pally in IWD 2

[black thor]

in my group I've an aasimar pally of helm, now is 5 lvl

better to have a pure pally (what avantages with more pally levels?)

or better multiclass (example 4 lvl as fighter)??

anyone can show avantages and disavantages?

thanks

(my group: sorceror, cleric, ranger1/rogue, fighter 4/barbarian, my leader is the sorceror, better diplomatic than the pally)

[Mirk]

essentially, an IWD2 paladin is a warrior who's main advantage is a better (read: exellent!) defense, while other tank builds' advantage is generally offence-oriented (fighter with the bonus feats, barbarian with rage and better movement) or enduarance-oriented (1d12 HP/lvl for a barb, +4 con while raging), thus making him the best candidate for being the first into-the-grind when the party is facing the more difficult enmies, such as spellcasters, undead, and bosses, while the other tanks will rush into hordes of goblines and orcs. the other roles the paladin may play are, as you correctly noted, better filled out by other classes, such as Sorceres, Bards and Clerics.

however, if we examine the defensive abilities of the paldin, we'll see that the MOST important ones come at the first two levles (Divine Grace, Aura of Courage) and DO NOT IMPROVE with levles. the other abilities (Lay on Hands, spells) can be easily duplicated by spells and potions.

now, becides adding bonus feats, adding AT LEAST 4 fighter levles will open the door for Weapon Specialization, adding +1 to hit and +2 damage for a weapon. compared with the Paldin-only offensive abilities (+1 to hit/damage vs. dragons and demons from the Fiendslayer feat, and bonus Cha-based attack/damage from Smite Evil) this is a clear win: +2 vs. EVERY ENEMY is clearly better than +1 vs. specific enemy type, and even a VERY HIGH Smite Evil attack can be out-damaged by a couple of Maximized Attacks hitting.

how many fighter levles will you take depends on how many weapon types you want to specialize in, and the number of feats you want your Pally to have. You won't feel much difference between a Pal2/Ftr14 and Pal12/Ftr4, in all that comes to gameplay/roleplaying. both will be strong frontliners, calling on their diety for blessing and protection while they introduce Evil to thier rigtheous steele. the only difference will be the exact method of blessing/protection invoked - it will depend on the class combo/abilities/items of the character - be it a single hastingly-cast Protection from Evil, or a couple of minutes worth of quet praying (read: buffing up), spent at preparation for the fight.

to summarise (hopefully you are already convinced, though): you REALLY WANT those fighter levles for your Pally...

[Mirk]

actually, the Pally is a good candidate for anothe role,also aided by the Fighter levels: the Intimidator. Being the first in the party line-up, he can use a high Intimidate skill, aided by his Cha, in those enter-the-room-and-the-wimpy-sorc-with-high-diplomacy-is-too-far-at-the-back-for-the-NPC-to-notice situations.

IMHO, Intimidation is not that out-of-character for a paladin as it might seem at first glance, too! think about it...

[black thor]

thanks for replies..

I think I'll give some fighter level to my pally (he has 18 str, and with 18 cha, good idea the intimidation)