2026-04-12 · Classes

Paladin talent tree and class playstyles

The Paladin talent showcase presents the class as a hybrid front-line archetype built around tanking, damage, and support-oriented utility rather than a dedicated healer role. Its talent tree is described as a large class-specific structure with multiple routes, intended to let players combine themes instead of being locked into a single rigid specialization.

The class design emphasizes player agency. The tree guides players toward recognizable roles, but it is also intended to support hybrid and off-meta builds through different pathing choices and spell modifications.

Talent tree structure

The Paladin tree is shown in a revised layout with two starting-node choices instead of a single initial branch. This change is meant to prevent large portions of the tree from being inaccessible too early and to give players more control over how they combine class themes.

The six major nodes function as the main starting choices for build creation, with players selecting two of them. These major nodes correspond to the class's broad role fantasies, including tank-focused paths, fire-oriented damage paths associated with the former Inquisitor concept, and a more mobility-leaning Avatar path.

The tree is described as an iteration rather than a final version. Additional effects may require reallocating nodes or expanding the tree further.

Node types and visual language

Several node types are distinguished by shape and size:

Large starting nodes mark the major entry points into the class's role paths.
Small circular nodes provide incremental stat or power gains.
Medium nodes modify specific skills, such as changing cooldowns, damage, range, mana cost, or adding secondary effects.
Square nodes grant active abilities unlocked through the tree.

This visual language is intended to help players understand whether a node grants raw power, alters an existing spell, or unlocks a new active skill.

Build philosophy and class roles

The Paladin is framed around three main roles: tank, damage dealer, and a quasi-support role. Rather than enforcing strict subclasses, the tree allows combinations such as tank-support or damage-support builds.

The support side of the class is repeatedly described as sustain and utility rather than full healer gameplay. Healing tools exist, but the stated intent is that Paladins should not become pure healers who only cast restoration spells.

The class is also described as self-sustaining, heavily armored, and capable of closing gaps without being as overtly mobile as lighter melee archetypes.

Core attacks and weapon-dependent basics

The Paladin uses different basic attacks depending on weapon setup. Vindicator Strike is presented as the default offensive combo for a more aggressive setup, while Decisive Strike is tied to one-handed tank play.

Vindicator Strike is a three-hit combo and serves as a frequently used core attack. Decisive Strike is described as the tank basic attack for one-handed weapon builds, with its third hit interacting with sustain effects.

This weapon-based separation is part of the class's archetype identity, with different basic attacks supporting different branches of the tree.

Holy and fire conversion mechanics

One example of the tree's spell-modification design is Holy Vindicator Strike, which increases the damage of the attack and converts it into a holy spell. The purpose of this conversion is to let the attack benefit from holy-damage itemization and from other effects that specifically interact with holy spells.

The fire-oriented side of the class is represented by the Sunbreaker or Inquisitor path. Blazing Sweep is described as a cleaving attack that applies Sanctified Fire, a damage-over-time effect that serves as a central fire mechanic for this version of the Paladin. Other talents are intended to consume or interact with those burning effects.

Avatar path

Avatar of Sanctification, also referred to in discussion as Avatar of Justice, is presented as a major power-up ability. It increases offensive output through bonuses such as weapon damage and critical chance, with room for further enhancement through talents.

The design goal is to make the Avatar form impactful without making the class feel incomplete whenever the cooldown is unavailable. Talents may increase duration, reduce mana cost, reduce cooldown, or otherwise strengthen the form.

A possible future idea mentioned for this path is stronger visual differentiation for upgraded versions of the Avatar, so opponents can recognize whether a Paladin is using a more advanced form.

Support and sustain abilities

Healing Hand is the Paladin's direct healing spell. It is described as a sustain tool that can be cast on allies as well as on the Paladin, but not as the basis of a full healer specialization.

A planned interaction allows Vindicator Strike to reduce Healing Hand's cooldown, reinforcing a playstyle where attacking more frequently enables more frequent healing. This is presented as a way to make support gameplay remain active and combat-oriented.

Another support spell, Final Verdict: Absolution, grants nearby allies an absorb shield for a short duration. Positioning is emphasized, since the spell is intended to protect as many nearby allies as possible at the right moment. It is explicitly described as an absorb effect rather than full immunity.

Oath of Sanctuary is a separate channeling ability that grants immunity to an allied target while the Paladin remains stationary. The protected ally can move, but the caster is vulnerable to interruption and cannot use it on themself. A balancing measure is proposed to prevent repeated chaining of this effect on the same target.

Radiant Banner is a placed support ability that creates an area increasing the armor of allies inside it. It is described as useful in choke points, group fights, and boss encounters, with PvP counterplay through destroying the banner.

Tank path and shield gameplay

The tank side of the tree is split between a branch focused on blocking and another focused on offensive shield use. Aegis is the core block ability and only remains active while held. It is intended to stop incoming projectiles from the front.

Restorative Aegis adds healing over time while blocking. A further planned interaction allows a successful block to empower the next Shield Smite, increasing its damage and applying silence. This creates a timing-based tank playstyle in which defensive success feeds into offensive or control output.

Bulwark Crash is presented as a major tank ability that slams the shield into the ground for heavy area damage. It is described as a tank ultimate with room for additional interactions, especially when used after blocking.

Threat and taunt

The Paladin is explicitly presented as capable of serving as a main tank. Threat generation in PvE is described as being based on spell-specific threat values, with different abilities producing different amounts of aggro.

Taunt is explained as taking the highest current threat value on a target and adding a large amount on top of it, ensuring that the Paladin becomes the primary target. This system is stated to apply to PvE rather than PvP.

Mobility and control tools

Heavenly Dive is shown as a leap that deals damage and slows targets, but it is treated as controversial within the class kit. The ability is considered a possible mismatch for the Paladin fantasy and may be removed because it is seen as more appropriate for a warrior-style archetype. A charge-based mobility option is favored instead.

Blessed Hammer is described as a ranged stun tool used to interrupt or help close distance. Its visuals are not final.

Cavalcade of Light summons holy cavalry to strike an area repeatedly. The current implementation pulls or knocks targets toward the center, though that control effect is still under discussion and may become a stun, slow, or root instead. The spell is treated as an ultimate-level ability and is expected to have strong visual impact.

Castigation is another high-impact control spell, applying Sanctified Fire and an area stun after a delay. The delay is intended as counterplay, since immediate area stuns are considered too strong.

Action bar and active-skill density

The current action bar limit is stated to be 20 abilities. The class system is designed to rely heavily on augmenting existing spells through talents rather than only adding more active buttons.

This creates a trade-off between builds that collect many active skills and builds that invest more heavily in passive enhancement. The design direction appears to favor meaningful choices over unrestricted accumulation of actives.

Tree size and progression pacing

The Paladin tree shown in the build has around 150 nodes, while other class trees have been shown at closer to 300. The stated long-term direction leaves room for expansion, but the discussion stresses that additional nodes should exist for meaningful progression and balance rather than simple bloat.

Small stat nodes are defended as progression milestones that help pace advancement toward larger, more transformative talents. Talent-point pacing is still under evaluation, with one point per level described as the current plan but not a final rule.

Source

← Back to Classes