Is Intelligence and Dexterity useless to a Paladin?

[e11]

I'm going to make my first character a classic Paladin, and I'm wondering how much minmaxing to do. I'm obviously going to prioritize Strength and Charisma, with Constitution as a third. Doesn't heavy armor take Dexterity out of the AC calculation? And Paladin mostly fights in melee, so no need for ranged.
But what about Intelligence?

[Mormacil]

Dex based paladins are obviously a thing but if you want heavy armor with ranged consisting of you throwing stuff then yes you don't really need either. Do keep in mind perception checks are on intelligence and initiative is on dexterity.

[pascal.difolco]

Usual Pally build is STR16 DEX10 or 12 CON14 WIS12 or 10 INT8 CHA15
INT is dump stat, DEX is useless in Heavy armor but you don't want to fail DEX Saving throws, WIS useful for Saving throws too

[Leslian Lexter]

They help with skill checks, saves and dex also helps with armor and gets added to your initiative.

[Reaver79]

You can easily swap str for dex, but kinda depends on what weapon choice you want to roll with, but the highest AC armours in the game are the ones that allow your dex i believe..

[Mokona]

Originally posted by pascal.difolco:

Usual Pally build is STR16 DEX10 or 12 CON14 WIS12 or 10 INT8 CHA15
INT is dump stat, DEX is useless in Heavy armor but you don't want to fail DEX Saving throws, WIS useful for Saving throws too

Can dump str too with how easy it is to get potions of str.

Int is a dump stat on every class that isnt wizard.

[dolby]

you want dex play open hand monk...

[SpaceWombat]

dex isn't super important for heavy armor users. That said you don't want to dump it completely because it's still useful for saves ( I usually don't go below 12 ) .

Also when you spec low dex just remember to grab the "alert" feat for the +5 initiative. It's essential to avoid having your strength-based party members get chipped away on the first turn.

[dolby]

Originally posted by Mormacil:

Dex based paladins are obviously a thing but if you want heavy armor with ranged consisting of you throwing stuff then yes you don't really need either. Do keep in mind perception checks are on intelligence and initiative is on dexterity.

perception checks are wisdom based... and if your talking about detect thoughts spell-potion yes those are int based.

[The1Kobra]

Dexterity and Intelligence aren't useless per say but your other stats do have benefits.

So first, DEX affects:
Initiative
DEX Skills,
DEX saves,
AB/Damage with ranged weapons
AC in armor (depending on type)
First, you do want to have a 10 DEX minimum to not get an AC penalty.
Next, it can affect your ranged attacks. Paladins don't get a ranged cantrip so unless you multiclass to something that will use your CHA for a ranged attack, a higher DEX can help you shoot things.
Finally, there are a number of DEX saves out there, mostly AoE damage spells with save for half damage, or some tripping effects like grease. So DEX does have it's uses to not ignore. It may be worthwhile to put it to at least 12 or so, unless you plan on multiclassing warlock or sorc to have a ranged cantrip attack option.

Now for Intelligence, it affects:
INT skills,
INT saves

Not nearly as many INT saves out there, some of the psionics, but most are WIS saves, or sometimes CHA saves. So INT isn't nearly as important here. So INT can be your easy dump stat.

There's also an item that's accessible early on that sets your INT to 17, which is nice for the INT checks.

[Xanikk]

There are not enough points around. Keep DEX at 10 and either dump INT or WIS. I prefer having 10 int just for aesthetic reasons and dumping wisdom instead. I don't want to play a character that is dumber than the average population.

[ExcaliburV]

Intelligence doesn't have much practical purpose. Usually you want to do either dex with light armor and a finesse weapon/shield, or strength with heavy armor.

But you can also do whatever you want, as long as you aren't playing tactician you can kinda get away with whatever you want. And even in tactician you can get away with making a sub-par character if you're clever.

[SmallGespenst]

If you dump dex you will go least in every fight unless you burn a feat on Alert.

[Xanikk]

Originally posted by SmallGespenst:

If you dump dex you will go least in every fight unless you burn a feat on Alert.

That's true but it's not a problem at all. Your entire party doesn't need to get the first hit before the enemy moves. If you want high dex it has to come at the expense of something else. I prefer having High Str and Cha as a paladin. Con is needed by everyone if they want to be able to take some hits. So that leaves dex, wis and int as dump stats.

[talemore]

Consider that you have infinite long rest. What are you going to need extra spells for. Another is that you won't be a primary spellcaster. Charisma isn't entirely a dump stat but it's not really a max stat for a character who won't even be using it for anything else than buffing themselves. What are you save check? Are you resisting your own spell cast on yourself.

[Xrystus]

Paladins would most likely only consider getting some DEX when multiclassing in DnD 5e. This game's multiclassing is far more open than DnD 5e, with no need for ability score requirements.
If I was going to put DEX on a paladin in this game, it would be to multiclass into barbarian, and DEX would be 14 for full effect on medium armor - the heaviest armor barbarians can use while raging. Palbarians are extremely potent, since you can smite while raging.