Paladin (Weapon set recommendations?)

[Demogorgon]

Hey guys, for my Paladin (Oath of the Motherland) I have the following Weapon setup:

1. Long-sword + Shield
2. Heavy Crossbow
3. Sword + Torch

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Other party members:
Battle Cleric
Shock Wiz.
Hunter Ranger
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I feel that when I'm switching to Weapons Set 2 to cast Somatic component spells, I'm letting my guard down.

Should I just put a shield in the 2nd weapon set and stop carrying the Crossbow?

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Note: Playing the game on Xbox Games for PC
Edit: Thanks, not sure what I was doing with a Crossbow - I'll change that slot to a 2hd weapon

[gran2996]

I think you can't put a shield to the 3rd slot, only a torch/candle, but not 100% sure.
Paladin usually has low Dex, so the crossbow is not that useful anyway.
I usually go 1st two-handed weapon for extra damage, also this allows casting as you are considered to have nothing in your second hand. 2nd - one-handed and shield for extra protections.

[gradualsmith]

Just having a Shield wont help you problem as the component of the spell which requires a free hand is your off hand and you can't equip the shield in your primary hand.

Yes, it's supposed to be like that, you're supposed to be forced to make a choice between primary weapon set and casting set (just your one handed weapon or a bow of some kind).

I think this is to counter the fact that in old D&D you provoked an attack of opportunity when casting in melee, but instead now you just have to switch to a stance which gives you less AC for a time.

& regarding what's best for a Paladin, I suspect most people will suggest you go with a 2 hander sword rather than sword and shield, because I think the Paladin has a free AC boosting skill which kinda acts like a free shield. I could be wrong though, I never used a Paladin, but that's what I thought I heard people saying.

[Lampros]

Paladin should be a 2H guy, and he should be your biggest burst damage dealer by a lot.

[Demogorgon]

Originally posted by gradualsmith:

Just having a Shield wont help you problem as the component of the spell which requires a free hand is your off hand and you can't equip the shield in your primary hand.

Yes, it's supposed to be like that, you're supposed to be forced to make a choice between primary weapon set and casting set (just your one handed weapon or a bow of some kind).

I think this is to counter the fact that in old D&D you provoked an attack of opportunity when casting in melee, but instead now you just have to switch to a stance which gives you less AC for a time.

& regarding what's best for a Paladin, I suspect most people will suggest you go with a 2 hander sword rather than sword and shield, because I think the Paladin has a free AC boosting skill which kinda acts like a free shield. I could be wrong though, I never used a Paladin, but that's what I thought I heard people saying.

Thanks for that thorough description. I haven't played D&D in decades, quite the rules - seems fair.

[Landorf]

I tried LS+SH/ GS, but no. On max difficulty you want to use all your ranged potential first turn, while your party stealthed and even most screwed melees can hit the target with crossbow to bring down at least one foe "before it starts". If you play on normal, you just dont need a shield - go for twohanded weapon and rush into crowd. But on highest difficulty, there's no option. You need a shield and crossbow.

P.S. As a paladin, you wont cast spells in battle... since there's a much better use for your spellslots.

[galhalatine]

Originally posted by gradualsmith:

Just having a Shield wont help you problem as the component of the spell which requires a free hand is your off hand and you can't equip the shield in your primary hand.

Yes, it's supposed to be like that, you're supposed to be forced to make a choice between primary weapon set and casting set (just your one handed weapon or a bow of some kind).

I think this is to counter the fact that in old D&D you provoked an attack of opportunity when casting in melee, but instead now you just have to switch to a stance which gives you less AC for a time.

& regarding what's best for a Paladin, I suspect most people will suggest you go with a 2 hander sword rather than sword and shield, because I think the Paladin has a free AC boosting skill which kinda acts like a free shield. I could be wrong though, I never used a Paladin, but that's what I thought I heard people saying.

Not that a second shield is the answer for this question but you absolutely can equip just a shield as your second slot. It goes in the off hand true but you can make somatic gestures with your open main hand. My Law Cleric uses a one hand weapon and shield for fighting and switches to just a shield when casting so the AC doesn't dip.

[gradualsmith]

Originally posted by galhalatine:

Not that a second shield is the answer for this question but you absolutely can equip just a shield as your second slot. It goes in the off hand true but you can make somatic gestures with your open main hand. My Law Cleric uses a one hand weapon and shield for fighting and switches to just a shield when casting so the AC doesn't dip.

That's weird, it wouldn't let me do that with my Cleric. Hmmm, maybe I did something wrong.

[galhalatine]

Originally posted by gradualsmith:

Originally posted by galhalatine:

Not that a second shield is the answer for this question but you absolutely can equip just a shield as your second slot. It goes in the off hand true but you can make somatic gestures with your open main hand. My Law Cleric uses a one hand weapon and shield for fighting and switches to just a shield when casting so the AC doesn't dip.

That's weird, it wouldn't let me do that with my Cleric. Hmmm, maybe I did something wrong.

Just to make sure I wasn't talking out my ass I went and checked a paladin PC to be sure it wasn't something specific to the cleric or law cleric. Yes my paladin can cast spells with just a shield equipped in the secondary slot.

[gradualsmith]

Originally posted by galhalatine:

Originally posted by gradualsmith:

That's weird, it wouldn't let me do that with my Cleric. Hmmm, maybe I did something wrong.

Just to make sure I wasn't talking out my ass I went and checked a paladin PC to be sure it wasn't something specific to the cleric or law cleric. Yes my paladin can cast spells with just a shield equipped in the secondary slot.

Yeah, I just loaded a save & the problem was actually that by moving my shield to the 2nd weapon slot it took it out of my fist weapon slot, I couldn't find a way to have the same shield in both slots, so I just left the crossbow in the 2nd slot. So, yes, you can indeed cast with just a shield.

[galhalatine]

Originally posted by gradualsmith:

Originally posted by galhalatine:

Just to make sure I wasn't talking out my ass I went and checked a paladin PC to be sure it wasn't something specific to the cleric or law cleric. Yes my paladin can cast spells with just a shield equipped in the secondary slot.

Yeah, I just loaded a save & the problem was actually that by moving my shield to the 2nd weapon slot it took it out of my fist weapon slot, I couldn't find a way to have the same shield in both slots, so I just left the crossbow in the 2nd slot. So, yes, you can indeed cast with just a shield.

Ya you need to be Johnny two shields to make it work. I didn't make that clear

[Alealexi]

It is up to you. It depends on how you want to play it. I always like going for sword & board.

[1ttffsse]

You are missing out on a lot of paladin potential by not having one slot be a two-handed weapon and taking the extra attack feat with two-handed weapons. Hasted two-handed pali does like 5 attacks in a round and 5 smites = mini boss / big elemental dead, and boss (dragon etc) half dead.

So go two handed in one slot and sword and shield in other when you need to switch to defense.

If ranged enemies such a pain (they should not be if your pali is hasted) you can even make him fly and get to any enemies really fast.

Besides with shield of faith and some later game + AC items even without a shield your pali is almost unhitable especially with cloak of displacement (enemies get disadvantage unless you are already hit this round - good luck with that)

shield is in the second weapon slot to block attacks when enemies goes for someone squishier close to you.

[Platostotle]

Originally posted by 1ttffsse:

You are missing out on a lot of paladin potential by not having one slot be a two-handed weapon and taking the extra attack feat with two-handed weapons. Hasted two-handed pali does like 5 attacks in a round and 5 smites = mini boss / big elemental dead, and boss (dragon etc) half dead.

Have you actually tested that in game? By my count, it should only be 4 attacks, according to Table Top rules. 2 for the attack action, 1 for Haste action, 1 for bonus action. Still nothing to sneeze at.

[Ramsen]

If you are picking up Protection or Duelist fighting style do
1. weapon + shield
2. shield alone for casting

for 2h
1. weapon + shield
2. 2h

You can switch to your shield setup for more AC when you need it.

[gallaghan2000]

I personally went with 2 hander, Armor style, the followup strike feat, and flawless concentration.

In battle i usually cast divine favor and have the cleric handle bless.

If I want to pace the character, i stop using spells to save smites, letting divine favor stack the damage until i need to go all out.