Paladin Relic +1 before Gear?

[Maelwys]

Most people agree that the shield is the best update for the least tomes.

Really?

I'd firmly recommend going Ring --> Chest --> Head --> Else.
Gives you decent Vit gain whilst keeping a solid Accuracy Lead for Coil.

(I finally beat Turn 4 yesterday and didn't have much issues holding hate with standard relic weapon, only going to +1 the sword now whenever I have a myth surplus)

Eventually you'll want to spent myth to upgrade the Legs, Sword, Gloves and whatever else you don't have the Allagan equivalents for... but the gain from the Sword + Shield are minimal and if you start swapping out Darklight Legs for Valor Feet + Legs too early then your Accuracy will drop low enough that you'll start missing in coil.

[CygnusMajor]

If you are seriously using militia body, then get mythic chest piece first because it is a far bigger stat upgrade than sword.

[Ryios]

Imo Chest -> Helm -> Pants -> Boots -> +1 Relic Sword

Don't waste your myth on the shield because the alagan shield from turn 1 is better because it has ACC on it and it has dropped a lot for us.

But it's situational. If your BCB group isn't over-gearing you, then you don't need it, you can hold hate fine with il80 relic.

You need defense and HP way more than you need a little more threat gen. You can't generate threat if your dead because your a squish ball.