Single player paladin strategy

[Clapton]

Hello, I want to play a paladin on a single player game (by that I mean /players 8 mode on), and I don't really know what strategy I should follow to make it a good paladin that can beat the game in hell and have fun with it. I checked some really good strategies on the internet to make hammerdins, smiterdins, FoH paladins, zealot paladins and so on, but all those strategies rely on items to make it work, but I'm playing on single player, so i won't get those crazy godly items the strategy rely on, so basically, it won't work. So I could really use a little help with where I should place my stats and skill points, and also wich kind of items i should aim to get, for instance, should i get items to improve damage, attack ratting, ias, resistances, skill bonus, defense, block rating, increase hit recovery and such. Basically wich characteristic my pally need to have to be good. And keep in mind that in a single player game i won't get godly items or really good items, so don't tell me I'll need an Enigma... So I'll be very thankful if you could give me a little help.

Thanks for your time.

[Mathalamus]

i highly reccomend that you specialize in a hammerdin class, no matter how crappy your items are youll still kill. a lot. bring lots of mana potions. youll need it.

there is only one monster immune to it (wailing beast, act 3) but you shouldent worry about them

[Clapton]

Hmm, sounds good but I don't want to carry tons of potions with me to play, loses some of the fun by doing that. Any other suggestion?

[Warslut]

I have a hardcore zealer @ level 71 just starting in hell diff, and I always use it set @ 8 players aswell. I think it's best and a lot more fun. Just be sure if you do to put at least one point into vengeance. Keep your Dex and Int up highest. Doesn't have to be much, just keep them up. Max out Zeal and Sacrafice, Holy Shield and Fana. Throw some extra into Veng or Defiance [Holy Shield syn]. Gear build it's pretty basic and easy aswell. Give him a decent hit recouvery and keep you resists high[usually not a problem with pally specific shields]. Haven't played the game for a while so I can't remember all, hope that helps if you decide to go that path.

[Clapton]

Hmmm, thanks, I think i'm gonna go with that, but should i get just enough dex to get max block? how do I calculate the dex needed for max block? str just enough to use the equipments? For what I got I should have energy enough just to have mana to zeal, am I right? and all the rest goes into vit?

[Warslut]

No don't only have enough Dex to max block rate, put in a bit here and there to help attack rating aswell. Ty and find rings or anything that give you minor mana leech, if you get them you shouldn't have to put anything into energy. If you do put any into energy only do very minor amounts. Get vit high and dex maybe only a bit lower. The more you hit, the more you leech. Get life and mana leech and increased attack speed.

[Clapton]

Thank you very much for the help! Everyone please feel free to keep replying about other strategies.

by the way, wich skills should i max out first?

[Warslut]

Usually I put one into might to get that row started, and then go all into sacrifice until I am high enough for Zeal, then get at least 5 into zeal and then work on maxing out Sacrifice. Also once you've done zeal look at your aura tree to where Fana is and maybe throw one into concentration if you're 18 yet. It's a bit better than Might.

[Clapton]

Right. Thank you

I was thinking about getting a few points into vengeance for physical immunes, is that ok or worthless?

[Warslut]

Yes it's good, that's why I said get at LEAST one into it. More always helps, but if you're making a zeal guy, don't worry about upping Veng's synergies.

[Clapton]

but, anyways, can you tell me the exact number to bo place into the stats? i really can't tell how much i need in those

[Warslut]

I don't know exact, just keep Vita higher, dex 3rd highest and keep str enough to use items but don't let it fall too far behind because once you get higher level you'll need armor and don't want to play catch up to be strong enough to use it