Combat Skills

The Paladin´s Combat skills make him a more effective fighter, improving his talents in combat and increasing the odds of his survival.  They are all active skills, and unlike the Auras they only effect the Paladin regardless of his relationship setting.

The skill tree is roughly divided up into three types of skills.  On the left we have skills that directly effect the Paladin´s attack, adding damage or adding effects to make his attack more powerful.  The middle row contains ranged, magical attacks and are some of the most unique skills in the Paladin´s retinue.  The skills in the right row add attacks with an equipped shield and change the way a shield can work to defend the Paladin.  Armed with forethought and his powerful Combat Skills, the Paladin has a contingency for nearly any problem or enemy encounter.

 

Sacrifice (Req: Clvl 1) Sacrifice allows the Paladin to make a more powerful attack at the cost of his own life.  This skill will probably be a little more powerful than the Offensive Aura Might to justify the loss of health when using it.

Smite (Req: Clvl 1) Smite gives the Paladin the option of making an attack with his shield.  This shield bash does a little damage and knocks the enemy back a few paces.  It can be used as an auxiliary attack and also to clear enemies away so the Paladin can run.

Holy Bolt (Req: Clvl 5) Like its predecessor from the original Diablo, the Holy Bolt fires a blue-white projectile that damages undead that it hits.  Since this attack has a narrow range of targwts, it might seem less advantageous, but it will probably have a low casting cost in mana.

Zeal (Req: Clvl 10, Sacrifice) Zeal is an attack that strikes enemies standing adjacent to one another, sort of a sweeping attack.  This skill will let the Paladin hit more opponents at once, and can make for powerful combinations.

Charge (Req: Clvl 10, Smite) This skill lets the Paladin make a charge with his shield, dashing towards an oppnent and doing damage in a shield bash.  This skill also adds knockback to the attack.  It will be a good way to dash into the fray and even up the odds.

Vengeance (Req: Clvl 15, Sacrifice, Zeal) This powerful skill adds fire, cold, and lightning based damage to the Paladin´s attack, making it deal more damage than could be possible.  This skill´s power might be lessened by resistances, but few creatures will emerge unscathed by it.

Blessed Hammer (Req: Clvl 15, Holy Bolt) More general than Holy Bolt, the Blessed Hammer does some damage against all creatures, but also does double damage against undead.  It is one of the more useful skills due to its long range.

Conversion (Req: Clvl 20, Sacrifice, Zeal, Vengeance) It is unknown what Conversion does at the present time, although it is suspected it may make your weapon vampiric somehow, draining off mana and health which each successful hit.

Holy Shield (Req: Clvl 20, Smite, Charge, Holy Bolt, Blessed Hammer) Holy Shield enchants the Paladin´s equipped shield so it absorbs damage, rendering the Paladin temporarily invulnerable against melee attacks.  This skill could be a lifesaver in the midst of a heated battle.

Hand of God (Req: Clvl 25, Holy Bolt, Blessed Hammer, Sacrifice, Zeal, Vengeance, Conversion) Details on the Hand of God skill are sketchy, but we got this from a Fansite Chat: "This is a highly advanced skill that is an offensive lightning-based attack."  Unknown on its exact effect, but it´s sure to be powerful.