playing a 1st level half-ogre paladin, he will take the feat Reckless Offense which when he makes an attack he can temporarily take a -4 penalty to ac to gain a +2 bonus on melee attack rolls until next round, his +4 natural armor balances the penalty so using this feat wont leave me too vulnerable. which since I will be first level my BAB is 1, so a +2 will really help for hard to hit enemies. With this character I want to go the tank route with the best AC I can have and decent offense. So what does everyone think so far.

Current plans:

Feat: Reckless Offense
Skills: TBA
Armor: Full Plate along with a heavy steel shield (+10 to ac total)
Abilities: STR 24 DEX 12 CON 16 INT 8 WIS 8 CHA 16
Weapon: Longsword (I know other people recommend going the 2 handed route but I prefer the traditional sword and shield for a paladin and I prefer the armor bonus from the shield)
Current AC:24 (10-1 for large size +1 for dex +4 for natural armor +8 for fullplate +2 for heavy steel shield) or 20 if I use Reckless Offense
Current BAB: 1 (+1 for 1 level of paladin)

What did you spend money on? Full plate is 1800 gp. Did you buy a ring of Protection +1 (+1 deflect AC) or amulet of NA +1 (+1 NA)?

That would help AC, but otherwise seems fine.

 

[dragonis111]

I basically sunk all my money into the full plate, I dont plan on casting any paladin spells which is why my str is high and my int and wis are low. I plan on using the non mounted variant of the paladin, possibly the charging smite variant.

 

[Dragonwriter]

I basically sunk all my money into the full plate, I dont plan on casting any paladin spells which is why my str is high and my int and wis are low. I plan on using the non mounted variant of the paladin, possibly the charging smite variant.

If you don't plan on using any Paladin spells, check out the Spell-less Paladin variant in Complete Warrior, if you can. It might be worthwhile.