Caster/grappler build help wanted [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster/grappler build help wanted [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
danzibr2
04-12-08, 04:12 PM And no, this doesn't belong in the CharOp board, not what I'm going for.

I bought Spell Compendium the other day and flipped through it (though it's meant to be a resource book rather than a light read, I believe), and I saw a good few spells that enhance grappling. Now, my sister-in-law (who is our DM) is borrowing my SC so I don't have it with me.

Basically, I want to make a grappler that buffs themself with... grappling buffing spells, like Balor's Nimbus and the one that makes you grow arms and Enlarge Person and Bull's Strength and the like.

So I have a few questions:

1. Illumian or Goliath?
2. Fighter/Wizard or Barbarian/Wizard/Rage Mage?
3. Spells?

For question one, I asked a question here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1016552) on Illumians. If their ability is not as good as I think, I'll probably definitely go Goliath.
Also, for question 2, I think I remember seeing some good druid grappling spells... so maybe even druid, though I'm leaning more towards wizard.
When my character is a ninth level caster they can quicken Enlarge Person. Two levels later he/she will also be able to quicken Bull's Strength and Balor Nimbus.

Honestly, I don't think this will be the best character ever, but I can see having a lot of fun with it. I also like that they'll be decent, but not great, throughout the entire game. First level of fighter or barbarian and they can fight, pick up some caster levels and they can fight a bit better, pick up a PrC for more slight gains.

Anyways, thanks in advance.

Dan
The_Shaman
04-12-08, 04:20 PM How about a psychic warrior (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psychicWarrior.htm)? You've got the buff part right, enough feats to get the job done, and the class is generally considered both well-balanced and capable of some pretty neat tricks.
danzibr2
04-12-08, 04:26 PM Are there enough psionic powers out there that help grappling? I know they have buffs and psionic Enlarge Person where you can increase 2 size catagories with one power and such, but I don't have Complete Psionic so I'm not sure what else is available.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm definitely considering it and I hadn't thought of it, but I just don't know all of my options yet.

Dan
JaronK
04-12-08, 08:22 PM An Archivist can get lots of spells, including the all important Giant Size, and can Persist them with a dip into Sacred Exorcist. That would help a great deal.

That said, one warning about Grapple characters is that a single spell (Freedom of Movement) makes them completely unable to do their main thing.

JaronK
The_Shaman
04-13-08, 12:50 AM Are there enough psionic powers out there that help grappling? I know they have buffs and psionic Enlarge Person where you can increase 2 size catagories with one power and such, but I don't have Complete Psionic so I'm not sure what else is available.
Dan

Well, there's also Grip of Iron for an immediate boost, although it scales atrociously, but there also a few other abilities that may come in handy like the natural weapon powers or other buffs. I don't have CPsi either, but by and large I don't care about it. I will let you know when I can take a look at it.

Between feats, enlarge, GoIron, EKnowledge: Metamorphosis (which, unlike Polymorph, does not hamper manifesting in any form) and, say, the Sanctified mind feature (adds level to checks to escape/resist grapple) you can grapple, or escape from, quite a bit of things. All you may need is an AMF effect to catch'n'crush squishies (like mages or psions)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
danzibr2 04-12-08, 04:12 PM	And no, this doesn't belong in the CharOp board, not what I'm going for. I bought Spell Compendium the other day and flipped through it (though it's meant to be a resource book rather than a light read, I believe), and I saw a good few spells that enhance grappling. Now, my sister-in-law (who is our DM) is borrowing my SC so I don't have it with me. Basically, I want to make a grappler that buffs themself with... grappling buffing spells, like Balor's Nimbus and the one that makes you grow arms and Enlarge Person and Bull's Strength and the like. So I have a few questions: 1. Illumian or Goliath? 2. Fighter/Wizard or Barbarian/Wizard/Rage Mage? 3. Spells? For question one, I asked a question here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1016552) on Illumians. If their ability is not as good as I think, I'll probably definitely go Goliath. Also, for question 2, I think I remember seeing some good druid grappling spells... so maybe even druid, though I'm leaning more towards wizard. When my character is a ninth level caster they can quicken Enlarge Person. Two levels later he/she will also be able to quicken Bull's Strength and Balor Nimbus. Honestly, I don't think this will be the best character ever, but I can see having a lot of fun with it. I also like that they'll be decent, but not great, throughout the entire game. First level of fighter or barbarian and they can fight, pick up some caster levels and they can fight a bit better, pick up a PrC for more slight gains. Anyways, thanks in advance. Dan
The_Shaman 04-12-08, 04:20 PM	How about a psychic warrior (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psychicWarrior.htm)? You've got the buff part right, enough feats to get the job done, and the class is generally considered both well-balanced and capable of some pretty neat tricks.
danzibr2 04-12-08, 04:26 PM	Are there enough psionic powers out there that help grappling? I know they have buffs and psionic Enlarge Person where you can increase 2 size catagories with one power and such, but I don't have Complete Psionic so I'm not sure what else is available. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm definitely considering it and I hadn't thought of it, but I just don't know all of my options yet. Dan
JaronK 04-12-08, 08:22 PM	An Archivist can get lots of spells, including the all important Giant Size, and can Persist them with a dip into Sacred Exorcist. That would help a great deal. That said, one warning about Grapple characters is that a single spell (Freedom of Movement) makes them completely unable to do their main thing. JaronK
The_Shaman 04-13-08, 12:50 AM	Are there enough psionic powers out there that help grappling? I know they have buffs and psionic Enlarge Person where you can increase 2 size catagories with one power and such, but I don't have Complete Psionic so I'm not sure what else is available. Dan Well, there's also Grip of Iron for an immediate boost, although it scales atrociously, but there also a few other abilities that may come in handy like the natural weapon powers or other buffs. I don't have CPsi either, but by and large I don't care about it. I will let you know when I can take a look at it. Between feats, enlarge, GoIron, EKnowledge: Metamorphosis (which, unlike Polymorph, does not hamper manifesting in any form) and, say, the Sanctified mind feature (adds level to checks to escape/resist grapple) you can grapple, or escape from, quite a bit of things. All you may need is an AMF effect to catch'n'crush squishies (like mages or psions)