Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tuah Shinguru 07-31-05, 04:06 PM	I've had trouble figuring out what class (or classes) my character should be. I want him to be able to be a decent fighter and an okay spellcaster. I was figuring I should go with a Hexblade at first, but later I found that it just didn't seem right for me. Anyone care to help?
ibitak84 07-31-05, 04:20 PM	Well, usually you're either good at mundane fighting OR spellcasting. I think the bard is still the best way to be both (AND it makes you great at skills, too!). Go the dodge/mobility feat-tree to avoid being hit to often, though.
Arden Blackleaf 07-31-05, 04:24 PM	Battle Sorcerer from Unearthed Arcana is perfect for what your looking for. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#sorcererVari antBattleSorcerer
Klytus 07-31-05, 04:25 PM	Go with a fighter for 3 levels, then multi-class in Wizard or Sorcerer, and take the Eldritch Knight Prc. At some point, take the Practiced Spellcaster feat from Complete Arcane so you get back some lost non-caster levels. Example: Normally, a Fighter 3/Wizard 6 will cast spells as a 6th level Wizard. But a Fighter 3/Wizard 5/Eldritch Knight 1, with the Practiced Spellcaster feat will have the spell selection of a 5th level wizard (remember, the Eldritch Knight does not get +1 level of existing spellcaster class at 1st level), but will be casting spells as 9th level caster: both for determining the spell's effects and penetraing Spell Resistance. This makes up for one of the biggest handicaps when multi-classing as a spellcaster. You will also be gaining +1 BAB for every level you gain in Eldritch Knight, making the character a formidable fighter as well. Just make sure you have a high enough INT to cast the high-level spells when you get there.
3nigma 07-31-05, 04:29 PM	Well maybe you should just multi class...like 5 levels fighter and 5 levels sorcerer and then 5 levels fighter and 5 levels sorcerer. that way your a good fighter and a good spell caster and if you alternate you can have both at the same time as oppose to waiting to level 10 to start. I picked sorcerer because i think they can just pick there spells to suit you at the time so if you need a battle boost then you can pick it, or if you need spider climb you can just cast it. you can alternate which levels at what evertime depending what spells you want, because you might decide that you dont have a feat tree for your fighter to go that high or even you dont care to have spells after 7th level spells
3nigma 07-31-05, 04:31 PM	Klytus and I posted at the same time sorry if it seams repative...
katarl 07-31-05, 04:44 PM	It tends to be an unwritten rule in any rpg that a character that mixes magic and combat sucks (why elves like to play it, i guess). The only exception is gesalt play. However, oh anti-munchkin, there are many ways to make your character better at both swordplay and magic, and none of them require 'elf' as a prerequisite. Try psionics, for example (although that may not fit flavour), since multiclass psions and psychic warriors can manifest normally in full armour, which is so difficult for even epic mages to accomplish, although Blended Quartz armour reduces spellcasting failure by about 20% and other materials can lower the restrictions. Or, you could multiclass to rogue instead, and get spell-trigger items like wands, which can give the 'impression' of magic, getting loads of skill points and a sneak atk to boot. Perhaps playing a transformational type class (druid maybe,or maybe use polymorph), and take a few levels of fighter, and get some 'wild' armour, and sizing weapons, which you put on after casting (a rod of armoury, or something from Heroes of Battle makes it an immediate action), giving you massive str, dex and con bonuses (which outweigh the levels you lost, since str is better than base atk). Or, you could play a spellsword, or a mage class from complete warrior, gaining an excellent base atk, some interesting abilities and good hp. Provided you stock up on enhancing and buffing spells that you cast before each battle, then you might actually be half-decent in combat. Maybe use spellfire (the closest thing DnD has to DBZ, really), or stilled spells in a hydraulic suit (Str 20 instantly! Str 25 then 28 with boiler/s). Rage mage? Sequencer spells (can you cast them with armour?)?, specialise in spells with long durations (and then put on armour), play a monk with magic (strained ability scores though), or a duelist, or simply play a multiclass fighter/wizard with a robe of mage armour (2000gp), an amulet of shield (4000), a ring of shield of faith (4000) (+10 for 10000gp), and enhance with other spells. Unearthed Arcana? Battle sorcerer? The possibilities never end. Never play a bard though, its better to be good at one thing than suck at them all.
Fuzzy_Logic 07-31-05, 05:00 PM	What are you trying to do? which is more importnat to you? magic or combat? do you see magic mostly as a way to buff your character, or what? there are a million ways to make a fighting wizard character. the eldritch knight form the DMG preserves the most magical abilitiy of the PrCs, but lacks special abilities. you'll be primarily a wizard until you qualify for the class, but then combat bonuses wioll rack up. of course, you can still only attack or cast a spell in one round, so i'd focus on buff spells, llike bull's strength, mage armor, and polymorph to make yourself a strong fighter. from complete warrior, the spellsword is a good option for you if you still want to use some combat magic. defensive buffs are slightly less important, since you can wear armor, and channel spell lets you use your offensive spells with a weapon. from the same book also come bladesinger and rage mage. i haven't seen either played before. Bladesinge rlooks like a weaker version of spellsword (to me). Rage mage is mroe itneresting. for barbairan/sorcerers, it leaves you with weak combat abilities and low-level spells, but has class features that eventually should make up for both. hexblade is a good choice if you just want some limited magic on a fighter, but if you don't like them, check out complete arcane's Suel Arcanamach. finally, high level wizards can enchance their combat abilities with classes like complete arcane's master transmogrifist, the main disadvantage of which is that one needs 7 levels of wizard before joining the class.
Tuah Shinguru 07-31-05, 05:20 PM	Thanks for your help, everyone! Usually, I like my ability to fight more than my ability to cast spells. What I need in the way of spells is perhaps, a couple of self-sufficient spells, and a couple of ones to increace my fighting abilities. I'm leaning toward Battle Sorcerer; that seems like what I might prefer, but Spellsword also seems like a good one to choose. I think eventually I'll choose either of those ones.
Klytus 07-31-05, 07:15 PM	Usually, I like my ability to fight more than my ability to cast spells. What I need in the way of spells is perhaps, a couple of self-sufficient spells, and a couple of ones to increace my fighting abilities. Sounds like you should play a cleric of a god whose favored weapon is a martial weapon and who has the War domain. Clerics are all about buffing spells, they have the same BAB as a Battle Sorcerer, and they can wear heavy armor and cast spells with no chance of spell failure.
Tuah Shinguru 07-31-05, 07:21 PM	Sounds like you should play a cleric of a god whose favored weapon is a martial weapon and who has the War domain. Clerics are all about buffing spells, they have the same BAB as a Battle Sorcerer, and they can wear heavy armor and cast spells with no chance of spell failure. The kind of magic I prefer is Arcane, though. I think I'll go with Battle Sorcerer. :) By the way, where can I find the game information for one?
Solamar 07-31-05, 07:46 PM	What about a ranger by the time you get your spells at 4th level you have decent marshal ability and most of the ranger spells either enhance yourself cat's grace, bull strength, owl wisdom, barkskin or let you tailor your suroundings to your advantage alarm, entangle, plant growth, hide from animals. Plus they get decent amount of skills to select from. Just my 2cp.
Weapons Lord 07-31-05, 08:26 PM	The hacoc mage PrC in the minatures handbook might be something you're interested in.