The Paladin is the character that is perhaps more
suitable to the multi-plater game. But make no mistake; he is still capable of
taking on the greatest of battles. Many of his aura powers can affect more than
one player so he should always be part of a group.
A Paladin should start with Strength and Dexterity
to improve melee combat, which will start to pay strong dividends by the time
you’re implementing Zeal and Concentration. Put other spare points into
Vitality to keep your health and stamina high. Energy, though, isn’t as
important to the Paladin. While combat skills require Mana, the auras are all
simply turned on and off and don’t use Mana upon activation.
Your Mana is important, but as many of your powers
wok for some time and are not overt weapons, you can probably let it slide for
the first few levels before pumping it up as you gain more abilities later in
the game. Conversely you can put Energy up early but this will leave you less
capable of hack and slash combat.
Using your hotkeys is important for the Paladin.
Most of the Paladin’s offensive and defensive auras work best is specific
battles. A switch to resist cold against cold-enhanced enemies is a vital move
in several pitched battles, especially late in the game. By assigning there
auras to a function key, you can quickly load them into your right mouse button
and activate the aura without going through an onscreen menu.
The Paladin skill tree is particularly convoluted.
No class must more carefully choose which area of specialisation to focus upon.
A choice must be made. Are you a defensive plater preferring the role of
support, or do you want to get right into it? Scattering points widely will
simply leave you unfocussed and ineffective.
The paladin can use Might and Prayer to boost attack
and damage rating and healing. This is like a Barbarian, but affects many
players instead of just one. Mediation can help you gain Mana faster. Elemental
resistances prove essential against Unique creatures. Mephisto, for example,
has damaging lightning attacks and the creatures of hell have many fire powers.
For a level 30 skill, Salvation is pretty damned fine, and Redemption can keep
you on your feet against even the toughest odds.
There are a few basic powers a Paladin needs to get
down. Smite is a strong early attack, and Hold Bolt is a useful ranges attack.
Zeal becomes your essential attack allowing you to hit several foes at once.
The Paladin, unlike all other characters, is flexible.
