Character Builder Thread

[Telonius]

Whoops, forgot to switch Falchion out for Scimitar (which is what you'd want in that build) when I c&p'd it.

The Dervish bonuses wouldn't be denied, just delayed. Besides, if the penalties to hit are reduced by one, that means the bonuses to hit are (effectively) increased by one. The two synergize, especially if you're talking about adding Power Attack into the mix. The only thing that would be delayed would be the +1 to damage you would have gotten from Dervish Dance. Also, remember that Dervish Dance isn't always on, but the Tempest abilities would be.

[hisnamehere]

So I'm sure there are official rules pertaining to my coming question. If so, point me in the right direction. Thanks.

I'm trying to build a character (Strength-based, but that doesn't matter) using a number of templates and Level Adjusted races. I'd like to be able to play this character from Effective Character Level 1st, but what with all the Level Adjustments, I doubt I'd get to start before 5th or 6th.

While I'm aware of creature class levels, I'm not sure what to do if the creature doesn't have any Hit Dice.

Okay, maybe I'll explain so that ya'll can appreciate my problem. Note that these templates are in no particular order, and I haven't determined if they even legally stack yet...so bare with me.
The character build (at the moment) is:
Goliath LA +1 (Races of Stone)
Feral Template LA +1
Mineral Warrior Template LA +1 (Underdark)
Half-Minotaur Template LA +1 (with size-based ability increases edited out)
Lloth-Touched Template LA +1 (possibly; not sure about the CE part)
Trap Killer Barbarian 3 (Dungeonscape alternate class feature)
Dungeoncrasher Ftr 2 (Dungeonscape alternate class feature)
Warhulk 10 (Miniatures Handbook)

So, if I want to start play as a goliath (or if anyone wants a goliath that isn't Effective Character Level 2nd), how many hp would I have?
Would I start as a Commoner, but then loose that when I finally took a class level after all those templates? (Effectively morphing the Commoner level into a level of Barbarian).
Maybe take all the penalties of the templates (mainly to Int, Wis, and Cha) as well as the type changes, as a ECL 1 goliath, but then gain all the bonuses as I advance in level, acquiring the full template(s) as I advance.

I'd really like to play this guy as he advances thru all the templates. The Lloth-touched would be especially fun I think, as the character succumbs to the dark power of Lloth, and then possibly atones (sp?).

Anyway, thoughts and comments welcome. I hope no one takes offense to this build, just a study in maximizing Strength and strength-based abilities.
(Yes, I'm aware that this guy will have only a BAB +5, but he's not exactly a well-trained warrior. He focuses more on using his strength in indirect ways [yes, I'm aware that is a bit of a stretch when it comes to all his Int and Wis penalties]).

Thanks,
Liam

[Telonius]

Here's how it works. You start out and choose which race and class you are. Then apply the templates: inherited templates first, then acquired templates. After all of those templates are applied, add up the LA's (including any LA from your race). In your example, when you start the game you will have an Effective Character Level (ECL) of 6: Barbarian1/all that other stuff5.

What all of this means, is that you have all of those applicable abilities starting from first level. But you have to wait until you get an EXP total equivalent to that of a (total number of LA's)-level character in order to advance to the second level of your class. No matter how many or few adjustments, you still get the max HP from Barbarian to start with. But, in the build you've posted, you stay at first level and don't get any benefits of levelling up (including feats) until such time as you get enough EXP that would normally put a character at 7th level. When your party is Wizard6, Cleric6, and Rogue6, you'll be Barbarian1 (plus all the goodies). After that, you'll all advance together - you'll be Barb2 when everybody else is Wiz7 etc.

EDIT: Most playable races have 1 hd. That includes all of the PHB races, as well as things like Goliaths. It's only if a monster (such as a bugbear, etc) has more than one HD listed in the monster entry that you get into things like levels in monstrous humanoid.

Full explanation can be found in the SRD, here.

EDIT2: I don't think you have to take all of those templates at first level. However, if you add one halfway through a level, your ECL goes up, and you have to wait until you would have enough EXP to level up.

[Rad]

Well, by the rules you just can't. If you really do want to play it you'd have to wait until you get ECL6. But this isn't Q&A by the RAW, so I'll try to come up with something useful for you.
Your DM can make up many rules with various degrees of sense, but I honestly don't see how you can gain templates without making the story about gaining those. How do you become a half-minotaur? Aren't you supposed to be born one? The same is true for most templates. "Acquired" templates exist for a reason.

I wouldn't probably let you play that at ECL1 if I were a DM. That said, if I had to that's what I would do:
You start game with all your templates but with the burden of 5 negative levels. The following house-rules apply to these negative levels (and not other negative levels you might happen to take):

• They don't count for killing you by reducing your level to less than 0. These negative levels never fade naturally, nor they call for saves to be converted in actual level loss.
• The total HP loss imposed by the negative levels caps at -5*(your current HD).
• Your first 1000 XP go to buy off one of these negative levels. Your next 2000 XP (3000 total) give you a second class level. Your next 3000 XP (total 6000) eliminate another negative level and so on. you alternatively spend XP to buy off a neg. level and then gain an actual class level. E.g., when the party reaches level 5 you'll have gained 3 class levels and still 3 negative levels. (keep track of the HP penalty as it grows, due to the cap raising, and then fades as you buy off enough negative levels)

I would recommend that you keep track of your XP like any other character (ignore LA). When party reaches level 9 you'll have bought off the last negative level and will have 4 class levels + 5LA as you would normally have.

This is just off of the top of my head. I would need to actually see it in game and would probably make many adjustments seeing how it plays in your particular group, but that could be an idea for a starting point.

The alternate progression is weird (you might just buy off all the neg. levels before proceeding normally) but I kind of liked the idea of letting you gain class features rather than just the static bonuses from the loss of neg. levels while you advance. Given your build, it will probably also net you more HP at mid-level, which should help you play your role as first-line fighter.

Hope this helps

[hisnamehere]

Telonius - Sorry, I should have explained more clearly. I understand how the stacking of templates works (altho the Inherited before Acquired is a good reminder). What I'm trying to do here is ignore the fact that a Level Adjusted race needs to begin at a higher Effective Character Level (say Level 2 for a goliath barbarian 1). I want to start at Effective Character Level 1, finding a way to earn my templates' bonuses/abilities as I level up. (Yes, I know this goes against the RAW and all current logic). Again, sorry for being completely out in left field.

Rad - First, my usual DM is named, "Brad", and looks surprisingly like your avatar. Freaky.
Second, thanks, this is the brainstorming I'm looking for.
So you would give me all my templates' abilities at first level? but penalize my hp by 5 x HD? Or are there more penalties associated with the negative levels?

I was thinking that the character/creature would start as a mutated goliath, having the nubs of the half-minotaur's horns, very stony skin from the mineral warrior, feral/primitive features from the feral template, and <something> from the Lloth-touched template.
He would have all the ability penalties of all his base race and templates:
Goliath -2 Dex
Mineral Warrior -2 Int, -2 Wis, -2 Cha
Half-Minotaur -2 Int
Feral -2 Dex, -4 Int
His type would be: Monstrous Humanoid (Earth).
He would gain the racial abilities of a goliath: +4 Str, +2 Con, Powerful Build, Mountain Movement, Acclimated, and skill bonuses.
As he advanced in level, his diverse heritage would slowly emerge, granting him the templates' benefits, until he started pursuing class options at level 6.
He would either start as CE, or would gain the CE alignment as he gained the Lloth-Touched template.

So, his starting racial package would be:
+4 Str, -4 Dex, +2 Con, -8 Int, -2 Wis, -2 Cha.
Type Monstrous Humanoid with Earth subtype
Proficient with all simple weapons (monstrous humanoid)
Powerful Build
Mountain Movement
Acclimated
+2 bonus to one skill

He would gain one feat for being a 1st level character (and later feats based on CL/ECL).

I'm having trouble deciding what his hp/HD should be without any class levels.

The other option I suggested above was to give him a temporary Commoner level, which would later be replaced by a level in the first class he takes after advancing thru all his templates.

Yes? No? Maybe? Could you repeat the question? I'm crazy? (You're not the boss of me now, you're not the boss of me now...)

[gnomas]

im just gonna jump right in here..

Q. 285 or 286 i think

could someone build me a warmage please, with the intent of beeing the most powerful blaster i can be. will be starting at level 5, and probably go on for about 5 levels after.

books availible:

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PHB 1 and 2. DMG 1 and 2. Monster Manual 1, 3, 4, 5. book of exalted deeds. cityscape. complete arcane, champion, divine, mage, psionic, scoundrel, and warrior. dragon magic. drow of the underdark. dungeonscape. elder evils. exemplars of evil. expanded psionics handbook. fiendish codex 1 and 2. frostburn. sandstorm. heroes of horror. libris mortis. lords of madness. magic item, spell, and rules compendium. magic of incarnum. miniatures handbook. planar handbook. races of destiny, stone, the wild , and the dragon. stormwrack. tome of battle. tome of magic. unearthed arcana. weapons of legacy. dragonlance setting

i suggest making him first, then checking to make sure i have the book

[Temp.]

could someone build me a warmage please, with the intent of beeing the most powerful blaster i can be. will be starting at level 5, and probably go on for about 5 levels after.

Warmage 1/Wizard 4/Ultimate Magus 10

Stat Priorities:
Int>Cha/Con>Dex>Wis>Str

Grey Elf--I think the Intelligence boost is worth it.
Conjuration Specialist, banning Enchantment and Necromancy--Provide more spell slots at the cost of schools that didn't much fit into your concept. I couldn't stomache the thought of banning Abjuration, or Illusion; Evocation is pretty useful for a blaster and the other three aren't legal choices.
Abrupt Jaunt--You probably won't be missing much by losing the familiar (unless you're a skillmonkey, the familiar doesn't really become useful until higher levels) and this variant will help you stay alive.

Feats:
1. Empower Spell--Even though it's a bit too early to take this practically, you need it to enter UM.
1: Practiced Spellcaster (Warmage)--You need this to advance Wizard levels properly in Ultimate Magus.
2: Scribe Scroll--Bonus feat. Why not?
3: Energy Substitution (Acid)--Acid Resistance is a bit less common than other ERs.
6: Sculpt Spell--Most of your spells are going to be area-of-effect spells. That makes this a good move.
9: Acidic Splatter--The caster level boost makes your acid spells (meaning any spell you want, due to ESub) deal slightly more damage and break through SR more easily. It also takes some pressure off your wand budget by providing a back-up damage source.
10: Quicken Spell--Gain extra spell actions in combat. That's a good thing.
12: Practiced Spellcaster (Wizard): It's no longer beneficial to lag your Wizard levels behind. And extra CL helps you generate more damage and break through SR.
14: Twin Spell--Accelerate your magic output.
15: Craft Contingent Spell--The possibilities are endless.

Basically the goal is going to be boosting your damage as much as possible through UM's metamagic abilities. These will let you transform Warmage spells into free MM feat uses. Warmage casting is advanced too, for the purposes of energy flexibility through Orb Spells and the like. You'll probably want to mix standard battlefield control in with blasting--it's easier to do your job without having your face eaten by the big scary monster.

I don't have time to develop a spell list right now, but here are the relevant pages of Treeantmonk's guide if you haven't looked at it. Most of his advice is pretty solid and his lists can make short work of spellbook-generation, if you don't have time to sift through sources for yourself.

[Rad]

Rad - First, my usual DM is named, "Brad", and looks surprisingly like your avatar. Freaky.

Seriuusly... However I swear I'm not him unless you actually live in Rome and nicknamed me Brad without telling me. In that case we'd have much less of a problem since my group is level 6 now.

Second, thanks, this is the brainstorming I'm looking for.

You welcome :)

So you would give me all my templates' abilities at first level? but penalize my hp by 5 x HD? Or are there more penalties associated with the negative levels?

There are many in fact. Each negative level gives you a -1 to Skill checks, ability checks, attack rolls and saves as well as decreasing your HP by 5 and removing one of your highest level spell slots (I think you don't have to worry about this last thing at least).
So basically you'd start with a massive -5 penalty to almost anything you do; this is somewhat balanced by the bonuses you get to your stats I'd think (I didn't check up the details for all of those templates) ans possibly give you a negative Will save (beware of enchantments). Of course that should balance all the abilities you get from your templates.

I was thinking that the character/creature would start as a mutated goliath, having the nubs of the half-minotaur's horns, very stony skin from the mineral warrior, feral/primitive features from the feral template, and <something> from the Lloth-touched template.
He would have all the ability penalties of all his base race and templates:

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Goliath -2 Dex
Mineral Warrior -2 Int, -2 Wis, -2 Cha
Half-Minotaur -2 Int
Feral -2 Dex, -4 Int
His type would be: Monstrous Humanoid (Earth).
He would gain the racial abilities of a goliath: +4 Str, +2 Con, Powerful Build, Mountain Movement, Acclimated, and skill bonuses.
As he advanced in level, his diverse heritage would slowly emerge, granting him the templates' benefits, until he started pursuing class options at level 6.
He would either start as CE, or would gain the CE alignment as he gained the Lloth-Touched template.

So, his starting racial package would be:
+4 Str, -4 Dex, +2 Con, -8 Int, -2 Wis, -2 Cha.
Type Monstrous Humanoid with Earth subtype
Proficient with all simple weapons (monstrous humanoid)
Powerful Build
Mountain Movement
Acclimated
+2 bonus to one skill

He would gain one feat for being a 1st level character (and later feats based on CL/ECL).

I'm having trouble deciding what his hp/HD should be without any class levels.

The other option I suggested above was to give him a temporary Commoner level, which would later be replaced by a level in the first class he takes after advancing thru all his templates.

Yes? No? Maybe? Could you repeat the question? I'm crazy? (You're not the boss of me now, you're not the boss of me now...)

I'd just let him have his first class level (if he's ECL 5 why not ECL 6 while we're at it?). I would point out that Int 2 is considered to be reserved for animals and roleplaying a character with an Int of 3 is going to be really difficult... I think even has a 6 or something... again, you're lucky I'm not your DM.
What would your stats be at level 1? I can't track down all your templates right now...

: thog smart!

[The_Scourge]

Q 287 I'm looking to make a PC that's an awakened rat. I have no idea if there would be LA or what but I figured this was the place to go if I wanted to find out. I've got a basic backstory hashed out but class and whatnot aren't factored in yet so go nuts and make the most badass rodent you can.

[MeklorIlavator]

Q 287 I'm looking to make a PC that's an awakened rat. I have no idea if there would be LA or what but I figured this was the place to go if I wanted to find out. I've got a basic backstory hashed out but class and whatnot aren't factored in yet so go nuts and make the most badass rodent you can.

Can you give me the character level, resources available, and the stats(or at least how to generate them?)

[The_Scourge]

Can you give me the character level, resources available, and the stats(or at least how to generate them?)

sorry, CL 17, Anything except Psionics, Iron kindoms classes and equipment are allowed. stats will be 32 point buy but I'm not really sure if it'll be the same for a rat or if I just take the stats from the MM and add the awakened 3d6 int and 1d3 cha (i think that's what it is anyway)

[MeklorIlavator]

A rats stat modifications would be -8 str, +4 dex, +0 con, +2 Wis, -8 Cha, with Int technically having no modifier, but it could be considered a -8. Here's the part you need to talk to your dm about, because the rules don't cover this(as far as I know) so what he says will determine how this works. Personally, here's how I would do it: roll the 3d6 for Int and 1d3 for Cha, add them to the base, and then check out what the bodifier would be from this table. For example, lets say I rolled an 11 and a 2. Well, that would be a 13 and a 4 when added to the rat's initial stats, which makes the new adjustments -8 str, +4 dex, +0 con, +2 Int,+2 Wis, and -6 Cha.

Oh, and apparently the awaken template adds LA +1, but that isn't really bad.

For builds, you have a couple options:
Option 1: You could try and adapt Logic Ninja's Killer Gnome. Basically, you go up to people and bite their kneecaps off, though it does have some Fluff problems for you with the Blade Bravado class. Still, you could probably just stay in rogue/class with full BaB and be just as effective.

Option 2: Druid. This plays pretty much exactly like a normal druid build, with the only change being you're normal form.

Or, wacky Option 3:Warlock or perhaps Dragonfire Adept: This one is, in my opinion, the odder of the builds and will be less powerful. The fun part is the image(you're a rat breathing 15-foot cones of fire/shooting out massive bursts of energy). I can probably give you the best info on this build.

Pick which one you want and I'll do my best, or ask someone else if none of them really match what you want to do.

[Rad]

I vote for a dragonfire adept lizard :D

[monty]

See if you can talk your DM into letting Awaken be cast on you by an epic level druid with Intensify Spell. Nothing like starting the game with a base 36 Int.

[subject42]

Q 288

I have a sinking feeling that my current character is going to die soon, so I thought that I might start prepping for a new one, just in case.

Any help would be appreciated.


1. I'm looking for a character that's specced out for levels eight through eleven.


2. Restrictions are as follows:

a. No book restrictions, provided they are 3.5ed

b. Human Race

c. Classes with a hand-to-hand melee specialization (fighter/monk are preferred, but don't restrict yourself if something really works)

d. Stat generation is 4d6 seven times, dropping the lowest die in the roll. Given the character concept, wisdom should likely be the lowest stat.

e. Alignment of Lawful Good, in a "We must all make sacrifices for the Glorious Revolution" kind of sense.

f. There are a few house rules.
--f1: At first level, add your con score, rather than your con mod to your hit points.
--f2: Skill points cost one point, regardless of whether or not they are in class. In-class skills automatically get a +3
--f3: All characters get two extra feats

g: I'm looking to make a scrappy, street-fighting communist partisan fighter in a somewhat magic-heavy setting that has the feel of England right at the beginning of the industrial revolution. I'm not looking for your standard stunning fist/wuxia hand to hand fighter. Rather than stunning fists and flying kicks, I'm looking for the kind of fighter that will throw his enemy to the ground and stomp on his Xyphoid process until he stops twitching.

h: The DM tends to use a lot of Undead and Constructs in this campaign setting. Also, most fights tend to take place in fairly cramped areas. Other party members are a bard, a wizard specializing in illusion, a wizard specializing in blowing things apart, and a warlock. We tend to be the victim of a lot of ambushes, as well.

[The_Scourge]

A rats stat modifications would be -8 str, +4 dex, +0 con, +2 Wis, -8 Cha, with Int technically having no modifier, but it could be considered a -8. Here's the part you need to talk to your dm about, because the rules don't cover this(as far as I know) so what he says will determine how this works. Personally, here's how I would do it: roll the 3d6 for Int and 1d3 for Cha, add them to the base, and then check out what the bodifier would be from this table. For example, lets say I rolled an 11 and a 2. Well, that would be a 13 and a 4 when added to the rat's initial stats, which makes the new adjustments -8 str, +4 dex, +0 con, +2 Int,+2 Wis, and -6 Cha.

Oh, and apparently the awaken template adds LA +1, but that isn't really bad.

For builds, you have a couple options:
Option 1: You could try and adapt Logic Ninja's Killer Gnome. Basically, you go up to people and bite their kneecaps off, though it does have some Fluff problems for you with the Blade Bravado class. Still, you could probably just stay in rogue/class with full BaB and be just as effective.

Option 2: Druid. This plays pretty much exactly like a normal druid build, with the only change being you're normal form.

Or, wacky Option 3:Warlock or perhaps Dragonfire Adept: This one is, in my opinion, the odder of the builds and will be less powerful. The fun part is the image(you're a rat breathing 15-foot cones of fire/shooting out massive bursts of energy). I can probably give you the best info on this build.

Pick which one you want and I'll do my best, or ask someone else if none of them really match what you want to do.

I'm not sure which way to go to be honest. You do whichever one you want and we'll go from there.

[Ricky S]

Hi I was wondering what the perfect rogue would be? I'm trying to figure out whether it would be an elf or halfling. So no restrictions on books or anything.

Class: Rogue
Points buy: 25points
Race: Halfling or Elf
Restrictions: None
Type: Typical rogue ie stealthy
Level: 5

Any ideas on this?

[Rad]

See if you can talk your DM into letting Awaken be cast on you by an epic level druid with Intensify Spell. Nothing like starting the game with a base 36 Int.

He could, but then you'd have to pay the LA for it.
If I were the DM I would just put a LA cost to the "rat" race using the stats of an average rat but +0 Int.

[monty]

Hi I was wondering what the perfect rogue would be? I'm trying to figure out whether it would be an elf or halfling. So no restrictions on books or anything.

Class: Rogue
Points buy: 25points
Race: Halfling or Elf
Restrictions: None
Type: Typical rogue ie stealthy
Level: 5

Any ideas on this?

I'd definitely go with halfling. Small size = good, and you need Con more than Str.

Halfling Rogue 5
Str 8 Dex 18 Con 13 Int 14 Wis 10 Cha 8
Level 1 feat: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 3 feat: Weapon Finesse
Get two daggers or other light weapons, max Hide and Move Silently (and 8 other skills of your choice), and sneak attack like crazy. With 3d6 sneak attack, that strength penalty won't be hurting you much.

[Temp.]

I'm looking for a character that's specced out for levels eight through eleven.
...
No book restrictions, provided they are 3.5ed
...
Human Race
...
Classes with a hand-to-hand melee specialization (fighter/monk are preferred, but don't restrict yourself if something really works)
...
Given the character concept, wisdom should likely be the lowest stat.

I'm looking to make a scrappy, street-fighting communist partisan fighter in a somewhat magic-heavy setting that has the feel of England right at the beginning of the industrial revolution. I'm not looking for your standard stunning fist/wuxia hand to hand fighter. Rather than stunning fists and flying kicks, I'm looking for the kind of fighter that will throw his enemy to the ground and stomp on his Xyphoid process until he stops twitching.

First I want to lay out some easy other options:

• A more focused Warblade (using Stormguard Warrior, Two-Weapon Fighting, Snap Kick, Robilar's Gambit and Double Hit). Use Jump-based Tiger Claw Maneuvers for easy damage, Full-Attack Tiger Claw maneuvers for TWF. Charge Stormguard Warrior with Snap Kick after strikes and with the last couple attacks each round. Release Stormguard Warrior with TWF routines.
• Daring Outlaw from Complete Scoundrel (Rogue 4/Swashbuckler 16, taking Dugeonscape's Penetrating Strike variant). This is probably going to be easiest if you put yourself in flanking positions with other party members.
• Scarlet Corsair from Stormwrack (using Rogue/Swashbuckler for entry) is going to be about the same as the above. It will have lower sneak attack, improved solo abilities and some fear abilities that other party members might find useful.
• Riposte Scout (maybe see if you can homebrew a Swashbuckler/Scout Riposte feat like Daring Outlaw or Swift Hunter and an "Improved Riposte" parallel to CS's "Improved Skirmish") This is probably going to be your best bet for soloing and creating bonus damage for your unarmed strikes.

This build was a bit rushed, but I like its approach:
Warblade 1/Wolf Totem Barbarian 2/Warblade 2/Drunken Master 2/Warblade 5/Bloodclaw Master 1/Warblade 1/Bloodclaw Master 1/Warblade 4

Feats:
Level 1: Combat Reflexes
Human: Improved Unarmed Strike
Extra: Great Fortitude
Extra: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 3: Extra Rage (CW)
Wolf Barbarian 2: Improved Trip
Level 6: Snap Kick (ToB)
Wablade 5: Iron Heart Aura (ToB)
Level 9: Stormguard Warrior (ToB)
Level 12: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
Warblade 9: Improved Initiative
Level 15: Robilar's Gambit (PHB2)
Level 18: Greater Two-Weapon Fighting
Warblade 13: Blind-Fight

Warblade, Bloodclaw Master--ToB
Drunken Master--CW
Wolf Totem Barbarian--UA/SRD

Stances/Manuevers:

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1:Punishing Stance, Charging Minotaur, Stone Bones, Wolf Fang Strike
4:Mountain Hammer
5:Wall of Blades
6:Absolute Steel Stance, Iron Heart Surge (Lose Stone Bones)
9:Death from Above
10:Lightning Recovery (Lose Charging Minotaur)
11:Dancing Mongoose
12:Pouncing Charge
13:Iron Heart Endurance
14:Rabid Bear Strike
15:Prey on the Weak, Swooping Dragon Strike (Lose Mountain Hammer)
17:Raging Mongoose
18:Girallon Windmill Fleshrip (Lose Death from Above)
19:Feral Death Blow
20:Wolf Pack Tactics, Strike of Perfect Clarity (Lose Rabid Bear Strike)

At low levels, high strength from Rage and extra damage from Punishing Stance should be enough to keep you a serious threat. You might need to pick up a weapon from time to time (maybe getting some magic Gauntlets and Pearls of Power for Greater Magic Weapon and Greater Mighty Wallop from RotD), but Improvised Weapons and Unarmed strikes combined with Improved Trip should keep things interesting.

At level 9, you get Stormguard Warrior and things start to come together. You can now use your last attack and Snap Kick to add damage to your next round's attacks. With Pouncing Charge and Dancing Mongoose, you should be able to generate enough attacks for the extra damage to really pay off. If you carry a reach weapon (or a big improvised weapon), you can generate Attacks of opportunity that will turn into attack bonuses in your next round.

Note that the Wolf Totem variant isn't really necessary and that Extra Rage might not be needed in your campaign. I just like them conceptually.

[subject42]

Lots of good ideas for Q 288

Wow, I didn't realize that half of those things existed. I'll run them by my DM and see if they get approval.

[Zenos]

1. Which of the above are you asking for?
a. I am looking for what I can improve at my next level with this lvl 5. Bard.
2. In your request specify whether you have requirements, preferences, or no limits on the following:
a. My DM prefers only Core and SRD, although has accepted some non-Core feats because I explained them.
e. I'll stay NE, thankyouerymuch.
f. House Rules: Nope.
g. Concept: He is a manipulating, but usualy polite guy. Cowardly and fights on the second line.
h. Other:

[Lathund]

I'm plotting a bit what I want for my next character. I'm thinking of playing a cleric of Olidammara, Trickery and Mind domains, mainly focusing on social skills (Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Sense Motive, as well as Concentration and perhaps Gather Info). RP idea: very socially active bisexual transvestite. Does anyone know a good prestige class to go with this?

[monty]

I this build planned out mostly already, but I'm curious to see if you have any suggestions for improvement:

Petal Factotum 3 / Marshal 1 / Warblade 1 / Bloodstorm Blade 4 / Master Thrower 5
Str 6 Dex 31 Con 16 Int 20 Wis 10 Cha 22

Feats:
1 Point Blank Shot
3 Precise Shot
6 Weapon Focus (dagger)
8 Combat Reflexes
9 Stormguard Warrior
12 Rapid Shot

Thrown weapon tricks:
Palm Throw
Trip Shot
Weak Spot

Equipment:
+6 Gloves of Dexterity
+6 Headband of Intellect
+6 Cloak of Charisma
+1 Wounding Dagger x2
And about 6000 gold to spare

Concept:
"This flower has thorns." That about sums it up. Kill things with daggers. Trip them to death, bleed them to death, or just hit them really hard - it doesn't matter as long as they're dead. Probably play it as an assassin; I have +55 to Hide. Even with the penalty for sniping (and Palm Throw still gives me two attacks per round), anything not optimized for Spot is going to have a tough time dealing with it.


It's a pretty MAD build, but with the petal's bonuses to the relevant stats, it's not too bad. I may add in flaws for Far Shot and/or another feat, if you have any suggestions.

[Telonius]

I'm plotting a bit what I want for my next character. I'm thinking of playing a cleric of Olidammara, Trickery and Mind domains, mainly focusing on social skills (Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Sense Motive, as well as Concentration and perhaps Gather Info). RP idea: very socially active bisexual transvestite. Does anyone know a good prestige class to go with this?

Honestly, I think you'll be best going Cleric all the way out. Alternate: Cleric10/Loremaster10 (though this is very feat-intensive). Otherwise, there aren't any "sneaky priest" PrC's I've been able to find that don't result in a loss of some caster levels, so these suggestions will not be mechanically terrific. Some might be flavorful, depending on your character. Chameleon is probably going to be your best bet, assuming you have Human or Doppelganger race. Spymaster from Complete Adventurer for one level, or Temple Raider of Olidammara (Complete Divine) for one level. If you can manage to get Perform on your list of class skills, Master of Masks (for a level or two).

[Telonius]

1. Which of the above are you asking for?
a. I am looking for what I can improve at my next level with this lvl 5. Bard.
2. In your request specify whether you have requirements, preferences, or no limits on the following:
a. My DM prefers only Core and SRD, although has accepted some non-Core feats because I explained them.
e. I'll stay NE, thankyouerymuch.
f. House Rules: Nope.
g. Concept: He is a manipulating, but usualy polite guy. Cowardly and fights on the second line.
h. Other:

My sympathies on the stats.

Any particular reason you have 8 ranks in Decipher Script? In most campaigns that's not a very useful skill. I'd put a few ranks into Know (Nobility) or Know (History) to bump up your Diplomacy or Bardic Knowledge.

For Feats, Spell Focus (Illusion) or (Enchantment) are good options. That low Fort save is concerning me a bit, though maybe not enough to spend a feat on Great Fortitude. Buy a cloak of resistance as soon as you can, even if it's only a +1.

By the way, what's the composition of the rest of the party?

[Zenos]

My sympathies on the stats.

Any particular reason you have 8 ranks in Decipher Script? In most campaigns that's not a very useful skill. I'd put a few ranks into Know (Nobility) or Know (History) to bump up your Diplomacy or Bardic Knowledge.

For Feats, Spell Focus (Illusion) or (Enchantment) are good options. That low Fort save is concerning me a bit, though maybe not enough to spend a feat on Great Fortitude. Buy a cloak of resistance as soon as you can, even if it's only a +1.

By the way, what's the composition of the rest of the party?

One of the players sent me a PM and said he wanted me to do a little of the rogue stuff.

Yeah, I'll remove Decipher scrift for something actually good.

[Flickerdart]

The first time I picked up the Player's Handbook, I was surprised to find that Monks didn't get two attacks. Logically, I thought they should, since they have two weapons.

So, I went and convinced my DM that I could do this (quick question, can I actually?). This is for a pretty casual, unoptimized campaign, so Monk might be usable. I can probably use all official splatbooks (I'd have to ask), but 3rd party and Dragon are off limits. Can I get someone to build this guy for me, level by level to 20? My DM doesn't like non-core races, though, so that might be a problem too.

[Telonius]

Yes, you can; but only using the Flurry of Blows ability. You can use your unarmed attack, or any monk weapon, to get two attacks at a penalty of -2/-2.

If your DM gave you the ability to do that without penalty, it really doesn't help you all that much. The penalty decreases by one at 5th level and goes away completely at 11th.

Leaving work now so no time to post a build; be advised that there will be a lot of people (me included) who believe that Monk is the most underpowered class in the PHB.

[Temp.]

I this build planned out mostly already, but I'm curious to see if you have any suggestions for improvement:

First, you don't qualify for Stormguard Warrior. You're going to need Iron Heart Aura for that.

Second, you don't seem to have a reliable damage source. It looks like you wanted Stormguard Warrior to do this for you, but for a character without Robilar's Gambit or a reach weapon it's not a great option. Even if you use Trip Shot and stand adjacent to fallen enemies, that's at best an extra 8 damage at the cost of setting your thrower in melee range.

Without reach for attacks of opportunity during your opponents' turns, you're not going to be a great battlefield controller and without damage sources like Sneak Attack or Power Attack you're not going to be the one to actually kill enemies. If your party can't cover one of these roles, you might face some problems. If they can, you'll probably be okay.

...Of course, I could be missing something because I'm not familiar with Petals.

Sounds like a fun build, though.