Halfling Paladin racial substitution level

[Asmor]

I downloaded the 7-day trial for DDO and was wondering what to make when I settled on a Halfling Paladin, since I figure that's an uncommon combination.

I really like the idea, though. Only problem is that smite evil is only for melee attacks...

Thinking about it a bit more, I also decided that a halfling paladin should be Chaotic Good instead of Lawful Good. I see them more as champions of the commoner, paragons of innocence and virtue. I might even go so far as to say that Robin Hood would make an excellent Halfling Paladin.

Thus, Halfling Paladin racial substitution level:

Level 1: Ranged Smite, Chaotic Good

Ranged Smite: A halfling paladin makes Smite attacks with range attacks instead of melee. This is otherwise treated exactly as smite evil.

Chaotic Good: A halfling paladin must be Chaotic Good, instead of Lawful Good.

Otherwise everything else is identical to the standard paladin. Any of his law-based spells should be changed to chaos-based equivelents.

 

[smootrk]

I disagree with the lawful/chaotic change (see Yondalla LG, Arvoreen LG, Cyrollalee LG, Urogalan LN). There are a couple of Neutral deities (or the dark aspect of Yondalla as described in Races of the Wild), but they seem to be more of the exception. I especially point to Arvoreen who is the best example of a Halfling Fighter type.

Otherwise, Ranged Smite seems appropriate as a choice, especially since Halfling Rogues can get ranged sneak attack as an ability.

 

[the Jester]

I too think LG is more appropriate for the halfling paladin. Champion of the community and all that.

 

[Asmor]

Hmm, I guess we could get into some deep philosophical discussion as to the nature of law and chaos, but that's an argument that I don't think anyone can win. So instead, how about we compromise and make the Halfling Pallies NE.

 

[smootrk]

Hmm, I guess we could get into some deep philosophical discussion as to the nature of law and chaos, but that's an argument that I don't think anyone can win. So instead, how about we compromise and make the Halfling Pallies NE.

I assume you meant NG , but even then, I still don't see anything other than LG as being appropriate.

But then again, there are different interpretations of Halflings and their demeanor... everything from Hobbits to Kenders to Gypsies. I tend to use the more hobbit-like halflings and the material written in 1e times as my conception for them, like the Halfling gods (amongst other writtings), as written by Roger Moore. As to the Race of Halflings and their gods, even the newer interpretations (as in Races of the Wild) do not list any NG halfling gods, and only 1 Chaotic aspect.

You obviously have other notions, and I support you fully if your campaign is designed with a different bent for Halflings from the standard documentation.

 

[Nifft]

IMHO Rangers are CG (and awesome in that alignment) while Paladins are strictly LG.

A high-level Halfling Paladin riding a Hound Archon in canine form is a really cool concept.

-- N

 

[Asmor]

I assume you meant NG

You heard me.

They're like carnies, man. Pure evil.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

You heard me.

They're like carnies, man. Pure evil.

I happen to like canaries.

 

[Fat Daddy]

Stick with LG

I agree with the majority of the posters here. Keep the halfling Paladin LG. I don't see a problem with Ranged Smite. I would probably put the caveat that like a ranged sneak attack the wee paladin would have to be within 30' to use the ranged smite.