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<blockquote data-quote="FrogReaver" data-source="post: 7568096" data-attributes="member: 6795602">V.&nbsp; Paladin Analysis The goal of my analysis is primarily to provide insights, tools and strategies so that you will be equipped to make your own comparisons because so much is campaign dependent.&nbsp; This section I'm going to talk about Paladin Specific topics.MethodologyI assume a starting strength/dexterity and charisma of 16 in all cases. If you start with a different values then the numbers will be off but the general trends you find here should still be reflective of your particular situation. Unless otherwise noted I will be comparing with a great sword and the defensive style.&nbsp; Other weapon combinations shouldn't be that particularly different unless feats are involved.&nbsp; My comparisons all take into account the AC range of 11-20 and that's why you see two percentages in my analysis, the min and the max.&nbsp; I've ignored criticals in my calculations as the weapon damage component is tiny and while you can maximize daily damage somewhat by waiting to use smites on critical hits, that's not a tactically expedient approach, because damage now is typically better than damage later. However, by all means when a crit comes up use a smite as long as it's not against a goblin or something you would have otherwise killed in a single hit.Strength vs CharismaAs promised, here is the in depth analysis on Strength vs Charisma.&nbsp; The first question to tackle in this analysis the impact taking strength instead of charisma has on daily damage and Nova capabilities.[TABLE=&quot;width: 100%&quot;][TR][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Paladin Level&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Daily Damage&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Nova Damage&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][/TR][TR][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Level 4&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (+2 Strength)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +14% to +20%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +10% to +23%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][/TR][TR][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Level 5&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (+2 Strength)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +14% to +18%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +10% to +19%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][/TR][TR][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Level 8&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (+4 Strength)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +28% to +35%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +21% to +40%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][/TR][TR][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Level 9&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (+4 Strength)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +26% to +29%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +20% to +38%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][/TR][TR][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Level 11&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (+4 Strength)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +20% to +24%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][TD=&quot;width: 33%&quot;]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; +19% to +36%&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/TD][/TR][/TABLE]The trend I'm seeing is that Daily Damage appears to stay within about+20% whether you attempt to max strength or whether you use those ASI's to max charisma.&nbsp; The only exception is for levels 8-10 where that increases to around +30% only to drop back down to around +20% at levels 11+.&nbsp; Your Nova capabilities remain in that same +20% ballpark until level 8 and then the strength maxing character's Nova capabilities increase by about +30% relative to the charisma maxing characters for the rest of the game.Solely from the perspective of the combat pillar, if I instead max charisma I can have +1 to +2 saves and +1 to +2 spell DC.&nbsp; The saves make you and your allies a lot more survivable.&nbsp; The saves also help youmaintain concentration spells like bless or wrathful smite.&nbsp; Paladins have a number of strong debuff smite spells that can be used with their attacks.&nbsp; These spells are after overlooked and underrated. The increased spell save DC significantly improves these spells.&nbsp; For these combat reasons alone I lean toward increasing charisma on a paladin being more important than increasing strength.However, combat isn't the only thing to consider when increasing an ASI.&nbsp; From an out of combat perspective the added charisma significantly helps you in the social pillar.&nbsp; The Charisma boost also allows you to keep2 more spells prepared which further increases your versatility.There is also the consideration I mentioned earlier that there are other ways to obtain a high attack stat with a paladin that maxes Charisma. Either a Hexblade multiclass or Belt of Giant Strength can accomplish this.So from a holistic level 1-20 and all 3 pillar perspective I absolutely prioritize Charisma over Strength.&nbsp; I even recommend increasing charisma before you get aura of protection at level 6 because the charisma increase still helps everything else mentioned above, including wrathful smite which is a very potent ability in a low level paladins arsenal.&nbsp; Besides, the charisma bonus will be applied to aura of protection in just 2 levels.&nbsp; However, I acknowledge the decision on whether to increase strength or charisma at level 4 isn't as clear cut as it is after getting Aura of Protection and more spell slots.Dexterity vs Charisma&nbsp; The comparison between dexterity and charisma for finesse weapon Paladin's is essentially the same except stealth and initiative and Constitution and AC differences also must be included.&nbsp; I still lean toward Maxing Charisma here but the case for it isn't nearly as strong.&nbsp; I find there's a better case for increasing dexterity at level 4 than I do for increasing strength at level 4.&nbsp; I still think that increasing charisma after obtaining Aura of Protection is the best way to go.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="FrogReaver, post: 7568096, member: 6795602"] [B][SIZE=4]V. Paladin Analysis [/SIZE][/B] [SIZE=3]The goal of my analysis is primarily to provide insights, tools and strategies so that you will be equipped to make your own comparisons because so much is campaign dependent. This section I'm going to talk about Paladin Specific topics.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Methodology[/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3]I assume a starting strength/dexterity and charisma of 16 in all cases. If you start with a different values then the numbers will be off but the general trends you find here should still be reflective of your particular situation. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Unless otherwise noted I will be comparing with a great sword and the defensive style. Other weapon combinations shouldn't be that particularly different unless feats are involved. My comparisons all take into account the AC range of 11-20 and that's why you see two percentages in my analysis, the min and the max. [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]I've ignored criticals in my calculations as the weapon damage component is tiny and while you can maximize daily damage somewhat by waiting to use smites on critical hits, that's not a tactically expedient approach, because damage now is typically better than damage later. However, by all means when a crit comes up use a smite as long as it's not against a goblin or something you would have otherwise killed in a single hit.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Strength vs Charisma[/B][/SIZE] [SIZE=3]As promised, here is the in depth analysis on Strength vs Charisma. The first question to tackle in this analysis the impact taking strength instead of charisma has on daily damage and Nova capabilities.[/SIZE] [TABLE="width: 100%"] [TR] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3][B]Paladin Level[/B][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3][B]Daily Damage[/B][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3][B]Nova Damage[/B][/SIZE] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]Level 4 [I](+2 Strength)[/I][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+14% to +20%[/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+10% to +23%[/SIZE] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]Level 5 [I](+2 Strength)[/I][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+14% to +18%[/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+10% to +19%[/SIZE] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]Level 8 [I](+4 Strength)[/I][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+28% to +35%[/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+21% to +40%[/SIZE] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]Level 9 [I](+4 Strength)[/I][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+26% to +29%[/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+20% to +38%[/SIZE] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]Level 11 [I](+4 Strength)[/I][/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+20% to +24%[/SIZE] [/TD] [TD="width: 33%"] [SIZE=3]+19% to +36%[/SIZE] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [SIZE=3]The trend I'm seeing is that Daily Damage appears to stay within about+20% whether you attempt to max strength or whether you use those ASI's to max charisma. The only exception is for levels 8-10 where that increases to around +30% only to drop back down to around +20% at levels 11+. Your Nova capabilities remain in that same +20% ballpark until level 8 and then the strength maxing character's Nova capabilities increase by about +30% relative to the charisma maxing characters for the rest of the game.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Solely from the perspective of the combat pillar, if I instead max charisma I can have +1 to +2 saves and +1 to +2 spell DC. The saves make you and your allies a lot more survivable. The saves also help youmaintain concentration spells like bless or wrathful smite. Paladins have a number of strong debuff smite spells that can be used with their attacks. These spells are after overlooked and underrated. The increased spell save DC significantly improves these spells. For these combat reasons alone I lean toward increasing charisma on a paladin being more important than increasing strength.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]However, combat isn't the only thing to consider when increasing an ASI. From an out of combat perspective the added charisma significantly helps you in the social pillar. The Charisma boost also allows you to keep2 more spells prepared which further increases your versatility.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]There is also the consideration I mentioned earlier that there are other ways to obtain a high attack stat with a paladin that maxes Charisma. Either a Hexblade multiclass or Belt of Giant Strength can accomplish this.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]So from a holistic level 1-20 and all 3 pillar perspective I absolutely prioritize Charisma over Strength. I even recommend increasing charisma before you get aura of protection at level 6 because the charisma increase still helps everything else mentioned above, including wrathful smite which is a very potent ability in a low level paladins arsenal. Besides, the charisma bonus will be applied to aura of protection in just 2 levels. However, I acknowledge the decision on whether to increase strength or charisma at level 4 isn't as clear cut as it is after getting Aura of Protection and more spell slots.[/SIZE] [SIZE=3][B]Dexterity vs Charisma[/B] [/SIZE] [SIZE=3]The comparison between dexterity and charisma for finesse weapon Paladin's is essentially the same except stealth and initiative and Constitution and AC differences also must be included. I still lean toward Maxing Charisma here but the case for it isn't nearly as strong. I find there's a better case for increasing dexterity at level 4 than I do for increasing strength at level 4. I still think that increasing charisma after obtaining Aura of Protection is the best way to go.[/SIZE] [/QUOTE]

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