I'm looking to do stuff like Chaos and Baal runs with 1 or 2 other people (i.e. players 2-3 difficulty) and wanted to do something a bit different rather than a Hammerdin. Is there some budget Conviction Paladin build that would work with say, a Lightning Assassin, that is viable? All the build guides I find are for dual-Dream and crazy stuff like that. I have a Gimmershred, so maybe a Zealer with Conviction? Or is this always going to be really weak without gg gear?

if the trapsin doesn't have infy, your conviction will more than double their dmg

Convic Pally with elemental party members is extremely helpful, especially lighting damage.

The problem is Conviction Pallys absolutely suck in solo play. You’d be nothing but an aura supplier. You can go hammers if you’ve got another party member running conc. Only other thing to consider would be vengeance maybe?

Conv pala not being good in solo is an understatement lol :)P

Make believe with 1pt conviction nightsmoke+rusthandle hammerdin.