Paladin Reborn...

[Lokela]

<DIV>Hi all, </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>After a little over a year away from the game I've decided to join the ranks again. When I stopped playing i was a level 40 pally and absolutly adored the class although was a little disheartened to the strong prefference to guardians as a MT at the time. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Long story short I logged in my toon and it appears that all those phunky little choices where reset at some point and i got a monumental amount of spam about gaining new abilities, some of which seemed completley foriegn to me. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I would really love to start playing my pally again but I'm afriad to start clicking away and make stupid choices I'm going to be stuck with, especially with this new AA(?) system. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Is there anyone bored enough at work to help an ex and reborn pally out and give me any pointers as to what to choose for the level choices and aa thingies? Also any major new changes I should be aware of, new skills, old skills nerfed to uslessness etc...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Normally I would just start over but being that the level cap is now 70 as opposed to 50 and this toon was very well established (at least a year ago) it would take far to long to get another toon up to the level of gear / quests completed and acomplishments i have already acheived with my origional pally. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also on a more general note I was a level 30 provisioner, not that i think you can change but is provisioner worth continuing to pursue? And are pally's still viewed as a second rate MT compared to guardians?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ive been searching around the fourums trying to play a years worht of catch up and continue to do so, but i figured i'd toss a post here anyway to directly hit some of my main concerns head on. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks in advance for any advice / input you have to offer.</DIV> <DIV>I hope the great pally community I remember from a year ago hasn't changed as much as the game has <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>-Lokelani</DIV> <DIV>40 Palladin</DIV> <DIV>Najena</DIV>

[Wulfborne]

<div></div><div><blockquote><hr>Lokelani wrote:<div>Hi all, </div> <div> </div> <div>After a little over a year away from the game I've decided to join the ranks again. When I stopped playing i was a level 40 pally and absolutly adored the class although was a little disheartened to the strong prefference to guardians as a MT at the time. </div> <div> </div> <div>Long story short I logged in my toon and it appears that all those phunky little choices where reset at some point and i got a monumental amount of spam about gaining new abilities, some of which seemed completley foriegn to me. </div> <div> </div> <div>I would really love to start playing my pally again but I'm afriad to start clicking away and make stupid choices I'm going to be stuck with, especially with this new AA(?) system. </div> <div> </div> <div>Is there anyone bored enough at work to help an ex and reborn pally out and give me any pointers as to what to choose for the level choices and aa thingies? Also any major new changes I should be aware of, new skills, old skills nerfed to uslessness etc...</div> <div> </div> <div>Normally I would just start over but being that the level cap is now 70 as opposed to 50 and this toon was very well established (at least a year ago) it would take far to long to get another toon up to the level of gear / quests completed and acomplishments i have already acheived with my origional pally. </div> <div> </div> <div>Also on a more general note I was a level 30 provisioner, not that i think you can change but is provisioner worth continuing to pursue? And are pally's still viewed as a second rate MT compared to guardians?</div> <div> </div> <div>Ive been searching around the fourums trying to play a years worht of catch up and continue to do so, but i figured i'd toss a post here anyway to directly hit some of my main concerns head on. </div> <div> </div> <div>Thanks in advance for any advice / input you have to offer.</div> <div>I hope the great pally community I remember from a year ago hasn't changed as much as the game has <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div> <div> </div> <div>-Lokelani</div> <div>40 Palladin</div> <div>Najena</div><hr></blockquote>Welcome back. First off, if you quit about a year ago, I'm trying to place the time... I think that would put you at just about the time that DoF came out? If so, or if you aren't familiar, the same time that they released that expansion they released LU13 (often referred to on these boards as Live Nerf 13). That update completely revamped the combat syatem, so anything you knew before that update is out the window. If you played before that, be ready to spend a bit of time re-learning the basics of combat.As far as general picks from leveling... I almost always went with choices that increased my innate power regen and power pool. Any other race picks are just flavor and really won't make a huge diff at your level and beyond, IMO. As for master 2 choices, I suggest Taunts, Wards and Heals as your choices. It really depends on what role you want to play, but since most paladins find themselves at least tanking for groups (even if in DPS mode) those 3 things become invaluable (though your early choices won't matter, since you've outgrown the spells anyway - the new mentoring system allows your spells to scale down, so you don't have to switch them out anymore).AA choices are an ongoing discussion on these boards. Again, it depends what role you wish to play. Since I'm still figuring out what choices are best for me personally (currently set up as 1 starter, 4/4/8/8/0 stamina, and 4/5/8/8/0 intelligence) I'll let others give you advice there. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Unfortunately, pallys are still viewed my many as 'second rate' to guardians in the role of a tank, but that's basically just for raids with mobs that hit like a truck. Many pallys have tanked high-end boss mobs from T-7 raid zones, though, so unless you raid hardcore and want to be "the man" for your raid, it's not a big deal. I *never* have a problem tanking for groups (many seek me out specifically) so I don't feel we're 2nd rate in those areas. Heck, I raid a lot and though I don't MT, I am always wanted on the raids for my abilities. Provisioners are way cool, and being one will save you a bit of coin as you progress through the game. *Everyone* wants food and drink, but they charge out the nose for it over the broker system at times, so if you can make your own, good on ya!Hope some of that helps.~Sir Hawke Holyblayde, Champion of Drednever</div><p>Message Edited by Wulfborne on <span class=date_text>06-06-2006</span> <span class=time_text>08:01 AM</span>

[Alir]

<P>Welcome back.....   First thing is make sure of what you want to do.... main tank, main assist, etc.....  As a versatile class, you have to choose wisely with your AA's because each one really has an affect on you and your ability.  </P> <P>We are preferred over guardians as Main Tank in virtually every setting (possible exception of Raid Main Tank, although this is silly to me and more Pallies need to stand up for their right to be Raid Tank).  In a group we offer way more than a guardian because we can pinch heal, tank, rez, and many things they simply cannot do.  In fact, grab a healer and a warlock and you can do what a guardiun and a full group can do.  Just make sure you have the spell Amends at adept 3 or better and put it on the Warlock or your biggest DPS'er.  </P> <P>As far as AA's go,  as a full time main tank I have chosen stamina and wisdom to complete.  Stamina for the added HP"s and wisdom for the resists.  Some people will tell you strength is a good way to go, but with the spell AMends, you do not really need the extra hate that lines gives you.  Intelligence gives you fewer fizzles on spell casts and better heals and more damage per spell....  Agility, not sure who uses this, but I'm sure some do. Bottom line, is look at each spell in your AA line and choose according to what it is you want to do, because a pally can be just about anything he/she wants.</P> <P> </P> <P>Alir</P> <P>Level 70</P> <P>Crushbone</P>

[Lokela]

<DIV>Thanks for some great feedback. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I guess I did leave a few important factors out. When I stopped playing was right after Bloodline Chronicles was released. I still havn't bought the expansions (though I probobly am in a few hours <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) and they wheren't released before I stopped. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm not 100% sure was LU i was on before quiting but it was before LU13. Gonna go back and read that one in the archives (if it's there). I started a baby beserker in the meantime until I am confident in getting my paladin back on her feet and combat doesn't seem all that different from what I remember although I am sure it is. Will research this more. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Is soloing still viable at 40? at least a bit to become accostumed to combat again?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for the "role" i would like to play. I am definatly a tank at heart. I love tanking having the biggest meanest nasty punding on me while protecting my party. Like you both mentioned I never had a problem tanking at all for a group, but I just go by word of mouth on the high end raid game since I never have gotten a chanse to experience it yet. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for the AA's I am still completey lost mainly becase I am not sure how the system works. Is there a guide like "achievment system for dumies" or something along those lines you could point me to. Just the basics really, how the system works, how you advance through it what are your limitations etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Once again thank you guys, I'm glad to see at least this forum is still as helpfull as ever.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>P.S. One more side note, I see there are 2 full expansions and 2 adventure packs I dont have yet. Do any of them offer content that someone in their 40's can partake in? or are they mainly high level content? Any new zones to romp around in solo? Kind of still sick of zek <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> hehe</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>-Lokelani</DIV> <DIV>40 Paladin</DIV> <DIV>Najena</DIV><p>Message Edited by Lokelani on <span class=date_text>06-06-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:14 AM</span>

[Leawyn]

<DIV>For solo romps, definately get Splitpaw. Its soloers heaven, and can be started around level 20 up to about 60 (when I believe the mobs stop scaling to your level). Its all instances, with the mobs scaling as you level up, so its always a viable option for soloing. DOF is a fantastic expansion, though it has cleared out considerably since KOS came out. DOF is definately 50+ mobs, but soloable from about 47+ (at least thats when i started soloing in there, doing quests at the docks for exp).</DIV>

[Lokela]

<P>Thanks Leawyn, I'll definatly check out splitpaw. Well I got all my reselctions out of the way, (thanks again all) and I'm pretty happy in my choices. </P> <P>I finally decided to leave the confines of my house in Qeynos Harbor and re-aquaint myself to combat with some grey bashing in Crypt of Betrayl lol. At least till I relearn my skills and what does what.</P> <P>A new question popped up. I have pristine imbued ruby ring of stamina and and a pristine ruby ring of strength. I also have 2 pristine imbued hex dolls. I remember the rings used to give me some pretty neat self buffs and the dolls where somewhat useful in fights. When i click the rings though it is not casting the buff i recall although by the item description it appears they still do. </P> <P>Am I missing something? Or where these items nerfed along the line?</P> <P> </P>

[Pathin Merrithay]

The imbued rings have gone through several changes. For a breif period they just added the buff rather then being a clickable item (Because people would have 5 rings and just cycle through casting the buffs and putting on better ones) After realizing that made the rings grossly overpowered, (+30 Str on a T6 crafted ring? D'uh SOE) they instead made the buffs a temporary proc effect on successful attacks.

[Lokela]

<P>Disregard that last post I learned to read <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> it appears they where changed to reactionary procs as oppsed to castable buffs now.</P>

[OrcSlayer96]

<DIV>Since you have been gone for a year, here is some quick info for you.  Your playstyle has changed to where your wards are a must have, make sure you get them at least to adept3 if not higher, your single target heal, group heal and self heal plus lay on hands is important also.  Your beneficial spells like heals/wards are heavily affected by fizzles, the higher you raise your ordination and ministration, the less amount of fizzles you have.  You now have the ability to wield slashing/crushing/piercing weapons.  We are restricted from using 2 dual wield weapons but we can use swords/great swords/axes/greataxes/maces/greatmaces/flails/greatflails/hammers/greathammers spears and Halberds from levels 1-60.  When you hit Tier 7 (60-70), you will be able to use tower shields, crafted wands, and a few other pieces of gear.  You can now equip most symbols in your secondary and ranged slot, we have very few symbols we cant use and some give very nice stats/resists qand bonuses to us.  Symbols are a general term and include at least tomes, censers, tablets, relics and other similar items.  Our ranged attack is still our spells, we have our refusal line that is the heavy nuke on a minute timer and we have our judgement line i think that is on a 24 second timer, both with a 30 meter range.  At level 50 you get decree then its upgrade is brimstone at 70, they are ranged encounter based spells that you will love to use.  In your INT achievement line there is a smite spell that you can get that requires you to have a symbol in your secondary slot but is another 30 meter low power cost magic spell on a 20 second timer. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>You will find many stuns available to you, make sure you get the art of stunning the mob before casting a heal or ward down pat when practicing on grey mobs.  Before pulling mobs, ward yourself and it will help in the encounters.  You will have around 6 AOE spells you can cast and at higher levels a couple of them will be awesome in capabilities.  You now have stances you can use and i suggest to practice with these also, plus upgrade their strengths.  Your offensive stance gives you a bonus to your melee skills and abonus amount of stats to your strength and intelligence, at a cost to your mitigation and avoidance.  Your Defensive stance gives you a large mitigation and avoidance boost plus a large resist boost to magic and divine mob spells and a wisdom stat bonus at a loss of melee skills and damage output.  I generally use the offense and switch over to defense when taking alot of damage or if there is alot of mobs.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Make sure you keep up your gear, your armor/weapons, jewelry all need to be updated when possable so you are nor wearing low level gear.  Higher level armor especially will give better protection and bonuses to you.  You will want to hold onto gear that gives good resists and have extra gear that can be subsituted for the resists you need on mobs in instances and epic content.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Make sure that at the very least you have Kingdom of the Sky expansion to have your achievemnts and discover all your old zones again for easy achievements.  The first couple of respecs are low cost and they will probably have future free respecs, so dont feel too much pressure on a initial wrong choice.  I would suggest trying it out and respeccing only after you have alot of acheivement levels so you have a better picture on how you want your achievements.  The achievement window has a nice mouseover window showing a brief explanation on each choice, just toss in your 1st achievement to the concentrator ability and see your choices...<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Have fun with your class and there is a game wide paladin channel that many of us are on, there is a post here in the forum with that information.  Just remembere that a properly geared paladin that knows his class can take about any type of content in the game and you will do just fine...<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </DIV>