Weapon Question

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Mon May 20, 2002 10:32 am

From a role-playing perspective what sort of ranged weapon would a paladin use if any? I can see him with swords, maces, pikes, shields, etc. but I need a ranged weapon to compliment that arsenal that follows his ethos.

Onyx · Post by **Onyx** » Mon May 20, 2002 10:38 am

Just from a role-playing perspective i would should crossbow for range weapon.

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon May 20, 2002 10:52 am

From a rollplaying point of vieuw I think that paladins shouldn't use longrange weapons,
only swords/maces/flails in my oppinion.

If I had to choose I would go for crossbow (But Keldorn could have influenced my decission)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Mon May 20, 2002 11:37 am

Originally posted by Stilgar
From a rollplaying point of vieuw I think that paladins shouldn't use longrange weapons,
only swords/maces/flails in my oppinion.

I agree....
I think some might argue that face-to-face combat is more honourable, and thus more appropriate for a paladin's ethos.

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:07 pm

From a role-playing perspective, consider a Knight of the Medieval Ages. They would go into combat wielding only martial weapons, they would NEVER use a bow, crossbow or and ranged weapon unless they were hunting deer or something. A true Paladin would rarely wield a bow, it wouldn't happen.

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:12 pm

I also find it to bad that the holy avenger is a to handed sword.
I find a paladin more a shield and sword type.

That's where the purifier comes in, to bad that it is not as good as the holy avenger!

Nippy · Post by **Nippy** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:19 pm

Originally posted by Stilgar
I also find it to bad that the holy avenger is a to handed sword.
I find a paladin more a shield and sword type.

That's where the purifier comes in, to bad that it is not as good as the holy avenger!

This is another thing, each Paladin deity has different favoured weapons, Helm uses a longsword and shield, Tyr uses a sword only (due to having one hand) and Torm (my favourite deity) uses a two-handed sword.

You'll notice that Helm is a defending god (hence shield), Tyr is a god of justice (he is blind and cannot use his right arm) and that Torm is the main God of Paladins more aggresively oritentated, he uses a two-handed sword...

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:25 pm

Originally posted by Nippy

This is another thing, each Paladin deity has different favoured weapons, Helm uses a longsword and shield, Tyr uses a sword only (due to having one hand) and Torm (my favourite deity) uses a two-handed sword.

You'll notice that Helm is a defending god (hence shield), Tyr is a god of justice (he is blind and cannot use his right arm) and that Torm is the main God of Paladins more aggresively oritentated, he uses a two-handed sword...

How do you know all of this?

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:25 pm

Thanks for the input, looks like it's time to bring out Carsomyr

Stilgar · Post by **Stilgar** » Mon May 20, 2002 12:28 pm

Originally posted by The Z
Thanks for the input, looks like it's time to bring out Carsomyr

thats the spirit

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Mon May 20, 2002 6:23 pm

I absolutely love the paladin, and it's my favorite class to play - any other class is simply a diversion for me.

The medieval champion, sometimes called a paladin, was his King's personal champion. He was heavily armed and armored, and usually mounted. Mounted, the lance was his weapon of choice. Dismounted, he often wielded a flail, or a sword if he favored it. Spiked maces (morning stars) were also often used. He dismounted only to engage in honorable combat with another knight or champion, and that was only when his opponent was dismounted. I'm not aware of missile weapons being employed by the knights of old - I do not believe it was considered just and fair by the rules of chivalric combat. This is not to say a knight would refuse to use a crossbow in defense of the castle or keep, because he would. However, in battle with another knight, it was dishonorable to use a missile weapon.

So yes, I feel that paladins shouldn't use missile weapons. This is one reason why I like the cavalier kit so much. Your choice of melee weaponry, however, isn't limited at all. A good knight has more than one available to him, anyway. I picture paladins being sword wielders, backed up by a good flail or morning star. Definitely two-handed swords!

Glod · Post by **Glod** » Mon May 20, 2002 8:16 pm

It depends on how you want to play a paladin. The game allows paladins to use ranged weapons for a reason IMO. My idea of a paladin would be that he wouldn't use a ranged weapon against an opposing warrior who was not similarly equipped, but he would not hesitate to fire his crossbow at an umber hulk or a demon or an even an archer who was firing at him. The crossbow makes most sense to me as using a normal bow in full plate seems rather awkward.

lompo · Post by **lompo** » Tue May 21, 2002 1:39 am

Chanak is right!
Paladins are grat classes.
As for role playing, they are the tankers, they wear the heaviest plates and during the fights they stand in the front line and defend the rest of the group.
They don't use ranged weapons like bows and xbows (to tricky to use'em with a heavy full plate on); in fact they maybe use them when they go hunting, but they'll not be wearing plates then!
So go for swords (Two handed, bastard and long and stop!!!, no katanas, scimitars etc.)), mace, flails and warhammers (no clubs), and if you really are in the need of using a ranged weapon you can eventually use a throwing axe.
But usually when I play the paladin I never found the need to use a ranged weapon: he is "The Tank!" and he has to attract the enemies and fight them, while the others companions shoot'em with ranged weapons and use magic.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Tue May 21, 2002 7:55 pm

Paladins, which normally lead parties (high CHR), are usually out in the forefront of most battles - at least that's where I always place mine. I like every paladin kit BG2 has - my favorite is the cavalier - and all have their various strengths. There's no better a fearless warrior than a cavalier, nor one better suited for taking on dragons. When everyone else is running in terror, you're standing there with your sword. Considering the role my paladins play, I probably wouldn't use proficiencies on missile weapons anyway, when they are allowed. I had my IWD paladin specialize in melee weaponry exclusively, and I found him perfectly suited for that role. Laying of hands is an instant heal that requires no casting time, which is handy when the chips look like they're down. I've defeated many foes this way, much to their chagrin.

There is one very good reason to be sure your SoA/ToB paladin is specialized with two-handed swords and two-handed weapon style: Carsomyr!

Rattman · Post by **Rattman** » Wed May 22, 2002 9:28 am

Tyr is a god of justice (he is blind and cannot use his right arm)

well he sounds pants to beat in a fight?

whata bloody ****e fighter he would have been?

what a loser

i will kill you when i find you

men we will charge in as soon as i put my sword on the ground and open this door then feel around on the ground for my sword! men? are you there?