The build uses Strength-based two-handed melee without requiring a universal enhancement tree. Start Human and original Paladin, keep the class pure through this level range, and increase Strength at levels four and eight. The named enhancement choices are the core to pursue after their tree prerequisites, not a fabricated full eighty-point endgame allocation.
- Activity
- Heroic solo and group PvE, levels 1–8
- Edition / reference
- Original Paladin heroic framework, September 2024 forum reference; explicit editorial 28-point starting spread, checked 2026-10-17
- Named choices
- 14
Configuration and exact selections
- Race / class
- Human / Paladin
Human supplies the extra first-level Feat used here.
- Starting abilities: 28 points
- STR 16 / DEX 8 / CON 14 / INT 10 / WIS 12 / CHA 14
This spread leaves Wisdom for early spells and Strength for weapon Feats.
- Level 1 Feat
- Two Handed Fighting
The core style selection; requires the stated Strength.
- Human bonus Feat
- Power Attack
Enable the toggle when the attack penalty is acceptable.
- Level 3 Feat
- Toughness
Explicit survival choice for this editorial early-level variant.
- Level 6 Feat
- Improved Two Handed Fighting
The level-four Strength increase fulfils STR 17 without a tome.
- Deity
- Sovereign Host
Supports the later Unyielding Sovereignty recovery option.
- Weapon
- Molin's Great Axe
A named low-level two-handed quest reward, not an assumed raid weapon.
- First-level spells
- Bless / Protection from Evil
Prepare the named buffs when spell slots become available.
- Second-level spells
- Angelskin / Righteous Command
Selected defensive and offensive spells for the level-eight package.
- Knight of the Chalice core
- Improved Second Strikes 3/3
Pursue after the initial Slayer of Evil core.
- Knight of the Chalice attack
- Divine Sacrifice 1/3
Add the trained attack to the active bar.
- Knight of the Chalice smite
- Exalted Smite 2/3
The named level-eight reference choice, after tree prerequisites.
- Sacred Defender defence
- Resilient Defense 2/3 / Tenacious Defense 3/3
This early package must be revisited when later non-stacking effects arrive.
How to use this setup
- Before the pull, prepare Bless, Protection from Evil and available Angelskin / Righteous Command.
- Approach so your two-handed attacks can reach the intended enemies without dragging extra packs.
- Use Exalted Smite and Divine Sacrifice when available, with ordinary weapon attacks between them.
- Use Lay on Hands or the available deity recovery for an emergency; conserve spell points rather than healing every minor scratch.
Priorities and progression
- Level-up ability points at four and eight go to Strength.
- Keep Wisdom at least 10 plus the spell level you want to cast; equipment can matter later.
- Constitution and positive healing support are useful while learning; do not copy an endgame Charisma conversion build into this Strength setup.
Why the level order is explicit
Two Handed Fighting and its improved version have real prerequisites. Starting below the necessary Strength and hoping equipment fixes a base-stat requirement can invalidate a feat plan. This starting spread and the level-four increase are specified so the level-six choice is reachable without assuming a stat tome.
Where this build stops
At level nine and beyond, Improved Critical and the later two-handed line require another progression step. Tier-five enhancement resets also change which defensive bonuses stack. This page supplies a playable early heroic core, and does not present an incomplete eighty-point tree as a finished legendary build.