Paladin weapon/shield vs 2hs

[nuuki]

To preface, I've never played a paladin before at any point, but with velious around the corner and the eventual hybrid penalty removal, I decided to make one.

I got to level 20, and about to head out to Unrest. I picked up a Ghoulbane and Sarnak Battle Shield and figured I was set, until someone laughed at me for using sword/shield on a Paladin, which I didn't understand.

Apparently Paladins should be played as 2hs or 2hb? Is this a well known fact that I wasn't aware of or was it just one person's opinion?

Interested in some thoughts on this and likely other options and suggestions on weapons or shields if my Ghoulbane and Sarnak shield aren't necessarily ideal [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[evilkorn]

I think people tend to play to the undead side of the pally/cler side. People stay in unrest for so long because of undead procs and nukes. I'm not sure how it stacks up dps wise, but 150dd proc factored in with a couple stun casts can would be pretty nice way to solo as a pally.

[Swish]

Keep the shield on, your group will thank you when the cleric isn't suffering so much...at later levels particularly you're going to have a lot less HP than your ogre warrior pals.

Skill up 2h weps if you're soloing and/or bored [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Champion_Standing]

2h is ultimately going to be superior for dps and aggro generation

[Swish]

Originally Posted by Champion_Standing [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

2h is ultimately going to be superior for dps and aggro generation

You've got FoL/stun for aggro generation.

Lets not forget how many rogues have their epic at level 1 and many are crap at evading.

Give the cleric a hand, keep your shield on - let the dps classes do the dps.

[Champion_Standing]

Originally Posted by Swish [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You've got FoL/stun for aggro generation.

Lets not forget how many rogues have their epic at level 1 and many are crap at evading.

Give the cleric a hand, keep your shield on - let the dps classes do the dps.

When I last played my pally I could not hold aggro over the bad rogues with my 1h, and they even complained about me using blind because a few of the mobs did that sliding around shit, I lol`d

But I do generally agree that the shield is the way to go as a group tank. Best bet is to have both ready to go.

[Jaleth]

Originally Posted by Champion_Standing [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

When I last played my pally I could not hold aggro over the bad rogues with my 1h, and they even complained about me using blind because a few of the mobs did that sliding around shit, I lol`d

But I do generally agree that the shield is the way to go as a group tank. Best bet is to have both ready to go.

Yeah I think its funny when WoW players come along a mash dps as hard as possible. Aggro management is everyone's responsibility, not just the tanks.

[Taryth]

Why would someone laugh? Do they really think a Pally with a 2H vs a Pally with a 1H is a huge difference?

I'd rather take the shield + 1H for bash and uncontested shield AC. As Swish says, your clerics will thank you.

[Aviann]

Originally Posted by Champion_Standing [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

When I last played my pally I could not hold aggro over the bad rogues with my 1h, and they even complained about me using blind because a few of the mobs did that sliding around shit, I lol`d

But I do generally agree that the shield is the way to go as a group tank. Best bet is to have both ready to go.

I'm not sure what you were doing wrong, but this is definitely an odd case. Aggro generation should not be an issue for your weapon to decide on. The only time 2h is really potent is if by some odd reason you have a badass 2h and a shitty 1h and shield. Otherwise its mainly only used for extra dps on mobs that you aren't tanking (like during raids). Otherwise always keep the shield on.

As for the aggro thing, if you are blinding a rooted mob, it will still prox aggro... That's the only thing I can see that you are doing that would allow a bad rogue to keep aggro over you with FoL. To quick fix the sliding thing, keep root memmed. Its an aggravating bug that becomes intense in high level situations.

[Daldaen]

2HB (like Baton of Faith or Granite Face Grinder) are the best DPS weapons you will have until your epic.

Shield is useful to bash interrupt casters like Festering Hags and the sort. Also it's another slot for more stats/HP if you are needing it when tanking.

In a group, there's not much difference between the two as your DPS is negligible and the stat increase from a shield isn't huge either. But I'd opt on shield/sword until epic'd for bash purposes.