Dragonborn Paladin starting stats

[daddystabz]

In my first 4e character I've made thus far I had the Dragonborn Paladin starting stats set to:

Str 18
Con 12
Dex 12
Int 8
Wis 13
Cha 16

I was trying to use the 18 in str to hit more often since attack bonus is huge in 42 and I also wanted to be able to do my share of damage to foes. I was hoping to be really good in Cha for my powers and good in Wis also for the same reason. Int is a dump stat.

However, the following starting stats seemed quite intruiging and seem to be well balanced as well:

STR 16
CON 14
DEX 12
INT 8
WIS 14
CHA 16

Which starting stats do you all feel is overall best/optimal for a Dragonborn Paladin and why?

 

[Surgoshan]

Depeneds, really. The extra +1 to hit definitely helps, but +2 to Con and +1 to wis is nothing to cry about. The extra con gives him 2 HP and a whole healing surge and the extra wisdom boosts the effects of his powers.

Question: Which is better?
Answer: Yup.

 

[Lurker37]

Are you intending to focus on Str-based powers, Cha-based powers, or dabble in both?

 

[False Keraptis]

For the love of god, keep the 18 in str! I would drop your con down to 10 to add a point to Wis - the pally gets plenty of healing surges as it is.

 

[Wik]

Nah, you'll want the high con, if only so you can use your breath weapon effectively. We ran that in play today (our first 4e game), and the weapon took out three minions in one go, and the dragonborn then made an attack that wiped out the fourth.

Personally, dexterity as a dump stat is where to go, along with int. You don't need the high dex, as you'll be wearing plate anyways. And few of your powers are based off dex, anyways. If both Dex and Int are low, though, you'll have an achilles' heel in your low reflex. Something to keep in mind.

High strength is nice, though. Remember that pallies get a minor action at-will that lets them add their strength modifier to an attack... couple that with pretty much any of their at-wills, and they're adding twice their strength modifier to every attack they make. Our own Dragonborn Pally did just that - dealing 1d6+6 on an average attack, each round.

 

[Nifft]

You want an 18 in either Strength or Charisma, and a 14 in Wisdom. The rest all depends on what feats you want. You do not need 16s in both Strength and Charisma -- you'll only be attacking with one or the other.

Cheers, -- N

 

[phil500]

I prefer taking

18 str, 18 cha, 12 wis and 12 con.

d-born pally is the only race/class which can take 18's in both main attack stats.

the cha lets you multi into warlock. the breath is a nice encounter power, esp with the feat to make it 5 by 5.

thats the most versatile char i can think of- defender with striker multi and an anti-minion power.

 

[daddystabz]

But low Dex means no Astral Fire and now Blade Opportunist! Also, aren't you gimpling your Dragon Breath and some of your Paladin powers by a kind of low Wis score, Phil500?

How about

Str 18* (+4), Con 12 (+1), Dex 11 (+0), Int 8 (-1) , Wis 14 (+2), Cha 16* (+3)

Would I still be able to get Astral Fire and Blade Opportunist with this loadout?

 

[phil500]

dragon breath is for killing minions.

im not sure about astral fire or blade opp, havent thought out the build past that.

 

[bjorn2bwild]

unfortunately, both astral fire and blade opportunist require dex 13