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[GUIDE] My Word Is My Sword: The Paladin Guide
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<blockquote data-quote="Benny89" data-source="post: 7553353" data-attributes="member: 6983731"><p>This is wrong. I knew many DMs who like to throw higher CRs than they should at party and HAM while strong early is not as strong as PAM or RES (CON)/Warcaster. There is a reason if you look on every optimized thread ever on Paladins- that no one ever recommend HAM. </p><p></p><p>Again- it's not bad feat. It's not bad decision to take it. People should play what they feel is most fun.</p><p></p><p>However when it comes to optimization- it's just simply not a best choice.</p><p></p><p>Let's take your level 4 example. Let's take Variant Human.</p><p></p><p>You take on level 1 HAM and level 4 PAM. The other Paladin takes level 1 PAM and level 4 RES (CON).</p><p></p><p>So first Paladin have easier time staying alive for first 3 levels but he has only one attack. The second Paladin will take more damage while being hit but he will kill more enemies faster than first Paladin. Dead enemies don't do damage too.</p><p></p><p>Let's take example of 3 Goblins attacking our first level Paladins. Both have 18 AC (16 +2 shield). One has longsword 1k8 + 3 and second one have Spear 1k6 + 3. </p><p></p><p>First Paladin on average will do 7,5 damage on their turn. Goblin have 8 HP. Most likely he will not kill that Goblin, which gives Goblin chance to hit him again in next turn. Our PAM Paladin have average damage per turn of 12 dmg per turn. He will most likely kill Goblin in first turn. Second turn firs Paladin is being attacked by 3 Goblins, second Paladin by two Goblins. So one reduce damage taken by damage reduction, second one by faster enemy elimination. </p><p></p><p>Now level 4. So first Paladin has dmg reduction + PAM and second one have PAM + RES (CON). Now ok- first Paladin is still more tanky when he takes damage and he has same killing power now. However- what about Concentration? HAM does not help with maintaing your Shield of Faith, Bless or Divine Favour. So you will take less damage but second Paladin will be able to safely maintain their concentration buffs.</p><p></p><p>Now on higher levels, tier 3. Enemy is hitting Paladin for 36 dmg. That is Concentration check DC 18. First Paladin takes 33 dmg instead, ok. But what is important more at this level? 3 dmg deduction or passing that CONC checks to maintain your Healing Ward, Haste, Holy Weapon etc. ? </p><p></p><p>What I say is: at some point HAM loses it's usefulness but RES (CON) stays relevant all the time, and it's getting even more important as you level up.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Benny89, post: 7553353, member: 6983731"] This is wrong. I knew many DMs who like to throw higher CRs than they should at party and HAM while strong early is not as strong as PAM or RES (CON)/Warcaster. There is a reason if you look on every optimized thread ever on Paladins- that no one ever recommend HAM. Again- it's not bad feat. It's not bad decision to take it. People should play what they feel is most fun. However when it comes to optimization- it's just simply not a best choice. Let's take your level 4 example. Let's take Variant Human. You take on level 1 HAM and level 4 PAM. The other Paladin takes level 1 PAM and level 4 RES (CON). So first Paladin have easier time staying alive for first 3 levels but he has only one attack. The second Paladin will take more damage while being hit but he will kill more enemies faster than first Paladin. Dead enemies don't do damage too. Let's take example of 3 Goblins attacking our first level Paladins. Both have 18 AC (16 +2 shield). One has longsword 1k8 + 3 and second one have Spear 1k6 + 3. First Paladin on average will do 7,5 damage on their turn. Goblin have 8 HP. Most likely he will not kill that Goblin, which gives Goblin chance to hit him again in next turn. Our PAM Paladin have average damage per turn of 12 dmg per turn. He will most likely kill Goblin in first turn. Second turn firs Paladin is being attacked by 3 Goblins, second Paladin by two Goblins. So one reduce damage taken by damage reduction, second one by faster enemy elimination. Now level 4. So first Paladin has dmg reduction + PAM and second one have PAM + RES (CON). Now ok- first Paladin is still more tanky when he takes damage and he has same killing power now. However- what about Concentration? HAM does not help with maintaing your Shield of Faith, Bless or Divine Favour. So you will take less damage but second Paladin will be able to safely maintain their concentration buffs. Now on higher levels, tier 3. Enemy is hitting Paladin for 36 dmg. That is Concentration check DC 18. First Paladin takes 33 dmg instead, ok. But what is important more at this level? 3 dmg deduction or passing that CONC checks to maintain your Healing Ward, Haste, Holy Weapon etc. ? What I say is: at some point HAM loses it's usefulness but RES (CON) stays relevant all the time, and it's getting even more important as you level up. [/QUOTE]
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[GUIDE] My Word Is My Sword: The Paladin Guide
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