@RoyalRodney: DM said we'd probably be done by level 11 or 12 max. I considered the dragonmark already but not sure if its legal in this game and I felt that once per rest was meh anyway especially when paired with the possibility of dealing force damage to allies or myself in the process and spending a whole feat for this. We had another game since and we just gained a level that needs to be applied for next game. In that game, myself and one ally got feared for a turn and I failed to save against a deadly fireball that dealt 45 damage. At that moment, I wished I had Absorb Elements but the one before, I wished for Aura of Courage. In the end, it's impossible to cover everything. I also managed to render a boss useless through Hold Person on turn 1 that I could only cast thanks to Harness Divine Power but also where I wished I had quicken. It worked out in the end since she failed the two saves she got and I managed to completely obliterate her by blasting her with my smites on those auto crits which was just enough to wreck her face.
In the end, last game showed me glimpses of what to expect moving forward and different challenges where either one of the options would outshine the other. Right now, I think the best thing to do is to get that CHA to 20 by getting that ASI at Pal 8 ASAP which will be the biggest power boost I can get and offer the party through my Aura of Protection in the next 2 levels followed by 3rd level spells the level after:
Option #1 (no mc into sorc):
Pal 7/Hex 1 = Relentless Avenger which is meh but can be situationally useful, +1d10 hit die, get a 2nd daily use of Harness Divine Power, slots go from 4/2 -> 4/3 but effective is 4/5 when considering Harness Divine Power
Pal 8/Hex 1 = Prof bonus becomes +4, Skill Expert + CHA 20 (+1 to hit/dmg/spell DC & +1 saves to myself/close allies), expertise in Athletics, prof in another skill, +1d10 hit die
Pal 9/Hex 1 = +1d10 hit dit, slots go from 4/3 -> 4/3/2 but effective is 4/5/2 when considering Harness Divine Power
Option #2:
Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 1 = Cantrips, Absorb Elements + Healing Word + Bless, Favored by the Gods, +1d6 hit die, slots go from 4/2 -> 4/3
Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 2 = Prof bonus becomes +4, Font of Magic, 2 SP, a random 1st level spell known that I don't need and will exchange as soon as I can, +1d6 hit die, slots go from 4/3 -> 4/3/2 but effective is 5/3/2 when considering Font of Magic. I would get 3rd level slots here, one level earlier then Pal but can only use them for smites or upcasting lower leveled spells
Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 3 = Metamagic, 3 SP, Spiritual Weapon & Enlarge/Reduce, +1d6 hit die, slots go from 4/3/2 -> 4/3/3, no longer considering Font of Magic where I'll need to burn SP for Quicken/Twin and burn spell slots further to replenish SP.
That +1 to pretty much everything in the Paladin's kit is too tempting and, at that point, 3rd level spells are available just one level later. DS 1 would probably be leagues better then Pal 7 but then DS 2 would pale in comparison to Pal 8 and by the time I get metamagic at DS 3, I will have 3rd level spells available as a Paladin and the entire list is great: Haste, Protection from Energy, Aura of Vitality, Blinding Smite, Create Food and Water, Crusader's Mantle, Dispel Magic, Elemental Weapon, Magic Circle, Remove Curse, Revivify and Spirit Shroud. Even getting access to metamagic, I'd still be lagging way behind compared to all those goodies.
I don't think the character would become bad at all going from Pal 6/Hex 1 to Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 3, it would still be an improvement, sure, but it would still be far weaker when compared to Pal 9/Hex 1. I think the point previous posters were trying to make me realize and which took me a while to fully comprehend until I started looking into the very near future and from the perspective of progression and comparing both options level by level was that going from a Pal with already a -1 level deficit due to Hexblade to going Pal/Sorc will make that decifit even worse up until something like Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 7 where it'll be about even with a Pal 13/Hex 1 when considering abilities on both ends (4th level spells with 4/3/3/3/2 + Metamagic + Magical Guidance + Empowered Healing vs 4th level spells with 4/3/3/1 (but effective 4/3/5/1 with Harness Divine Power) + Aura of Courage + Improved Divine Smite + better hit die + Shield Master that I will have gotten a level earlier at Pal 12 and wouldn't get until DS 8). After that, at Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 8, the sorc multiclass would definitely start to pull ahead when I've gotten the main things I'm after for the build and have access to powerful spells and metamagic but that's a whole 7 levels where sticking to Paladin would have been better for everyone, myself included! 7 levels is a VERY long time.
Again, Sorcadin looks really dope, but I'll definitely be sticking to Paladin throughout the rest of the Curse of Strahd campaign and we'll see what the DM has in store for us afterwards! If I get the option to rebuild the character later on, I might revisit, otherwise, it'll become a future project hehe.
Anyway, thanks a ton for all your replies guys! This really helped me make my decision and finally stick to it. Cheers! ^_^
I need to correct myself. Apparently I had been understanding that "learn" with the dragonmark meant you can cast normally using spell slots. I then saw that magic initiate is using the same wording and that can only be cast once (if you dont have the class lvl anyway). Sorry about that mistake. All those options are fantastic. Playing devil's advocate here once more though maybe think on pal 8/ hex 1/ ds 1. Youd gain all the benefits youre after sans quicken bless. Plus your slots would be 5/3/2 (extra from your pact slot) with effective 5/5/2 from the cd burn, and you can grab shield, absorb, bless, etc and gain the favor of the gods. Just one last morsel to think on haha.
I need to correct myself. Apparently I had been understanding that "learn" with the dragonmark meant you can cast normally using spell slots. I then saw that magic initiate is using the same wording and that can only be cast once (if you dont have the class lvl anyway).
I don't have the Eberron book, but some newer feats, like Fey Touched, specifically permit you to cast with your spell slots.
I need to correct myself. Apparently I had been understanding that "learn" with the dragonmark meant you can cast normally using spell slots. I then saw that magic initiate is using the same wording and that can only be cast once (if you dont have the class lvl anyway). Sorry about that mistake. All those options are fantastic. Playing devil's advocate here once more though maybe think on pal 8/ hex 1/ ds 1. Youd gain all the benefits youre after sans quicken bless. Plus your slots would be 5/3/2 (extra from your pact slot) with effective 5/5/2 from the cd burn, and you can grab shield, absorb, bless, etc and gain the favor of the gods. Just one last morsel to think on haha.
Well, most of what I want anyway. However, I'll want those 3rd level spells ASAP by then. Delaying them an extra level isn't doing me any favors. Like I said, I already have Shield, that and Armor of Agathys were the two spells I picked from Hexblade along with Eldritch Blast and Booming Blade for cantrips. That 1st level sorc's main benefits would be absorb elements, healing word, a "free" Bless without needing to prepare it anymore and Favored by the Gods. Admitedly, those are all nice things. But I think unlocking 3rd level spells at that moment is bigger and I'll still end up delaying the rest at one point for a good 6-7 levels before it gets good enough to compensate for the pally levels.
I need to correct myself. Apparently I had been understanding that "learn" with the dragonmark meant you can cast normally using spell slots. I then saw that magic initiate is using the same wording and that can only be cast once (if you dont have the class lvl anyway).
I don't have the Eberron book, but some newer feats, like Fey Touched, specifically permit you to cast with your spell slots.
Yeah, but I already checked those and they specify schools of magic (Divination/Enchantment for Fey and Illusion/Necromancy for Shadow), none of them allow me to pick Absorb Elements and cast it with my own spell slots.
The best option to get Absorb Elements which is probably the 1st level spell I'm most after would definitely be Abherrant Dragonmark but I'm already starved for feats as is and I wouldn't be able to pick it up until level 20 anyway (Pal 19). At that point, I would just pick something like Inspiring Leader for +25 temp HP to the whole party. Absorb Elements has the potential to be better then that for myself only but I doubt it can save over 100+ hp between each short rest.
With this current stat spread:
STR 13
DEX 14
CON 17
INT 11
WIS 13
CHA 19
I definitely need at least two half feats or one half-feat and to spend an ASI in CON/CHA or CON/WIS. Current plan is:
Next level @CL 9 (Pal 8/Hex 1): Skill Expert for expertise on Athletics & CHA 20
CL13 (Pal 12/Hex 1): Shield Master ASAP to take advantage of Athletics Expertise
CL17 (Pal 16/Hex 1): Res: CON to round out CON at 18 and because Res:CON is awesome
CL20 (Pal 19/Hex 1): Unplanned for now but most likely Inspiring Leader
I don't see Abherrant Dragonmark/Absorb Elements being more important then any of those and I don't want to delay the CHA 20 any longer then it already has been. The only other solution would be to ditch Skill Expert & RES:CON and use a single ASI to round out both but I feel that's not worth it compared to the benefits of both half-feats and I might as well drop Shield Master if I don't get expertise on Athletics at that point and grab something like Mounted Combatant or whatever.
Thanks for your inputs guys. Seeing pros/cons from both sides really helped me by first changing my mind and then cementing my position in staying Paladin for now.
@RoyalRodney: DM said we'd probably be done by level 11 or 12 max. I considered the dragonmark already but not sure if its legal in this game and I felt that once per rest was meh anyway especially when paired with the possibility of dealing force damage to allies or myself in the process and spending a whole feat for this. We had another game since and we just gained a level that needs to be applied for next game. In that game, myself and one ally got feared for a turn and I failed to save against a deadly fireball that dealt 45 damage. At that moment, I wished I had Absorb Elements but the one before, I wished for Aura of Courage. In the end, it's impossible to cover everything. I also managed to render a boss useless through Hold Person on turn 1 that I could only cast thanks to Harness Divine Power but also where I wished I had quicken. It worked out in the end since she failed the two saves she got and I managed to completely obliterate her by blasting her with my smites on those auto crits which was just enough to wreck her face.
In the end, last game showed me glimpses of what to expect moving forward and different challenges where either one of the options would outshine the other. Right now, I think the best thing to do is to get that CHA to 20 by getting that ASI at Pal 8 ASAP which will be the biggest power boost I can get and offer the party through my Aura of Protection in the next 2 levels followed by 3rd level spells the level after:
Option #1 (no mc into sorc):
Option #2:
That +1 to pretty much everything in the Paladin's kit is too tempting and, at that point, 3rd level spells are available just one level later. DS 1 would probably be leagues better then Pal 7 but then DS 2 would pale in comparison to Pal 8 and by the time I get metamagic at DS 3, I will have 3rd level spells available as a Paladin and the entire list is great: Haste, Protection from Energy, Aura of Vitality, Blinding Smite, Create Food and Water, Crusader's Mantle, Dispel Magic, Elemental Weapon, Magic Circle, Remove Curse, Revivify and Spirit Shroud. Even getting access to metamagic, I'd still be lagging way behind compared to all those goodies.
I don't think the character would become bad at all going from Pal 6/Hex 1 to Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 3, it would still be an improvement, sure, but it would still be far weaker when compared to Pal 9/Hex 1. I think the point previous posters were trying to make me realize and which took me a while to fully comprehend until I started looking into the very near future and from the perspective of progression and comparing both options level by level was that going from a Pal with already a -1 level deficit due to Hexblade to going Pal/Sorc will make that decifit even worse up until something like Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 7 where it'll be about even with a Pal 13/Hex 1 when considering abilities on both ends (4th level spells with 4/3/3/3/2 + Metamagic + Magical Guidance + Empowered Healing vs 4th level spells with 4/3/3/1 (but effective 4/3/5/1 with Harness Divine Power) + Aura of Courage + Improved Divine Smite + better hit die + Shield Master that I will have gotten a level earlier at Pal 12 and wouldn't get until DS 8). After that, at Pal 6/Hex 1/DS 8, the sorc multiclass would definitely start to pull ahead when I've gotten the main things I'm after for the build and have access to powerful spells and metamagic but that's a whole 7 levels where sticking to Paladin would have been better for everyone, myself included! 7 levels is a VERY long time.
Again, Sorcadin looks really dope, but I'll definitely be sticking to Paladin throughout the rest of the Curse of Strahd campaign and we'll see what the DM has in store for us afterwards! If I get the option to rebuild the character later on, I might revisit, otherwise, it'll become a future project hehe.
Anyway, thanks a ton for all your replies guys! This really helped me make my decision and finally stick to it. Cheers! ^_^
Proficiency bonus is based on total level, not class level.
Right, I know, I did notice that I forgot to put it in my "option #2" section though, edited for clarity.
It also goes to +4 at level 9, not level 10.
I need to correct myself. Apparently I had been understanding that "learn" with the dragonmark meant you can cast normally using spell slots. I then saw that magic initiate is using the same wording and that can only be cast once (if you dont have the class lvl anyway). Sorry about that mistake. All those options are fantastic. Playing devil's advocate here once more though maybe think on pal 8/ hex 1/ ds 1. Youd gain all the benefits youre after sans quicken bless. Plus your slots would be 5/3/2 (extra from your pact slot) with effective 5/5/2 from the cd burn, and you can grab shield, absorb, bless, etc and gain the favor of the gods. Just one last morsel to think on haha.
I don't have the Eberron book, but some newer feats, like Fey Touched, specifically permit you to cast with your spell slots.
Well, most of what I want anyway. However, I'll want those 3rd level spells ASAP by then. Delaying them an extra level isn't doing me any favors. Like I said, I already have Shield, that and Armor of Agathys were the two spells I picked from Hexblade along with Eldritch Blast and Booming Blade for cantrips. That 1st level sorc's main benefits would be absorb elements, healing word, a "free" Bless without needing to prepare it anymore and Favored by the Gods. Admitedly, those are all nice things. But I think unlocking 3rd level spells at that moment is bigger and I'll still end up delaying the rest at one point for a good 6-7 levels before it gets good enough to compensate for the pally levels.
Yeah, but I already checked those and they specify schools of magic (Divination/Enchantment for Fey and Illusion/Necromancy for Shadow), none of them allow me to pick Absorb Elements and cast it with my own spell slots.
The best option to get Absorb Elements which is probably the 1st level spell I'm most after would definitely be Abherrant Dragonmark but I'm already starved for feats as is and I wouldn't be able to pick it up until level 20 anyway (Pal 19). At that point, I would just pick something like Inspiring Leader for +25 temp HP to the whole party. Absorb Elements has the potential to be better then that for myself only but I doubt it can save over 100+ hp between each short rest.
With this current stat spread:
I definitely need at least two half feats or one half-feat and to spend an ASI in CON/CHA or CON/WIS. Current plan is:
I don't see Abherrant Dragonmark/Absorb Elements being more important then any of those and I don't want to delay the CHA 20 any longer then it already has been. The only other solution would be to ditch Skill Expert & RES:CON and use a single ASI to round out both but I feel that's not worth it compared to the benefits of both half-feats and I might as well drop Shield Master if I don't get expertise on Athletics at that point and grab something like Mounted Combatant or whatever.
Thanks for your inputs guys. Seeing pros/cons from both sides really helped me by first changing my mind and then cementing my position in staying Paladin for now.
Absolutely fair =)