Beginner's guide to playing a paladin - Revision history

ZHOUY1: Update the beginner's guide to cover up to level 30.

2025-09-24T08:50:07Z

Update the beginner's guide to cover up to level 30.

GS4-XERAPHINA: GS4-XERAPHINA moved page A beginner's guide to playing a paladin to Beginner's guide to playing a paladin: naming convention, removing "a"

2024-10-31T00:17:17Z

GS4-XERAPHINA moved page A beginner's guide to playing a paladin to Beginner's guide to playing a paladin: naming convention, removing "a"

← Older revision	Revision as of 19:17, 30 October 2024
(No difference)

GS4-XERAPHINA: updated page to include new player-guide template

2024-10-31T00:17:00Z

updated page to include new player-guide template

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			{{Player-guide
			\|title=A Beginner's Guide to Playing a Paladin
			\|author=Various
			\|date=2015-02-06
			\|updated=2021-01-15
			\|topic=Paladins
			}}
	{{TOCright}} So, you're thinking about becoming a [[paladin]]? Or maybe you've already become a paladin and now you're wondering where do I go from here? The intention of this guide is to answer any questions that arise from making the decision to become a paladin. Have more questions? Leave them in the [[Talk:A_beginner%27s_guide_to_playing_a_paladin\|discussion section of this article]] and they might get added here.		{{TOCright}} So, you're thinking about becoming a [[paladin]]? Or maybe you've already become a paladin and now you're wondering where do I go from here? The intention of this guide is to answer any questions that arise from making the decision to become a paladin. Have more questions? Leave them in the [[Talk:A_beginner%27s_guide_to_playing_a_paladin\|discussion section of this article]] and they might get added here.

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⚫	[[Category:~~Guides~~]]
	[[Category:Paladin]]		[[Category:Paladin]]
	[[Category:Professional Guides]]		[[Category:Professional Guides]]
	[[Category:New Player]]		[[Category:New Player\| ]]
		⚫	[[Category:Combat Mechanics]]

MOD-GSMOTTE: Updated numerous phrases, words, internal links, grammar issues, some outdated content.

2021-01-24T18:03:32Z

Updated numerous phrases, words, internal links, grammar issues, some outdated content.

Show changes

ZHOUY1: Update for paladin spell/training cost changes.

2021-01-16T01:41:14Z

Update for paladin spell/training cost changes.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 15 January 2021
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	So, you're thinking about becoming a Paladin? or maybe you've already become a Paladin and now you're wondering where do I go from here? Our hope is to answer any questions that arise from making the decision to become a Paladin.		So, you're thinking about becoming a [[Paladin]]? or maybe you've already become a Paladin and now you're wondering where do I go from here? Our hope is to answer any questions that arise from making the decision to become a Paladin.

	== What exactly is a Paladin? ==		== What exactly is a Paladin? ==
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	'''Who will you choose as your patron [[Arkati]] or Lesser Spirits?'''		'''Who will you choose as your patron [[Arkati]] or Lesser Spirits?'''

	While you can play a Paladin without ever [[CONVERT]]ing to follow a specific [[Arkati]] or [[Lesser Spirit]], choosing a patron can give your Paladin direction. The Arkati or Lesser Spirit you choose to follow will at least affect a few of your higher level [[Paladin Base]] spells ([[~~Guard~~ ~~the Meek~~ (~~1613~~)]], [[~~Divine Strike~~ (~~1615~~)]], and [[~~Judgment~~ (~~1630~~)]]), but you can choose to have it affect your Paladin in many more ways. Does your patron tend to prefer specific weapons? Or maybe they are found to wear certain items of clothing or colors? Maybe they are more connected to a certain race than another, will this affect your choices?		While you can play a Paladin without ever [[CONVERT]]ing to follow a specific [[Arkati]] or [[Lesser Spirit]], choosing a patron can give your Paladin direction. The Arkati or Lesser Spirit you choose to follow will at least affect a few of your higher level [[Paladin Base]] spells like [[Divine Strike (1615)]], [[Judgment (1630)]], and [[Divine Incarnation (1650)]], but you can choose to have it affect your Paladin in many more ways. Does your patron tend to prefer specific weapons? Or maybe they are found to wear certain items of clothing or colors? Maybe they are more connected to a certain race than another, will this affect your choices?

	'''What [[society]] will you choose to join?'''		'''What [[society]] will you choose to join?'''
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	'''How do you feel about the Undead?'''		'''How do you feel about the Undead?'''

	One of the benefits of being a Paladin is that starting at your 5th training you'll be able to wield weapons made of [[~~Ora~~]]. In addition to providing the wielder with +10 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS), [[white ora]] is [[sanctified]], or permanently blessed, in the hands of a Paladin. This makes the hunting of the Undead easier on the Paladin. Except for [[Cleric]]s, all other players will need to have their weapon blessed to be able to normally attack an Undead critter. You are not required to solely hunt the undead as a Paladin, but it is easier for the Paladin to do so, if one chooses this path.		One of the benefits of being a Paladin is that starting at your 5th training you'll be able to wield weapons made of [[white ora]]. In addition to providing the wielder with +10 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS), white ora is [[sanctified]], or permanently blessed, in the hands of a Paladin. This makes the hunting of the Undead easier on the Paladin. Except for [[Cleric]]s, all other players will need to have their weapon blessed to be able to normally attack an Undead critter. You are not required to solely hunt the undead as a Paladin, but it is easier for the Paladin to do so, if one chooses this path. Paladins are also able to use sanctified shields for [[shield specialization]]s, which even Clerics are unable to do.
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	\| 1x\|\|5/3\|\|[[Dodging]]\|\|Training in Dodging allows the Paladin to straight out avoid incoming attacks. If you choose the two-handed weapons route then training in Dodging is a must and you will more than likely want to train in Dodging twice per level. If you are using the one-handed weapon / shield combination then Dodging becomes less important and the bulk of the shield lowers the effectiveness of Dodging. Additionally the larger the shield you carry, the less you'll be able to flat out avoid incoming attacks. Even with a shield, training in Dodging once per training or once every other training is still going to provide good benefits to the Paladin.		\| 1x\|\|5/3\|\|[[Dodging]]\|\|Training in Dodging allows the Paladin to straight out avoid incoming attacks. If you choose the two-handed weapons route then training in Dodging is a must and you will more than likely want to train in Dodging twice per level. If you are using the one-handed weapon / shield combination then Dodging becomes less important and the bulk of the shield lowers the effectiveness of Dodging. Additionally the larger the shield you carry, the less you'll be able to flat out avoid incoming attacks. Even with a shield, training in Dodging once per training or once every other training is still going to provide good benefits to the Paladin.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1x\|\|0/27\|\|[[Spell Research]]\|\|A Paladin's spells are what separate the Paladin from the other classes. While many other classes are better at spell casting, the [[Paladin Base]] spells provide the Paladin with a good mixture of offensive and defensive spells that are a benefit not only to the Paladin, but also to those in the Paladin's group. Since Paladins are not a Pure spell caster, it is difficult to learn more than one spell per level. Paladin's also have the ability to learn spells from the [[Minor Spiritual]] spell circle, but initially this circle is skipped (except for [[Spirit Warding I (101)]] which you'll usually pick up on your second training) in preference of the Paladin Base spells.		\| 1x\|\|0/17\|\|[[Spell Research]]\|\|A Paladin's spells are what separate the Paladin from the other classes. While many other classes are better at spell casting, the [[Paladin Base]] spells provide the Paladin with a good mixture of offensive and defensive spells that are a benefit not only to the Paladin, but also to those in the Paladin's group. Since Paladins are not a Pure spell caster, it is difficult to learn more than one spell per level. Paladin's also have the ability to learn spells from the [[Minor Spiritual]] spell circle, but initially this circle is skipped (except for [[Spirit Warding I (101)]] which you'll usually pick up on your second training) in preference of the Paladin Base spells.
	\|-		\|-
	\| 1x\|\|0/5\|\|[[Harness Power]]\|\|You've learned a spell, now if you want to be able to cast it you'll need some [[mana]], and to gain mana you need to train in Harness Power. ~~Every~~ ~~rank~~ of harness power up to ~~and~~ ~~including~~ ~~the~~ ~~character's~~ ~~level~~ ~~provides 3 mana~~ per rank. ~~For~~ ~~every rank~~ ~~past~~ the character's level ~~only~~ 1 ~~mana~~ is ~~added.~~ ~~The~~ cost for additional training in Harness Power tends to be a bit expensive, but you will want to make sure you are training Harness Power once per level.		\| 1x\|\|0/5\|\|[[Harness Power]]\|\|You've learned a spell, now if you want to be able to cast it you'll need some [[mana]], and to gain mana you need to train in Harness Power. Early ranks of harness power are hugely beneficial, giving 6 extra mana points per rank as long as the number of ranks do not exceed your character's level. This eventually has diminishing returns and the cost for additional training in Harness Power tends to be a bit expensive, but you will want to make sure you are training Harness Power once per level.
	\|}		\|}

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	*[[Arm of the Arkati (1605)]] is self-cast by the Paladin, but the other group members enjoy the benefit of a 10% bonus to the base [[damage factor]] of their melee or hurled weapon.		*[[Arm of the Arkati (1605)]] is self-cast by the Paladin, but the other group members enjoy the benefit of a 10% bonus to the base [[damage factor]] of their melee or hurled weapon.

	*[[Divine Shield (1609)]] is a ~~self-cast~~ Paladin spell that provides group members ~~that~~ use a shield a base of 10% to [[block]]ing with the shield. It is important to note that a Paladin can NOT ~~have both Divine Shield and~~ ~~Zealot~~ ~~active~~ at the same time.		*[[Divine Shield (1609)]] is a Paladin [[aura system\|aura]] spell that provides group members with +15 DS and, for those who use a shield, a base of 10% to [[block]]ing with the shield. It is important to note that a Paladin can NOT cast two auras at the same time.

		⚫	*[[Zealot (1617)]] is a Paladin aura spell that, as mentioned above, can NOT be active at the same time as Divine Shield. Zealot is a double edged spell in that while it provides +30 to melee [[Attack Strength]] (AS), you will not be able to share the defensive benefits of Divine Shield. So make sure your group is able to withstand this lost of defense before casting it.
	*[[Guard the Meek (1613)]] is another self-cast spell. This provides the Paladin and his/her group with +15 to Defense Strength ([[DS]]).

			*[[Fervor (1618)]] is the final Paladin aura spell that effects the entire group. Fervor adds weighting to many attacks, making them hit harder if they land, and grants a chance to add damage flares. This aura is more situational and can be helpful if you are grouping with magical professions.
⚫	*[[Zealot (1617)]] is a ~~self-cast~~ Paladin spell that, as mentioned above, can NOT be active at the same time as Divine Shield~~. Zealot at lower levels is a [[mana]] costly spell to keep casting for your group, but at later levels becomes more sustainable~~. Zealot is a double edged spell in that while it provides +30 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS) it ~~also~~ ~~causes~~ ~~players~~ to ~~suffer~~ ~~-30~~ to ~~Defense~~ ~~Strength~~ ~~([[DS]])~~. So make sure your group is able to withstand this lost of defense before casting it.

	*[[Crusade (1618)]] is the final self-cast Paladin spell that effects the entire group. This is another costly spell with a short duration. For 60 seconds the entire group is treated as if they have heavy damage weighting for both physical and magical bolt attacks. Great for times of need, but as it has a two minute cool down (or if cast again within the cool down period the mana costs increase per cast) it won't be used on a regular grouping basis.
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	==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==		==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==
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	Paladins have the ability to raise the dead with [[Divine Word (1640)]]. While it may be perceived as not as desirable as a [[318\|Cleric raise]], Divine Word is unique in that it will give a character ten minutes with the same spells as before death, full health, stamina, and mana, and no bleeding. This makes Divine Word very effective for field raises and allows a character to get right back into the action and immediately finish up a bounty or help retrieve a lost weapon. Cleric raises, while they can preserve the experience stored, involve some recovery time.		Paladins have the ability to raise the dead with [[Divine Word (1640)]]. While it may be perceived as not as desirable as a [[318\|Cleric raise]], Divine Word is unique in that it will give a character ten minutes with the same spells as before death, full health, stamina, and mana, and no bleeding. This makes Divine Word very effective for field raises and allows a character to get right back into the action and immediately finish up a bounty or help retrieve a lost weapon. Cleric raises, while they can preserve the experience stored, involve some recovery time.

	Paladins also have a unique corpse transport spell, [[Aid ~~The~~ Fallen (~~1620~~)]].		Paladins also have a unique corpse transport spell, [[Aid the Fallen (1613)]].

	== Walking with Your Patron - 6th to 100th Level==		== Walking with Your Patron - 6th to 100th Level==

GS4-GYRES: Updated link to 1625 to reflect spell name change.

2021-01-02T03:38:32Z

Updated link to 1625 to reflect spell name change.

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	==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==		==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==
	One of the great Paladin hunting attributes is the ability to bond with a weapon. This is done with the [[~~Sanctify~~ (1625)]] spell. Bonded weapons provide [[enhancive]] abilities, two potential types of special weapon [[flares]], and return abilities (when thrown or disarmed).		One of the great Paladin hunting attributes is the ability to bond with a weapon. This is done with the [[Holy Weapon (1625)]] spell. Bonded weapons provide [[enhancive]] abilities, two potential types of special weapon [[flares]], and return abilities (when thrown or disarmed).

	==Aiding the Dead==		==Aiding the Dead==

GS4-GYRES: Undo revision 133565 by GS4-GYRES (talk)

2020-07-04T04:54:53Z

Undo revision 133565 by GS4-GYRES (talk)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 3 July 2020
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	*[[Zealot (1617)]] is a self-cast Paladin spell that, as mentioned above, can NOT be active at the same time as Divine Shield. Zealot at lower levels is a [[mana]] costly spell to keep casting for your group, but at later levels becomes more sustainable. Zealot is a double edged spell in that while it provides +30 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS) it also causes players to suffer -30 to Defense Strength ([[DS]]). So make sure your group is able to withstand this lost of defense before casting it.		*[[Zealot (1617)]] is a self-cast Paladin spell that, as mentioned above, can NOT be active at the same time as Divine Shield. Zealot at lower levels is a [[mana]] costly spell to keep casting for your group, but at later levels becomes more sustainable. Zealot is a double edged spell in that while it provides +30 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS) it also causes players to suffer -30 to Defense Strength ([[DS]]). So make sure your group is able to withstand this lost of defense before casting it.

	*[[~~Righteousness~~ (1618)]] is the final self-cast Paladin spell that effects the entire group. This is another costly spell with a short duration. For 60 seconds the entire group is treated as if they have heavy damage weighting for both physical and magical bolt attacks. Great for times of need, but as it has a two minute cool down (or if cast again within the cool down period the mana costs increase per cast) it won't be used on a regular grouping basis.		*[[Crusade (1618)]] is the final self-cast Paladin spell that effects the entire group. This is another costly spell with a short duration. For 60 seconds the entire group is treated as if they have heavy damage weighting for both physical and magical bolt attacks. Great for times of need, but as it has a two minute cool down (or if cast again within the cool down period the mana costs increase per cast) it won't be used on a regular grouping basis.
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	==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==		==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==

GS4-GYRES: Updated 1618 reference to Righteousness (was Crusade) after spell renamed.

2020-07-03T20:40:46Z

Updated 1618 reference to Righteousness (was Crusade) after spell renamed.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:40, 3 July 2020
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	*[[Zealot (1617)]] is a self-cast Paladin spell that, as mentioned above, can NOT be active at the same time as Divine Shield. Zealot at lower levels is a [[mana]] costly spell to keep casting for your group, but at later levels becomes more sustainable. Zealot is a double edged spell in that while it provides +30 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS) it also causes players to suffer -30 to Defense Strength ([[DS]]). So make sure your group is able to withstand this lost of defense before casting it.		*[[Zealot (1617)]] is a self-cast Paladin spell that, as mentioned above, can NOT be active at the same time as Divine Shield. Zealot at lower levels is a [[mana]] costly spell to keep casting for your group, but at later levels becomes more sustainable. Zealot is a double edged spell in that while it provides +30 to [[Attack Strength]] (AS) it also causes players to suffer -30 to Defense Strength ([[DS]]). So make sure your group is able to withstand this lost of defense before casting it.

	*[[~~Crusade~~ (1618)]] is the final self-cast Paladin spell that effects the entire group. This is another costly spell with a short duration. For 60 seconds the entire group is treated as if they have heavy damage weighting for both physical and magical bolt attacks. Great for times of need, but as it has a two minute cool down (or if cast again within the cool down period the mana costs increase per cast) it won't be used on a regular grouping basis.		*[[Righteousness (1618)]] is the final self-cast Paladin spell that effects the entire group. This is another costly spell with a short duration. For 60 seconds the entire group is treated as if they have heavy damage weighting for both physical and magical bolt attacks. Great for times of need, but as it has a two minute cool down (or if cast again within the cool down period the mana costs increase per cast) it won't be used on a regular grouping basis.
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	==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==		==[[1625\|Paladin Weapon Bonding]]==

RADDAFISKIE: removed - 'work in progress' notice... it's a wiki... everything is a work in progress

2019-03-04T15:52:53Z

removed - 'work in progress' notice... it's a wiki... everything is a work in progress

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:52, 4 March 2019
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	{{Work-in-progress}}

	So, you're thinking about becoming a Paladin? or maybe you've already become a Paladin and now you're wondering where do I go from here? Our hope is to answer any questions that arise from making the decision to become a Paladin.		So, you're thinking about becoming a Paladin? or maybe you've already become a Paladin and now you're wondering where do I go from here? Our hope is to answer any questions that arise from making the decision to become a Paladin.

ZHOUY1: /* A Final Thought on Training */ fixskills update

2017-02-08T19:28:24Z

A Final Thought on Training: fixskills update

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:28, 8 February 2017
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	If you are feeling confused about where to focus your training, don't worry you are not alone. It can become overwhelming trying to figure out the "perfect" character, Paladin or not. This is where you can once again return to the questions asked above. Who is your Paladin's patron? Is your patron more focused on magic? Then choose more magically related skills. Is your patron more physical? Then pick skills that you feel fit into what that patron would look for in a follower or help that patron would grant to his/her followers.		If you are feeling confused about where to focus your training, don't worry you are not alone. It can become overwhelming trying to figure out the "perfect" character, Paladin or not. This is where you can once again return to the questions asked above. Who is your Paladin's patron? Is your patron more focused on magic? Then choose more magically related skills. Is your patron more physical? Then pick skills that you feel fit into what that patron would look for in a follower or help that patron would grant to his/her followers.

	Finally, you have ~~30 days of~~ unlimited [[fixskill]]s ~~when beginning~~ ~~any~~ ~~new~~ ~~character~~. Play with different things and find what works best for you. If it's not working, then you can always switch things up quickly.		Finally, you have unlimited [[fixskill]]s until reaching level 20. Play with different things and find what works best for you. If it's not working, then you can always switch things up quickly.
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