Pillars of Eternity Paladin: A Guide to Building the Perfect Holy Warrior

In the realm of Eora, where darkness lurks and evil whispers, the Pillars of Eternity beckon brave warriors to stand as beacons of hope and righteous might. Among these valiant souls, none embody the unwavering strength and devotion of the Paladin.

Choosing the Path of the Paladin

Paladins are devoted to their deity, wielding divine power to vanquish evil and protect the innocent. Their unwavering faith grants them exceptional resilience, formidable combat prowess, and an unwavering commitment to their sacred vows.

To embark on the path of the Paladin, you must select a deity that aligns with your beliefs:

• Berath: Goddess of vengeance and retribution
• Eothas: God of renewal and change
• Galawain: God of war and strategy
• Magran: Goddess of fire and passion
• Rymrgand: God of the hunt and nature
• Wael: God of knowledge and secrets

Your choice of deity will influence your Paladin's abilities and role within the party.

Specializing Your Paladin

Paladins can further specialize their abilities by choosing one of three sub-classes:

• Dawnforged: Champions of healing and rejuvenation
• Devotion: Masters of aura buffs and party support
• Goldpact Knight: Seekers of wealth and influence

Each sub-class offers unique perks and abilities, tailored to specific combat roles and party dynamics.

Key Abilities for Paladins

To excel as a Paladin, focus on the following core abilities:

• Strength: Determines melee damage and carrying capacity
• Constitution: Boosts health and stamina
• Dexterity: Improves initiative and ranged combat
• Intellect: Enhances spellcasting and skill checks
• Resolve: Increases willpower and resistance to mental effects

Building a Well-Rounded Paladin

To build a versatile Paladin, allocate your ability points strategically:

• High Strength: Essential for melee combat effectiveness
• Medium Constitution: Provides adequate defense and stamina
• Moderate Dexterity: Enhances initiative and ranged options
• Low Intellect: Paladins primarily rely on melee combat, so intellect is less critical
• High Resolve: Boosts willpower and resistance to mental attacks

Choosing the Right Gear

Equipping your Paladin with the best gear is crucial for maximizing combat effectiveness. Consider the following:

• Armor: Heavy armor provides superior protection at the cost of mobility
• Weapons: Paladins excel with one-handed weapons and shields
• Accessories: Amulets, rings, and belts can enhance abilities and provide stat bonuses

Divine Abilities: Spells and Lay on Hands

Paladins wield the power of divine magic to aid their allies and vanquish their foes. Their spell list includes:

• Aid: Grants a bonus to saving throws and ability checks
• Bless: Enhances attack rolls and damage for allies
• Command: Forces enemies to obey a simple command
• Cure Wounds: Heals a wounded ally
• Sanctuary: Grants immunity to attack rolls for a single ally

Lay on Hands is a unique Paladin ability that allows them to heal or harm living creatures. It can also purge negative effects and resurrect fallen comrades.

Combat Prowess: Masterful Melee and Defensive Skills

Paladins are formidable melee combatants, wielding swords, axes, or warhammers with devastating force. Their defensive capabilities include:

• Heavy Armor Proficiency: Grants protection from physical attacks
• Shield Proficiency: Blocks incoming attacks and provides a shield bash ability
• Aura Buffs: Boost the defenses of nearby allies

Role-Playing the Paladin: Embracing the Vows

Beyond combat effectiveness, Paladins are defined by their unwavering commitment to their sacred oaths:

• Vow of Protection: Dedicating themselves to safeguarding allies and the innocent
• Vow of Devotion: Embracing divine principles and spreading hope
• Vow of Vengeance: Pursuing retribution against evil and those who break faith

Role-playing the Paladin involves embodying these oaths through their actions, dialogues, and choices.

Conclusion: The Unwavering Force of Eora

In the epic world of Pillars of Eternity, Paladins stand as unwavering beacons of hope and righteous might. By following these guidelines, players can create powerful and versatile Paladins, ready to face the challenges that lie ahead. Whether vanquishing darkness, protecting the innocent, or upholding their sacred oaths, Paladins embody the true spirit of heroism in Eora.

FAQs

1. What are the differences between the Paladin sub-classes?

• Dawnforged: Healing and rejuvenation specialists
• Devotion: Aura buffs and party support masters
• Goldpact Knight: Seekers of wealth and influence

2. What are the essential skills for a Paladin?

• Strength for melee damage
• Constitution for defense and stamina
• Dexterity for initiative and ranged combat

3. How do I choose the right gear for my Paladin?

• Heavy armor for protection
• One-handed weapons and shields for melee combat
• Amulets, rings, and belts for stat bonuses and abilities

4. What are the most important divine abilities for a Paladin?

• Cure Wounds for healing
• Bless for attack and damage enhancement
• Sanctuary for immunity to attack rolls