Introduction
Hello Seekers of the path of the fallen. I’m Gohan and I’ll be your guide. I’ve
been around these forums for quite awhile, but I’ve noticed that with 1.10 a lot
of builds have died. One of these builds that no one seems to have the patience
to use anymore is the Fallen Paladin. Keep in mind this is not a power build and
it WILL not kill very fast, it will be a hard, challenging path, nearly
impossible for the majority of people to beat the game with this build. But for
those of you who love a challenge this is the perfect build. These opinions
are based on my playing one in single player. Keep in mind this is my first
guide so it will probably undergo several revisions as I learn more from
replaying and the feedback from all of you.
Decisions
One of the first things you must think about is how
“fallen” your paladin is. I had a dilemma with that myself in the beginning. I
mean, there is a lot to consider.
Can you use Act 2 mercs? This is a decision that you can make yourself. I’ve
tested them with and without a merc and I find an Act 2 merc is a BIG help.
Can you use auras for synergies? Let’s face it… this build would be impossible
without it… so I decided a definite yes.
Finally, Can you use the aura granting runewords/items? If you find them,
consider them a gift from the heavens! After all… you may be fallen, but you are
still destroying Heaven’s enemies. Just because you’ve turned your back on
Heaven, doesn’t mean that Heaven has turned it’s back on you!
The Lost Warrior
“What am I really fighting for anymore?” Gunthar asked himself. “These people,
they look at me in disgust. They know of the corruption of my order!” He walks
to the window of the inn. “It’s settled, from henceforth, I’ll get by on the
power of my own… not some log dead god…”
The lost warrior is one who has doubts in his cause. He can still generate some
of the holy powers thru faith in himself. The Heaven’s feel that he is not yet
lost, and may still be quite the asset. His consuming goal, is to prove that the
powers that be, aren’t the only method of obtaining strength.
Strength – Unlike most builds, your damage is going to be heavily be
affected by your strength. Give it plenty of points, your vitality will survive.
Besides what is the point of lots of life, if it takes you an hour to take down
a fallen? I’d go for 130-150 base.
Dexterity – you should be getting enough dexterity to reach a decent
block rating with holy shield on, I don’t suggest getting much extra dex, since
paladins usually have decent block rates. You’ll need those points in Vitality
believe me. My paladin has around 135 base dexterity. That should be enough.
Vitality – Dump all your spare points here.
Energy – You don’t need it… enough said!
Moving onto skills, the ones I suggest are:
Zeal – This skill has one of the fastest attack speeds, able to reach
4fps with enough ias. It will be your base killing skill. 20 points here
Sacrifice – This skill is a synergy for zeal. It’ll be the only thing
boosting your zeal damage. Best drop 20 points here too
Smite – 10 points here. The stun will save you.
Holy Shield – This skill will save you points in dexterity by making it
easy to get your chance to block up to 75%, and will give you a nice amount of
defence. 15 points
Defiance – This skill is a synergy for Holy Shield. Drop as many points
as you can. 10-15 points.
Conversion – This Skill gets a point for one reason alone, crowd control.
It will save you by getting things off your back.
Holy Bolt, Blessed Hammer, Charge – 1 point as a prerequisite.
There are no one point wonders in this build.
Equipment choices Helm – For the rich, Delirium(Lem Ist Io) and Dream(Io Jah Pul) are good
runeword choices. Both of them possess a great attribute, chance to cast
confuse. Andariel’s Visage is great for helping you to reach the IAS breakpoints
on zeal. Crown of Ages gives you a high defense base as well as customizability.
A good cheaper option is the good old tried and true Vampire Gaze. Dual Leech
with DR is never a bad thing. Also Rare Circlets with +2 skills and resists
could possibly be the best option for this build. Some low level options, Lore
(Ort Sol) and Peasant’s Crown.
Amulet – If you’ve got the resources, Mara’s is the way to go. Otherwise
try to find a rare with +skills and resists.
Armor – Okay, rich options here are Fortitude(El Sol Dol Lo), Enigma(Jah
Ith Ber), Chains of Honor (Dol Um Ber Ist). For a cheaper option,an upped
Shaftstop is a good solid option for this build. Double upgrade Rattlecage and
it will also be quite an edition to your Crushing blow. Rares really can’t
compete in this slot.
Weapon – For the rich, Breath of the Dying(Vex Hel El Eld Zod Eth) and
Grief (Eth Tir Lo Mal Ral) are awesome choices. For the rest of us, a Crescent
Moon (Shael Um Tir) Phase Blade will do well. If you double up a Crushflange it
will also do superb damage.
Shield – Exile(Vex Ohm Ist Dol) and HoZ both are good options. Another
solid option if you haven’t maxed your DR yet is Storm Shield. If you are low on
resists Sanctuary (Ko Ko Mal) is your way to go. As far as lower level options
Spirit is quite a nice shield. Rares can work in this slot if needed. Skills,
resists and block rate are stats to look for.
Rings – Raven Frost is a must here. Cannot be frozen is Invaluable. Dual
Leech Rares with resists are perfect for here. BK rings also could help out
Belt – Alright, lots of good options here. Verdungo’s for DR, Thundergods
for Lightning absorb and stats, and IK belt for stats and resists. Rares should
have stats and resists.
Gloves –Crafted blood gloves with decent crushing blow work quite well
here! Also you could use Bloodfists or laying of hands. Rares… son, you aren’t a
zon or asn so try to leave them at home, if you insist however, resists and ias
are the stats to look for.
Boots – Resists, Faster R/W, and Crushing blow. You can use Gore Riders.
They will be a perfect fit for this slot with their CB. That is the back bone of
this build.
Charms – You’ll need AR charms, Life Charms, Resist charms, and
preferably as many +skill charms as you can acquire. Basically fill in your
missing attributes here.
Playing Strategies
Now that the equipment and skill choices are more or less clear, let’s get to
the important thing, shall we?
I played in normal with the /players 5 option, as it is a good balance between
experience, drops and the time it takes to kill the monsters in the opinion of a
lot of my friends and associates. You’re going to aura less throughout the game
so now in act 1 would be the time to get used to it. Find yourself a good weapon
preferably with some poison damage. It will help a lot with the skills you will
be forced to use. You shouldn’t have many problems in act 1 with the exception
of maybe Blood Raven. My strategy with her is to just smite her into oblivion.
I’d also make sure I get an Act 1 merc as early as possible and keep her alive.
She’ll be your best friend until you hit Act 2 nightmare. The rest of normal
should give you little trouble. Act 1 should be finished by level 18 and every
6-7 levels after that you should finish the next act. I left Normal at level 46.
Nightmare and on was played at /players 1
Nightmare should actually be refreshingly easy until act 3. There the pygmies
gave me some minor trouble. Smite IS the skill to help yourself with. If you
want to survive the swarm of enemies then you’ll have to fight them
individually. Stun a few then try to convert. Hey, I never said this build would
be easy!!
Hell, well if you have patience… it is doable! Just be prepared for long fights
and lots of potions. If you took my advice and got a Holy Freeze merc then you
should be okay with crowd control. An even smarter idea would be to get a might
merc, but then you’d have an aura on you and I just wouldn’t feel comfortable
doing that. While I’m waiting on feedback I’ll be running thru the game with a
might merc and any aura granting runewords I can acquire. The hardest challenge
for you will be hell Ancients. Simply put, unlike Baal, once you start the
fight…. You can’t leave.
Fortunately for those of you on battle net, this build actually works quite well
if you have a team supporting it. It works perfectly as a meat shield for
casters and can add a little extra punch to your onslaught of the legions of
hell.
Notes
A good help to this build would be either an act 2 might merc equipped with
Infinity (Ber Mal Ber Ist) would make things much easier to hit. Another rich
option is an act 1 merc with Faith (Ohm Jah Lem Eld) for the fanaticism boost.
“ Pikemen! Form Ranks!” Yoshi yelled to his garrison. “We
will not leave anything here alive! Do you understand?” He asks the assembled
troops. He had finally found the stronghold of the demonic spawn that had taken
down his brother. “Finally… at last I shall avenge you my brother… “
The vengeful revolutionary for some reason, harbors an extreme rage. So extreme
is this rage that he will strike his foes so ruthlessly and with such fervor,
that when he finally looks around, the bodies of both friend and foe surround
him. This reckless rage has caused Heaven to strip him of his powers. All he is
left with, is his burning desire for vengeance. This desire will drive him to
any ends. He will endure any trial, either martial or elemental in nature to
destroy those that have wronged him.
Strength – Your builds damage focuses on your weapon damage. Have enough
to use whatever weapon you want to use. Mine had 120 base strength.
Dexterity – You should just try to maintain a 70%+ block rate if you
choose to use a shield. My paladin has around 155 base dexterity. That should be
enough.
Vitality – Dump all your spare points here.
Energy – You don’t need it… enough said!
Moving onto skills, the ones I suggest are:
Vengeance – Your rage shall be channeled thru this skill. No enemy shall
be immune to your wrath. 5 points here to save on mana cost. Resist Fire, Resist Lightning, Resist Cold, Salvation – Synergy purposes…
20 points here.
Sacrifice, Zeal – 1 point as a prerequisite.
Equipment choices Helm – For the rich, Delirium(Lem Ist Io) and Dream(Io Jah Pul) are good
runeword choices. Both of them possess a great attribute, chance to cast
confuse. Crown of Ages gives you a high defense base as well as customizability.
A good cheaper option is the good old tried and true Vampire Gaze. Dual Leech
with DR is never a bad thing. Also Rare Circlets with +2 skills and resists
could possibly be the best option for this build. Some low level options, Lore
(Ort Sol) and Peasant’s Crown.
Amulet – If you’ve got the resources, Mara’s is the way to go. Otherwise
try to find a rare with +skills and resists. Angelic ammy will add AR if you use
it with the ring.
Armor – Fortitude(El Sol Dol Lo) is the best option for this character.
For a cheaper option, an upped Shaftstop is a good solid option for this build.
Rares really can’t compete in this slot.
Weapon – Grief (Eth Tir Lo Mal Ral) Phase Blade is the best weapon for
this build. It combines fast attack and large damage. For the rest of us, a
Crescent Moon (Shael Um Tir) Zerker will do well.
Shield – Exile(Vex Ohm Ist Dol) and HoZ both are good options. Another
solid option if you haven’t maxed your DR yet is Storm Shield. If you are low on
resists Sanctuary (Ko Ko Mal) is your way to go. As far as lower level options
Spirit is quite a nice shield It REALLY helps with your life and mana. Rares can
work in this slot if needed. Skills, resists and block rate are stats to look
for.
Rings – Raven Frost is a must here. Cannot be frozen is Invaluable. BK
rings are another good filler for this slot. Wisp Protector and Dwarf Star are
other options for absorb. Angelic rings can be used if you are using an angelic
ammy
Belt – Alright, lots of good options here. Verdungo’s for DR, Thundergods
for Lightning absorb and stats, and IK belt for stats and resists. Rares should
have stats and resists.
Gloves –Laying of Hands, Bloodfists, or rares with resists, stats, and
mana.
Boots – Gore Riders or War Travelers will work fine here. Silkweaves
might also be a valid option. Rares should have resists and stats.
Charms – You’ll need AR charms, Life Charms, Resist charms, and
preferably as many +skill charms as you can acquire. Basically fill in your
missing attributes here.
Playing Strategies
Honestly this played like the Lost Warrior, with the exception of a slower pace.
The Ancients didn’t give as much trouble although I DO recommend having plenty
of mana potions available. Vengeance is after all.. QUITE mana-intensive.
Notes
Might Merc with Infinity Polearm = Lots of dead bad guys. If you can obtain this
you will succeed quite well even WITHOUT a party.
Final words
I’d like to thank those who responded in my initial thread
when I was trying to decide what guidelines this paladin should follow; it is
because of them that this guide came as soon as it did. I’d also like to that
our former mod Ragnarod, for his encouraging words. I hope you find this guide
useful and maybe a way to break the monotony of those killer cookie cutter
builds that now run rampant on battle.net. I’ll have an update with the
suggestions everyone adds and with a less strict take on the Fallen Paladin
using the aura runewords. I’d appreciate all of your feedback guys. Thanks again
to all that replied to my initial thread on this topic.
