Smite Paladin Guide

The Smite Paladin (Smiter) is a specialized shield-based melee build that uses the Smite skill to deliver crushing blows with shield attacks while maintaining maximum block chance for exceptional defense. Smite provides guaranteed hit chance and stunning effects while Holy Shield enhances blocking and damage. This distinctive build excels at Uber boss killing and dueling, offering a "shield warrior" playstyle with incredible survivability, crowd control through stunning, and devastating crushing blow damage that ignores defense.

First thing to do is allocate 1 point in the following Skills: Salvation, Resist Fire, Resist Cold, Resist Lightning, Meditation, Redemption, Cleansing, Vigor, Might, Prayer, Defiance, Holy Bolt, Blessed Aim, Blessed Hammer, Concentration, Sacrifice, Zeal, Vengeance, Conversion, Holy Wrath, Sanctuary, Fist of the Heavens, Charge, and Blessed Recovery. After this max out the following Skills: Smite, Holy Shield, Fanaticism, Charge. With your extra points, max out Defiance for additional defense and then put remaining points into Vigor for faster run/walk speed between battles.

When it comes to your Attributes, start with acquiring a Hellfire Torch and an Annihilus Charm. Put those in your inventory and then add Strength, enough to wear your gear and shield requirements. Add Dexterity to reach Max Block with Holy Shield active (75% block chance is essential). Energy is not necessary with proper gear and leech, the rest of your points should go into Vitality for maximum life to survive tough encounters and Uber battles.

Best Weapon choices include Grief Runeword in a Phase Blade for massive damage bonus that applies to Smite, or Black Runeword in a Flail for Crushing Blow and 15% Chance to Cast Level 4 Corpse Explosion. Lightsabre unique sword provides ignore target defense and lightning absorb. Shield wise, Herald of Zakarum is Best in Slot for +2 Paladin Skills, +2 Combat Skills, and 30% Faster Hit Recovery, or Exile Runeword in a Vortex Shield for Defiance Aura and life tap proc. When it comes to your Armor, Duress Runeword in a Sacred Armor base is Best in Slot for Enhanced Damage, Crushing Blow, and Open Wounds that enhance Smite effectiveness. Fortitude Runeword provides 300% Enhanced Damage for massive Smite damage. Treachery Runeword offers 45% Attack Speed and Fade proc for survivability. Helmet, Guillaume's Face is ideal for 35% Crushing Blow and 15% Deadly Strike essential for Uber killing, or Crown of Ages for Damage Reduction and faster hit recovery. For Gloves, Dracul's Grasp provides 25% Chance to Cast Level 10 Life Tap and 10% Life Leech crucial for Uber survival, or Laying of Hands for 20% Attack Speed and 350% Damage to Demons. For the Belt, Verdungo's Hearty Cord is excellent for 40 Vitality, 15% Damage Reduction, and 10% Faster Hit Recovery, or String of Ears for 15% Damage Reduction and 8% Life Leech. When it comes to Boots, Gore Rider for 15% Crushing Blow and 15% Deadly Strike essential for Smite effectiveness, or Goblin Toe for 25% Crushing Blow as budget option. Rings, Raven Frost is essential for Cannot be Frozen, 15-20 Dexterity, and 150-250 Attack Rating, pair with Bul-Kathos' Wedding Band for +1 Skills and 5% Life Leech. Amulet you can opt for Highlord's Wrath for 35% Deadly Strike and 20% Attack Speed, Mara's Kaleidoscope for +2 Skills and resistances, or The Cat's Eye for 20% Attack Speed and 30% Faster Run/Walk.

For your inventory, focus on Paladin Skill Charms with +Combat Skills and life bonuses to maximize Smite effectiveness. Small Charms with Max Damage/Attack Rating/Life combinations enhance Smite damage. Crushing Blow Small Charms if available stack with other sources for Uber effectiveness. Life and Resistance Small Charms provide survivability for tough encounters. Faster Hit Recovery Small Charms help reach breakpoints for smooth combat flow. Gheeds Fortune for Magic Find and reduced vendor prices.

Mercenary wise, an Act 2 Nightmare Offensive mercenary with Might Aura amplifies your Smite damage significantly, though many Smiters prefer no mercenary for Uber fights to avoid complications. For Weapon, Insight Runeword in a Thresher base provides Meditation Aura for mana support, or Pride Runeword for Concentration Aura damage bonus. Helmet options include Vampire Gaze for Damage Reduction and Life Leech, or Andariel's Visage for Attack Speed and Strength. Armor you want Fortitude Runeword in an Ethereal Sacred Armor base for maximum damage support, or Treachery Runeword for Attack Speed and Fade proc to help mercenary survivability during regular combat encounters.