"NWN:EE has allowed developers to alter base game content to a much greater extent than the original game. Queued melee special attacks like Knockdown or Smite Evil however are still deeply ingrained in the game engine and thus significantly harder to customize. That is why team member Kalopsia has developed a new framework for special attacks alongside their recreation of Smite Evil & Good as Divine Smite, and a selection of 'Oaths' exclusive to the paladin class.
This framework will allow for a streamlined addition of new combat techniques, both ranged and melee, as instant-use abilities on a shared timer. With the user experience very much resembling special attacks in the original game, we are looking forward to incorporating this new functionality in our upcoming development projects.
OATH FEATS
Oath feats define a Paladin's skillset and are selected at class level
6. Higher tiers of the chosen oath are automatically granted at Paladin
levels 16 and 26; Harper Priest and Paragon count towards this level
requirement. A Paladin can only ever have one Oath. Every oath tier
grants +1 passive AB and divine damage in addition to the bonuses below:
- Oath of Inquisition
The paladin specializes in the elimination of undead and extraplanar threats.- +3/+6/+9 Spot skill bonus.
- Tier 1: Improved Turning feat (granted earlier than usual).
- Tier 1: +1d2 additional bonus to turn checks per oath tier.
- Tier 2: Bless weapon bonus damage increases to 2d10, when cast on the Paladin's own weapon.
- Tier 2: Planar turning feat.
- Tier 2: Greater Spell Focus: Abjuration, if the Paladin also has Spell Focus: Abjuration.
- Tier 3: Eldritch Blasts targeting the Paladin inflict reduced damage.
- Tier 3: The Paladin has a 50% chance to bypass immunity against critical hits.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword also applies all immunities granted by the Undeath's Eternal Foe spell.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword grants attacks a chance to restore a use of Turn Undead on hit. Triggers once per flurry.
- Oath of Perseverance
The paladin specializes in the art of healing, bolstering his allies in their moments of greatest weakness.- +3/+6/+9 Heal skill bonus.
- Tier 1: Remove Disease also cures various other negative effects.
- Tier 2: Lay on Hands cooldown decreases to 5 minutes.
- Tier 2: Extend spell feat.
- Tier 2: Heal spells are automatically empowered.
- Tier 2: Bless Weapon: Successful melee attacks heal the Paladin by 2 HP (+1 at levels 16, 21 and 26). Triggers on every hit.
- Tier 3: Lay on Hands healing increases by 25% when self-targeting and heals both the target and, to a lesser extent, the Paladin when targeting other creatures.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword also cures various other negative effects when cast.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword: Successful melee attacks heal the Paladin and nearby allies by 4 HP (+1 at level 26). Stacks with healing from Bless Weapon. Triggers on every hit.
- Oath of Reckoning
The paladin specializes in the virtue of persistence, remaining stalwart even in the face of crushing despair.- +3/+6/+9 Concentration skill bonus.
- Tier 1: Heroic Shield feat (Guard ability only, no PDK immunities unless the Paladin is also a PDK)
- Tier 2: Divine biteback damage (1 per base CHA modifier. Unaffected by Spell Breaches).
- Tier 2: Divine Shield, if the Paladin also has Power Attack.
- Tier 3: Divine Shield AC bonus increases by 1 while a shield is equipped.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword: Duration increased to 3 rounds/level; also grants +5 regeneration.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword hits lower the target's AB by 2 for 3 rounds (Will save, DC 10 + 1/2 class levels + base CHA modifier). Triggers once per flurry.
- Oath of Vengeance
The paladin specializes in sacred warfare, honing his skills to undo evils all over Faerûn.- +3/+6/+9 Leadership skill bonus.
- Tier 1: Movement Speed increases by 10%.
- Tier 1: Extra Smiting feat.
- Tier 2: Great Smiting I feat.
- Tier 2: Divine Might, if the Paladin also has Power Attack.
- Tier 3: Divine Might damage bonus increases by +2 (+3 while wielding a two-handed weapon).
- Tier 3: Holy Sword also activates Divine Might and Shield if the Paladin has enough Turn Undead uses.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword grants attacks a chance to restore a use of Divine Smite on hit. Triggers once per flurry.
- Oath of the Ancients
The paladin specializes in ancient traditions and druidic rituals, fostering the spark of life and smiting any who dare obscure it.- +3/+6/+9 Animal Empathy skill bonus.
- Tier 1: Knows Animal Language.
- Tier 1: Can tend to plants.
- Tier 1: Woodland Stride feat.
- Tier 2: Nature Sense feat.
- Tier 2: Improved Expertise, if the Paladin also has Expertise.
- Tier 2: Remove Disease also grants a lesser Barkskin effect (+4 AC).
- Tier 3: Remove Disease's Barkskin effect improves to +5 AC.
- Tier 3: Holy Sword hits can entangle the target for 1 round (Reflex save, DC 10 + 1/2 class levels + base CHA modifier). Triggers once per flurry.
Divine Smite
Smite Evil/Good are getting replaced by Divine Smite. This is no longer a traditional combat move like Knockdown or Called Shot, but rather an instant-use melee ability that scales with a character's combined Paladin, Blackguard, Divine Champion, Harper Paragon and Zhentarim Enforcer levels. Details below:
- Instant use. 6 seconds cooldown in between uses, increased by 1 second per Great Smiting feat.
- Characters can store a maximum of one use. Extra Smiting increases that to 3.
- One use gets replenished every 3 minutes. Extra Smiting halves this time.
- The ability scales with Paladin, Blackguard, Divine Champion, Harper Paragon & Zhentarim Enforcer levels.
- The maximum bonus damage is 1 for each level in one of the above classes, increased by 1 per Great Smiting feat.
This bonus damage scales based on alignment difference. - Great Smiting V and higher have been disabled.
- Divine Smite shares the character's weapon threat range and critical multiplier, with the exception of bonuses granted by Weapon Master feats.
- It can only be used with melee weapons.
[UPDATE EDITS]
- Oath AB/Damage Bonus Progression changed as follows:
- Regular Oath: No bonus
- Greater Oath: +1 AB and divine damage
- Epic Oath: +3 AB and divine damage - Epic Oath of Vengeance:
- Holy Sword no longer triggers Divine Might and Shield. Instead, the spell's damage bonus vs. evil is doubled. - Greater Oath of the Ancients:
- Nature Sense feat moved to Epic Oath tier. - Epic Oath of Perseverance now also grants Inspire Courage on a 3 minute cooldown.
- The ability also restores negative effects on nearby allies (like Knight Protector).
- The lingering bonus to saving throws remains a +2. - Great Smiting:
- Tier 1 and 2 damage bonuses halved.