Return of the Paladin [Archive] - Diablo 3 & Diablo 2 Forums

lukefojut

04-07-2008, 20:49

Paladins are only welcome back if they remove Holy Hammers! Seriously though, I'd like to see a total rework for this character.

'Holy skills', such as Holy Bolt and Fist of the Heavens (not Holy Hammers!) should be upgraded so that they actually do anything. Ok, so there were some good FoH duellers, but they had uber gear and were still pretty much useless against anyone with absorb.

Summon Angel or similar is a bit too silly for me - Paladins have always had a role as a support cleric and strong physical character. I don't see them turning summoner as they had no real weaknesses in DII. Also, we only saw two? angels in DII - I find it unlikely that we'll be able to spam them in the new game.

Speaking of DII, I believe there were mods that allowed you to use angelic summons, but I couldn't say what they were called...

IdiotDK

04-07-2008, 21:42

i think holy (blessed) hammers should stay, they should just work in another way. Like a giant hammer smashing down in one place. Then maybe rename it to Hammer of Judgement or something.

And also, the angel idea. i really doubt it will be there. i just think its awsome. It should be a one summon think. and only have like 30 second life. and a 10+ minutes cooldown.
life increasing maybe 2-3 seconds pr skill level.

LucianDK

04-07-2008, 22:02

Something I could like to see, is a judgmental Zakarumite Zealot as a holy type, wielding a giant halberd. With mephisto being gone, the church of zakarum would surely rebound and rebuild, and im sure quite dedicated to eradicating the demonic taint that nearly destroyed their order. Instead of being defensive with big shields, they take to the offense, eager to attone for their sins by spilling rivers of demonic blood as they carve them up in a holy frenzy.

After all the players in d2 makes sure of that when they destroy the Compelling Orb with Khalim's Will. All zakarumite mobs fleeing from you.

UnderAge

04-07-2008, 23:15

I think the paladin should make a come back, that was in my opinion the best rounded character. Had auras for the party and had few very strong builds. Just tone down the hammers so everyone else will be happy.

ELox

05-07-2008, 01:41

How about instead of summon Angel which would change the character dynamic too much into a pet class, make the Paladin able to Transform into an angel or holy avatar of some sort for a period of time. Maybe even a new set of skills when in the form to deal a ton of holy dmg and maybe heal over time. Nothing permanent like shapshifting but just a temporary form that is significantly more powerful but loses the party aura or other standard paladin skills in place of it's own.

SirLuxeflex

05-07-2008, 01:42

How can one fight evil WITHOUT a warrior of the light?

Besides, paladins are great for PKing!!!

(just messing with you anti-PKs around here ;) ).

5zigen

05-07-2008, 03:04

I have a feeling they will be more along the lines of Cleric or Priest.

What my PERSONAL hopes are, that they get all sorts of different holy attacks that arent weapon reliant but act like melee attacks, in addition to other general holy spells that take the form of more traditional ranged attacks and pbaoe spells.

Aside from that, I think one cool way to rework the same ideas of the paladin would be to have his other aspects be "offensive" auras, but not the party buffing auras, more auras that affect the enemies rather than the party.

And instead of having buffing auras, he can have a new aspect, called "blessing" that would essentially be castable buffs on other players, things that would make them slightly tougher, do more melee damage, cast faster or whatever. I think this would be a little cooler than plain buffing auras because you wouldn't have to worry about your fanatacism only affecting the barb but not the sorc, you could also give the sorc meditation, for example.

(just note that I wanted to split up the enemy effecting auras and the party buffing auras so that the character could have a little more depth, both buffing and debuffing at the same time)

That's just what I think would be a really cool and interesting new take on the "holy warrior"

No more ultimate blessed hammer.

Flayer

05-07-2008, 09:15

I have to agree with 5zigen here (and probably on other matters as well). A cleric-type character like he described seems like a definite possibility somehow. What they're going to name it, though, is anyone's guess, and it will probably gain some of the Paladin's spells and the like. I don't think he will have a great deal of weapon skills though.

AoE holy spells like Blessed Hammers, Fist of the Heavens... those seem most likely to re-appear on this character (if at all, of course). A form of AoE Smite, maybe... Who knows. Holy Fire might be the name of some funky new skill. Just putting out random thought here.

SirLuxeflex

05-07-2008, 09:55

Holy Hammer --> 'changing' your current weapon into a hammer, adding additional damage/attack rating/speed.
Holy Fire --> Flaming your weapon and shield with righteous fire! Increases smite damage and normal damage. Also damages monsters/player who hit the paladin in melee. Also active as an aura. Same goes for Shock and Freeze.
Holy bolt should be removed.

5zigen

05-07-2008, 10:21

Holy bolt should be removed.

Nah, they just need to buff it. Maybe make it so it damages undead AND demons, and so that it seeks them out in a group or something cooler like that.
It's been such a staple of the game since D1 it would be a shame if it didnt make it into D3.

When I think D1 I think 3 things: Fascinating, Sacred and Ornate. Those correspond to Firebolt, Charged bolt and Holy bolt.

I liked your other skill ideas though, that's exactly what I was thinking.

Spinns

11-07-2008, 12:28

As long as they don't make the class thats taking the role of the pally in D3 into a priest he needs to be at least partially melee base so he can tank damage but i agree with hammer make it a weapon summon if thats a good term to use

Dacar92

11-07-2008, 14:54

i think holy (blessed) hammers should stay, they should just work in another way. Like a giant hammer smashing down in one place. Then maybe rename it to Hammer of Judgement or something.

That won't happen, as it is too close to the new barbarian skill called Hammer of the Ancients (http://www.diablowiki.net/Barbarian_Skills#Hammer_of_the_Ancients)

phool

11-07-2008, 17:20

Without teleport, hammerdin is a build with a pretty unique playstyle that demands some unusual player skills to get the most out of. I would welcome a skill based off the bh mechanic, e.g. reconceptualised to being a radial variation on the with doctor's zombie wall we've seen, though would prefer to see paladins removed.

Zeek

11-07-2008, 18:13

I can't imagine we'll get paladins back the way they were. The corruption of the council would have to have some pretty radical effects on their order. If they're around they'll either be a new order and probably have a new focus of their skills or they'll be the last of their kind and on the way out. It would be annoying to have them be the last of their kind though considering we'll see them regularly in our parties.

Personally I don't want to see them return. Open up their slot in the group of 5 for something new and different.

Telzen

11-07-2008, 23:50

I believe the Paladin in D2 was from a group that had already left the order.

tradinfool

12-07-2008, 00:42

I thought they said that they wouldn't make a paladin though

nishtikeit

14-07-2008, 13:18

i dont want anything like the ****ing d2 pally - overpowered, overadaptable ****ing class. if they make another OP char, i will shoot someone.

Dacar92

14-07-2008, 14:35

i dont want anything like the ****ing d2 pally - overpowered, overadaptable ****ing class. if they make another OP char, i will shoot someone.

Your anger is clear. But sheesh, take it easy on the language, man. It's only a game.

nicro tower

14-07-2008, 16:28

I want something with Holy/Unholy Word...

Addict

14-07-2008, 16:57

I'm undecided on whether there should be a "pally" class or not and am just looking forward to seeing what blizzard comes up with, they do seem pretty talented with the game creation/development thing ;) My only worry bout a pally class is if they do implement buffs that can be cast on single party members and debuffs for enemies and maybe heals as well like a holy bolt, then the pally starts spending a smaller percent of his time actually in the action. And honestly, killing hordes of monsters to find as much loot as possible is one of the main themes of the Diablo games. I would hate to see them develop a "buff-bot" type of class like the pally of WoW is (or at least was the last time I played WoW).

ThulRasha

14-07-2008, 16:57

Paladins will most likely not see a return in D3.
Why do I think that? Multiple reasons:
1. Barbarian class stole the charge skill from the paladin.
2. We have seen paladin like henchman in screenshots, just like with the sorceror and rogue from diablo2, who were previously playable characters in diablo1.
3. There will be 5 classes. 1/3 old, 1/3 new, 1/3 changed. With the barbarian allready confirmed as one of the old ones, there can be only 1 other old one, and I doubt that will also be a melee class.

Fegon

14-07-2008, 17:21

Paladins will most likely return in D3

1. Its the class in D2 that most resembles the warrior from D1 (imho) and also Tristram is close to Westmarch, paladin homecountry.
2. henchman in screenshots looks like your standard, well, henchman. Why should this rule out anything? So the barb can´t be in the game becouse Cain is an old man. Graphics for the new pally is not likly to look exactly like in D2, no?
3. Come on, you know you want there to be one. Slightly changed or fully worked over, it would be nice either way.

Leugi

15-07-2008, 00:00

Paladins will most likely not return in D3.

1. With the removal of the Necro Blizzard probably doesn't like the fact of "I'm on the holy side" or the "I'm on the unholy side", so they will replace the paladin into something else.
2. The world think of demons as a myth and the paladin orders must have scattered already, even those from Westmarch.
3. The old classes will be 2 out of 5 (most likely I'm saying) and as ThulRasha said I doubt it will be a melee class.

I liked the paladin, but I'd like to see some kind of magical enchanted warrior instead of him, basically having auras and special elemental spells (perhaps light being one). So it would be more like an Iron Wolf instead of a Paladin.

Moja

15-07-2008, 01:52

Well, you need some aura-type party-buffing character. You need a secondary more defensive melee class (one that relies heavily on a shield). So I think the paladin in some form will make a return.

I predict: combat skills; auras; and magic as his three skill trees.

Btw all you people going "omfg palla r ovrpowred"; did you play diablo BEFORE blessed hammers recieved insane synergies? The paladin was the WEAKEST character then... His only real attack was zeal, which simply couldn't compete with whirlwind, not to mention ranged classes...

pantherus

15-07-2008, 02:54

I think:

- there will NOT be a Paladin character-type in D3. It's just too repeditive.
- there will NOT be "three skill trees" - Blizzard will revamp the skill/ability/spell system
- if there WERE a Paladin, he should get appropriate skills - namely the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch (with a required count of "1, 2, 5...three sir!...3!" before killing all bunnies in the area) and a special skill "RUN AWAY!!!"

just my 2c :)

raveharu

15-07-2008, 04:56

IMO, its the runeword Enigma that ruined the game.

Hammerdins are quite fine actually, only a little overpowered due to the imbalance between its synergies and concentration aura. And they didn't make monsters immune to the hammers.

There will definitely be a holy type class in D3, but for now we can only wait and anticipate what will Blizzard create.

Ghoulz

15-07-2008, 07:58

We need the Paladin. The other classes don't feel like authentic leaders.

Maybe fix him up a bit, but he's a shoe-in.

maxusmag

15-07-2008, 08:22

Rune words in general ruined the game due to their poor implementation. Instead of being viable for everyone they limited the rare drops to really rare which lead to the duping issues and constant lag on the server.

on another note. I think they will have a paladin type class but not the paladin. He was way over powered in d2. I mean really a zeal/smite paladin could tank anything in the game basically. even the physical immunes he could handle.

add enigma onto that or something and he could just fly anywhere.

sorry totally unbalanced in my opinion. if they do have one it will not be the same as d2. I even had a paladin in d2.

Najarati

15-07-2008, 08:36

The Paladin definately needs to return. It was the one class I was hoping would continue on to Diablo 3. I was a little dismayed seeing the Barbarian have the Paladin's Charge, though, I hope it just means the Paladin's skillset will have changed a bit; although, not too much. Blizzard needs to make up for the travesty that is the World of Warcraft Paladin.

Hodl Pu

15-07-2008, 08:45

Since the Barb the has the Paladins charge skill, some say Paladin wont return. What if they Paladin IS coming back, but under a different name. Since the Paladins order has been almost completely ruined, perhaps within the past 20 years, he did some training of his own. Similar to a Paladin, but now highly strict on order (due to his great loss) and an immense sense of duty to preserve righteousness = A class with some of the same paladin skills + many new kinds because of his own training (which may of spread to create a new order.)

Perhaps the new name for the Paladin might be....

JUDICATOR or JUSTICIAR (as Najarati said below) .... with cool skill names like... Cleanse Soul, Strike of Judgement. (W/e those do)

:coffee:

Najarati

15-07-2008, 09:02

I'd preferably like to see the good ol' Paladin from Diablo 2 return, but if that absolutely cannot happen then something similar, like Justiciar, would be alright so long as it's not turned into some sort of cleric.

Hodl Pu

15-07-2008, 09:08

Naw not a cleric. Think of Judge Dread, but less corny, not futuristic, and more holy. A Good old: religious, extremist, *** kicking fighter. Perhaps even considering themselves as servants of heaven, or the hands of heaven.

mephiztophelez

15-07-2008, 09:10

personally, i won't miss the pally at all if he doesn't make the D3 cut.

i just rekon they are overpowered and game-breaking. they have been gamebreaking ever since ADnD 1st ed (ever seen a goddess die from a single lance-charge?, we took Tiamat out so fast it made the DM crai, with our mighty lvl 8 party......).

at least with the 'old ADnD pally, you had some SERIOUS drawbacks to go with all the super-omfg powers they had and a decent DM could keep them in-line(not to mention the vicious stat reqs, 17 charisma o.O). not so the D2 pally. they can be as evil as they like with no risk of losing their paladinhood.

if they DO bring back the pally, i hope both Smite and Blessed Hammer get the chop (or at least take a savage beating with the nerf-bat)

raveharu

15-07-2008, 09:37

Whats wrong with having a "battle priest" like class?

They can have both offensive and defensive skills, making them extremely versatile for both soloing and partying, so its up to Blizzard to balance and incorporate the abilities.

Machina

15-07-2008, 10:07

I won't miss him at all - one of only 2 characters I really don't like in D2 (Barb is the other, heh :whistling: ). I just don't enjoy playing with Palas - the skills, the way he runs etc.

Although I do like the look of Holy Shield, that's about it.

Mcwhopper

15-07-2008, 10:47

Has any of the people whining about paladins being overpowered actually played the game, especially before 1.10 instead of only doing baal runs/cs runs?

Pre 1.10 playing through the game as a paladin was a pain in the bum. They weren't overpowered. They weren't imbalanced, they were the weakest of all classes.

The most important thing you all seem to be forgetting is that the fact that a character is overpowered in one game doesnt mean that he will be overpowering in another game. It's like assuming that because a witch docter has healing ward in WC3 he will have healing ward in d3....

For the record, I want the paladin to make a come back as he was pre 1.10. I loved being one of the few people running around with a paladin using a Schaeffers. That was awesome.

Fegon

15-07-2008, 13:14

For the record, I want the paladin to make a come back as he was pre 1.10. I loved being one of the few people running around with a paladin using a Schaeffers. That was awesome.

Yes! i would skip the 14hit zeal though.

Also about the Barb charge skill, i just thought that maybe this is a skill that will be seen in diffrent incarnations in all D3 classes. To speed up gameplay and such.

ThulRasha

15-07-2008, 13:35

<snip>

3. Come on, you know you want there to be one. Slightly changed or fully worked over, it would be nice either way.

Of course I do want one, but I don't think it will happen. Simply wanting there to be one is hardly a reason to think there will be.

Felix

15-07-2008, 17:18

twisted by dezign

15-07-2008, 19:14

The Pally has to be back in some form. Every game should have a religious ***-kicker!

And I totally agree with pallies pre 1.10. I mostly played pallies throught my entire D2 career (just came back after a 4-5 year hiatus) and they were nowhere near overpowered until recently.

Donny

19-07-2008, 13:00

I just hope that they don't screw him up just like WoW's paladin by turning him into a heavy armoured "i'm forced to stand back and heal or no invites" guy rather than a tanker.

That's all I'm asking for..It would also be a great plus if he comes back as a hispanic/middle eastern man or another black man.

It makes for a more interesting character design IMHO

GUFF

20-07-2008, 05:33

I don't see how the paladin cannot come back in some shape or form. If heaven it's self is indeed infected then only the most righteous will have the fortitude to slay the wicked as heaven cannot do such on their own.

Was always a pally fan especially for group play and felt he fit in very well in d2.

Volvagia

20-07-2008, 06:21

Honestly, I'd be okay with the pally making a comeback.

But I'd prefer him be tweaked into more of a Battlemage type class.

Just a quick brainstorm but:
Combat tree - Whatever combat skills blizz comes up with (I'd like to see Zeal return though)

Magic tree - Skills to add high amounts of one or several elemental damage types to weapon, buffing skills (similar to holy shield) that greatly increase melee damage and defense, and possibly simple, backup projectile magic skills (fireball and/or glacial spike comes to mind...or maybe improve on Holy Bolt to make it a good damage dealer/healer)

Party tree - Healing skills, auras (although I'm not a big fan of them), and possibly even some type of summons.

UnderAge

25-07-2008, 09:37

They'll be back. Mark my words ;)

a brick

26-07-2008, 05:28

I think it might make sense (even tho i dont really know lore, im just speculating) that pallies come back as some sort of remnant groups who have some holy stuff, and some knew things that wouldnt be on a DII pally. an adapted paladin pretty much, but there was one drawing someone posted and the guy was bright and fancy and covered in armor. It could be some sort of overly dedicated battle preist that the paladins morphed into.

Idk, just coming up with ideas. Only pally i had was a pvm titan zealer. that character was really really fun for me. I agree with the general opinion about hammers tho: please no hammers.

Chard

26-07-2008, 08:26

I will accept the paladin's return IF he doesn't look like he does in D2, the whole cross on the chest thing and what not, come on blizzard make up your own holy symbols. I like playing my pally in D2 (wooo tesladins!) but I can't stand to look at him. The Zakarum are from around Kurast right? Well then what the hell is up with the whole shiny shiny armor. I want more character to the paladin than the typical shiny holy night. Lets play up the whole conflict within an enforced morality too huh? Throw in some overzealousness and other unpleasantness to the paladin. Forget hiding behind "there should be a good guy!" crap.

And for frick sake NO HEALING CLASS IN DIABLO GAMES. IN a game full of health pots and now health orbs to be picked up we don't need someone throwing healing spells at us. A party buffer of a holy variety, sure however any focus on healing at all as a character role should not be in this franchise. Throw out those skills with healing effects for others from the paladin tree, healing aura is even pushing it.

a brick

27-07-2008, 07:38

http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/media/artwork.xml (bottom left corner)

I posted this somewhere else but maybe this could be that character?

Looks sweet! O_O

a brick

27-07-2008, 07:40

sorry idk what's wrong with this computer it keeps doing this

my bad for the double post!

ill logic

27-07-2008, 08:55

Donny: Well this is Diablo. Blizz says everybody is supposedly a "DPS class." :) But then Diablo has so much variety that you could make a Sorc or Zon into a damn good "tanker" if you wanted. They've said there will be no healer classes.

That said, I do want Prayer and Holy Bolt to be adapted/improved/replaced with much better healing skills. The prospect of healing my allies while kicking *** drew me to the Paladin in D2--my first class. But both skills were just too ineffective (any one ever use Act 2 mercs with Prayer aura?), and Holy Bolt was hella inaccurate. Worst of all, Prayer was reduced to nothing more than a synergy for Meditation aura. That's just crap.

A couple healing skills does not a healer class make. There's hardly enough healing skills to even call it a focus. Besides expending Supplicant Juice (or Holy Favor or mana, or whatever I guess) to heal myself would be awesome. But then, as long as I'm doing that, might as well let me heal others too... or affect drop rate/effectiveness of health orbs.

If Blizzards wants chars that will make you question if you really like them then having the Paladin, if he returns, be overzealous is a must. There is now some lore that would make it somewhat justifiable, yet still raise questions of whether they are too extreme.

I think we could use a finesse fighter and shield specialist. The paladin isn't a must to be included (nor do I think an elementalist Sorc is either...), but hell why not?

pianistas

29-07-2008, 07:53

Dacar92

29-07-2008, 14:44

You need 5 classes that can beat the game without help. Healing class characters in many RPG's cannot do that. They are weak fighters and are there to simply buff a party. It would be nice if there are 5 classes that can stand on their own.

pianistas

29-07-2008, 16:28

http://www.diablo.mocny.com/gfx/npc/tyrael.gif

Dacar92

29-07-2008, 16:42

http://www.diablo.mocny.com/gfx/npc/tyrael.gif

And the point of this post is what again?

Gorny just made a post in the D3 general discussion forum about spam and rude posts. These will not be tolerated. Please say something useful and friendly or don't say anything at all.

Buu

29-07-2008, 19:33

pantherus

29-07-2008, 23:43

about the angel i believe that it would be ok if paladin could at the highest tree skill become an angel for a sort period of time until he is out of mana. and as an angel he may have more abilities than fighting with his sword (for example) he may cross the enemies with his finger saying <may the pease of the lord be with u!> and they get burned after that pray (sorry about my english)

OK - I actually had a chuckle at that thought - your angel-morphed Paladin charges in, stops suddenly in front of Diablo then starts muttering "I nomine patre, et filli, et spiritus sanctus!" :)

Diablo would just stop and be like "WTF?!?" then you hit him over the head with a club :D

OK - now we're getting into stooges territory.

There's seriously some cool stuff they could do though.

5zigen

30-07-2008, 09:35

Heres an idea about the buffs, auras etc. What if it were all one spell, but depending on how you leveled it up, it would provide different effects. It would be a buff spell that encompasses all the possible spells.

Sounds like a pretty cool idea to me.

My only problem is I think it would still make the character pretty "bland" if buffing his (lets call it "holy aura") takes the place of actually usable skills. Resulting in a below average number of activate/usable skills in favor of passives doesn't make for a robust character imo.

If they go to a more "wow" system where all characters have a large number of usable skills and the customization comes in the form of which skills we buff and which ones we don't, I Think it's the perfect idea.

pianistas

30-07-2008, 10:42

pantherus u are right...after all about the angel i just said it for fun...please translate me the frase u wrote <I nomine patre, et filli, et spiritus sanctus!>

Buu

30-07-2008, 18:28

Sounds like a pretty cool idea to me.

My only problem is I think it would still make the character pretty "bland" if buffing his (lets call it "holy aura") takes the place of actually usable skills. Resulting in a below average number of activate/usable skills in favor of passives doesn't make for a robust character imo.

If they go to a more "wow" system where all characters have a large number of usable skills and the customization comes in the form of which skills we buff and which ones we don't, I Think it's the perfect idea.

well, the main idea is to eliminate having to switch between buffs while playing. Having it all into one 'cast' streamlines the playing experience.

Dwovar

30-07-2008, 19:01

I don't think I would enjoy the paladin becoming an angel.

I could enjoy him becoming angelic though.

Lets say that 30th level ability is an Angelic Transmogriphication. The paladin grows smaller versions of those trippy angel wings for a while. They reach out and touch enemies withing range (dealing damage and possibly debuffing) and allies withing range (possibly healing or buffing or undebuffing). That would be kind of nice.

There could be more holy equipment spells too.

I remember how neat it was when Holy Shield changed the shield you were holding, no matter what, into one glowy shield.

Perhaps thats a nice jumping point. Blessed Hammer could now be a glowy gavel that enhances your equipment mods. Angelic Rainment (formerly a set) could turn your armor into a glowly, angelic armor. I could go for something like that.

As per the paladin's character. I found him bland in D2. Uncorruptable Holy Warrior Fighting Against the Darkness. Perhaps the events of D2 and LoD have caused him to question the Zakarum order. Perhaps he shows remorse for the demons he kills, since they are typically normal creatures possessed by demons. Maybe he starts seeing shades of gray, and rejoices when he finds a true black and white morality situation.

If the failing luminaries line indicates fallen angels, perhaps the paladin can wrestle over questions of morality and ethics. Does might make right? Does power neccessitate it's use? Is Zakarum the true religion? Do I side with these angels or the people of Sanctuary.

Perhaps character actions could allow him to succumb to the darkness (although I think thats unlikely).

What about fractions within the Zakarum church? Perhaps the paladin finds himself unaligned with any of them, or championing a specific order, trying to unite the church into a single entity after the savaging that Mephisto gave it.

pantherus

31-07-2008, 00:07

pantherus u are right...after all about the angel i just said it for fun...please translate me the frase u wrote <I nomine patre, et filli, et spiritus sanctus!>

Absolutely - needing to get a balance of innovation and reasonable additions.

As for the translation - it's Latin: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Roman Catholics use it regularly - not that I'm Roman Catholic, I just know the line :) (1 year of Latin at University can do that)

andytheavs

09-08-2008, 08:04

As the thread title says, I sure hope the paladin returns in some form. I was surprised that the barbarian returned, given that his task and existence was to protect the worldstone (same goes for the druid). Since the world stone is gone, it seemed like those classes lost their purpose.

I really liked the idea put out by a previous poster (first couple of pages) that the paladins from Zakarum could make a comeback now that mephisto isn't poisoning their minds. This way the class would be similar to the pallys of Westmarch, but, being from the East, Zakarumites could have totally different philosophies, culture, looks, abilities, etc.

kingdryland

09-08-2008, 14:45

D3 will probably not include a paladin class. Neither a class under that name nor a generic "knight" type warrior.The name "paladin" appears in WoW as well.Including it in D3 might seem too much to Blizz designers. The barbarian has already absorbed at least one of the trademark d2 paladin skills,others might follow. As for the auras,I can see something similar included to a caster's skill tree. In retrospective, D2 offered us the choice of playing two major variants of the melee type.An all out attack aggressor (barbarian) and an iron clad defender (paladin). I can see the D3 barb including both playing styles. A paladin type char might appear in some future add-on but I wouldn't bet on that.

Reddimus

09-08-2008, 23:36

If they keep a similar amount of physical/magic ratio between the starting classes like D2, they're going to want some kind of hybrid melee caster.

Sir Percival the Gallant

17-08-2008, 06:21

As the paladin is my favourite class, I personally would like to see it return, or a close variation of it return as some kind of knight. However, the paladin’s skills and such need to be totally revamped, and some new ones added as well. Overall, I think that it would be nice if the paladin developed something more like passive skills this time. I’ve also heard rumours of mounts in this game: I’d love to see a paladin charging on a fully barded destrier or courser ploughing enemies underfoot (and watching out for phalanxes of enemies with pikes who could put a stop to it).

Nevertheless, it does seem entirely possible that Blizzard will not include it in this new game, but it does seem likely to see to me that they will include some kind of heavy-armour-wearing class. It may be something more like a ‘spellsword’, though, or some kind of combination between a heavily armed warrior and an arcane spellcaster. Or, alternatively, as some have suggested thus far, it may be more of a cleric. In that case, however, it might be possible to create a paladin-like character out of it as a build.

As per the paladin's character. I found him bland in D2. Uncorruptable Holy Warrior Fighting Against the Darkness...

I’ve also thought of similar things, and, if you ask me, they would make for a more interesting paladin in Diablo III, especially if he/she were a schismatic Zakarumite. I remember that the lore in Diablo II mentioning that some paladins belonged to a sect that opposed the ferocious zeal and hatred of evil preached by orthodox Zakarum, advocating instead a more kind and merciful hero. Undoubtedly that sect, upon learning of the corruption of Sankekur and the High Council (and their subsequent defeat), were saying, ‘We told them so and tried to warn them, but no, they didn’t listen.’ I had always imagined that in the aftermath of Sankekur/Mephisto’s demise in Travincal, the Zakarumite hierarchy would fall into chaos (lacking an ecclesiastical head, above all) and many local sects and denominations would spring up, some sharply schismatic, whose theologians might question profoundly the core religious doctrine. Additionally, a movement like the Reformation might begin somewhere, and ultimately come to be the dominant denomination of the religion in some countries (the farther from Kurast, the more likely), with its leaders denouncing orthodox Zakarum as corrupted by hatred, and preaching an alternative doctrine of kindness or mercy, or perhaps even something like humanism.

Anyhow, nothing major…just a few thoughts.