Dark Crusader
by Moridin

Class: Paladin
Tag: DCR
DCS for Sword Specialist
DCA for Axe Specialist
DCM for Maul specialist

Introduction

The dark crusader is a paladin who shuns the woman-like ways of his lesser brethren. He views shields and weak deity worship with contempt, crusading against evil for his own benefit. He charges recklessly into battle with a powerful lance, then uses a specialist two handed weapon to destroy enemies in glorious melee combat, while his enemies freeze in fear at the sight of him. For special enemies, he has in reserve a skull socketed scythe to harvest their life force, adding it to his own. A powerful melee fighter he uses extreme concentration to effectively charge down his enemies, and exact vengeance on them in a powerful manner.

Rules

Two handed weapons only. No shield at any time

Pick one of the following weapons to specialize in after attaining the rank of master:
Two-handed swords (DCS)
Axes (DCA)
Mauls (DCM)

You may never fight in a party with non-Dark Crusader paladins, except for the ulterior purpose of lulling them into a false sense of security before PKing them. Light paladins should be actively sought out and destroyed (particularly those deviant Hammerdins).

Any Barbarian using a two-handed weapon(s) should be destroyed to prove that Dark Crusaders are the superior fighting force.

In Act 3, the High Council and surrounding hordes of zealot class enemies are most hated, and should be totally eliminated in every game. This includes all the ruined temple type dungeons.

Items

Helms
Never crowns.
Death Masks and Grim Helms are highly preferred.

Weapons
DCS seeks Executioner Swords so they can be true executioners.
DCA seeks Gothic Axes for their evil connotations.
DCM seeks Martel de Fers for their massive damage.
All DCRs enjoy Socketed Grim Scythes embedded with perfect skills. These and other skill-embedded scythes are ideal for harvesting enemies, particularly for boss monsters.

Enchantments
The "Howling" affix is much sought after, as you strike fear into the hearts of enemies. That is assuming they survive one hit...

Skills

Banned Skills

- Sacrifice: Dark Crusaders will not make sacrifices
- Smite/Holy Shield: Shields are not used.
- Zeal, Fanaticism, Conversion, Conviction: He's not fighting for a holy cause, but for his personal gain.
- Salvation, Redemption: He will never make peace with a deity.
- Fist of the Heavens, Holy Bolt, Blessed Hammer, Sanctuary, Prayer: He has no faith.

Skill Preferences

- Holy Freeze: He likes to slow down combat. Ideal level is about 10.
- Vengeance: Enjoys to use this in conjunction with Scythes particularly, though any polearm of specialty weapon will do. It's also useful for slaying physical resistant enemies. Aiming for at least 5 points would be ideal.
- Charge: Enjoys to use this with Lances and other spear class weapons. Pumping it to slvl 20 would be ideal.
- Concentration: This skill is loved. Getting it to slvl 20 would be ideal.

Ranks

Novice
(Act 1)

- Find a two-handed weapon and use it as soon as possible.
- Train in combat by killing Blood Raven, Griswold, and Treehead Woodfist with each of his 3 weapon types (Spear, Pole, Axe/Maul/2H Sword).
- Be evil by disposing of Blood Raven's mercenary in a most imaginative/humiliating way. (Gathering a massive horde of fallen and then letting them butcher her is a simple and effective tactic.)
- Kill Andariel only after killing all other enemies on her dlvl.

Trainee
(Act 2)

- Find a Scythe (preferably socketed), Two-handed Axe, and a large Spear.
- Use the Scythe to "harvest" Radament and Coldworm the Burrower.
- Clear the Claw Viper Temple, Jerhyn's Palace, and the Arcane Sanctuary. (Any weapon may be used for this.)
- Kill the Summoner by charging him with a spear.
- Clear the True Tomb, and harvest Duriel with a Scythe.

Apprentice
(Act 3)

- Continue to develop each weapon class and expand your skull collection.
- All underground dungeons should be cleared with axes.
- All exterior Fetish/Flayer infested areas should be cleared with spears (especially with Charge).
- The High Council and Mephisto must be killed with Polearms.

Initiate
(Act 4)

- Ideally, a socketed Scythe should be found and filled with Skulls for the confrontation with Diablo.
- Any weapon combination may be used from now on. In general, a true Dark Crusader should attempt to use Spears/Charge for ranged attackers and when first charging a pack. Then switch to Polearm/axe for close combat. Important bosses should be harvested with a Scythe of some sort, ideally one with Skulls.

Master
(Nightmare Act 4)

Killing Diablo on Nightmare with a Scythe grants the title of Master, and a specialty weapon must now be chosen.

Chaos Master
(Hell Acts 1-3)

Harvesting the soul of every boss monster in Acts 1-3 grants this rank.

Chaos Lord
(Hell Act 4)

The Dark Crusader is now ready for his final challenge. He must enter Hell Act 4 with nothing but what he is wearing, and one of each of his weapons and a belt full of potions. (Full Rejuvs are probably a good idea.) He may not return to town until he has harvested the soul of Diablo.

Special Awards

All duels must be with players no less than 5 clvls beneath you.

1) Dark Seeker
Kill 5 Paladins.

2) Dark Avenger
Kill 30 Paladins.

3) Dark Champion
Kill five Barbarians who wield two-handed weapons.

4) Dark Champion Elite
Dark Champion Elite is attained upon killing 30 Barbarians who wield two-handed weapons.

5) Weapon Master
Killing Hell Diablo by first charging him with a spear, then switching to vengeance and the specialist weapon and finally using a skull scythe to harvest him in one hit grants this award.

6) Body Master
Killing Hell Diablo without using any combat skills or auras grants this award.

7) Spirit Master
Killing Hell Diablo using nothing but a non-magical (or rare, or unique), non-superior, non-exceptional scythe without using combat skills (but using auras) grants this award.

8) Combat Master
Same as previous, except using combat skills instead of auras.

End Notes

This originally began as a non-variant idea to create a two-handed weapon paladin, something which I believe has potential, but the I realized it would be more fun to create a variant based on it. It is actually quite possible, flash holy freeze to slow the pace of combat down, then use high level concentration with charge to do stupendous damage. Once it has been allowed, use conviction with vengeance for tough bosses or stone skin monsters, and use zeal in hell for situations when it is needed against hoards of weak enemies. Lack of salvation can hurt, but use lightning resist for LEB's and simply pump resistances for everything else (if you actually need it).