In Defense of the Paladin

[Splorf22]

Hey, you'll get nothing but pally love from me here. I even wrote in my enchanter guide that a paladin is my favorite group tank (slight edge over the SK) and in fact Paladin/Enchanter is a pretty reasonable duo if you want to get creative. Paladins are actually quite reasonable in small groups too by using their helm to heal.

My big problem with paladins is that they have no real raid role. About the best they can do is heal (poorly) on aoe dragons. If paladins could main tank raids I would totally be down to have one.

[Nirgon]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

My big problem with paladins is that they have no real raid role.

Lay hands is too f'ing good on progression or just in general.

Most "serious" players do not seem to roll paladin here, hence, why you may have a negative opinion of them.

I do a mean ranger also and trained Avon in the arts. He was able to duo with enchanters/wizards better than most classes. In fact, the ones who grouped with him would say they wouldn't have preferred another class.

[Adolphus]

I'll keep this simple.

There's nothing wrong with Paladin in theory. There is something terribly wrong with the AC mechanic on Project 1999. Paladin's rely heavily on AC to be viable as a tank.

I had a Paladin in live. I rolled a Paladin here. It's not the same. Paladin's are incredibly weak relative to live. AC is just not something that the developers here have been able to figure out or address yet. If you doubt it, try doing stress tests with high AC vs zero AC on any of your toons. You'll be surprised to see the results if you weren't already aware.

Maybe it'll be (more)* viable in the future as a tank!


*Edited text

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Adolphus [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I'll keep this simple.

There's nothing wrong with Paladin in theory. There is something terribly wrong with the AC mechanic on Project 1999. Paladin's rely heavily on AC to be viable as a tank.

I had a Paladin in live. I rolled a Paladin here. It's not the same. Paladin's are incredibly weak relative to live. AC is just not something that the developers here have been able to figure out or address yet. If you doubt it, try doing stress tests with high AC vs zero AC on any of your toons. You'll be surprised to see the results if you weren't already aware.

Maybe it'll be viable in the future!

AC is a mechanism that affects every class in the game and not just Paladins. Noone's pointing at you and saying "Roflmao AC is broken, now you're useless".

We survive pretty much like everyone else does.
Confirmed still viable.

[Adolphus]

Originally Posted by Lorraine [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

AC is a mechanism that affects every class in the game and not just Paladins. Noone's pointing at you and saying "Roflmao AC is broken, now you're useless".

We survive pretty much like everyone else does.
Confirmed still viable.

I mentioned that AC being broken affects every class in the above post - but I understand the confusion here.

Allow me to clarify: first, I never mocked, insulted or laughed at the idea that Paladin is severely damaged by the broken mechanic. And I don't think Paladin is useless by any means. Nor do I think that people should not play Paladin due to a game mechanic being broken. Rather, people should play the class they enjoy most regardless of mechanics and penalties. Implying it wasn't "viable" was overreaching on my part. It can still be viable as a tank.

That being said, approaching the class with a good attitude does not excuse the glaring, non-classic issue that has plagued it since the beginning of the server. AC being broken affects Paladins more than any other class, because AC is the Paladin's primary stat for tanking. The Paladin doesn't have the HP of a warrior and/or the Disc's. It doesn't mean that Paladin's can't tank - but it does mean they are at a significant disadvantage relative to their counterparts at this time.

I am rooting for Paladin's here - I love the class. I played one in live. But if we choose to blissfully ignore and/or criticize those who point out this non-classic flaw with AC that adversely affects Paladin's, then I feel we're doing a disservice to the potential of the class. It's not to dissuade people from playing the class that I bring this up - it's just telling a truth about the state of the class that most people aren't aware of. Some people may appreciate knowing this kind of thing prior to rolling a Paladin on this server. I certainly would have appreciated it.

[Senaiel]

Originally Posted by Splorf22 [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Hey, you'll get nothing but pally love from me here. I even wrote in my enchanter guide that a paladin is my favorite group tank (slight edge over the SK) and in fact Paladin/Enchanter is a pretty reasonable duo if you want to get creative. Paladins are actually quite reasonable in small groups too by using their helm to heal.

My big problem with paladins is that they have no real raid role. About the best they can do is heal (poorly) on aoe dragons. If paladins could main tank raids I would totally be down to have one.

A talented paladin can be quite an effective raid class, you should know that [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Funkutron5000]

You can tank some raid mobs with paladins. I've personally tanked Fay, Sev, and Draco with minimal problems. Sure, it's not like I'm tanking some of the meaner mobs but being able to gain/ keep aggro without having to burn a midnight mallet is pretty darn nice with some of the raid encounters.

[Stinkum]

You guys nerded my thread up.

[Beaniron]

Paladins actually get very nice HP/AC buffs in the late game on top of Superior Healing, Celestial Heal, and a 90% Res.

Resolution = 250HP
Symbol of Naltron = 400HP
Shield of Words

With the Resist Magic buff and all their possible Stuns, Paladins can stand strong against casters and keep them locked down when managed correctly.

Oh, and Pallies also get THE coolest looking Epic in the game.

[kaev]

Originally Posted by Beaniron [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Oh, and Pallies also get THE coolest looking Epic in the game.

Disagree. Flaming sword particle effect looks like the heating element from a gas grill, not my idea of cool-looking. Looks-wise I'd take the Ranger epic over Paladin anyday. Sadly, my ranger will never be epic, although my Paladin will be soon[tm].


Saw a video of sword-making once in which the blade was quenched in oil after the final forging. Now that was cool, seeing those flames licking across the blackened blade, way better than the cartoony gas-grill we get in EQ.