Hammerdin w/1pt-smite OR Zealot w/1pt-smite

[stealthpenguin]

I've never made a paladin but am always impresssed by their versatility (good in PvP and strolling through Hell).

Versatility is key, and by reading past posts, two builds have caught my eye.

The pure Hammerdin with only 1 pt. in smite and the pure Zealot with only 1 pt. in smite.

Obviously in both cases the gear is slightly altered but point distribution is identical to their "pure" variants.

The Hammerdin hybrid is more appealing to me due to the raw power of hammers and the caster/melee combo aspect.

The consistent pieces of gear for both builds, from what I've read, seem to be:

- Grief Phaseblade (for smite dmg/speed)
- Andarial's Visage (for life-leech/+skills)
- Fortitude or Enigma
- Dracul's Gloves (for life-tap)
- Gore Riders (for CB/OW/DS)
- Ravenfrost

Assuming I'll be doing PvM and PvP both (though I've never been to Uber Tristam), what would you recommend?

Along with your recommendation please post any suggestions with regards to gear.

PS: I have all of the above items (except for Grief), and also have a Spirit Monarch, Shako, and Hoto.

[kingdryland]

You probably want a hammerdin. Make a hammerdin like all hammerdins. Follow the cookie cutter path. The only think you need in order to turn him in an effective uber smiter is dracul's gloves,gore rider boots and a guil face helm. If you can afford a grief phase blade even better. You are looking for an effective 65% ias to hit max smite speed without fanaticism when using a phase blade. It is very easy.

[stealthpenguin]

What kind of shield should I use for the PB/Smite switch?

Also, what gear besides Highlord's can I use to increase my attack speed that won't infringe too much on the Hammerdin build? (seeing as how the grief PB only has an average of 35% IAS).

**update** I found an answer: socketing my helm with a 15 IAS jewel perhaps?

[stealthpenguin]

So, what do you think of this possible setup:

Equip:

Hammer: HotO / Spirit
Smite: Grief PB / HoZ (upped? / um'd? / ber'd?)

Guil's Face (socketed with 15IAS jewel)
Highlord's
Enigma
Ravenfrost + SoJ/BK (advice here?)
Dracul's
Gore Riders
Arachnid Mesh (maybe Verdungo's instead?)
As many +Pally combat skill GC's as I can find
As many +life SC's as I can find

This gives me: 65 IAS (min), +9/10 skills (not including charms), 50 CB, and I'm not sure how much +resist all.

Skills:

Max Hammer + synergies
Max Holyshield
Max Concentration
+ 1 Meditation
+ rest Defiance


P.S.: I'm really excited about this build.

[Swann]

I like seeing you buidling ayoure own play style, but i would not put a point in meditation. I prefer redemption to redeem dead bodies for mana and life.It works as rejuv potion, just switch to the skill for 2 secs after you killed a big mob and you will be fully recovered. 1 point is enough since your +skills add nicely. This is what i would do, but if you like meditation better go 4 meditation.

[heavenlyangel]

Why don't you max blessed hammer synergies (vigor/ blessed aim), in stead of maxing the (in my book) one point wonder holy shield. this increases the damage of your hammers enormously... (this is the cookie cutter build though).

[AnimeCraze]

HS is not going to matter if you are using grief, so leave it at 1 point as suggested.

[kingdryland]

If he is building the standard hammerdin,then he has to get 1 pt in holy shield early on and start maxing it after hammers,synergies and concentration are maxed. Hoz doesn't have to be uped,grief will provide huge smite damage for life tap leech. I would leave both meditation and redemption alone.

[stealthpenguin]

Any advice on belt/rings or socketing choice for the HoZ?

[Swann]

arachnid for the +skill i guess, and bk rings for more life leech. Kingdryland has a good point there. you don't need mediatation or redemption if you use smite, just leech it all back

[stealthpenguin]

I ended up putting 1 point in redemption, it is mostly a temporary skill but it really helps when I'm doing Baal runs.

[kingdryland]

Well you could have kept a scepter with +1 in redemption on switch...

[AnimeCraze]

arachnid for the +skill i guess, and bk rings for more life leech. Kingdryland has a good point there. you don't need mediatation or redemption if you use smite, just leech it all backSmite doesn't leech, especially not mana.

[kingdryland]

Smite can only leech life through life tap. For mana you can drink pots,use meditation (I never do),or use items with %damage goes to mana,or altoghether. Thx anime I competely misses that.