Hi Everyone,
I am Lionly and my Paladin’s name is Livingston. You may have seen me playing around in the pub scene. I have gotten several requests from friends to write a quick guide on the Templar/Vindicator build that I am current using in pubs. I make no claims to this build, and this guide is simply an overview of a build that I find very enjoyable. This also happens to be quite effective in 2.4.
General Information:
Many of you know what a VT is and how they are devastating they can be when played well. TVs smite your down, then finish you off with FoH. With the buff to FoH in 2.4, the power of TVs has risen quite a bit. The playstyle of TV is more or less a backward version of TV; that is, you use FoH offensively and smite defensively. Here is a list of Pros and Cons about the build:
Pro:
- Much easier to play than VT due to the auto targeting nature of your main attack- FoH. I win pretty consistently with this build and I consider myself a below average player.
- Gear variability, you can adjust your FoH/Smite playstyle and gearset up relatively quick.
- Can be devastating if the opponent is not ready for you.
- Because you have 125 fcr, this build is quite good against “slippery” opponents such as sorcs and most necs.
- Quite decent vs some Pally build (i.e., Hdin, Auradin, and some smiters), Zons, and most Barbs
- Has a backup dmg source when ppl put on light-sorb.
Cons:
- Druids will be very difficult for you. A good druid will be like a mini boss.
- A good tele-smite can obliterate you. You will never win a full out smite-war vs pure smiters.
- Although you have a counter to sorbing, it does shut down a good portion of your dmg.
- You need to learn how to play mind games to win consistently.
Stats:
Str: Base (You might need a few points here depending on your rings and ammies)
Dex: enough for Max block
Vit: Rest
Energy: None
Skills (base points):
Smite- 20
FoH- 20
Holy Shock – 20
Holy Shield – 15
Conviction – 15 (with plus skills, I get about 24-27)
Salvation – 1
Fants -1
And all prerequisites
Gear:
Inventory: 9x Pcomb Lifers, 20/res SCs, Anni, torch
125 FCR Set Up:
Helm: Griffin with a 5/5 light
Ammy: 2/20/str Ammy (2/15+ is a must for this set up)
Armor: MP enigma
Gloves: Trangs
Ring 1: FCR/Str/Res
Ring 2: Raven
Belt: Spider
Shoes: Waterwalks
Shield: 34fcr, 45ar, pally spirit
Wep: 35/400 PB Griff or 30/30 PB
This will be your basic setup set up most of the time. You do not have much DR, so you will need to rely on your block, charge, and your 125 fcr teleport to position out of dmg. It can be argued that a BA Grief will better for this playstyle, since BA’s additional range greatly benefits defensive-smiting. I oped to use PB because, a good portion of the time, you will be smiting with Conv aura on so the speed will be very helpful. The 125 FCR and high Foh dmg also open you to do a FoH into tele smite combo. Finally, if you put on a 30/30 PB, then your FoH+Conv can cut through most resistant set ups, this makes it easy to chase most casters and snipe with FoH.
DR Smite, 75 FCR Set Up:
Helm: Griffin with a 5/5 light
Ammy: 2/20/str Ammy (2/20 is a must for this set up)
Armor: MP enigma
Gloves: 20IAS/20 Crushing Craft Gloves
Ring 1: FCR/Str/Res
Ring 2: Raven
Belt: Spider
Shoes: Eth Sands
Shield: SS (Ber)
Wep: 35/400 PB Griff
I put on this set up when I go against barbs, bow zons, Sorbing pallies, and wind Durids. This build is much tankier, so you can rely on your smite a little bit more. But I still won’t go head-on with pure smiters.
Stash Gears/ BM Set Ups:
Helm: Shako (Ber), Kira
Ammy: 30 Mara, Rising Sun
Armor: 20/20 Jeweler of the Whale
Gloves: C Claws
Rings: Another Raven, Dwarf, Wisp
Belt: T Gods, Snowclash
Shield: HoZ (Um)
Shoes: Hotspurs
Wep: 40 HOTO
6x Offensive Aura GC (For vs Auradins)
Thanks for reading,
This post was edited by Lionly29 on May 22 2022 03:11pm
D2:R