Avenger vs Elemental Templar?

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All,

I've never really played a paladin to high levels, other than a high level Bow Paladin that I played WAY WAY back (pre 1.10). So I essentially have no paladin experience. I'm torn between 2 builds that seem interesting, after reading the guides here in this forum.

I am interested in the Avenger and in the Elemental Templar. I'll be soloing in single player mode.

The Avenger seems generically effective. I like the idea of running Conviction at all times. The one thing I dont like is that the skill point requirements seem heavy (20 Conviction, 20 Vengeance, 20 Holy Shield, 10 in each of the 3 elemental resistances, and also various pre-requisites).

The Elemental Templar seems more "weird" but also interesting. I have some of the non-realms non-ladder elemental gear I'd need for the elemental damage, and in theory it is pretty non-skill intensive. 20 in Conviction, 1-4 in Zeal, 10+ in Holy Shield, 20 in Fist of the Heavens, with lots of leftover points for Holy Bolt synergies. The elemental zeal action from gear with Conviction would be my main killer, with the FoH and synergy for killing undead. I like this one mainly because it seems weirder and I always wanted to max FoH ... though I don't really know why. :)

So which of these 2 builds is "better" for a single player only approach, carebear PVM, with no loot better than what one can run off of Hell Meph? Which is more generically versatile? Which is more fun?

Any advice?

Thanks,

Lewis

[Doctor Clock]

The Elemental Templar is the less gear intensive choice, and more enjoyable in my opinion. An Avenger has to have a high damage weapon to be effective, which don't always drop. Whereas with the Ele-Templar, you can do good damage with just some Ort runes in a Phase Blade. Also, Zeal allows you to use Crushing Blow effectively, as you attack multiple (or single) targets in rapid succesion without being interrupted.

If you get lucky and find the runes, I'd go for a Voice of Reason Phase Blade as an end game weapon.

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I don't think I can make Voice of Reason. As in my initial post, I'll be soloing in single player mode. The rune word list I'm looking at indicates that Voice of Reason is for Ladder Battle.Net only.

Still, I like the idea of the Elemental Templar more, so emotionally I want to go that way.

Any other opinions?

Lewis