Dragonscale

Key details

• Paladins using it have no way to improve the Hydra by synergies, so its damage is going to be much, much lower than a Sorceress'.
• They can, still, compensate it by Conviction, after applying which (with Flame Rift) few enemies will retain high resistance to fire.
• With dedicated +skills gear maxing Conviction is not needed, leaving plenty of skill points and the possibility to make a hybrid build.
• Since Conviction is in use, the natural choice is Fist of the Heavens.
• Since both Hydra and FoH are spells, itemization is rather simple, without significant sacrifices needed.
• Alternatively, Dragonscale can be paired with Auradin, while the desired item bonuses don't fit together (+skills/FCR for casting vs damage/AR/IAS for melee attacks).
• Regardless of build, Dragonscale with Hydra oskill supplies variety to them and enables "lazy" gameplay (summon all Hydras before using the main skill).