Multiclass from paladin after 3rd level?

[Quasqueton]

If I was not interested in the whole mounted combat option, what do you think of going cleric after being a paladin for 3 levels?

Going cleric 1 at 4th level instead of paladin 4 means trading (in the case of my character):

1 hit point, 1 BAB, 2 points for lay on hands, 1 first-level spell, and 1 point of smite damage

for

3 orisons (more than lay on hands points), 3 first-level spells, +1 fort save, and +2 will save

Still get turning as 1st level. At later levels I'll miss out on a mount (not too useful in an urban campaign), another smite at 5th level, remove disease at 6th level, and slowly increasing smite damage bonus (+2 extra at 5th, +3 extra at 6th).

Looking at this list, the only thing I think I would miss is the increasing smite damage bonus. The slower BAB would probably also be noticable.

Is there an "mount" choice that would be good for an urban campaign?

Quasqueton

 

[SpuneDagr]

What kind of niche does this character fill? Does he (or she) see himself as a holy warrior or a healer/protector? Does he care that he can never again gain levels in paladin?

 

[Quasqueton]

What kind of niche does this character fill? Does he (or she) see himself as a holy warrior or a healer/protector? Does he care that he can never again gain levels in paladin?

He currently fills the role of main front-line combatant, even though his feats are (at 2nd level) Skill Focus (Diplomacy) and Negotiator. (How's that for irony?) He sees himself as a diplomat first, warrior second.

Quasqueton

 

[Darklone]

Ouch. That smells a lot like Roleplaying

A paladin without Power Attack and Divine Might...

Well. In your case, I'd pick up the best armour that I can get and try to solve most combats without force. Call the char Soft Quasquy of the Golden Tongue.

The cleric is fine for you. You won't need your smite too often.

 

[Quasqueton]

Ouch. That smells a lot like Roleplaying

For me, no more so than if I took Power Attack and Divine Might. I just chose to twink out on Diplomacy instead of damage. You might call me a Power Gamer/Twink masquerading as a Roleplayer

More irony: The only time I've gotten better than a 9 on the Diplomacy die roll is when I used Take 10. But I've hit my opponent in combat 95% of the time.

So, anyway, what do y'all think of the benefits vs. drawbacks of this character going Paladin 3/Cleric 1+?

Quasqueton

 

[Kalendraf]

I think it's viable, and you won't be losing a lot in terms of hit points or BAB. At higher levels, the BAB and hit points will begin to be noticed. However, by then you'll have a much larger base of spells to work with which should hopefully compensate.

One problem I foresee is the broad problem that many front-line characters with spellcasting abilities encounter - do you attack or cast? If the party is relying on you to attack, you may not have the opportunity to cast as many spells in combat as a normal cleric might be able to. You will be faced with the choice of casting helpful buff or summon spells vs. making melee attacks. If you can handle that issue, then you'll be fine. Of course as a Lawful Good cleric, you can always pitch spells after the battle for healing, but that isn't always the most efficient use of resources.

The only other multiclass options that seem to fit with a paladin would seem to be fighter or ranger, both of which would enable you to continue being a fairly solid front-row fighter type, but would give you additional feats for combat. A dual wielding Paladin/Ranger certainly seems novel, though the armor restriction might be too severe for you. If you are focused on the roleplay aspect, which seems to be the case with maximized diplomacy, then the cleric option is probably better.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

As someone who has played paladins, from a pure powergrubbing POV there is virtually nothing that a midlevel paladin/cleric can do that fighter/cleric could not do better. The paladin class just does not multiclass easily with anything except a level or two of fighter. (It can be done, but it takes a lot of clever minmaxing to work well.)

If you are going to go stick to the front line, your offense will be pathetic unless you get Divine Might. The paladin/cleric is a viable Defense! themed character. Your HPs, AC, and saves will be very good, and can be further boosted by spells. Consider picking up Combat Expertise (if stats allow) to boost the AC to absurd levels. Divine Vigor from CW is also a good choice.

If you want to go outside the box, I like the idea of paladin/ranger or paladin/rogue. But neither would make a particularly good frontliner.

 

[Chris Parker]

They are right. Especially with the Paladin's CHA to saves, you will make a good tank. Perhaps eventually take a level in Monk.

Youll have a high WIS from cleric, and it very well might eventually outclass any armor you can get. And dont forget to ask your DM if you can enchant Bracers of Armor (or was it the Amulet that gives Armor bonus?) with armor special abilities (ie - fortification, etc etc). That way you could have +5 bracers of Heavy Fortification or whatever is your flavor.

 

[Darklone]

Care to give us your stats?

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

Can you talk to the DM about losing the mount and getting something else in return?