Paladin stats & race
 

My first character on live was a Half Elf Paladin. I never prioritized Wisdom, but I’ve read a few threads stating that it’s the most important stat, especially late game. This makes sense to me because an extra heal/HoT or two would make up for some extra Stamina.

If I were to do it again, I’d probably roll a Dwarf. Others seem to think High Elf is the best option. I compared stats and it looks like High Elves start with only 12 more Wisdom than Dwarves, but Dwarves have far superior melee stats. The Wis gap isn’t huge, so I’d be willing to deal with it, especially if it means I wouldn’t be encumbered all the time.

I guess my real question is how important is the extra Charisma of a High Elf? I know it affects Lull spells, but I don’t think much Paladin gear has CHA, and I wouldn’t go out of my way to stack it. Does a High Elf with 90 Charisma have a massively lower chance of getting a Lull failure than a Dwarf?

If so, how critical is using Lull as a Paladin? I don’t remember using it much, but perhaps I was doing it wrong :eek:

In a way poor charisma is a boon; When you cast lull and it critical resists the charisma check then the target will aggro on you.

Seeing as you can cast lull without line of sight, this lets you aggro mobs through walls/floors and so on. The worse your charisma the easier this trick is to perform.

A second benefit of dwarf, is they are naturally rather magic resistant. Don't overlook that!

Erudite Paladin!! Do it Do it!!!

Critical resists happened often enough on my high elf that I always equipped at least two charisma items when pulling, and occasionally a Luminary 2hs where mobs seemed more resistant. Less charisma definitely has its uses though, it just depends on the group. Worst case scenario, you can always ask the shaman or enchanter for a charisma buff.

The low dwarven charisma is something to be aware of, but I wouldn't call it super critical. If you're lulling on a Paladin, any Paladin, you have to have a plan for when lull crit-fails, because it's going to do so sooner or later. Lull will fail less often on a high-elf, but it'll still happen, and if you're routinely in situations on a Paladin where a lull fail is going to mean death then you're going to have a bad time. Carry a few charisma items, maybe ask for a charisma buff, good enough.

Most people who suggest prioritizing Wisdom are either approaching from a PvP mentality or from the mentality of a higher-end raid player who often finds himself healing tertiary groups. In ordinary leveling group--typically counting for the vast majority of game-time for most Paladin players--WIS is a secondary stat at most. That's why your half-elf was always fine. Race is not a big deal for the Paladin, for the most part. They all level at the same rate, they all have broadly similar factions, in the end there isn't a drastic difference between them.

Danth

If the SK’s can debate race with a swing of 50+ str and str for non-fatties then Pallies can’t argue for long on it. Mainly it comes down to fashion and some mid-tier gear. I have an Eru with 20 starting so arguably screwed up. It doesnt matter.

Dwarves = best combat stats. Jump rolls. Low CHA. No Hero bracer. Can use a Frostreaver
Human = bad vision. Can use Frostreaver. Dragon Velious helm and pretty cool fashion.
Tunare Pallies = Nature Defender access.
Erudite = Fashion p!mps and Shield of the Stalwart Seas (like 500p...)

My assumption as a casual player was the DW helm would be very difficult to not wear much of the time. I was right. I think ERU look best with the old plate helm model. I still have and use my Stalwart shield. I wish I could rock a Nature’s Defender though.

There is no class regen, front stun immunity, ac bonus, slam, or massive stat swings. Go with what you like. You can build a +Cha set pretty cheap. Crude Stein, Kobold Jester Helm is 35Cha. Luminary Sword prof is an extra 30ish. Etc. A few items and you can get well over 80+ extra. I still think pulling over a monk is a stunt. In the high levels anytime you lull you have to assume it’s going to be a possible 3+ inc. have the CC be ready :).

I did a wisdom build on my erudite pally. Definitely regretted it because all hybrids need is mana regen. if I could redo it I’d 100% go CHA. can recall several times I wiped due to crit lull resists.

A pally with good CHA is a better puller than monk 99% of the time

I used it a lot leveling to 60 and still use it frequently. It's honestly a pretty OP spell line for a tank.

When you make your race/diety selection do not skim too quickly over the benefits of tunare diety (half elf vs high elf).

https://wiki.project1999.com/Natures_Defender

Wickedly easy and comparable to epic. Only draw back is no 2hand bash perk.

Go dwarf. 5 agi, rest sta.. even cha if you want.

http://wiki.project1999.com/Luminary_Two_Handed_Sword
procs at level 26, +29 cha starting out, gets stronger, dick cheap

Dwarves get:
Access to that sweet ass Brell armor that rivals even Thurgadin armor in some cases
a barrel roll
innate magic resist
high str/sta/wis

Even with 55 CHA I never ever once wished I was another race. Others said CHA only comes into play on a resist. Not worth it in the long run to cha dump for that one Sun, Moon and Stars aligning moment

Do you care a lot about lulling in groups? Roll human with max cha.
Don't care too much about lull effectiveness, dorf with +5 agi and rest stam.