trying to decide if I should max smite or foh/holy shock and rest into smite

Smite, split remaining points between FOH/Holy Shock (with the +1 being FOH).

You get more damage maxing foh first then rest into holy shock?

I really shouldn’t be giving my edge here but whoever follows it I guess is supposed to.. only put enough in holy shield to give you 35 pre Bo 36 is max for block increase and smite does more dmg for smite so you’ll be putting the points in there instead of maxing holy shield … you’re als gonna max foh and max holy shock and max Fanta and the rest into conviction and smite my conviction is at a -130 and it wrecks because my dmg is still in the 6k ima 95 I have 5 base points in conviction 13 base in holy shield 10 base in smite with maxing the other ones I told you…

FYI this is PvP build if you’re PvM you’ll want to put a lot into holy bolt and not holyshock if probably say 50/50

On to items and stats here I won’t tell everything like all my swap shit
But shadows is a must and goblin toes
Try to hit break points with different swaps like the 75 or 86 fcr for casters or atleast 48 fhr 50 dr ect with different gear and you don’t absolutely need max block minehovers around 58- 72 depending on what shield I use

Ty will try this out

One of if not the best PvP build in the game if you make it right only problems I run into is druids who stack summons and necros cause I’m on console and can’t tele stomp

Depends on your +skill totals, punch into a D2R skill calc and will get your answer (https://www.wowhead.com/diablo-2/skill-calc/paladin).

ie. My peak FOH lightning damage in standard gear is remaining spread of 17FOH/12HS

Fana > Smite > HS > Foh > Shock is how it used to work in d2lod.

Typical:
17% > 15% > 2-4 damage > Base foh damage > Synergy boost

Mix of foh and holy shock is nice, but dont foreget conv.

Smite is anyway more relatative in pvp than foh, foh is absorbed and stacked.

This post was edited by gel87 on Feb 5 2026 08:28am

I haven't bothered using conv. The range is short and doesn't increase with level. Have you had much success w/ it? Most of the time that I use FoH the enemy isn't even on my screen

I use a foh stick and swap when using foh, 1 button instead of two

That way I have +3conv without putting any points in it

This a thing?