Smiter

The Smiter (or Vindicator) is a build of Paladin that focuses on Smite: an attack that stuns and always hits when in range of a monster. It is one of the weaker skills in the Paladin's arsenal, but this is irrelevant in the later levels when you are killing almost everything in one hit.

Stats[]

Strength: Allocate enough points to wear equipment.

Dexterity: It is often suggested to put enough points for a 75% block chance.

Vitality: Vitality is an important stat, all extra points should be allocated here, but it's a question of play style.

Energy: This should be left at base.

Skills[]

Whether it's wise to max Smite in this build is a subject of discussion. Some proponents of this build recommend to max it, some say 1 point is enough and you should max it at last (if at all). If adding one point to Smite, a player could diversify into another skill.

Stock Smiter[]

Build the following skills to level 20:

Smite
Holy Shield (Holy Shield not optional because it adds a lot of damage to your Smite attack)
Fanaticism
Defiance (defiance is optional, as it only adds defence rather than smite damage)
The fifth is up to you. One addition would be to invest in Vengeance to handle physical immune monsters.

One Point Smiter[]

Build the following skills to level 20:

Points used: 47

Remaining: 63

No other skill is required for a smiter as 1 point is put in smite for holy shield. As such you'll have enough points to merge this with another build.

Some options are:

Max Vengeance and put points in Resist Auras (fire, cold and lightning) to deal with physical immunes. Resist Fire, Cold and Lightning all have the benefit of adding to maximum resistances.
Max Vigor, Blessed Aim, and Blessed Hammer to have a viable hammerdin, with a 1 point Concentration. This would require Heart of the Oak available in your inventory to cast hammer.
Max Zeal and Sacrifice, though this would make you a Zealot rather than a Smiter.
Max FoH and Conviction.
Max Holy Shock, Resist Lightning, and either Salvation or Vengeance for lightning smite damage.

Gear[]

Weapon: Grief or Last Wish

Shield: Exile or HoZ. HoZ is preferable due to its larger increase to smite damage, higher resistances, and potential extra socket. Exile is better if you are using Steelrends instead of Dracul's Grasp, for the life tap.