Dream Zealot Paladin Build

The Dream Zealot, sometimes referred to as the Tesladin, is a special item-based build that plays very similarly to the classic Zealot, with a twist: it uses the Dream Rune Word in its shield and helm to generate a very high level Holy Shock, which is then empowered by the Resist Lightning and Salvation synergies for very high Lightning damage. Using Holy Shock through gear also allows the Paladin to use an additional Aura of their choice, generally Conviction or Fanaticism.

Note that you will be investing skill points in either Fanaticism or Conviction. Both have pros and cons and depend on your gear. No skill points are to be allocated to Holy Shock either, as the Aura will be provided by Dream instead.

• 1 point to all prerequisites

• 20 points to Sacrifice — Synergy for Zeal, required

• 20 points to Resist Lightning — Synergy for Holy Shock, required

• 20 points to Zeal — Main damage skill, invest in Sacrifice first for more damage or Zeal for more Attack Rating, required

• 20 points to Salvation — Synergy for Holy Shock, required

• 1+ points to Holy Shield — Temporary defensive buff, required

• 20 points to your Aura of choice ( Fanaticism or Conviction) — Secondary damage Aura, required

The following section discusses how many attribute points should be allocated to each of the primary stats.

How much Strength Does a Dream Zealot Need?

Enough for gear — Mostly dependant on the shield used. If using an Ethereal Vortex Shield, this is 138 Strength. If choosing to use another shield with lower Strength requirements such as Herald of Zakarum, then 103 Strength for an Archon Plate is most likely necessary. This number always changes based on the gear you are using however, so make sure to always double check the Strength requirements of each piece of gear you have as well as how much Strength each piece will provide once equipped.

How much Dexterity Does a Dream Zealot Need?

Enough for max block — Between 130 and 170 Dexterity total is usually enough to reach the 75% maximum chance to block. For a typical Paladin wearing the Herald of Zakarum and using a fairly high level Holy Shield, 130 Dexterity should be enough. Always check your Character Sheet however, where you can track your current chance to block as you allocate Dexterity.

How much Vitality Does a Dream Zealot Need?

Everything else into Vitality — 250+ Vitality. Every excess attribute point should be allocated to Vitality, as long as you can meet the Strength and Dexterity requirements of your items by the time you wish to equip them, as well as the 75% maximum chance to block.

How much Energy Does a Dream Zealot Need?

Nothing — allocating stat points to Energy in a final build is universally considered sub-par for almost every character due to the widespread availability of Mana Potions.

You can either hire a Defensive (Holy Freeze) or Offensive (Might) Desert Guard Mercenary in Act 2, Nightmare difficulty, depending on whether you want to slow monsters for added safety or improve your overall damage as well as that of your Mercenary. If you picked Conviction as your Aura, you can also hire an Act 1 Cold Rogue Mercenary with Faith (to provide you with Fanaticism) as its weapon.

• Weapon (Act 1 Rogue): Faith Diamond Bow or Great Bow

• Weapon (Act 2 Desert Guard): Ethereal Infinity

• Body Armor: Ethereal Fortitude

• Helm: Andariel's Visage socketed with a Ral Rune