POLL: Paladin or Barbarian

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Which is a better tank for use in a party?

You can take into account multiclassing for purposes of your vote, but please comment below.

I think both make great tanks, but considering the equipment in the game and such, I can't figure out which is a better fit for a well rounded party.

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 18 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Paladin or Barbarian (18 votes.)

Paladin or Barbarian (Choose 1)
* Paladin - 56% (10)
* Barbarian - 44% (8)

 

I love both classes but for tank purposes i'd go for a paladin(2)/Barbarian(X)(you'll need a mod to do that though because paladins are Loyal Good and Barbarians can't be loyal) then you got a plate wearing holy avenger wielding heavy HP guy with a devastating rage.

The levels of paladin gives you fear and disease immunity plus holy avenger (which i dual wield with golden hearth of <CHARNAME>, devastating comes to mind)and great bonuses to saves.

If you're not usting mods then I'd go for a Fighter(4)/Barbarian(X) but that's just because i'm a Barbarian lover.

 

Yeah, for purposes of this poll, assume no mods meant to change the basic rules of the classes.

 

I would usually answer Paladin, simply because they can multiclass into the delicious pal\sorc. However, I voted Barbarian this time around because I started to think about a barbarian(x)\rogue(10-15). With a high Use Magic Item, this char could have all the benefits of a high level rogue(imp. evasion, high sneak attack), the fighting and raging of a barb, and the ability to cast some juicy spells via scrolls. I've never tried this, but it sounds fun right now...

 

I like the fig 4 / pal x, and roleplayvise a paladin is my favourite figure to evolve.

 

Celestialraven, I am basing this poll with the character in a tank position in the party. I don't think a Paladin 2/Sorcerer is a great tank.

 

Woopsie, my apologies Klorox.

Although... potentially, a pal/sorc could, with the right buffs\protections, and enough levels in pal (luckly, I hadn't mentioned how much levels in each class to take ), be able to tank quite well. Luckly, i chose the barb, and i stand by my barb(20)\rogue(10's) tanking prowess! . High reflex and fort saves(able to stand in the middle of foes while your bombarder casts atop it, enemies cast at it for that matter), ability to cast buffs from scrolls(ie. mirror image to increase its survival) , barbarians high hitpoints and strength. Mmmm, the fun.

Edit: I just built this character and for the most part he tanked well. I took on about 7 goblins in the warehouse(prologue) and he was only down to 50% hitpoints. The only complication was that he didnt appear to be able to hide in shadows when raged. Odd, as i was never aware of this before.

[ November 27, 2005, 08:08: Message edited by: Celesialraven ]

 

Paladin enhanced with his own spells should be better than a pure fighter, as should a paladin. Or you can take four levels in the Fighter class and then switch to either barbarian or paladin. I suppose it's pretty much balanced, so it's just a matter of preference. A paladin should have a better AC, especially if you go the holy avenger plus shield plus full plate route, and have better saves, plus some spells that he can cast. On the other hand, your barbarian can have similar spells cast on him by the cleric, anyway, so perhaps Barbarian will pay off better. I suggest Barbarian if your style is offensive (lhuge AB and damage, Great Cleave at extended ranger) and paladin for a more defensive play (better AC, better saves, spell resistance, some buffs/healing).

 

Pally[3]/Fighter[4]/Cleric[x]/Monk[3] is perhaps the best defensive tank around. Very good AC with decent damage capability. The loss of BAB won't matter towards the end.

Barbarian[20]/Rogue[10] is perhaps the best damage dealer out there. Pure raw damage with no regard to AC or spells.

 

Many people will just take Fighter (4) / Paladin (x) purely because of the reason that you get the Holy Avenger, and then the HoF version. And the Paladin will get the Healing abilities and so on.

But the Barbarian is good as well ...

 

Barbarian is imo a way better tank. Requires less 'looking after him'. I like it better when I don't have to control the tanks.

 

An aasimar paladin with 20 Charisma will have ridiculous saving throws - you'll never need feats like Lightning Reflexes. I also like the Aura of Courage.

 

Now your not just sayin that because your name contains the word Paladin are you?!!

Seriously though, the saving throws of a Paladin can get to ridiclously high, which is another reason to take them over Barbarians. The extra HP does help ALOT in HoF though, because AC doesn't.

 

I think that the choice of Barb vs Pally largely depends on your style of play. if you are a very offensive, "charge to the sound of the guns", sort of player, then a barbarian may be more to you're liking. OTOH, if you are more of a defensive, hold your formation, sort, then perhaps a pally would be more your style.

I'm the latter. But I also tend to like having 2 pure tanks in my 6 member parties. Usually one pally and one fighter or barb. Yes, the fighter or barb tends to have the higher kill numbers over the pally. I don't care. The pally pulls his or her weight in the party. And is less likely to get zapped by some sort hold or charm spell. It's nice to know that at least one of my tanks will be able to withstand enchanting attacks.

Barb or Pally? One is a little more of a finesse tank and the other is kill'em all, take no prisoners sort of tank. Both have their uses.

 

I'd say a paladin 3/fighter x is the best non spell- or monk-based party tank.
He gets the paladin defensive bonusses and the extra feats can be used defensively.

Best class is of course deep gnome because of the AC bonus, mirror image and spell resistance, but an aasimar could also do fine.

But I wouldn't use a pure tank. Someone who lures the enemies to attack him while the spellcasters do the killing is just boring.
I'd rather create a killing machine with some tanking abilities. Summons are better for tanking anyway since you don't have to cast raise dead and heal if they get killed.

How about an aasimar paladin3/fighterx ?

18 str - 13 dex - 18 con - 3 int - 8 wis - 20 cha

Raise only strength at level up.

More paladin levels would improve smite evil, but I don't like to waste time activating it.

I wouldn't specialize in longsword too early since you will do far more damage with 2-handed weapons or throwing axes (rapid shot) until you find the holy avenger in chapter 5 (If you ever find it).

A paladin adds some options roleplay wise.
If you don't trust a certain guy you can have your paladin talk to him ("I sense an evil aura around you ..."), although you won't gain a real benefit from this.
Will he go shopping or will he prefer to kill the merchant ?
You can also send him to report success if you don't like money and the magical weapons/armor you can buy with it.
The game might just get too easy with proper equipment ...