Hybrid Blessed Hammer/Smite Advice

[Edit]
I accidentally overwrote the build when playing around with Fist of the Heavens so the discussion below does not apply to the current build.
[/Edit]

TL;DR: I know it isn't strictly optimal for anything, but I'd like any thoughts on this build: https://maxroll.gg/d2/d2planner/ev0106nb

I currently play my Paladin as aura focused. I do not enjoy playing it at all. I'd like something a little more involved so I'm thinking of making a Blessed Hammer focused build with just enough Smite influence to kill the Ubers without too much trouble. I don't care about having the ultimate Uber slayer. I don't care if it takes an entire minute instead of just five seconds to kill Uber Diablo. I just want something relatively effective on the Uber front without having to bounce gear around beyond switch. I know from the recent thread you don't need much to kill Uber Diablo with a Smite focused build, and I know the other Uber bosses are more trouble, but I think I'll have more fun with Blessed Hammer than I would with a pure Smite build.

I don't have a ton of liquid Wealth because I either spend it or give it away pretty quickly, but I do have quite a few nice things. I actually already have most of the gear on the build page somewhere, but I'm obviously open to suggestions; I only ask that you please explain any recommendations. I'd specifically like recommendations with respect to rings and maybe throwing a Charm in Guillaume's Face to free up a ring slot for something a bit different, and I've done similar things in the way back, but I had way more Wealth back then so I don't know. I realize also that the amulet is not great, but I have it, and I don't have another Mara's Kaleidoscope around.

I tend to plan for level 79 and play around with the final twenty, but I think probably maxing Vigor for Blessed Hammer synergy is the way to go which still gives me a couple of spare points if I ever get to that level. I was thinking of putting one point into Salvation and Redemption just for those occasions when I'm playing with another Paladin who has Concentration and Fanaticism covered. I've also thought about backing off Vigor a little and going Conviction for those same occasions, but that's kind of a weird investment to make when Infinity exists.

I started ladder season 2 with a hammerdin, whom I do not enjoy playing. But you can kill Ubers just fine with one point in Smite, Fanaticism, and Holy Shield. I didn’t necessarily believe it until I did it. Can use the other skill points to your desire.

Oh, but specifically about the build. You will destroy them. Would suggest a Life Tap Wand with using dracs only. Exile or Last Wish proc often enough, but especially with Lilith it would be a risk.

May I ask why you don't enjoy playing the hammerdin? I'm kind of iffy on it myself, but I want to do something with Paladin.

People will say you need optimal positioning with Enigma, I don’t like it either way. Not being able to kill an enemy standing next to you because of a wall or because the hammers just miss is frustrating. I also like to kill everything. If you only want to farm in open spaces and don’t have enough ocd to have the need to kill everything on the map, you might enjoy it

+1 for not enjoying Hammerdin, FoH is more fun.

Janet the Java wrote: 3 years ago

+1 for not enjoying Hammerdin, FoH is more fun.

Quoted for truth.

Also makes for a more optimized hybrid platform imo because you can literally go full FoH and keep your Smite gear exclusively to stuff that does not reduce your FoH performance (gloves, Boots, switch weapon/shield) and still get exceptional Smite performance out of it. And unlike hammers doing that..you get 20+ Conviction as well, meaning you don't need to worry about extra res or a pt in Salvation or any of that for uber meph. Just keep Conviction up..done.

Okay. I can try a Fist of the Heavens build out for a bit. I have a couple of free respecs.

I looked around the numbers; the difference doesn't seem all that meaningful so it does just come down to which I enjoy playing the most.

Eeewww that +5 all res ring, Shirley you can be serious and have something better and just forgot to put it in?

I was just trying different things and accidentally saved overwriting the build everyone else had been discussing.

I kind of got disgusted with myself and stopped adding affixes to see what the build would look like.

The skills are all wonky as well.

Cool, cool…

Airplane!

Nate wrote: 3 years ago

Cool, cool…

Airplane!

Yeah. I'm an idiot. I was intending to post a Fist of the Heavens/ Smite hybrid for feedback, but I hadn't intended to overwrite the other one being discussed.

I'd like a ring with some magic find, some faster cast rate, and the more resist all the better. I'd save a ton on a Mara's Kaleidoscope if I could get a ring with 10 resist all instead of having to go perfect on the amulet.

Of course, now I have to try both builds without the desired gearing so I can figure out which one I'd rather play.

So, I've just been moseying around Normal and parts of Nightmare with my weird Paladin hybrid that has six each in Fist of the Heavens, Blessed Hammer, and Smite just to see which one is more fun for me. I have to say, I'm glad you folks talked me into trying Fist of the Heavens; I think it is a way better skill: both easier to use and more consistent in actually hitting the intended target.

It is much easier, no question. It can be annoying on a playthrough because there are certain areas where it just doesn't work (Maggot Lair = even worse than usual) but it's very satisfying in the right areas, like the Pit and Chaos.

I've found a few areas where Fist of the Heavens isn't as useful as open areas, but those same areas have been even worse for Blessed Hammer in my opinion.