[Vaporlocked here]

If you want a tank who does decent damage, try a Fighter/Paladin.  Lots of damage, lots of tanking, and doesn't require much micromanagement.  Although note Pallegina can be speced this way as well.

 

As far as attributes: there aren't really dump stats anymore, but you can certainly take a few points off (say) Intelligence without hurting yourself.  I'd max Might and spread the rest around.

I wasn't sure how important intel would be for a support paladin with the healing flames effect, and the various paladin auras.

[Vaporlocked here]

Could someone help me pick a build so I can get started with the game? I'm just sort of making a ton of different ones with the multiclass system, and I've spent 2-3 hours fishing around on it now.

 

I usually want to try and talk my way out of things because you end up punching a lot of monsters anyway, so a logic/solution option is a lot more fun for me.

 

I like seeing and doing as much of the game on on play as possible, and being a fairly normal good/neutral approach (so bleak walkers are out).  This is just a normal difficulty run.

 

I usually gravitate to tank-type characters (paladins, fighters, etc.) who also do decent damage.

 

I was thinking of doing a Kind wayfarer melee type build but not sure what to multi it with, or what stats to put on there (might vs. int vs. resolve vs. con...?). I do like low micro though.  I'll end up running with all the story companions, like I did in Pillars 1 - I like the dialogue and I don't need the power bump for hard/etc. mode.

[2-hander build]

 

 

Hah, Boeroer is it your current task to bring the god of fire to all the classes? Not that I’m complaining, the biggest thing that you already noted, is you get the two important items, very quickly.

 

Darnalak

 

Oh, I think I can answer this. He was suggesting those two items for the Paladin, because of the increase in burn damage that class can get natively and easily, plus I literally asked for a 2-handed paladin build, and that's a pretty standard one from what I've seen.

 

Basically with Firebrand and Bleak Walker you can get the highest spike damage possible in the game (besides Backstab + Deathblows which requires a heck of micro).

 

Lady of Pain with Tidefall is a solid choice.

 

Runner's Wounding Shot isn't about the hobble, it's about the +80% raw multiplicative damage. Usually it does the same overall damage as a strike woth FoD + Intense Flames. It's great to take out high priority targets asap. Especially because the paladin has no other special attacks besides his 2 FoD strikes.

 

Of course Charge is better, but that's lvl 13 (!) while Runner's Wounding Shot comes very early. 

 

 

 

Could you explain the whole '80% raw multiplicative damage' thing? I clearly didn't get it when I read the ability description. It sounds like you just do 80% of an attack, instantly, at range? I can't really 1-shot enemies, even squishy ones, on normal/hard.

[2-hander build]

Hah, Boeroer is it your current task to bring the god of fire to all the classes? Not that I’m complaining, the biggest thing that you already noted, is you get the two important items, very quickly.

 

Darnalak

 

Oh, I think I can answer this. He was suggesting those two items for the Paladin, because of the increase in burn damage that class can get natively and easily, plus I literally asked for a 2-handed paladin build, and that's a pretty standard one from what I've seen.

[2-hander build]

If you like paladins and flaming swords and high spike damage, then here's something:

 

Race: doesn't really matter, go for your favorite

 

Stats (not set in stone):

MIG: 15

CON: 10

DEX: 15

PER: 15

INT: 15

RES: 08

 

Class: Bleak Walker's or Goldpact Knight (more spike damage) or Kind Wayfarer (good AoE healing - here Moon Godlike makes sense)

 

Key items: Forgemaster Gloves and Belt of the Royal Deadfire Cannoneer (both are obtainable quite early so you're not spending 75% of the game with hunting equipment to make a build work).

 

Talents:

- Weapon Focus <whatever your backup/alternative weapon should be>

- Remember Rhakan Field or Enduring Flames or Strange Mercy+Sword & Shepherd

- Intense Flames

- Scion of Flame

- Runner's Wounding Shot

- Two Handed Style

- Savage Attack

- Apprentice's Sneak Attack (not in case of Kind Wayfarer)

 

Abilities:

- Flames of Devotion

- Lay on Hands

- Zealous Focus

- Sworn Enemy

- Inspiring Triumph

- Righteous Soul

- Sacred Immolation

- Behold the Martyr or Abjuration

 

Your main weapon will be Firebrand which you will use in every fight (you'll have 6 uses per rest which is plenty). Against burn immune foes you need a solid two handed backup weapon you like. I like using a pike because of the reach, but a great sword is also good because of the two damage types. ST. Ydwen's Redeemer is also a good backup weapon. If you take this I would also pick Abjuration. You can then get instant kills with vessels and spirits which can help a lot. Redeemer can use any weapon focus. Firebrand itself works with any weapon focus, too.

 

Story talents you desperately want: Merciless Hand (Doemenel Faction) and Dungeon Delver (dyrwooden looters). Firebrand itself is already Annihilating and seasoned with those talents it nearly do +50 damage on crit. With Sworn Enemy + Flames of Devotion (+ 35 ACC) you'll crit pretty often. Use a priest to buff party's accuracy with Devotions of the Faithful and Inspiring Radiance!

 

I recently tested a Bleak Walker with this setup and got crits over 200 with Flames of Devotion...

 

Also Runner's Wounding Shot with Firebrand is very good.

 

Offtanking is ok as always with a paladin. Use Lay on Hands on yourself if you need to.

 

Spike damage is awesome. Really nice.

 

You might want to use medium armor instead of plate in order to be faster. In the early game plate is very good but durig Act II I would tune it down to hide or even padded. But this depends what feels best for you. If you like plate then it's also ok of course.

 

The micro is not too high: summon Firebrand and beat up stuff with FoD and Runner's Wounding Shot. Heal once you or friends seem to have trouble. That's it.

Later summon Firebrand and turn on Sacred Immolation.

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

So it's a slightly modified 'Sh!t's on fire' build? The only thing I don't like is relying on a bracer to summon my weapon.  Part of the appeal of the 2-handed class is 'class fantasy' and for me, a summoned weapon just doesn't twirl my nipples. I wasn't sure how to change it, or which weapons to use. Runners is used as an opener? What's the appeal, hobble doesn't seem powerful for a melee class if I'm reading it right.

 

I'm also eyeballing the 'Lady of Pain' build, which takes charge instead of Runners.  

 

Thinking of doing a fighter/paladin build around tall grass (I assume barbarian would be better since on-hit works for carnage, but I like having Maneha use bittercut or war hammers).

[2-hander build]

I'm having some trouble finding a good, solid, basic, 2 handed weapon build.

 

Ideally I'd go with a Paladin? I love the greatsword paladin as an archetype, but otherwise fighter works too. Or I guess any melee class that can off-tank. I'm not interested in cipher or chanter though.

 

It's just that every build I find is sword and shield or dual wielding. I know it's not optimal, but I normally play on normal mode or hard anyway, so it probably doesn't matter. I'd just wing it but whenever I do I end up missing a lot of really cool synergy builds.  Plus stat allocations end up confusing me a bit, I never know to stack per/dex/int/might or what.

 

Ideally I'd like a low macro build, as a main character. This will be my 'into POE2' run.  For POE1 I'll be using the story characters, and I do have WM1 and 2.  Pretty familiar with the 1.0 version of the game, but haven't played since then, so I've forgotten everything.

[Normal difficulty Paladin]

I want to make my MC a paladin, probably a tank/buff, but I'd do DPS too.

 

But I keep reading that it's a waste to do that as the MC since faith and conviction (I think) is busted for the MC but not the NPCs.

 

Generally I like to craft/talk as much as possible, and I plan to use the game NPCs as party members rather than hiring a bunch of player-made ones.

 

I liked the idea of the 's on fire' build, but I'd be equally happy to run something else.

 

 http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/85480-class-build-s-on-fire-yo-a-simple-paladin-build/

 

Played through the 1.X version of the game in 2015, bought the DLC yesterday so I'm starting my first 3.X run today. Plan to make a full play through vanilla + WM1 and WM2. In my first play I ran a ranged rogue.

 

My question, if it wasn't clear: Is making a MC paladin in normal a waste, due to a broken talent? Should I instead play a different tank or buff character?