How important is Int to a pally these days?

[Dragonlor]

<DIV>I guess I need to frame up my question so that I get the specifics I am looking for.  I am considering making a dwarf or high elf paladin.  Now, I know that most everyone says that starting stats average out in the end (with items, etc), but I notice a possible significant gap if Int is a big deal for pallys.  The Dwarf and the High Elf really seem like polar opposites stat-wise (except in WIS).   Here is my reasoning:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1st, the dwarf clearly crushes the High Elf in Str and Sta (2 huge stats for any fighter) but as I understand it most folks cap strength eventually anyway.  Lower levels may be tougher for the elf, but he will catch up through level attribute bonuses and equipment which more often has strength on it.  So with that, the only concern is STA where the dwarf wins out 25 to 15.  The Dwarf also has some good racial traits to make this gap even a bit more than this 10 pt difference.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2nd, Now to Wisdom and Int.  Both races do fairly well in the WIS category and I will discount the 5 pt advantage the high elf has on the dwarf.  WIS raises a bit as the pally levels so this stat will increase for both as we go.  Int, however, does not raise with levels as STR, STA, and WIS seem to for the pally.  So whatever starting stats, racial bonuses, and equipment bonuses you bring to the table is all you will ever see (discounting buffs and stance bonuses which would be equal for the races).  Here the Dwarf starts with only 12 Int while the High Elf has 23 int and associated racial trait picks that widen that margin beyond the 11 pts (very similar to the sta situation above).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So with that said, and given the fact that STR, STA, and WIS seem to raise as you level, how important is Int?  Will it truly affect spell damage/healing (and therby overall damage /healing potential) enough to even notice given the small number of offensive and healing spells at a paladin's disposal?  Am I wrong in thinking that the STR/STA gap is more easily made up than the INT gap?  Is the paladin enough of a caster-fighter hybrid to be concerned about Int...I pay attention to Int with my high elf troub, but then again it not only boosts his spell damage (of which he has a few) but also adds to his power pool.  This is not the case for the pally which gets power from STR and WIS as I understand it.   I know I am being a bit obsessive here in trying to optimize from the start, but that is just one of my many character flaws.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks for any help/opinions!</DIV> <P>Message Edited by Dragonlord1 on <SPAN class=date_text>07-22-2006</SPAN> <SPAN class=time_text>02:07 PM</SPAN></P><p>Message Edited by Dragonlord1 on <span class=date_text>07-22-2006</span> <span class=time_text>02:08 PM</span>

[SpyrerTheFirst]

<DIV>I wouldn't worry too much about which race you choose, in the long run it doesn't matter very much since at high levels the base-race stats are not at all important. You should choose the one that you think looks cooler or is more fun.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On the Int topic it is quite important for a pally since it especially at handcrafted level effects weapon procs and also other item procs if you happen to have them. It also affects spell damage as it does for every class and Pallys do have a couple of OK spells that do damage.</DIV>

[Hakan]

<DIV>I hate to cop-out, but I have to go with the "in the end it doesn't matter" as well.  However, unlike EQ1 a paladin is a formidible offensive spell caster in this game, so INT is far from useless.  Also the INT aa line gives you the most bang for you buck, gaining 8 points per aa as opposed to 4 for strength.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Where INT makes a big difference is in your AoE spells, since INT increases spell damage and you get the most increases in AoE.  If you make the HE Paladin your procs and spells will be better and you might be able to take down large groups quickly where the Dwarf is better against a single foe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Either way,the difference will be negligible and you can tailor the character afte rmaking it to fit either deisgn.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hakanek</DIV>

[Arraza]

<P>INT makes a huge difference, but I don't think your starting race will benefit your or hinder you significantly.  If you look at the stat differences in the races, you *may* see a 10 point difference in some of the more polar races, but like everyone says it doesn't matter in the end.  10 points in INT will be averaged out by equipment as you progress.</P> <P>NOW, what I think is really important here is the INT conversation in general.  I think Paladins get shafted when it comes to gear because all of the stats on plate gear is aimed at STR and STA predominently, with some AGI and WIS thrown in.  Ideally since we use *A LOT* of spells we should have gear that also buffs INT, or at least have the option of gear with INT.  Personally I love the Xegonite devout, I can get above 500 INT in raids and that means my refusal can get a range of 1400-2000 damage and many of my other spells and procs get up close to 1000 damage as well.  When I have INT gear on, and am in OFF stance I can easily parse 600+dps on a regular basis on single mobs, and can easily break into the 1000s on grouped mobs.  I typically fall into the top 10 dps on a raid, and occasionally hit the top 5 when my procs and crits are hitting.</P> <P>The problem?  Wearing Xeg devout on a raid is almost like wearing cloth, I can take a hit but it hurts, and I can't OT if I am wearing it so it leaves me to my doing OK dps, occasional healing and battle rezzing.</P>

[uzhiel feathered serpe]

<P>In Offensive stance, I can self buff to over 400 int, and let me tell you, there is a huge difference in terms of nuke damage. Raid buffed, when I clear 500+ int, I see a diff in nuke damage.</P> <P>I went down the STA and INT line, and put alot of points to raise my int. I'm kinda of a min-maxer :smileysad:</P> <P>Either way, yes, INT makes a diff in spell damage, and in some cases, quite a diff.</P> <P>BTW, I made a barb paly, and he had alot of STRE and STA options, so thats the reason I raised his int. I'm not sure about other races, but back in the day, I had a friend who had an erudite paly and his stats seemed weak, but it might have been gear.</P><p>Message Edited by uzhiel feathered serpent on <span class=date_text>07-24-2006</span> <span class=time_text>09:50 AM</span>