THW build race questions

[Aluvius]

I'm thinking of building a paladin around a THW, a large black ash mattock (+18 exceptional damage weighting) to be an undead hunter. I figure it'll be nice against non corp undead and non crittable live critters especially. Its also the best 2 hander I still own outside a perfect greataxe and a mithril claid.

Anyway, I'm agonizing over what race to go with with this build. I think I'd be happy with any of them, but I'd love some additional input! I'm looking at elf, giantman and krolvin.

I'm thinking the elf would allow me to ambush heads at the minimum rt around 45, plus it would also let me swap to a lance if I acquire a nice one down the road, plus it would help with mstrike rt. He'll also have a nice ds boost from agility bonus.

The giantman is attractive for the increased AS and the longer reach for aiming at the head. I'm also interested in using Bullrush and it seems like the giant would get a nice boost for it, I have a set of spiked/flaring arm greaves for it. The downside is his horrible agidex. I'd have to boost those up quite a bit just to get a 5s rt with a non aimed swing at a reasonable level and minimum ambush rt would be near cap with a moderate amount of enhancives.

Would I be able to make a good go of it with the giantman just using non aimed attacks and mstrikes with longer rt? Don't you eventually almost have to go to aimed head shots at some point?

The krolvin seems a nice middle choice though they are shorter than an elf (for ambush head reach) and though next in size for cman's they're still quite a bit smaller than a giantman.


I just can't make a fucking choice! Can anyone help me? :)

[Gelston]

You won't hurt for AS as a pally. I'd go with Elf!

[Aluvius]

Yep, elf seems superior in every way except for the cman bonuses. I was thinking their higher ds would help even out the hit from zealot. I could still try bullrush, too.

[Jeril]

Elves are nice for the dex/agl, they also have a good racial maneuver bonus. You don't actually have to head shot things ever, but it is nice to do at some point just because it makes your hunts that much quicker, why hit something multiple times when once works? Playing a giantman sometimes I do wish I was faster or was better at dodging some maneuvers but overall I enjoy it. It isn't just about having that extra AS either, you do get that extra cman bonus as stated but you also have more health and CON so you can take more of a beating then anyone else, the extra STR and size also means you carry more then anyone else too.

[Menos]

I would recommend a giant over an elf. You really don't need that much RT help to get mattocks and mauls down to the minimum. On the other hand, THWs are going to remove your best knockdown choices (shield and Cman charge) so you want to make up for that somehow. A nice combination of huge giant paladin AS and the bonus to bullrush will go a long way to offsetting that deficiency. That all fits in nicely with the large HP pool to keep you going while zealot moves the AS even higher.

[Androidpk]

On the other hand, THWs are going to remove your best knockdown choices (shield and Cman charge) so you want to make up for that somehow.

1615/1630 + religion lore. Bam.

[Aluvius]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think the problem is that I see the elf's agidex/maneuver bonus/ds from agi as being mechanically superior yet what I really want to play is a giantman swinging the mattock lol. Menos, thanks for the input on Bullrush that's what I was thinking as well, that its the next best thing since I can't bash/charge for a non spell disabler.

Speaking of shield bash, I think a one hander/shield giant man warrior would also be a monster with the new trample and the like. Aargh! I'm just gonna make a giantman paladin and try it out. The sad truth is I'll probably have more fun talking about the character on the boards and building him with spreadsheets like every other alt I've made. :)

[Androidpk]

I loved my giantman paladin but the manuever penalty sucks big time.

[Aluvius]

I think I'll like any of those races which is the tough part for me.

[Homur]

I had the same trouble deciding that you did. I'm pretty certain that Half-Krovlin is the most mechanically advantageous race for a paladin, I certainly haven't regretted it. The logic penalty is the only downside, but if you don't mind waiting an extra pulse or two its pretty much a non-issue. You still get a good agidex bonus, massive strength & carrying capacity, pretty sweet starting stats, and a ton of HP.

As for the ambush issue, you will have zero trouble knocking critters down for the easy headshot, so I wouldn't let that aspect influence your decision.

Half Krov Homur

[Suppressed Poet]

I loved my giantman paladin but the manuever penalty sucks big time.

I've only played two races to considerable length as it relates to manuevers. Between a dark elf and giantman, I found the difference barely noticeable. Given that the dark elf is pure and giant is semi, but still..

What I have noticed that I find is extreemly underrated within the community is the difference on hit points and encumbrance. About the only thing that kills my giant is a terrible roll against a manuever and instant death, which terrible rolls happen to everyone. I'd rather take the giants benefits and downfalls personaly, but to each their own.

As it relates to this thread I'd go half krol. The mechanics are there, but also that would be an interesting RP choice for a paladin.

[Aluvius]

Dammit now I'm leaning toward half krolvin again! Maybe I should just roll my trusty black with red pips six sider that looked cool when I was 15 :)

[Suppressed Poet]

The logic penalty is the only downside, but if you don't mind waiting an extra pulse or two its pretty much a non-issue.

An easy fix to this...

Buy some cheap 4x fusion armor - doesnt matter the ASG.

Fill it with a +logic stat orb and a +logic bonus orb.

Wear it while in town and switch back to your normal combat armor when you hunt.

[BriarFox]

An easy fix to this...

Buy some cheap 4x fusion armor - doesnt matter the ASG.

Fill it with a +logic stat orb and a +logic bonus orb.

Wear it while in town and switch back to your normal combat armor when you hunt.

Good idea. Easier to use a fusion dagger, though.

[Roblar]

Good idea. Easier to use a fusion dagger, though.

Doesn't holding a weapon in town still hinder exp absorption or was this changed?

At work so can't test it myself right now.

[Suppressed Poet]

It does. Shield does too. That's why I suggested just armor.

[Jeril]

Actually holding swords/shield in your hands while around town no longer hinders your exp absorbing, it hasn't for years either.

[Suppressed Poet]

Actually holding swords/shield in your hands while around town no longer hinders your exp absorbing, it hasn't for years either.

Hmm...I could have sworn I noticed recently (last two years) it does. I'm too tired to play tonight but I'll test it out later. You're probably right though.