Evasion Paladin for new players

[EllisDee37]

Updated version of this build for the enhancement pass.

NOTE: This build was made largely obsolete by the Armor Up changes and paladin pass. I have a concept for what to convert this build into (15/5 paladin/rogue with trapping skills) but until I get that posted, consider this build obsolete.

This THF melee build is focused on self-healing, high saves and evasion, with a nod toward DPS. It is not a tank.

The only tome required is if you're a 28pt build, you'll need to get at least a +1 strength tome by level 24. Just grab one from the auction house; you'll easily be able to afford it by level 24.

You only need a few ranks in Open Lock to get most of the locks in the game. If you have a +2 int tome, put the extra skill points into Heal for the extra devotion.

Paladins are required to be Lawful Good, and this build really benefits from the human bonuses (extra feat and skill points). Gender is irrelevant.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.16.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Evasion Paladin
Level 28 Lawful Good Human
(15 Paladin / 3 Rogue / 2 Fighter / 8 Epic) 

Abilities          28pt    32pt    34pt    36pt
Strength            16      18      18      18
Dexterity           12      10      12      14
Constitution        14      14      14      14
Intelligence        10      10      10      10
Wisdom               8       8       8       8
Charisma            14      14      14      14

Skills              Ranks
Concentration        23
UMD                  23
Heal                 12
Jump                  6
Open Lock             6
Balance               4
Intimidate            4
Haggle                4
Swim                  3
Tumble                1

Feats
 1 : Power Attack
 1H: Least Dragonmark of Passage
 2F: Cleave
 3 : Two Handed Fighting
 3P: Follower of the Sovereign Host
 6 : Great Cleave
 8P: Unyielding Sovereignty
 9 : Improved Critical: Slashing
12 : Empower Healing Spell
15 : Extend Spell
18 : Improved Two Handed Fighting
19F: Greater Two Handed Fighting
21E: Quicken Spell
24E: Overwhelming Critical
26E: Toughness
27E: Blinding Speed
28E: Perfect Two Handed Fighting

Fury of the Wild
Primal Scream II
Tunnel Vision III
Acute Instincts III
Constitution II
Gird Against Demons I
Overwhelming Force III
Sense Weakness III
Fury Eternal
Unbridled Fury
Twist 1: Lay Waste
Twist 2: Momentum Swing
Twist 3: Brace For Impact

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Haggle (+4)
Skill: Intimidate (+4)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Swim (+3)
Skill: Tumble (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack
Feat: (Human Bonus) Least Dragonmark of Passage
Enhancement: Human Core: Human Versatility: Damage
Enhancement: Human1: Orien Dragonmark Focus I
Enhancement: Human1: Orien Dragonmark Focus II
Enhancement: Human1: Orien Dragonmark Focus III


Level 2 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Cleave
Enhancement: Kensei Core: Heavy Blades
Enhancement: Kensei1: Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Kensei1: Haste Boost II
Enhancement: Kensei1: Haste Boost III


Level 3 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting
Feat: (Paladin Bonus) Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Human1: Improved Recovery
Enhancement: Human2: Lesser Dragonmark Focus


Level 4 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Enhancement: Sacred Defender Core: Holy Bastion
Enhancement: SD1: Extra Lay On Hands I
Enhancement: SD1: Extra Lay On Hands II
Enhancement: SD1: Extra Lay On Hands III


Level 5 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Enhancement: KotC Core: Hunter of the Dead I
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Smite I
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Smite II
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Remove Disease I


Level 6 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Great Cleave
Spell (1): Cure Light Wounds
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Remove Disease II
Enhancement: KotC Core: Courage of Heaven
Enhancement: KotC2: Extra Smite I
Enhancement: KotC2: Extra Smite II


Level 7 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Enhancement: KotC2: Divine Might I
Enhancement: KotC3: Vigor of Life


Level 8 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Feat: (Paladin Bonus) Unyielding Sovereignty
Spell (1): Protection From Evil
Enhancement: KotC Core: Hunter of the Dead II
Enhancement: KotC3: Improved Restoration I
Enhancement: KotC3: Improved Restoration II
Enhancement: KotC3: Improved Restoration III


Level 9 (Rogue)
Skill: Open Lock (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+8)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: KotC3: Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Turn Undead I
Enhancement: KotC3: Exalted Smite I


Level 10 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: KotC4: Vigor of Life
Enhancement: KotC2: Divine Might II


Level 11 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Resist Energy
Enhancement: KotC2: Divine Might III
Enhancement: KotC3: Exalted Smite II


Level 12 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Turn Undead II
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Remove Disease III
Enhancement: KotC5: Sealed Life


Level 13 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (2): Angelskin
Enhancement: KotC5: Vigor of Life
Enhancement: SD1: Armor Mastery I
Enhancement: SD1: Armor Mastery II


Level 14 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (3): Cure Moderate Wounds
Enhancement: SD1: Armor Mastery III
Enhancement: SD2: Bulwark Aura I
Enhancement: SD2: Bulwark Aura II
Enhancement: SD2: Bulwark Aura III


Level 15 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell
Spell (3): Prayer
Enhancement: KotC Core: Improved Courage of Heaven
Enhancement: SD3: Resistance Aura I
Enhancement: SD3: Resistance Aura II
Enhancement: SD3: Resistance Aura III


Level 16 (Paladin)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Human Core: Human Adaptability: Strength
Enhancement: Human Core: Human Versatility: Saves
Enhancement: Assassin Core: Knife in the Darkness


Level 17 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Spell (1): Divine Favor
Spell (4): Cure Serious Wounds
Enhancement: Human3: Improved Recovery
Enhancement: Kensei1: Weapon Group Specialization


Level 18 (Paladin)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting
Spell (4): Zeal
Knight of the Chalice Tree Reset
Enhancement: KotC Core: Fiendslayer I
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Remove Disease III
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Turn Undead II
Enhancement: KotC1: Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: KotC Core: Courage of Heaven
Enhancement: KotC2: Divine Might III
Enhancement: KotC2: Extra Smite Evil II
Enhancement: KotC Core: Fiendslayer II
Enhancement: KotC3: Improved Restoration III
Enhancement: KotC3: Divine Sacrifice I
Enhancement: KotC3: Vigor of Life
Enhancement: KotC3: Exalted Smite II
Enhancement: KotC Core: Improved Courage of Heaven
Enhancement: KotC4: Vigor of Life
Enhancement: KotC5: Vigor of Life
Enhancement: KotC5: Sealed Life
Enhancement: Assassin Tier 1: Sneak Attack Training
Enhancement: KotC3: Exalted Smite III


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: SD3: Constitution
Enhancement: Human Core: Greater Adaptability: Constitution


Level 20 (Rogue)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+3)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Enhancement: Human4: Improved Recovery
Enhancement: KotC3: Strength


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Overwhelming Critical


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Blinding Speed


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Perfect Two Handed Fighting

<End of Build>

The first fighter level is taken as early as possible to get you up and running with maxed haste boost + damage boost right out of the gate. Then six paladin levels for Ghost Touch on all weapons, followed by the second rogue level for evasion. Then it's pally all the way to 18 to get both zeal and cure serious by level 18, finishing off with the second fighter and third rogue levels at 19 & 20.

We start off as Hunter of the Dead for the free Ghost Touch as well as extra damage to undead. At level 18 -- finished with necropolis and ready for vale -- we respec the KotC core abilities to Fiendslayer for all the devils. Once capped, go with whichever KotC core abilities you prefer.


Here are the complete enhancements by tree for easy respecing in and out if you want to try out other enhancements. (This is also for easy reference if you're doing a LR.)

Human (17 AP)
Core: Human Versatility: Damage
Core: Human Adaptability: Strength
Core: Human Versatility: Saves
Core: Greater Adaptability: Constitution
Tier 1: Orien Dragonmark Focus III
Tier 1: Improved Recovery
Tier 2: Lesser Dragonmark Focus
Tier 3: Improved Recovery
Tier 4: Improved Recovery

Knight of the Chalice (39 AP)
Core: Slayer of Evil I
Core: Courage of Heaven
Core: Slayer of Evil II
Core: Improved Courage of Heaven
Tier 1: Extra Turn Undead II
Tier 1: Extra Remove Disease III
Tier 1: Extra Smite Evil II
Tier 2: Divine Might III
Tier 2: Extra Smite Evil II
Tier 3: Improved Restoration III
Tier 3: Divine Sacrifice I
Tier 3: Vigor of Life
Tier 3: Exalted Smite III
Tier 3: Strength
Tier 4: Vigor of Life
Tier 5: Vigor of Life
Tier 5: Sealed Life

Sacred Defender (15 AP)
Core: Holy Bastion
Tier 1: Extra Lay On Hands III
Tier 1: Sacred Armor Mastery III
Tier 2: Bulwark Aura III
Tier 3: Resistance Aura III
Tier 3: Constitution

Kensei (6 AP)
Core: Kensei Focus: Heavy Blades
Tier 1: Weapon Group Specialization
Tier 1: Haste Boost III

Assassin (3 AP)
Core: Knife in the Darkness
Tier 1: Sneak Attack Training

[EllisDee37]

Healing Amp
10 human
10 human
10 human
10 pally
10 pally
10 pally
30 gloves
20 bracers
10 ship
----
304%

Devotion
15 sacred defender
24 heal
75 empower healing spell
120 item
----
234

Cure Serious
31.5 base
*3.34 devotion
*3.04 amp
-----
320 HP for 22 SP (32 w/quicken)

This is sufficient self-healing to not need rejuvenation cocoon, freeing up your twists for melee goodness from legendary dreadnought.


Long Duration Buffs
Protection from Evil

Short Duration Buffs
Zeal
Divine Favor
Divine Might
Prayer
Primal Scream
Haste Boost
Damage Boost

Melee Attacks
Divine Sacrifice
Exalted Smite
Cleave
Great Cleave
Momentum Swing
Lay Waste

As you can see, there are lots and lots of short duration buffs and clickie attacks. This is part of why extend is so attractive for this build; the less you have to keep re-applying buffs the better. CC is limited to adrenaline smites.

[EllisDee37]

one more

[EllisDee37]

3 should be enough

[mna]

Excellent, and thank you - my attempt at following your previous build version quickly became one of my favorite toons. That one has gotten a +1 int tome, is there a place to pinch 1 build point to put into int for +1 skill point from l3 onwards after the LR?


I note that there's no Force of Personality in this plan, is it just not needed any more?


And I seem to recall some discussion on a ranger-splashed version too (which was scrapped due to EDs not playing nice with it?) - I personally like to have the tactical option of switching to ranged occasionally, would you consent to publishing some of your notes about that one even if with the caveat that it doesn't work in epics?

[Munkenmo]

I'm really struggling to see the justification for magical training, Echoes of power isn't worth spending a feat on imo.

I'd be looking into

Stunning blow
Improved sunder
Least Dragon mark of passage (using enhancements to pick up ddoor)

Before I'd ever consider taking magical training.

[EllisDee37]

That one has gotten a +1 int tome, is there a place to pinch 1 build point to put into int for +1 skill point from l3 onwards after the LR?

Best bet is to grind out 1750 favor to upgrade it to a +2 int tome. (Or buy one off the ah or even grab an upgrade tome from the store.)

I note that there's no Force of Personality in this plan, is it just not needed any more?

It ends up being worth only +3 will saves in this version, compared to +4 in the previous version. I couldn't really justify it for a mere +3 will saves.

And I seem to recall some discussion on a ranger-splashed version too (which was scrapped due to EDs not playing nice with it?) - I personally like to have the tactical option of switching to ranged occasionally, would you consent to publishing some of your notes about that one even if with the caveat that it doesn't work in epics?

Yeah, I tried and tried to make that version but it just didn't work as well as I'd hoped. In the end, it became apparent that going the ranger splash route worked much, much better with a monk splash instead of rogue for the extra 2 feats. Which is a pyrene build.

[EllisDee37]

I'm really struggling to see the justification for magical training, Echoes of power isn't worth spending a feat on imo.

I'd be looking into

Stunning blow
Improved sunder
Least Dragon mark of passage (using enhancements to pick up ddoor)

Before I'd ever consider taking magical training.

The dragonmark is a solid suggestion, especially since I'm throwing points into the human tree to unlock healing amp anyway. That could be worthwhile. And I love the free expeditious retreat clickie.

Neither stunning blow nor improved sunder would likely reach useful DCs. I suppose taking both (dropping extend) could let you stack up a bunch of improved sunder debuffs to help land a stunning blow, though.

Magical Training is definitely useful. I've run quests before where I ran out of mana and it was super annoying being reminded of that fact every 3 seconds by divine sacrifice. Echoes gives you infinite sacrifices, plus a guaranteed ability to be able to cast (unmeta'd) cure serious, and even divine favor. The extra 80 mana is also definitely useful on a build that uses its bluebar both for combat healing as well as short-duration combat buffs.

I rather like the dragonmark suggestion, though. Hmmm...

[Dandonk]

Looks like a very solid build.

I have taken Magical Training myself on a build, but that was one with very low sp in and of itself. I found it very useful there. But with so many paladin levels, it may be less useful.

On the other hand, for new players with likely not so great items, it may help after all.

Still, I like the DD idea. It's a very useful ability. I think I would start out with MagTraining, though, and consider respeccing later when gear allows.

[Cythas]

I followed your old build for my first character in DDO, and I have to say it was a blast to play.

If possible, could you list out how different this new build is to your old one? I've been reading about some rather distressing news regarding Paladins and the new enhancement pass (like no longer having easy access to devotion enhancements), and I'd just like to know how much has changed.

[Zillee]

Thanks for updating your various builds so fast! I use quite a few of them so much appreciated.

[EllisDee37]

I've been reading about some rather distressing news regarding Paladins and the new enhancement pass (like no longer having easy access to devotion enhancements), and I'd just like to know how much has changed.

Yeah, this paladin loses ~40 devotion from enhancements, which is a downer. And the 40 it keeps comes much more slowly, so the early-mid levels will hurt a bit more until the healing kicks in @ 14. (Which is also a level later than the previous version.)

I have taken Magical Training myself on a build, but that was one with very low sp in and of itself. I found it very useful there. [...] On the other hand, for new players with likely not so great items, it may help after all.

This is part of what played into my thinking.

Still, I like the DD idea. It's a very useful ability. I think I would start out with MagTraining, though, and consider respeccing later when gear allows.

I'm liking it more and more, so much so that I just redid the enhancements (on my spreadsheet) to fit it in and I'm about ready to commit to the change.

Unfortunately, I have to log for a few hours so I can't update the thread quite yet. For anyone anxious to get in and use their LR+20, if you prefer Magical Training go with the build as written. If you want DDoor, here's the changes:

1: Dragonmark of Passage
1H: Power Attack
2F: Cleave
3: THF

The only enhancement changes are to the human tree:

Drop Action Surge II and Fighting Style III, take Dragonmark Focus III and Lesser Dragonmark. (5 DDoors/rest, woot!)

[Uska]

Interesting and looks like it could be fun

[Oiksander]

This THF melee build isn't focused on offense (dps) or defense (tanking) but rather survivability: self-heals, high saves and evasion. It is my main; he is the alt I always solo new content with first for the joy of not having to worry about hirelings, spell point management, or really anything. I confidently turn blind corners with the knowledge that he'll survive just about anything by himself.

This was the 1st build / 1st character I chose when I started DDO a few of months ago and I still play him each login.

After an intermission with a Druid, Ive started my 3rd Character: your Pale Trapper build (only just realizing it's also yours )

Thank you for providing these builds and updating them so quickly.
Now I can (re)spec quickly and get on with playing rather than muddling / grinding through each little unfamiliar box / menu

[Himkano]

I have a 18 pally /2 monk with 2 weapon fighting (very similar to the other version of this build, but I traded thieving skills for feats). I am curious why you switched to 2 handed fighting on this build - did something change to make it better, is it a stat thing?

I know this is a newbie friendly build, but I have +4 to every stat, would that make a difference?

[EllisDee37]

I have a 18 pally /2 monk with 2 weapon fighting (very similar to the other version of this build, but I traded thieving skills for feats). I am curious why you switched to 2 handed fighting on this build - did something change to make it better, is it a stat thing?

The other build was also THF.

I know this is a newbie friendly build, but I have +4 to every stat, would that make a difference?

A +4 tome on every stats is a huge help for any build. For this build specifically you get +4 to all saves (very nice!) and 19 extra skill points. Those skill points are almost as tasty as the +4 saves since it will let you max out heal and toss a few extra in either balance or open lock, as you prefer.

There are two main draws to this build compared to the monk splash: full ranks in UMD and F2P. Once you own monks it ends up being UMD vs 2 feats. Even though I own monk, I still prefer the easy UMD of rogue. Plus I like to be able to open locks, particularly in shroud.

[Himkano]

You're right, of course; I thought one was 2h fighting and one was 2 weapon fighting. My question about the tome was, considering a +4 tome was available, would you still pick 2 handed fighting, or would you fo 2 weapon fighting.
I know there was
a time when 2 weapon fighting was unquestionably more damage on a paladin, because of the double bonuses from various Paladin weapon boosts. What I was trying to ask, poorly, is - Is 2 handed now better for paladins, or did you choose 2 handed to keep the build newbie friendly (because without some tomes its hard to get all the stats needed for 2 weapons)

[EllisDee37]

Oh, gotcha.

Well, divine might was nerfed mightily for TWF, but breaks even for THF thanks to getting 1.5 strength bonus to damage. Smites and sacrifices still work better for TWF but honestly I think the spamming of cleave and great cleave more than offsets that, since those do better with THF.

I would be staying THF regardless; I have a ranger for my TWF experience. But I think right now THF has a slight edge in general, for pallies they're probably both about even. Player's choice, I think.

EDIT: Actually, when you factor in zeal I think THF might be ahead for pallies, too.

[Himkano]

Just curious, do you use a Bastard Sword / DA and shield, or a true 2handed weapon? I used to be BS and shield, but ran into problems against healers in elite content - in solo mode I couldn't kill them faster than they could heal themselves, especially if there were 2 of them healing each other.

As a solo evasion paladin yourself, have you experienced this problem yourself? I had this problem at lvl 16, so maybe the problem solved itself as I leveled. I never it tested again, because the feats were expensive to respec, but now I have this 20+ reincarnation burning a hole in my pocket...

[EllisDee37]

I updated the build to swap out Magical Training (bye bye, echoes! *sniff*) to bring in the dragonmark of passage. Hello, DDoor! Woot! Thanks much for the suggestion, fTdOmen. This is a good change.

Besides which, while grinding out the endless destiny points to twist in Lay Waste I can always twist in Endless Faith if I really want echoes.

Just curious, do you use a Bastard Sword / DA and shield, or a true 2handed weapon? I used to be BS and shield, but ran into problems against healers in elite content - in solo mode I couldn't kill them faster than they could heal themselves, especially if there were 2 of them healing each other.

As a solo evasion paladin yourself, have you experienced this problem yourself? I had this problem at lvl 16, so maybe the problem solved itself as I leveled. I never it tested again, because the feats were expensive to respec, but now I have this 20+ reincarnation burning a hole in my pocket...

My paladin doesn't have a shield; he exclusively uses falchions and mauls. I don't recall insurmountable issues with self-healing bosses, though some of them can be annoying for sure.

Adding in cleave and great cleave early should help a lot. For later heroic levels there are enough melee attacks and short duration buffs you can bring to bear that dps should be acceptable.