Does a paladin's daily require him to drop his sword?

[FadedC]

Yeah it's important to remember that a holy symbol is not a material component, it's essentially a weapon and is expected to have magical bonuses with time just like a sword does.

Eventually a paladin might be able to have a +2 shield and have this count as his +2 holy symbol, but this is certainly not something that should be assumed. And even then I'd expect a paladin's weapon would become his symbol rather then his shield (because your main hand is I believe supposed to be the slot that boosts your powers).

 

[Magus Coeruleus]

I think it makes perfect sense to get maximal bang for the power if you forgo a shield or sword to forcefully present your holy symbol. As said, you can do it without it; you just don't get the bonus from a magic implement (e.g. holy symbol +1) if you don't do this. It also makes perfect sense that you be able to take a feat that lets you count your shield/weapon as the implement, benefiting from it's + in the same way. As mentioned, we now knows wizards will be able to take such a feat to use a sword as an implement, and it makes sense that if you're willing to pay for the privilege of double-dipping on the + of a weapon/shield for holy symbol purposes via a feat, you can then have your cake and eat it too. I see no controversy here.

 

[Spatula]

Glue your holy symbol into the empty gem socket on the pommel of your fancy sword. Problem solved!

 

[pawsplay]

Holy symbols are more than just an engraving, enameling or a drawn picture. They are specific items on equipment lists. D&D is not a cheesy vampire movie where two random sticks held together function as a cross.

Four editions and folks still try this... sheesh.

And a sheesy pendant is okay? I just don't see the logic there.

 

[Fifth Element]

It ought to be allowed eventually (or with a feat, power, or specially made (IE expensive) shield - holysymbol crossbreed) but to simply alllow it is like saying to the ranger "sure your quarterstaff can be strung and used as a bow!"

It's really not like saying that. Really.

 

[Clawhound]

If the paladin dropping his sword seems counterintuitive, then that interpretation is likely wrong. The writers are seeking clear and fast play geared to your role. A paladin's role is a defender, so he should use his sword.

Why would you design a class that has to gimp itself in combat to use its own defining class power? That would be short sighted.

 

[FadedC]

If the paladin dropping his sword seems counterintuitive, then that interpretation is likely wrong. The writers are seeking clear and fast play geared to your role. A paladin's role is a defender, so he should use his sword.

Why would you design a class that has to gimp itself in combat to use its own defining class power? That would be short sighted.

Well first off, the paladin doesn't HAVE to drop his sword to use the power, only if he wants to gain the benefit of a magic holy symbol.

Secondly we don't know what paladins look like from a design perspective. We know clerics can go a melee route where they smash people with their weapons or a holy symbol route where they smite them with divine power. It's possible that paladins work in a similar fashion.

 

[Patlin]

Check out the Paladin fighting the Death Knight on the cover of Dragon a dew issues ago. Sword in one hand, implement in the other -- no shield.

 

[Clawhound]

Well first off, the paladin doesn't HAVE to drop his sword to use the power, only if he wants to gain the benefit of a magic holy symbol.

Secondly we don't know what paladins look like from a design perspective. We know clerics can go a melee route where they smash people with their weapons or a holy symbol route where they smite them with divine power. It's possible that paladins work in a similar fashion.

Good caveat!

I suspect that the paladin will have a built-in "use your weapon" ability, or one that is easily chosen. It seems counterintuitive to have a defender deciding to put away a weapon during combat.

 

[D.Shaffer]

Considering the stereotypical image of the knight kneeling in prayer, using his sword as a makeshift cross, I will be VERY surprised if there's no option to let a Paladin use a weapon as a holy symbol implement. Heck, nevermind the several RL legends/myths of weapons that have holy relics attached or are relics themselves. It just makes thematic sense to me.