Help Making a Paladin?

[bret]

Has anyone mentioned taking Improved Initiative for this Paladin? The main thing you would miss as a Paladin with the low dex is the Initiative Bonus.

I would go with the higher Int and low Dex, but partially make up for it with Improved Initiative. I also like higher Int because of the Expertise feat.

I would also go with a higher Con than Str. The Con will allow you to last through the battles. There are other ways to get bonus damage than Strength, plus it is safer to boost Str with Bull's Strength than boost Con with Endurance. You don't suddenly die because of a Dispel Magic on Bull's Strength, the same can't be said for Endurance.

There is a feat in DotF that gives a damage bonus in exchange for using a turn attempt. I forget the name (Divine Power maybe?), but it is definately worth it. There are too many times you will not be able to use your turn ability, this makes it much more generally applicable. Even when going against undead this can be important, since you will probably not be able to turn the most powerful undead.

Long term you might want to pick up Disarm or some other non-lethal means of dealing with enemies. It really depends on the campaign. It can also help when someone gets possessed or dominated.

 

[Eridanis]

I considered taking Improved Init with my latest feat, but after discussing it with my group, I decided it wouldn't be the optimal choice. At our group's level (12 to 13), the last thing I need to do as the main tank is to go first, run up to the target, and miss out on the mass haste! Which would only matter for a round or two before I get totally waxed by the dragon or giant. Best to let the spellcasters and spring attack fighter types go first, then moving up with the other fighter as appropriate. No shame in going in unprepared.

And while I took Divine Might at 4th level, I haven't used it in a while since that standard action is needed for me to advance on the enemy/activate my weapon's shocking burst/do something else. All that's changed with the latest D&D FAQ - Divine Might is now "erratad" to be activated as a free action! So definitely go for the Divine Might!

 

[Acmite]

I think it's great too. And I agree that a DM should have the power to control the parameters of his game.

But however, I think there are other things that need to be considered. [Snip]

Excellent post, Jeremy. Excellent.

Now, someone get more Paladin smackdowns done!