Kali's Paladin Knight of the Chalice THF CHA Melee DPS build

[Kalibano]

What's your Sunder DC?

Hi Ying.
In the tavern + geared fully + Charisma Yugo pot + Divine Might buffed:

75 Charisma score in town with those buffs. Minimal past lives (1 epic, 2 racial)
Currently only 9/14 filigrees filled up (missing 5 Prowess, but no buffs there for Charisma, nor Tactical DCs)

Numbers can only go upwards from this core build (i.e. past lives hamster wheel, rare bonuses, etc.).
From my perspective, a solid foundation to build from

 

[Dandonk]

Hmm, interesting, perhaps I'll try a pally again some time instead of barb or staff monk.

 

[Ying]

Your level ups are CHA, right? Would be interesting to see how high you can get if you went STR instead to benefit from the 1/3 CHA bonus tactics. I used Cower Before Me on an Assassin build to great effect, with around a 125 DC. It's amazing to make Despair reapers cower.

 

[Kalibano]

Your level ups are CHA, right? Would be interesting to see how high you can get if you went STR instead to benefit from the 1/3 CHA bonus tactics. I used Cower Before Me on an Assassin build to great effect, with around a 125 DC. It's amazing to make Despair reapers cower.

Yes, all level ups in CHA.

My understanding was that you can only benefit from the PDK tactics bonus if CHA is higher than STR, so I don't believe it would work on a STR build.

Unless the ability is broken, or there is a trick I am missing (both things being common in DDO! )

 

[Ying]

Whoops. Reading the tooltip explains the tooltip. Guess I need a new eyeglass prescription.

 

[Cashery]

Welcome to my build repository! I've been playing since 2006, and I play to have fun: I don't really care about 'the META'. I have 23 alts, so I actively play practically every class and race available in the game. I design all my builds fully from scratch. Hope you find them useful, and constructive comments/ suggestions are always welcome!

If you would like to contribute towards this effort, any donations will be greatly appreciated. If not, please don't worry: sharing is caring! Just sit back and relax, and enjoy the builds!

3. Kali's Paladin Knight of the Chalice melee DPS build

N.B. Details about the cosmetics here

Primary aim(s) of the build:
1. Area of Effect (AoE) melee DPS: strikethrough

Secondary aim(s):
2. AoE Insta Kills: Knight of the Chalice (KotC)'s 'Holy Retribution [T5]'
3. Crowd control: Divine Crusader's 'Consecration: Cower Before Me [T4]' + KotC's 'Censure Demons [T4] + Outsiders [T5]'
4. De-buffs:

> KotC's 'Avenging Cleave [T5]' (AoE, Vulnerability stacks) + 'Holy Retribution [T5]' (AoE, -6 all ability scores for 10s)​

> Divine Crusader's ​

> 'Sunder Evil [C4]' (AoE, Sunder attack inflicts -10 AC; -25% Fortification; - 3 Saves; for 12s)​

> 'Bring Down Wrath [T5]' (AoE, Weapon crits, apply Vulnerability + Armor destruction stacks)​

> Fury of the Wild's 'Primal Scream [T1]' (AoE, Shaken for 30s)​

Key abilities toolbar (main rotation):

Key strengths & synergies:
A. Charisma:

> Purple Dragon Knight (PDK) CHA to hit/dmg w Greatswords + tactics bonus [T1]​

> KotC's 'Divine Might [T1]' for insight hit/dmg + tactics bonus​

> Paladin's 'Exalted Smite [T3]' + 'Divine Grace' (saves) + 'Lay on Hands'​

> DCs: KotC’s ‘Holy Retribution' + Divine Crusader's 'Cower Before Me'​

B. Strikethrough chance = 250% [always attacks 3 targets (if in range), with a 50% chance to attack 4]
C. Doublestrike = 48%
D. Weapon Critical profile =16-20/ x3: Paladin's 'Holy Sword' (spell) + 'Improved Critical' (feature)

> Crit multiplier boost = +2: Divine Crusader's 'Blessed Blades [T5]' (+1 on 19-20 rolls) + 'Overwhelming Critical (feature, +1 on 19-20 rolls)​

E. Extra damage:

> +3% damage: sacred bonus via aura from KotC's 'Champion of Good [C6]'​

> +10% damage from Divine Crusader's 'Crusade [T3]'​

> 13d6 Light dmg imbue die, scales 200% Melee Power: KotC's toggle 'Slayer of Evil I [C1]'​

> buffable to 14 via Divine Crusader's 'Consecration [T1]'​

> 1d6 Law dmg per Epic or Leg level = 12d6: on each attack: Divine Crusader's 'Law of the Divine [T5]'​

> 30d6 Light dmg on Sunder attacks, scales 200% Melee Power (from Divine Crusader's 'Sunder Evil [C4]')​

> +500 dmg vs Undead (on vorpals): 'Slayer of Evil III [C5]'​

F. Melee power boosts:

> Filigrees (Sanctified Fervor via Smite Evil + Prowess via PDK Action boost);​

> PDK Melee power Action boost​

> Sacred bonus from KotC's 'Ascendency' (+3 per stack, stacks 25 times)​

G. Survivability (after all, soul stones do zero dps):

> Hit Points = 3.2k+ (fully unbuffed)​

> Hit Points bonus = +45%:​

> 25% competence: Sacred Defender [T3]​

> 10% Sacred: Sacred Defender [C5]​

> 10% Legendary: Winter set​

> Toughness features: Heroic + Epic + Legendary​

H. Good self-healing:

> Healing amplification = 200+​

> Paladin’s ‘Lay on Hands’ + spells​

> Divine Crusader’s ‘Consecrate [T1]’ + FotW’s ‘Unquenchable Rage [T4]’​

> 430+ Positive spellpower​

> Augments (Healer’s Bounty/ Crystalised Unicorn tear/ Improved Demonic Shield)​

I. Strong defenses:

> Immunities: Energy Drain 'Improved Courage of Heaven [C4]' + Fear (Paladin innate) + Diseases (Paladin innate)​

​

Class(es): Paladin (20)
Race: Purple Dragon Knight (requires a +1 heart to swap Fighter level out)
Alignment: Lawful Good (Paladin req)
Main stat: Charisma (level ups here)
Starting stats (36pt): STR: 15* (+2 tome req for THF feats)/ DEX: 08/ CON: 16/ INT: 08/ WIS: 10/ CHA: 18
Skills: Use Magic Device/ Heal/ Tumble (1 point)
Weapon type(s): Greatswords & Mauls

Features:

Heroic enhancements: 83 = 80 + (2 racial tomes) + 1 (Universal tree tome)

Epic Destinies: 64 = 60 + 1 (Tome of Fate +3) + 2 (Fey & Dread Tomes) + 1 (Historic Tome)

Gear Set bonuses:
(not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire)

Gear (not part of the core build: choices based on what supports the main aims of the build best, with the intention to suggest/ inspire):

(PS: Some choices ref gear cater to a much larger personal scheme/tetris where items need to get shared between several alts at endgame, where I normally play in reaper mode 6-10 skulls).

Most important augments to slot:
+10 Melee Power
+10 Damage
+15 Doublestrike
+3 Smite Evil charges
+1 Imbue dice
+16 Trip DCs
+1 excep All Ability scores
+2 festive Charisma & Constitution
+54 Hit Points
+12 Dodge
Healer’s Bounty / Improved Demonic Shield / Crystalised unicorn tear
+261 enhanc Spell Points

Main Filigree Set bonuses:

Filigrees: 14 = 10 (weapon) + 4 (artefact)

.

Why are you taking the competency bonus to HP's in T3 Sacred Defender if you are taking Vigor of Life (t5) Knight of the Chalice. both give competency bonus to HP's 25%... they do not stack.

 

[Fisto Mk I]

Why are you taking the competency bonus to HP's in T3 Sacred Defender if you are taking Vigor of Life (t5) Knight of the Chalice. both give competency bonus to HP's 25%... they do not stack.

I think it's pure lvl-up issue. T3 in SD need 13 AP only, T5 in KotC - 32. After take T5 in KotC SD tree must be respecced i think. 8)

 

[Cashery]

I think it's pure lvl-up issue. T3 in SD need 13 AP only, T5 in KotC - 32. After take T5 in KotC SD tree must be respecced i think. 8)

I would assume so, but you know what they say...

 

[Kalibano]

Why are you taking the competency bonus to HP's in T3 Sacred Defender if you are taking Vigor of Life (t5) Knight of the Chalice. both give competency bonus to HP's 25%... they do not stack.

Hey Cashery, thanks for your message.

Apologies, I do tend to post multi-selector choices in text form under the screenshots of their respective trees, but I seem to have forgotten for this pally.
I've now done that in the main build, and for ease of access to you, also posted below:

N.B: Multi-selector choices:

> Sacred Defender​

> T1: Improved Sacred Defense = +15 sacred PRR & MRR​

> T2: Improved Sacred Defense = +3 sacred all Saving throws​

> T3: Greater Sacred Defense = +25% Hit Points until KoTC's 'Vigor of Life' [T5, min lvl 12] -> then swap to +6 STR (mostly for Mauls)​

> T4: Greater Sacred Defense = +6 CON​

​

So, to clarify, there aren't double bonuses to % Hit Points, as you correctly pointed out that they are the same type of bonus (i.e. competence), and therefore do not stack with each other.

 

[Cashery]

Hey Cashery, thanks for your message.

Apologies, I do tend to post multi-selector choices in text form under the screenshots of their respective trees, but I seem to have forgotten for this pally.
I've now done that in the main build, and for ease of access to you, also posted below:

N.B: Multi-selector choices:

> Sacred Defender​

> T1: Improved Sacred Defense = +15 sacred PRR & MRR​

> T2: Improved Sacred Defense = +3 sacred all Saving throws​

> T3: Greater Sacred Defense = +25% Hit Points until KoTC's 'Vigor of Life' [T5, min lvl 12] -> then swap to +6 STR (mostly for Mauls)​

> T4: Greater Sacred Defense = +6 CON​

​

So, to clarify, there won't be double bonuses to % Hit Points, as you correctly pointed out that they are the same type of bonus (i.e. competence), and therefore do not stack with each other.

That is what I was figuring.. just wanted to make sure...

 

[Kalibano]

Some stats adjusted and updated in the main build:
- less strikethrough [from 260% to 200%]

[always attacks 3 targets (if in range), but now 0% chance, instead of 60%, to attack 4 targets]​

+ more Doublestrike [from 48% to 64%]
+ Haste Boost included
> Fury of the Wild replaced by Legendary Dreadnought + Grandmaster of Flowers

If anyone has any thoughts on how this is looking now, do feel free to post. As always, please be constructive and friendly in your approach.

Enjoy the build!

 

[Kalibano]

Epic Destinies updated to include an extra point gained from unlocking Machrotecnic.

N.B. At this point in time, my builds will NOT include the +1 Universal Tree (Morgrave) bonus.
Unfortunately, for those of us who actively play several alts, the Ultimate Bundle offering bank space that is useful to one character only is, frankly, not an offer that adequately supports and incentivises playing with alts. Storage is still a massive issue (particularly for multi-alt players like me), that I sadly feel is still not being addressed in a fair and efficient manner. Since the Ultimate Bundle does not support my playstyle, I sadly chose not to support the game in an ultimate manner on this occasion.

Down the line, this tome will be acquired with DDO points (when I can combine double point sales + tome sale), and the builds that depend on universal trees will be the ones to receive suggestions on where to spend it first.

 

[Cashery]

Epic Destinies updated to include an extra point gained from unlocking Machrotecnic.

N.B. At this point in time, my builds will NOT include the +1 Universal Tree (Morgrave) bonus.
Unfortunately, for those of us who actively play several alts, the Ultimate Bundle offering bank space that is useful to one character only is, frankly, not an offer that adequately supports and incentivises playing with alts. Storage is still a massive issue (particularly for multi-alt players like me), that I sadly feel is still not being addressed in a fair and efficient manner. Since the Ultimate Bundle does not support my playstyle, I sadly chose not to support the game in an ultimate manner on this occasion.

Down the line, this tome will be acquired with DDO points (when I can combine double point sales + tome sale), and the builds that depend on universal trees will be the ones to receive suggestions on where to spend it first.

I understand on the bank spots.. however.. when the tomes do come out in the store.. 3495 points a piece... if you have more than 3 characters that you play.. that covers the ultimate bundle.

 

[Kalibano]

I understand on the bank spots.. however.. when the tomes do come out in the store.. 3495 points a piece... if you have more than 3 characters that you play.. that covers the ultimate bundle.

Hi @Cashery Thanks for your input.

It won't quite work like that for me, personally. I will acquire tomes (likely one at a time, or better, in my own time, since my alts can easily live without this 1 extra point) when the tome is discounted in a sale. And then, if I don't have enough points acquired freely in game, I will purchase DDO points when they go for double-points sale. So, they are highly unlikely to cost me 3495 points, and whatever amount they cost, will be partly (if not fully) funded via in-game points that I acquire via playing a large number of alts continuously acquiring favour (even my endgame ones are able to contribute via new content and/or pushing raids).

I am definitely not spending $100 bucks basically for tomes for all my alts, when the package in general does not fully support my playstyle. I have the money, and was ready to spend it (and to gladly support the game). I was actually really disappointed and deflated when I saw the bundles, and simply refuse to spend the extra money on this occasion, and likely in future until they are able to at least offer an alternative Ultimate bundle package (on top of the one they offered) with perhaps something like 3 extra bank slots for all alts.

 

[Teh_Troll]

You have 23 active characters. Just saying.

 

[Kalibano]

You have 23 active characters. Just saying.

Very true, indeed

However, not all of them use a universal tree, and those who don't wouldn't particularly benefit immensely from 1 universal point. Even those who use universal trees are not particularly desperate for it, really. Sure, there would be a benefit, but it comes down to whether I need this benefit urgently now for $100, or in my own time.

Since purchasing the basic bundle, my gameplay experience has not been negatively affected drastically by the lack of this.
More than happy to acquire it in my own time

Apart from my VIP monthly support since 2006, this was sadly the first time ever that I did not acquire an Ultimate bundle. Still very happy to buy ultimate bundles in future if they offer an option for character bank/inventory space for all alts (not just shared bank, as raid gear cant go there).

 

[Kalibano]

There's also that possibility, in a couple of years time, to get this bundle (inc tome) for a real cheap price (or even better, real cheap DDO point cost). The Universal tome is highly likely to always be desirable, so no concerns on my part of it becoming obsolete.

There's also a possibility of upgrading the bundle, when it is being offered on sale? Is this a thing? I've always bought Ultimates, never upgraded before.

 

[misterski]

There's also that possibility, in a couple of years time, to get this bundle (inc tome) for a real cheap price (or even better, real cheap DDO point cost). The Universal tome is highly likely to always be desirable, so no concerns on my part of it becoming obsolete.

There's also a possibility of upgrading the bundle, when it is being offered on sale? Is this a thing? I've always bought Ultimates, never upgraded before.

Expansions can be upgraded in the marketplace as long as those editions are still offered.

 

[Kalibano]

As several people have requested/suggested this (particularly in Discord), I am working towards sharing the DDOBuilder files for all my builds, since I use that program to do all my planning. Hopefully they will be valuable for using in conjunction with their respective forum threads.

The main thread for this build has been updated to include this, under the main title:
3. Kali's Paladin Knight of the Chalice melee DPS build
DDOBuilder file for this build. You can find and download Maetrim's DDOBuilder here.

Do let me know is anyone has issues downloading the file from Goggle Drive (fingers crossed I got all the settings right!)

Very hopeful this will be a useful addition to my threads: thanks to everyone who suggested this.

N.B.
I arrange my DDOBuilder screen as per the image below (not this build in the image), as it helps me view the key aspects of my builds far more easily than opening and closing a bunch of windows. Just thought I'd share my experience, in case its useful:

Maetrim's builder is really amazing, I highly recommend it!

 

[Kalibano]

Though gear sets are not considered a part of the 'core build', I do like to share what I do to provide suggestions/ inspiration.

Now that I have acquired enough items/ ingredients/ raid runes, I will be changing the gear set for my non-hybrid DPS alts (this alt included).

You can find more info in this thread.

---

N.B.: Particularly important considerations I tend to abide by ref equipment are:
- I want to achieve things in my lifetime
- vast majority of weapon swaps for bonuses are absolutely out of question: annoying, irritating, not fun at all
- all my melees invest in some defensiveness and survival: being a soul stone is not only frustrating, but contribute zero DPS
- I play 23 alts: this isn't changing, it's just how I like it
- I need to have sets of 'standard equipment suites' that:

- fit a certain group of alts (e.g. DPS alts; THF combat style alts; etc.)​

- is mostly sharable via the shared bank​

- also include raid items, which are BTA, and so require considerable effort​

- include several slotted augments, many of which are rare, and so require considerable effort​

- can be achieved in a timeframe when they are still desirable, rather than when they are already obsolete​

Those who have a bunch of active alts are most likely to fully appreciate how hard the tetris can be to make a set work for several alts, while still ensuring all key bonuses are included!

---

I am always happy to read, consider and respond to constructive comments/ suggestions / feedback that are provided in a polite and friendly manner. I welcome discussions with anyone who is capable (and willing) to do this. Some discussions may lead to both parties simply agreeing to disagreeing - that's absolutely fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion after all!