Paladins are one of the most popular classes, especially since Diablo 2, and with the Smite build, you can fully embrace the class fantasy in Last Epoch. The build is particularly well-suited for hardcore beginners, but it is also a solid choice in the endgame. MeinMMO explains all the skills, passives, items, and blessings you need for the build.
What kind of build is this? As a Smite Paladin, you don’t use the eponymous skill “Smite” directly. Instead, you throw hammers that circle around you and “smite” the enemies for you.
The build is a variation of the Nova-Hammerdin, one of the best builds for paladins on the Tier List, but it is somewhat weaker in pure damage. On the other hand, the build can take a lot more hits.
As a Smite Paladin, you are incredibly robust and can withstand more than most classes, making this build a perfect starter build for hardcore players. Additionally, you have “Shatter” at your disposal, a skill that has always been considered iconic for the Paladin class. Ideal for class fantasy.
The build first appeared in English on maxroll.gg. We have translated and expanded it. You can find a similar build for Smite Paladins on LastEpochTools with a stronger focus on hardcore playstyle.
For the build, we recommend the Circle of Fate, whether you are playing solo or in a group. This way, you will simply get your most important item faster. You can find everything about the factions in Last Epoch in our guide and a summary in the video:
Skills and Passives for the Smite Paladin
These skills you need:
Attention! While you skill Smite, it is not on your active bar. Instead, you take Shatter or Shield Charge with you without speccing it.
Hammer Throw
Smite
Seal of Hope
Holy Aura
Transient Reversal
These passives you should use:
Guardian (20)
Paladin (81)
Void Knight (11)
Anvil Guardian (1)
The most important items, best stats, and loot filters
The big advantage of the build is that you do not necessarily need a unique or legendary item. This makes it significantly easier for you to find the right items. However, a unique amulet can help you a lot: Devotion.
Devotion increases your damage with Smite when you have low mana and has other stats that fit perfectly with the build. Otherwise, you should pay attention to the following affixes:
Defensive:
- Resistances, until they are capped
- Endurance
- Life in every form
- Less damage from critical hits (up to 100%)
- Block chance and effectiveness
Offensive:
- Critical strike chance with Smite
- Increased throw attack speed
- Increased lightning damage (possibly fire damage in pure hardcore builds)
Here you will find suitable loot filters:
- Loot filter for Smite Hammerdin on maxroll.gg
- Loot filter for general leveling as Guardian on Last Epoch Tools
- and here is an experimental
ultimate
loot filter for all classes on Last Epoch Tools
Idols and Blessings
Idols are a bit harder to come by for the Smite Paladin than the items, as you need the right large idols (2×2 slots) here. You want 4 large and 4 small idols with:
- increased chance to trigger Smite on throw attacks
- increased chance to trigger armor break on throw attacks
- block effectiveness
- resistances, armor, or stun chance as needed on small idols
Alternatively, you can play with 2 long idols (1×4 slots) if you want to do without the hammers and use a fire Smite instead. Here, you will need increased duration on Seal of Hope and the chance for armor break with fire skills.
Your blessings change depending on whether you want more offensive or more defensive stats. Generally, it holds that in softcore you can focus more on damage, while in hardcore you should pay more attention to your defense:
- The Black Sun: Void Hunger (offensive) or Mountain Strength (defensive)
- Ending the Storm: Depth Mysteries (offensive with lightning damage) or Tide Rhythm (defensive)
- Dominance of Dragons: Agony Mal (lightning damage) or Survival Power (defensive) or Humanity Resolve if you are lacking resistances
- The Age of Winter: Eternity Bone (defensive)
- Spirits of Fire: Immortality Embers or Herkir Patience
- Fall of the Rejected: Curse of Flesh
- The Stolen Spear: Refuge Bond
- Blood, Frost, and Death: Formosus Cruelty
- Fall of the Empire: Survivor’s Remembrance or Shadow of Eternity
- The Last Ruin: Despair Refuge or Skill Knowledge
In our guide, we explain everything about the blessings and how to unlock them.
Tips and Gameplay
Even though you skill Smite, you never actively use the ability. Similar to the unarmed Falkner build, your main ability is triggered by another skill: Hammer Throw, which represents your primary attack skill.
With the skill, you let hammers circle around you, which then “smite” enemies and trigger additional lightning that leaps to other enemies. The closer you stand to enemies, the more damage you deal.
If you play the hardcore build without hammers, instead use Warpath to trigger your other spells. The advantage is that you always apply Smite to nearby targets, and possible healing does not go to waste.
You should always have 4 stacks of Seal of Hope on you to increase your damage and regenerations. Additionally, the seal helps you keep your mana low if you are playing with Devotion.
Depending on your preference, you can take Shatter or Shield Charge as skills to move faster. Whenever you have too few enemies near you or need to quickly reach a target, use these skills.
Against particularly large groups, use Transient Reversal and Holy Aura to maximize damage and coverage. By the way, if you want to pick up a few tips, you shouldn’t do that on the leaderboard: Players warn in Last Epoch: Don’t trust the top builds on the leaderboard, they all lie
