I know a lot on the system of this game, but I don't know so much about the game itself. Someone said there is actually a holy avenger in this game, is that true? If so that would rule! Any ways, I was wondering what weapons my pally should use? I usually use longswords, but there seems few that are very good. Should I forsake my shield? Dual wield?

Thanks in advance!

I think the Holy Avenger you're thinking of is Carsomyr. Hopefully, you've found Carsomyr. ;)

I keep my paladins with two-handed swords if they're not taking and a long/bastard sword and shield combo if they are. The added protection of a shield helps in the thick of things.

Dual-wielding is a bad idea. It's hard for paladin-classes to get THAC0 bonuses for the offhand.

Now there are some types of weapons you should consider for your Paladin

1.)Two-Handed swords: There's one extra nice (namely Carsomyr=Holy Avenger) in SoA
2.)Long/Bastard swords + shield: because I think they are the classic choice for a knight. Extremely decent Longswords are however only avialable with ToB installed (WK). Plus there are some pretty nice shields and the armor class bonus is a charm
3.)Warhammers: The BEST weapon of the game is a warhammer and after all this is a weapon of choice for every other paladin + you get to use shields again
4.)Maces: Very nice anti-undead mace in the game
5.)Flails: Very nice Flail available early in the game.

I would not recommend dualling as it is just not Paladin-style.
If you are more powergaming -> Warhammer
for decent weapons with less "knock 'em all dead" or if you simply don't like Whms or don't want to wait for the superpower item late in the game -> Maces, Flails, Longswords

TwoHandedSword is a nice compromise: early available (if you're up for the challenge) and one of the best weapons in the game. however you lose the AC bonus and magic effects from an extra shield.

Daystar is a relatively good long sword especially when fighting vampires. And its available very early in the game.

My favorite weapon choice for a Paladin is two handed sword and crossbow.
I used to try to have halberd as there is a really good one available in the underdark but I found that once I had the Holy Avenger I never touched the Halberd. Now Mazzy usually gets the Halberd.

yes...carsomyr rulez!

if you ever get ToB,*ToB minor item spoilers*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
you seriously might consider bastard sword+shield, since you can get 2 very nice bastad swords in watchers keep, and one of them is a paladin only weapon, the Purifier.

edit: wohoo! level up

[ 06-21-2003, 04:07 AM: Message edited by: Raistlin Majere ]

Thanks!

I'm debating now on wether a I should use a cavalier or an undead hunter. I'm thinking I'm going to use a two-handed sword, war hammer, and sword and shield style. What do you think? IronDragon, why a crossbow and not a Long Bow? Or a composite long bow? Are than any dexterity or constitution boosting items? I know there is a strength belt, but I always give a Paladin excellent strength, it just seems right. Thanks again.

with those weapons it seems more a cavalier as the best weapons against the undead or blunt or crushing weapons.

but as for the comment on there being no decent longswords I have one, I think it's the Black rose or red rose or something, whatever there's a rose in it's name and it's pretty damn good.

It is the Blade of Roses+3

item spoiler
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
I believe your talking about the blade of roses which can be bought from bernard after you free the slaves
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
end spoiler

A Paladin should definetly have ** in two handed sword to take advantage of the holy avenger. My Undead Hunter which I'm playing now started with these profeciencies
two handed sword++
two handed weapon style++
cross bow++

You'll be using the holy avenger alot trust me so you should put ++ in two handed weapon style to give you bonuses using the two handed sword. I picked crossbow instead of bows because I just feel bows are more for rangers not Paladins although your opinion may be different. Later I gave him ++ in flail to use the excellent flail of ages against things which need blunt weaponery to hurt. In the future I plan to give him ++ in bastard sword in case I want to use the purifier. I didn't give him points in war hammer because I plan on giving Crom Fayer to Anomen.

Ok, what about the paladin kit? I don't mind either one, but I'm having trouble deciding. Are there that many undead in the game? I like the Undead hunter's immunity to level drain and hold, which I think trumps the Cavaliers poison and fear. But then the Cavalier has the extra immunities against fire and acid. Both classes get their bonuses against certain creatures, and while both are rare, I'd say undead are more populous. Neither of the kits weaknesses bother me, it just means a different style of play. I kind of like the feel of a cavalier, as a dragon slaying bad@$$, but the same can be said for the Undead hunter and Liches. In the end, I'm not too worried about the resistances, (since my monk has better ones anyways;)) but they are nice perks. Post your opinion, it is appreciated!

BTW- what is the general consensus; Long Bows or cross bows? also, maces, flails, morning stars, or warhammers?

My favorite class of the paladins is the Inquisitor, personally. I just love that (almost) automatic dispel and true sight.

I need Help!! I am totally at odds! I can't decide between either Cavalier or Undead Hunter! This is really annoying, because when i look at it analytically, they are both the same. True, they have different abilities and purposes, but they are both just as good at what they do! I was leaning toward Undead Hunter, but now Im leaning toward Cavalier. Who knows what it will be tomorrow! Someone help me! In the troes of indecision I need logical and well-meaning advice!!!

*This post has been dramatized for your reading pleasure. ;)

But I still need help!

/pops in a bit too lately, apparently.

First, allow me to refer to the weapons in question. Both for overall power and extra roleplaying points, by all means, <u>pick Two Handed Swords</u>. Sure, there might be (most likely, actually) stronger combinations... but damn it, you're a Paladin, and Paladins should use Holy Avengers! [img]smile.gif[/img] You already know the game system, and the game really isn't that hard... pick whatever you think is fun. And as you said it yourself about using a Holy Avenger... "that would rule!". ;)

Now, as for choosing the kit - I wholeheartedly recommend the Cavalier kit. Really, it's an amazing kit. I actually think it's trumped by the Inquisitor... but since you're tossing between the Cavalier and the Undead Hunter, I'll side with the former. Sure... SoA is rife with Undead. But on the same note, BG2 also is rife with anti-undead means! Between Daystar, the Mace of Disruption and Pro-Undead scrolls (in descending order of palatability), devoting a slot for an Undead-specialist is really to misuse your resources. Pick the Cavalier. You won't be disappointed. [img]smile.gif[/img]

/comes back to late and can only agree

Cavalier definitely
Undead are no hassle in SoA. You can easily turn them with your cleric (or even with your cavalier) got incredibly powerful spells (sunray) that deal just with them and there are some decent weapons which will take the "un" out of "undead".

Hm...if you want a happy compromise, give your pally (cavalier mind you. what they say...is all true) a mace of disruption and a shield. Since i usually travel with Keldorn when im a paladin (i mean, hey, they're partners in crime) i give him the Holy Anvenger because his sword is such a bitch to use in Athkatla. All those Cowled Wizards asking him notto cast magic...pshaw! So there is my input...I beatt the game with a Cavalier, and i was very happy with his abilities. I actually had him with a spear but...lets not reopen that wound

This is a bug that can be fixed if you go to Baldurdash's SoA bugfixes and look for the Hallowed Redeemer Fix. The game treats the sword's vengeance damage as a spell.

My two cents: Go with two-handed sword if you have SoA, but you might want to consider a few points in bastard sword if you have ToB, or give the PC points in bastard and long sword if you have Keldorn in the party. Go with Cavalier for sword and shield, and Inquisitor for two-handed weapons.

If you do a Calavier, then the most RPy thing to do would be Longsword ** and sword and shield **, and probably the other ** in either Bastard sword or mace, or, even one in both! This is because Calaviers are gentlemen knights and, seriously, what kind of a gentleman uses a two handed sword? How brutish! A long sword is the only true gentleman's weapon, though a mace is sometimes acceptable against the Undead Scourge, and a bastard sword is still usually one handed- between honor and life, honor; between being the ultimate gentleman and life, life can often win.

by now you have probably already made your decision, but i still recommend Cavalier(if you really dont want to take inquisitor, that is). the undead in this game SUCK! sure, there are vampires and liches and...zombies and skeletons :D . ok, lets face it. there arent many tough demons nor are there many hostile dragons(which is acceptable, considering that dragons dont breed like goblins). In ToB there comes a few more though dragons and a badass demon as well, but it almost totally lacks undead. so even in ToB the cavalier is the better choice.

I was tossing up between the same stuff as you, i choose cavalier and went with a 2 handed sword to use the Holy Avenger which is utterly awsome in SOA. If i hadn't intended to kill every dragon in the game then maybee i would have gone inquisitor or undead hunter. I have been puting points into long and basted sword to prepare for the good ones in TOB.

[ 06-22-2003, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: Silversten ]

Thanks a lot, people!! I've decided to be a cavalier using two-handed swords primarily. True, a cavalier is supposed to be a gentleman knight, but then, like all descriptions for classes/kits, this is just an outline for the player to folllow. as for two-handed swords being "brutish," I guess thats just up to interpretation.

Another note: I've always liked long swords, as they are faster, but it seems to me that the bastard sword is the 'paladin' thing to use. Maybe I'm just weird!

The only question left now is: do I use war hammers, or maces, or flails, or maybe even morning stars? my plan is maces or warhammers, but i prefer to decide with more input and wisdom...or at least as close as this forum can come to giving wisdom! ;)

Hey! I'm offended in the name of all Ironworkers out there! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

As for your question... Flails and Warhammers (in that order). You won't be disappointed, really. And I must say that I agree with you - Bastard Sword are quite Paladin-ish.

Why flails?

Flails, because of the mighty weapon that is the Flail of Ages. Take my word for it - Ages is the overall (when taking everything into account) best weapon in SoA.

Alright! Thanks again, everyone, especially Alson. Now, if you'll excuse
me, I have a date with righteous power!

Later!!