Context: We are starting Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, most likely from level 1 to 13, so only 3 ASI's. The goal will be to maximize Divine Smite to help fight the fiends (demons and devils). Not sure if those are the main baddies, but that's what we are guessing. What would you suggest for a paladin smiting focus build? Trying to help my wife build her character. Her first character died in our first campaign, so trying to make this one a little harder to kill.
Current party: fighter, sorcerer, ranger or sorcerer (hasn't made up mind yet), dealer, cleric, and this paladin.
Rolled stats: 16, 15, 15, 14, 13, 9
Access to PHB only, initial race ideas was half-elf of course, but also interested in half-orc too. This is how I think I would place them, with their bonus from race.
Probably going Oath of Devotion for the Channel Divinity: Turn Unholy.
In terms of fighting styles, would you suggest dueling with shield and longsword/battleaxe, or defense with a great axe? Not sure if it makes a big difference, can have either higher AC with the shield, but with savage attacks the great axe could deal more damage.
Other forums suggest paladin level 1-6 for extra attack and aura of protection, then taking either warlock or sorcerer the rest of the way. I'm wondering, how important is charisma for that purpose?
If charisma is important, than likely half elf, with the first ASI to both Str and Cha to get both +4.
But if charisma is not super important, then we can do half orc and get to +5 right away.
Charisma is super important if you're aiming for that sweet Aura of Protection. It will make the character much, much harder to kill when he/she has a bonus to all saves equal to CHA mod.
Awwww, you are so right, that charisma modifier for Aura of Protection is pretty sweet. In that case, it might be a good idea to go half elf, then at lvl 4 split the ASI and give STR and CHA both 4+, which will should be more balanced. Thanks!
I currently play a Paladin in Decent into Avernus. If you want to max out radient damage pick Aasimar as a race. Specifically Scourge Aasimar.
The reason I say your overall damage is more important is that you'll rarely encounter fiends until lvl 5 when you actually make it to Avernus. Furthermore in a party of 4 based off choices you can easily hit the milestones to get from lvl 5 to lvl 7 very quickly. At least this is how it was for our party.
I also wouldn't multiclass unless you're only going to teo levels but I'd do that after 12 if you're going Devotion. Your reasoning for going Devotion Paladin makes absolutely no sense, every Paladin has turn the unholy. You go Devotion for Sacred Weapon, Immunity to charms lvl 6, immunity to fear lvl 10 and permanent protection from evil and good lvl 15. Immunity to Charm and Fear is to good to toss away for multiclassing in Avernus. As a scourge Aasimar also you can negate a Devotions final ability as the auras are roughly the same. If you do multiclass I'd suggest no more than 2 or 3 lvls depending on the class. What you get from Paladins is entirely to good to waste. With a 2 lvl dip into a full caster you can get 6th lvl spell slots. Beyond that it's pretty redundant you dont really gain much from it. Infact you lose more as you're HP goes down drastically.
My Paladin is an odd duct in how most people think you should build a Paladin. I have a Scourge Aasimar Devotion Paladin that is currently lvl 7. My AC is 23 HP is 67 STR 13 DEX 8 CON 16 INT 8 WIS 14 CHR 16 via Point Buy. The Reason STR is low is I'm not to concerned about STR as there are plenty of items that boost STR and Devotion Paladins can use Sacred Weapon once a short rest. Further my aim is to do a 2 lvl dip into War Cleric for a lvl 6 spell slot later on and 2 bonus action attacks per a long rest. My current items are plate , +1 shield, ring of protection, guantlets of flaming fury. I took the Defense fighting style as AC to me is better than damage especially as a nova damage dealing Paladin.
Now I'll tell you from playing this to lvl 7. It is very hard with a 23 AC for things to hit you up to this point in the story even more so when you cast shield of faith.
Havent started yet, but my wife already finished her backstory and sent it to our DM. Because we are new and only have the players handbook, she ended up going half elf, but the progression in levels for sure can still be changed. Definitely see the benefits paladin has to offer. We'll keep that in mind before deciding to mutliclass. Thanks everyone!
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Context: We are starting Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus, most likely from level 1 to 13, so only 3 ASI's. The goal will be to maximize Divine Smite to help fight the fiends (demons and devils). Not sure if those are the main baddies, but that's what we are guessing. What would you suggest for a paladin smiting focus build? Trying to help my wife build her character. Her first character died in our first campaign, so trying to make this one a little harder to kill.
Current party: fighter, sorcerer, ranger or sorcerer (hasn't made up mind yet), dealer, cleric, and this paladin.
Rolled stats: 16, 15, 15, 14, 13, 9
Access to PHB only, initial race ideas was half-elf of course, but also interested in half-orc too. This is how I think I would place them, with their bonus from race.
Half elf:
Str: 16+1= 17 (3+)
Dex: 14 (2+)
Con: 15+1=16 (3+)
Int: 9 (-1)
Wis: 13 (+1)
Cha: 15+2=17 (3+)
Half-Orc:
Str: 16+2= 18 (4+)
Dex: 14 (2+)
Con: 15+1=16 (3+)
Int: 9 (-1)
Wis: 13 (+1)
Cha: 15 (2+)
Probably going Oath of Devotion for the Channel Divinity: Turn Unholy.
In terms of fighting styles, would you suggest dueling with shield and longsword/battleaxe, or defense with a great axe? Not sure if it makes a big difference, can have either higher AC with the shield, but with savage attacks the great axe could deal more damage.
Other forums suggest paladin level 1-6 for extra attack and aura of protection, then taking either warlock or sorcerer the rest of the way. I'm wondering, how important is charisma for that purpose?
If charisma is important, than likely half elf, with the first ASI to both Str and Cha to get both +4.
But if charisma is not super important, then we can do half orc and get to +5 right away.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Charisma is super important if you're aiming for that sweet Aura of Protection. It will make the character much, much harder to kill when he/she has a bonus to all saves equal to CHA mod.
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
Awwww, you are so right, that charisma modifier for Aura of Protection is pretty sweet. In that case, it might be a good idea to go half elf, then at lvl 4 split the ASI and give STR and CHA both 4+, which will should be more balanced. Thanks!
Pally to 6, boost Cha for the saves, rest of the way sorcerer and you can smite all day long.
I hope this hits you before you start.
I currently play a Paladin in Decent into Avernus. If you want to max out radient damage pick Aasimar as a race. Specifically Scourge Aasimar.
The reason I say your overall damage is more important is that you'll rarely encounter fiends until lvl 5 when you actually make it to Avernus. Furthermore in a party of 4 based off choices you can easily hit the milestones to get from lvl 5 to lvl 7 very quickly. At least this is how it was for our party.
I also wouldn't multiclass unless you're only going to teo levels but I'd do that after 12 if you're going Devotion. Your reasoning for going Devotion Paladin makes absolutely no sense, every Paladin has turn the unholy. You go Devotion for Sacred Weapon, Immunity to charms lvl 6, immunity to fear lvl 10 and permanent protection from evil and good lvl 15. Immunity to Charm and Fear is to good to toss away for multiclassing in Avernus. As a scourge Aasimar also you can negate a Devotions final ability as the auras are roughly the same. If you do multiclass I'd suggest no more than 2 or 3 lvls depending on the class. What you get from Paladins is entirely to good to waste. With a 2 lvl dip into a full caster you can get 6th lvl spell slots. Beyond that it's pretty redundant you dont really gain much from it. Infact you lose more as you're HP goes down drastically.
My Paladin is an odd duct in how most people think you should build a Paladin. I have a Scourge Aasimar Devotion Paladin that is currently lvl 7. My AC is 23 HP is 67 STR 13 DEX 8 CON 16 INT 8 WIS 14 CHR 16 via Point Buy. The Reason STR is low is I'm not to concerned about STR as there are plenty of items that boost STR and Devotion Paladins can use Sacred Weapon once a short rest. Further my aim is to do a 2 lvl dip into War Cleric for a lvl 6 spell slot later on and 2 bonus action attacks per a long rest. My current items are plate , +1 shield, ring of protection, guantlets of flaming fury. I took the Defense fighting style as AC to me is better than damage especially as a nova damage dealing Paladin.
Now I'll tell you from playing this to lvl 7. It is very hard with a 23 AC for things to hit you up to this point in the story even more so when you cast shield of faith.
Havent started yet, but my wife already finished her backstory and sent it to our DM. Because we are new and only have the players handbook, she ended up going half elf, but the progression in levels for sure can still be changed. Definitely see the benefits paladin has to offer. We'll keep that in mind before deciding to mutliclass. Thanks everyone!