Could anyone suggest an updated pally build to a newbie?

[kathycakes]

Thanks in advance! 

[woqued]

Apr 19, 2019 7:27:04 GMT kathycakes said:

Thanks in advance! 

Semner's Build is ok. You can run it as sword/board on your first play through, move 4 points from CHA to DEX for a better experience in some endgame areas. If you run a subrace with less str, move those points from CHA to STR. Overall lack of stats => just take the points from CHA to adjust your STR and DEX, and make sure to go 1handed + shield if your cha/dex ends up being notably lower than the Semner build - your AC will not hold up otherwise. Any martial weapon will do for your needs regardless of whether you go 1handed or 2handed, go with what you have, or feel like is fun, fitting or looks cool. 

If you run a non-Half-Elf build, you just dump Listen at level 40 on your last harper scout level, and do not take Legendary Skill Affinity: Listen, and take into account the skills lost for not being a Half-Elf (unless you are a Gnome or a Human). 

Not sure what point in game you are at the moment - will this character be leveled from level 1, or reincarnated at 40, 55, 60 nor what subrace tier it is in - but the base idea of the build is sound nonetheless, even if you don't use Pharlan. You could probably make the same build better later by using Half-Guardinal and going WM instead of Harper... But there are many ways to go. 

For somewhat outdated but still to an extent useful tips including partyplay portion of being a paladin, this and this.

Edit: there can be some useful information in the comments below the builds, but there is also definitely misleading information too from old versions of the builds and people making judgement calls that have no basis, so always take everything you ingest in the build discussion forums with a grain of salt, this post included Hope you enjoy the paladin, wherever it ends up. 

[rainbowdash]

the build itself is may be not to newbie-friendly but there is a lot of valueable info in there.

highergroundpoa.proboards.com/thread/24841/non-smiter-paladin-fighter-harper

[buddhamind]

Do you have any subraces?

For a first playthrough I'd recommend a sword+shield over a 2-hander. The 2handers are better when you have double demi+ and enough gear to make it work, but earlier than that you will be painfully squishy. A shield will help a lot for your defenses. On many paladins Harper scout is recommended for the extra attacks but you will need to farm or barter for a crucible of moliation from POM. This is not super hard but it is a big stepping stone which is why I mention it.

If you have a UR sub I'd recommend my own build, the second build on this page (Pelor's Forgotten Champion, non smiter version), but I would no longer recommend using morningstar on a paladin. Swap the feats for a different medium martial weapon (Battle Axe, Heavy Pick, Light Flail, Longsword, Rapier, Scimitar, or Warhammer. The relatively recent weapon changes make them all about the same, so use whatever you have a stockpile of.)
highergroundpoa.proboards.com/post/207322

See also Vichya's Harper Knight of Mystra for an open subrace Paladin that is very similar to mine.
highergroundpoa.proboards.com/thread/21325/harper-knight-mystra-ftr-pal