07-06-2003, 11:22 PM
The paladin, like most other combat classes, has recieved #$%& in the way of synergies this patch (the only really useful synergy granted to combat builds this patch has been BO to BC, giving barbs 120 seconds of BC with 1 in BC and 20 in BO, giving barbs yet another reason to put NO MORE THAN ONE point in BC.
I doubt Pally life will be a problem, with all the new items coming out and all. There will likely be better smite shields to go along with the 450% ed weapons we've been seeing crop up.
I see four primary builds as viable:
Zeal: 6 frame base attack speed has always been special, and the +5% to dmg per level makes it a fine skill to use with a new weapon (for a 3 frame attack *drool*).
Vengence: The skill synergies are a JOKE. A point in another aura... to ADD 5% to my vengence damage? Vengence adds 18% per skill point and conviction adds a 5% multiplier by bringing down resistances. New items will make it easier to boost slvls far far past 28, to see the exponential potential of vengence/conviction come to fruition. While fanat flashing has been severely limited, new ias will probably take care of swing speeds. New 500 avg dmg weapons will help too, as well as the ready avilability of mana leech.
Hammers: Maybe. They have a slvl 28 breakpoint for more dmg, but I haven't run the numbers yet. Still, vigor&blessed aim are nice utility auras, and it would be fun to see them useful to your dmg.
FoH: Synergies and the slvl 28 breakpoint don't save this skill. It pales in comparison to sorc bolts, which DON'T have timers. It remains, at best, a variant or pvp build.
I doubt Pally life will be a problem, with all the new items coming out and all. There will likely be better smite shields to go along with the 450% ed weapons we've been seeing crop up.
I see four primary builds as viable:
Zeal: 6 frame base attack speed has always been special, and the +5% to dmg per level makes it a fine skill to use with a new weapon (for a 3 frame attack *drool*).
Vengence: The skill synergies are a JOKE. A point in another aura... to ADD 5% to my vengence damage? Vengence adds 18% per skill point and conviction adds a 5% multiplier by bringing down resistances. New items will make it easier to boost slvls far far past 28, to see the exponential potential of vengence/conviction come to fruition. While fanat flashing has been severely limited, new ias will probably take care of swing speeds. New 500 avg dmg weapons will help too, as well as the ready avilability of mana leech.
Hammers: Maybe. They have a slvl 28 breakpoint for more dmg, but I haven't run the numbers yet. Still, vigor&blessed aim are nice utility auras, and it would be fun to see them useful to your dmg.
FoH: Synergies and the slvl 28 breakpoint don't save this skill. It pales in comparison to sorc bolts, which DON'T have timers. It remains, at best, a variant or pvp build.
Great truths are worth repeating:
"It is better to live in the corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." -Proverbs 21:9
"It is better to live in the corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." -Proverbs 25:24
"It is better to live in the corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." -Proverbs 21:9
"It is better to live in the corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman." -Proverbs 25:24