The fastest way to level a Paladin is by using a Blessed Hammer build, which will carry you all the way to endgame once you gain access to the Skill. This build is designed with progression in mind, to get your Paladin up to level 75, where you can respec into an endgame build.
Leveling General Tips
- Before reaching level 18, your main source of damage will be Holy Fire. Once you reach that level however, you will primarily use Blessed Hammer.
- Blessed Hammer has a unique traveling path, so make sure you learn it to avoid standing in a spot that would hinder its damage.
- Try to get the Tal, Thul, Ort, and Amn Runes as soon as you can to make a Spirit Runeword.
- Paladins can take advantage of the Spirit Runeword much earlier than any other Class, because their Shields can drop with four sockets sooner.
Attribute Distribution
- Levels 2-5: Vitality
- Levels 6-11: 1 point into Dexterity, and the rest into Vitality.
- Levels 12-13: Energy
- Level Vitality for the rest of the game, except for when you need Strength for gear.
- Ater you Respec, you should put around 18 points in Strength, then the rest will go into Vitality for the rest of the build, unless you need more Strength to use gear.
Skills
- Level 2: Might
- Level 3: Sacrifice
- Den of Evil: Resist Fire
- Level 4-5: Resist Fire
- Level 6-9: Holy Fire
- Level 10: Smite
- Level 11: Save the Skill Point
- Level 12: Charge + Zeal
- Level 13: Holy Fire
- Level 14-15: Holy Fire
- Radament: Resist Fire
- Level 16-19: Holy Fire
RESPEC LEVEL 19:
- 2x Blessed Hammer
- 1x Charge
- 2x Concentration
- 8x Blessed Aim
- 2x Vigor
- Level 20-36: Blessed Hammer
- Izual: Vigor + Blessed Aim
- Level 36-37: Blessed Hammer
- Radament: Vigor
- Level 38-43: Vigor
- Izual: Concentration + Vigor
For the rest of the levels, max out Skills in the following order:
- Alternate between Concentration and Vigor until Vigor is maxed out.
- Alternate between Concentration and Blessed Aim until Concentration is maxed out, then max out Blessed Aim.
Overall excellent. Helps with survivability, traversal, and cast rate. Cheap enough to make early, but can run through Hell Difficulty.
Body Armor
2 Sockets
Magic Damage Reduced By 3
+6 To Dexterity
+15 To Maximum Stamina
Poison Resist +30%
Regenerate Mana 15%
25% Faster Run/Walk
25% Faster Cast Rate
25% Faster Hit Recovery
Level 17
Normal
Nice movement buff. Ocher, Russet, or Sapphire variants will give Lightning, Fire, or Cold Resistances, respectively.
Boots
Magic
20% Faster Run/Walk
(Ocher) 20% Fire Resist
(Russet) 20% Lightning Resist
(Sapphire) 20% Cold Resist
Level 16-18
Normal
Can be purchased from Chasi, or can drop from monsters.
Increase in Attack Speed, Damage, and Mana per Kill
Axe/Sword
2-Socket
20% Enhanced Damage
+3 To Minimum Damage
+3 To Maximum Damage
+50 To Attack Rating
50% Chance Of Open Wounds
25% Increased Attack Speed
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
+1 To Light Radius
Level 13
Normal
| Rune Name | Level | Lowest Act | Countess | Hellforge | Recipe |
| Tir | 13 | Act 2 Normal | Normal | Normal | Tir |
| El | 11 | Act 2 Normal | Normal | Normal | El |
A great boost to Defense and Resistences.
Shield
3-Socket
+50% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +43%
Fire Resist +48%
Lightning Resist +48%
Poison Resist +48%
10% Damage Goes To Mana
Level 21
Normal
| Rune Name | Level | Lowest Act | Countess | Hellforge | Recipe |
| Ral | 19 | Act 3 Normal | Normal | Normal | Ral |
| Ort | 21 | Act 3 Normal | Nightmare | Normal | Ort |
| Tal | 17 | Act 3 Normal | Normal | Normal | Tal |
A faster cast rate lets you cast more spells. Simple as.
Ring
Magic
+10% Faster Cast Rate
Level 13
Normal
Can be dropped from monsters.
A faster cast rate lets you cast more spells. Simple as.
Amulet
Magic
+10% Faster Cast Rate
Level 3
Normal
Can be dropped from monsters.
Easy to afford in the Early Game, with +1 Skills Being especially useful, in addition to the Mana on kills.
Helm
2 Sockets
+1 To All Skill Levels
+10 To Energy
+2 To Mana After Each Kill
Lightning Resist +30%
Damage Reduced By 7
+2 To Light Radius
Level 27
Normal
Designed for Necromancers, this Body Armor can really keep a Necromancer alive (with boosted skills), if they prefer this to Stealth.
Body Armor
3 Sockets
15% Chance To Cast level 10 Bone Armor When Struck
15% Chance To Cast level 10 Bone Spear On Striking
+2 To Necromancer Skill Levels
+100-150 To Mana (varies)
All Resistances +30
Damage Reduced By 7
Level 47
Nightmare
| Rune Name | Level | Lowest Act | Countess | Hellforge | Recipe |
| Sol | 15 | Act 4 Normal | Nightmare+ | Nightmare | Sol |
| Um | 47 | Act 4 Nightmare | Hell | Nightmare+ | Um |
| Um | 47 | Act 4 Nightmare | Hell | Nightmare+ | Um |
Overall excellent. Helps with survivability, traversal, and cast rate. Cheap enough to make early, but can run through Hell Difficulty.
Body Armor
2 Sockets
Magic Damage Reduced By 3
+6 To Dexterity
+15 To Maximum Stamina
Poison Resist +30%
Regenerate Mana 15%
25% Faster Run/Walk
25% Faster Cast Rate
25% Faster Hit Recovery
Level 17
Normal
An excellent weapon for Hammerdins, giving All Skills, Cast Rate, and Life per Hit.
Sword
4-Socket
+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Level 25
Nightmare
A great boost to Defense and Resistences.
Shield
3-Socket
+50% Enhanced Defense
Cold Resist +43%
Fire Resist +48%
Lightning Resist +48%
Poison Resist +48%
10% Damage Goes To Mana
Level 21
Normal
| Rune Name | Level | Lowest Act | Countess | Hellforge | Recipe |
| Ral | 19 | Act 3 Normal | Normal | Normal | Ral |
| Ort | 21 | Act 3 Normal | Nightmare | Normal | Ort |
| Tal | 17 | Act 3 Normal | Normal | Normal | Tal |
A faster cast rate lets you cast more spells. Simple as.
Ring
Magic
+10% Faster Cast Rate
Level 13
Normal
Can be dropped from monsters.
A faster cast rate lets you cast more spells. Simple as.
Amulet
Magic
+10% Faster Cast Rate
Level 3
Normal
Can be dropped from monsters.
Gives you a bit of everything: +2 to Skills, boosts to mana, life, damage reduction, and magic find. A very strong all-rounder.
Helm
Unique
+2 to All Skills
+2 to all Attributes
+148 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+148 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Physical Damage Received Reduced by 10%
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 62
Hell
Can be dropped from monsters.
One of the best late/endgame Runewords in the game due to granting access to Teleport.
Body Armor
3 Sockets
+2 To All Skills
+45% Faster Run/Walk
+1 To Teleport
+750-775 Defense (varies)
(0.75 Per Character Level) +0-74 To Strength
Increase Maximum Life 5%
Damage Reduced By 8%
+14 Life After Each Kill
15% Damage Taken Goes To Mana
(1 Per Character Level) +1-99% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Level 65
Hell
Gives a boost in Movement Speed, offense, and defense.
Boots
Unique
+140-170% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+20% Faster Hit Recovery
+20% Faster Run/Walk
+1-99 Maximum Stamina (Based On Character Level)
+10-15 To Strength (varies)
+10-15 To Vitality (varies)
50% Slower Stamina Drain
Poison Resist +40-70% (varies)
Repairs 1 Durability In 20 Seconds
Level 64
Hell
Can be dropped from monsters.
Gives a boost in both Cast Rate and Mana Regen.
Gloves
Unique
+20-30% Enhanced Defense (varies)
+10 Defense
+1 To Fire Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Regenerate Mana 25%
Adds 1-6 Fire Damage
Level 23
Normal
Can be dropped from monsters.
Provides +3 to skills, as well as Cast Rate increases and other small buffs.
Staff
4-Socket
+3 To All Skills
+40% Faster Cast Rate
+75% Damage To Demons
+100 To Attack Rating Against Demons
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage, 3 sec. Duration (Normal)
7% Mana Stolen Per Hit
+10 To Dexterity
Replenish Life +20
Increase Maximum Mana 15%
All Resistances +30-40 (varies)
Level 4 Oak Sage (25 Charges)
Level 14 Raven (60 Charges)
Level 54
Nightmare
| Rune Name | Level | Lowest Act | Countess | Hellforge | Recipe |
| Tal | 17 | Act 1 Normal | Normal+ | Normal+ | Ral |
| Thul | 23 | Act 4 Normal | Nightmare+ | Normal | Thul |
| Ort | 21 | Act 4 Normal | Nightmare+ | Normal | Ort |
| Amn | 25 | Act 4 Normal | Nightmare+ | Normal | Amn |
An excellent weapon for Hammerdins, giving All Skills, Cast Rate, and Life per Hit.
Sword
4-Socket
+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
Adds 1-50 Lightning Damage
Adds 3-14 Cold Damage 3 Second Duration (Normal)
+75 Poison Damage Over 5 Seconds
7% Life Stolen Per Hit
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Level 54
Normal
Gives plenty of buffs and extra Skills to help the Hammerdin greatly in offense and defense.
Gilded Shield
Unique
+150-200% Enhanced Defense (varies)
30% Increased Chance Of Blocking
30% Faster Block Rate
20% Bonus To Attack Rating
+20 To Strength
+20 To Vitality
All Resistances +50
+2 To Paladin Skill Levels
+2 To Combat Skills (Paladin Only)
Level 42
Nightmare
Can be dropped from monsters.
Grants All Skills, Cast Rate, and plenty of defensive boosts.
Shield
4-Socket
+2 To All Skills
+25-35% Faster Cast Rate (varies)
+55% Faster Hit Recovery
+250 Defense Vs. Missile
+22 To Vitality
+89-112 To Mana (varies)
Cold Resist +35%
Lightning Resist +35%
Poison Resist +35%
+3-8 Magic Absorb (varies)
Attacker Takes Damage of 14
Level 54
Normal
Grants All Skills, Cast Rate, and a Slow effect against enemies.
Belt
Unique
+1 to All Skills
+20% Faster Cast Rate
Slows Target by 10%
90-120% Enhanced Defense
Increase Maximum Mana 5%
Level 3 Venom (11 Charges)
Level 80
Hell
Very useful ring that boosts all skills and gives you a huge mana pool.
Ring
Unique
+1 to All Skills
Adds 1-12 lightning damage
+20 to Mana
Increase Maximum Mana 25%
Level 29
Nightmare
Can be dropped from monsters.
The boost to skills and all stats make this a great choice.
Amulet
Unique
+2 to All Skills
+5 to All Attributes
+20-30% to All Resists
Level 65
Hell
Can be dropped from monsters.
Annhilus and Hellfire Torch and universally incredible charms.
