[Class Build] Healing and Tanking Paladin

[Belegc]

Hello All, 

 

This is my first post here but I have been reading these forums for quite some time (years actually). the community seems very friendly and helpful.

I love the idea of a paladin "healbot" that was discussed here in an old post but I also love durable characters that can survive quite well.

 

therefore, I have tried to combine the two roles (even though there is no "real tank" role in POE). as I like to play on the lower difficulties (Normal and below) I believe I managed to achieve that. the whole idea of switching roles with a simple weapon switch and food/consumables is what makes this build so fun to play. this Character will not be a top tier damager, but it will be able to score enough kill shots to proc the healing for your party.

 

I like to play only with the story companions and have a core party of 3-4 members (MC, Pellagina, Kana, Eder). I also dislike using on-rest abilities which can explain a bit of my choices here.

 

Class will be Kind Wayfarer's Paladin naturally.

 

Race

Wild Orlan - their racial is very good for tanking purposes.

Moon Godlike - will also be good even though you will lose the helmet. later on you are not expected to be damaged much to proc the healing wave.

Pale Elf - elemental DR is always good.

 

Attributes (for Wild Orlan)

MIG: 17 

CON: 8

DEX: 8

PER: 8

INT: 17 (+1 Old Vailia = 18)

RES: 19

 

I have chosen to focus on the relevant attributes (Might, Intellect, Resolve). as Background I like to select Old Vailia as I believe 1 point of intellect here outweighs 1 point of might or resolve. it might seems strange to have so little CON but for the lower difficulties it doesn't prove to be of any issue. your defense relies on avoiding damage. combine this with Athletics 5 and Survival 14 to get the healing bonus (or DR if you prefer)

 

Talents

the Sword and the Shepherd 

Strange Mercy

Weapon and Shield style

Cautious Attack

Weapon Focus Peasant

Snake's Reflex

Scion of Flame

Superior Deflection/Two-Handed Style

 

as you can see, I took mostly tanking talents (the Snake's reflex is to compensate on the low dex + per). the scion of flame, weapon focus peasant (allowing for acc buff for both hatchets and quarterstaves) and two-handed style (if you prefer to use that instead of superior deflection or other talent) are all for the offensive role. I suppose more offensive tools such as runner's shot could be also good here. to that add some quest talents such as second skin, Gift from the Machine, berath's boon etc.

 

Abilities

Faith and Conviction

Flames of Devotion

Lay on Hands

Zealous Endurance

Aegis of Loyalty

Righteous Soul/Sworn Enemy

Healing Chain

Sacred Immolation

Coordinated attacks/Inspiring Triumph

 

For Abilities there are some choices to be made as well. all according to your playstyle. the synergy between sacred immolation, aegis of loyalty and the scion of flame and strange mercy talents works very well.

 

Gear

Weapon Set 1: Hearth Harvest/Outworn Buckler

Weapon Set 2: Llawran's Stick

Armor: Ryona's Breastplate

Head: Magefolc Skull

Neck: Cloak of Comfort (the +5 defense stacks with everything)

Hands: Siegebreaker's Gauntlets

Ring 1: Ring of Deflection

Ring 2: Iron Loop/Overseer/Gathbin Family Signet

Belt: Looped rope

Boots: Viettro's Formal Footwear

 

most of the gear is from WM2. regarding enchantments - I put +15def on the shield, and burning lash + legendary on the quarterstaff.

the reason I didn't took shod-in-faith is because you are not supposed to get critically hit. also the +4 Dex from the boots helps a bit with attack speed.

 

with this gear and little savior equipped by someone else in your group you can get very high deflection before any consumables/rest:

20 (base) + 45 (Level 16) + 8 (Buckler) + 15 (enchant) + 5 (buckler's aura) + 6 (weapon&shield style) + 8 (Faith and conviction) + 9 (ring of deflection) + 5 (cloak of comfort) + 5 (superior deflection) + 8 (cautious attack) + 5 (hatchet)  +5 (little savior aura)= 144 deflection. to that add your resolve which should be (19 base + 1 Berath's boon + 4 Siegebreaker gauntlet + 1 Mental Prowess = 25 resolve = 15 deflection).

in total 159 deflection before any consumables/rest/temp. bonus..

 

well, that is it for the build. I like to play this together with Pellagina (as a two-handed damager with all the other paladin buffs) and Kana as a supporter (just give him all the support and healing talents). for damage dealing I like to use Eder as a two-handed fighter. it worked well so far.

 

thank you for reading, sorry for the long post. any comments/tips on how to improve this build will be greatly appreciated.

 

Belegc