This guide is somehow odd , seems to be written from someone that haven't played a paladin , anyway my point is not to flame , just giving away another point of view on the paladin specially on the solo / grind / istance tattics .

First i've always sticked whit shield and sword both for grinding or while running istance whit the combat mercenary talent active ( sword spec + resiliente life + bronze sinew ) .
As for grinding i'd never went after mob 1 by 1 , but just aoeing , we got so little damage anyway that we can afford to stack a good ammount of mob . Perfect Defence was always then started luring mob around once i've a good ammount on me i'll just build charge ,switching beetwen different mob aka 1 hit each , to 4/5 charges and then releasing wirlwind chop then again another 1/2 charge to finish off the mob who's still alive. Heal up rinse and repeat . This was the best proficient way of grinding i had during the CB way faster then killing mob 1 on 1 , and funnier tho .

Also for istance , for tanking a boss perfect defence always up for sure , then to just hold aggro Hot blloded Surge always up is enough while you build up charge for the next PD and keeping weakning strike always up ,that was always enough to keep every boos hooked on me . Also i never used Showdown Banner just for reducing the meele hit , never had the need for it , but against mob/bosses whit magic attack due to his part in raising all the magical resistance , so my advice is to save it for the magical attack , if you can stay alive and safe whitout using it to reduce meele damage .
Again for aoe tanking ( assuming we always have PD up , as you should ) i'll just build up 2/3 charge then activate Edge of Righteousness and release wirlwind chop , and if there's any mob still waindering around any of the 2 shield stun fo grab em back . If your party is aoeing tho , somethins i had the need to to add HBS to EoR for more sustained aggro all around the mobs .

As i said before that's just my own gameplay which may not be your or anyone else , just giving another point of view

Would using a two hand sword be effective or ineffective in a party while tanking?
Can paladins pull?

dude797 wrote:

I believe malice is damage based, that is too say the more damage you deal, the more malice you create. When our skills are in cooldown, we are reliant on dealing raw physical damage in order to maintain aggro. Since a hammer has so little raw attack power, I steer clear of them. Mob killing is slower, and I'm a tank first, a damage dealer second and healing is a very distance third job only to be used in emergency. Of course, since this is CB, I can't really confirm my theory, but rest assured come OB, I will test aggro extensively. Also feel free to use whatever play style suits you best. That was just my 2 cents. *edit* typos, just has to fix 'em^^

It could be that the m-atk bonus from hammers effects the Holy damage we get added onto some of our skills, as well as our healing. If so, it could be that some skills are actually more powerful with a hammer than they'd be with a sword or an axe. I'll have to test this once I reach Paladin in OB.

DaAntichrist wrote:

Would using a two hand sword be effective or ineffective in a party while tanking? Can paladins pull?

Pallys get Holy Light Grenade, which is a ranged attack and a good pulling move. As for tanking, I'd go with 1-hander and shield, since Shield Bash gives so much threat. 2hand MIGHT be viable if you've got good armor, though.

Tyrving wrote:

Pallys get Holy Light Grenade, which is a ranged attack and a good pulling move. As for tanking, I'd go with 1-hander and shield, since Shield Bash gives so much threat. 2hand MIGHT be viable if you've got good armor, though.

So a party based paladin would be better off with a sword and shield? How hard is it to obtain "good armour"?

dude797 wrote:

I believe malice is damage based, that is too say the more damage you deal, the more malice you create. When our skills are in cooldown, we are reliant on dealing raw physical damage in order to maintain aggro. Since a hammer has so little raw attack power, I steer clear of them. Mob killing is slower, and I'm a tank first, a damage dealer second and healing is a very distance third job only to be used in emergency. Of course, since this is CB, I can't really confirm my theory, but rest assured come OB, I will test aggro extensively. Also feel free to use whatever play style suits you best. That was just my 2 cents. *edit* typos, just has to fix 'em^^

I like maces because I find they help with some of my spells like healing. They also provide a nice amount of vit and int generally. Not running out of mana in a boss fight (especially with long cool downs on pots) is very important. Being able to use more skills = more agro. Personal preference though, to each their own, and whatever suits a person's style I suppose.

DaAntichrist wrote:

So a party based paladin would be better off with a sword and shield? How hard is it to obtain "good armour"?

I'd say yes. It's still worth it to keep a good two-hander around for soloing, though. And good armor isn't too hard to keep up with, just make sure to have an armor crafting sprite, and keep it leveled pretty close to yourself. The orange sets are basically the best you can get, as far as I've seen.

A shield crafting sprite is very useful, as well.

I agree it does seem like a forced pally guide.

Anyways I Can add something from my Experience to 40

Weapons

Swords= Fast good for PvE
Maces = Stuns good for PvP

Slotting gear

Wisdom= more Energy
Vitality = more HP

Why not Strength or Agility ? it's not our job to DPS it's to hold aggro and Outlast opponents. Maybe if I made a set for PvP then yes but having more energy means less potting and more HP means less healing.

For holding aggro on one mob I normally use Holy grenade(HG) to pull after applying hot blooded surge(HBS) then edge of Righteousness(EOR) then Shield bash(SB) Strike of (SOJ)justice. I rinse and repeat. while on bosses applying armor Cracking strike(ACS) keeping up perfect defense (PD)and I also use shield of thorns(SOT).

For multiple mobs I apply HBS+ EoR then Pull with HG then go in with Terra Ripple and or whirlwind chop. I also use a malice skill on at least every mob to ensure I can pull them back if they wander which they normally don't if the party follows my lead on Targeting

Animarelics wrote:

I also use a malice skill on at least every mob to ensure I can pull them back if they wander which they normally don't if the party follows my lead on Targeting

Q.Q I need to find more people who actually know what they're doing. Trying to instance with kids who just fire at anything and everything that moves is getting so stressful.

Hmm, I guess the parties I've been in just had different tactics. No one seems to AoE, rather everyone goes into a free for all frenzy killing everything that moves.

Honestly, since we only have 2 AoE skills, I'd imagine it would be slower. Guess I'll give these tactics a try for OB. This was the purpose of the guide, give everyone options and new ideas!

Keep em coming!

Tyrving wrote:

DaAntichrist wrote: So a party based paladin would be better off with a sword and shield? How hard is it to obtain "good armour"?   I'd say yes. It's still worth it to keep a good two-hander around for soloing, though. And good armor isn't too hard to keep up with, just make sure to have an armor crafting sprite, and keep it leveled pretty close to yourself. The orange sets are basically the best you can get, as far as I've seen. A shield crafting sprite is very useful, as well.

I've come across a few of blues that are better actually. Unless you can get an entire set of oranges, for their bonuses. Sometimes the stats on blues can outweigh them though.