Paladin

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Contents 1 Lore 2 Skills 2.1 Combat Skills 2.2 Offensive Auras 2.3 Defensive Auras 3 Builds 3.1 Zealot 3.2 Smiter 3.3 Hammer

Lore

During the mid-twelfth century, after the Church of Zakarum had gained prominence in the East, the Church decreed that the visions of Akarat would be spread throughout the known world in order to redeem the masses. Thus, the church selected a group of its most charismatic and devoted priests and sent them on a mission to proselytize the people of the West.

Unfortunately, the Church had not prepared these men for the rigors of travel or the hazards of the world. Those priests who survived their missions recounted tales of harsh weather, inadequate supplies, attacks from bandits, and even encounters with horrible monsters. To ensure the success of future missions, the Church set about training holy warriors, Paladins, to accompany and safeguard their missionaries. These "Protectors of the Word" proved to be more successful at converting the native peoples than the Priests they were assigned to defend. Impressing the locals with daring deeds, powerful weapons, and martial prowess was far more convincing than the condemnations of a soft-spoken monk. However, once the Word had been spread to every major city of the West, the Protectors of the Word faded from public view.

Some decades later, Paladins were again called into service. During the height of the Time of Troubles, the Church commenced a second campaign of conversion. This time, however, unconvincible were deemed to be evil. The Zakarum inquisition, spread through the lands like a tempest, laying waste to all suspected of demonic possession or corruption. Leading this crusade was a new generation of Paladins, known as the "Hand of Zakarum". These cavaliers of righteousness swept through the lands, expunging the taint of demonic contamination wherever they found it.

In the midst of this bloody crusade, a rebellion arose within the ranks of the Paladins of Zakarum. The rebels condemned the methods of the Inquisition, proclaiming that their new Order of Paladins should protect the innocent, and that the evil corruption they fought was merely evidence of their forebear's failure. They resolved to fight the true source of corruption. The Three Prime Evils - Diablo, Baal, and Mephisto. And so, these rebellious Paladins left their Zakarum brethren and ventured West.

Traits and Abilities

Paladins use holy magic as gifted by the High Heavens. They must maintain strictly ordered lives, constantly upholding the cause of Virtue and Light. They must never succumb to worldly temptations lest they risk being deceived into following false lights -- demons masquerading as heavenly beings.

Paladins may use their skills to increase their prowess with sword and shield, as well as lend blessing "Auras" to themselves and to any who join them. They are particularly effective against the Undead, as they know many holy incantations effective against these creatures.

Skills

Combat Skills

For the main entry, see Combat Skills

Holding the ever popular, if oft overused Blessed Hammer and Smite skills. A Paladin can also utilize the fast Zeal or elemental powerhouse Vengeance to destroy his enemies. These skills may not shine on their own, their true power is unleashed when coupled with a Paladin's auras.

Offensive Auras

For the main entry, see Offensive Auras

This tree holds all of a Paladin's offensive-based aura's. For example, using Concentration with Blessed Hammer will increase the latter's damage. Or Zeal with Fanaticism. Or Vengeance with Conviction. Also useful at times is Conviction coupled with a Sorceress or Fist of the Heavens.

Defensive Auras

For the main entry, see Defensive Auras

This tree holds all of a Paladin's supportive or defensive based auras. Defiance which increases you and your party's defense. Or Salvation which grants you a massive fire, lightning, and cold resistance bonus. Often not seen on as a Paladin's main aura, a special mention of Meditation is useful because of its massive bonus to Mana Regeneration. Because of this, the Spirit runeword is very popular with any kind of spell caster character.

Builds

Zealot

For the main entry, see Zealot

Relatively straight forward build. Utilizing the powerful Zeal skill along with Fanaticism to shred enemies with ease.

Smiter

For the main entry, see Smiter

There are two versions of this build, one is like a Zealot which utilizes a 1-point Smite along with Fanaticism which amounts to basically a hybrid when can go places that a pure smiter can not. A pure smiter, however, uses a maxed Smite along with Holy Shield and Fanaticism. Both builds rely heavily on the fact that Smite ignores defense, and will hit 100% of the time. Because of this, effects such as Crushing Blow and Open Wounds are used to take down enemies quickly.

Hammer

For the main entry, see Hammerdin

This build is very, very popular. The basic skill allocation includes maxing Blessed Hammer, Concentration along with the synergies of Vigor and Blessed Aim. Other skills include Holy Shield for increased blocking. This type of Paladin also relies on a fast casting rate.