Character Build Challenge: Whip Master [Archive] - Wizards Community

Character Build Challenge: Whip Master [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
TheRealOrion
06-30-07, 01:00 PM There's always a running discussion about whips. Here's one (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=876611), and here's another (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=875006).

I'd like to lay a challenge down to you all: make the best whip-wielding character you can. Note, "best" does not mean "does the most damage at a strike," although that's one of the things we can look at. I also want to see just plain cool builds. What's the most wicked-fun application for a whip you can think of.

Here are the rules: character level 10 (solidly mid-range, no epic-level characters), no house rules, anything (class, feat, etc.) you use that's not in the core books must be labelled "Expansion." Anything from a book not published by Wizards must be labelled "non-WotC." I'm primarily looking for builds without magic items, although spells and other effects you can generate yourself are fine, of course. If there are particularly cool builds that require a magic item, note them separately.

I'll post my own shortly, but in the meantime, go nuts!
TheRealOrion
06-30-07, 03:06 PM Self-bump to keep this on the front page.
Twylyght
06-30-07, 03:22 PM Well lets see here

EXPANSION
The Whip Blaster
Human, Duskblade 10
Feats:
1. XWP: Whip
1. Smiting Spell
3. Combat Expertise
6. Improved Trip
9. Rapid Metamagic
(12. bonus suggestion, Arcane Thesis, vampric touch)

The idea. Working your way towards the great levels of destruction awaiting you at 13th level, youll be using that 15 feet of reach to deliver touch spells over a large radius of coverage. Its still highly suggested you keep a more conventional weapon handy should you be pressed into base contact.

Tips
As far as I can determine, channeld effects state only that the attack must hit for the spell to affect the target. So succeeding in the touch attack when attempting to trip should release the spells! The only exception I have found is the spell storing ability, where the weapon must do damage, which is by passed easily enough with the whip dagger, though it would require a normal attack.

The Double (sometimes Triple) Whip Blast, the damage focus of the build. Arcane channeling + smiting spell. Delivers 1 whip attack and 2 spells if the whip makes contact. If you have a spell storing whip, you can deliver 3 spells with a single lash. At 12th level (or 13th if you dont take thesis) I am very fond of the triple vampric touch!. When level 13 would arrive later with the full attack arcane channel, thats a potential for delivering 4 or 5 vampric touches!!! If you did take thesis, they would be at +2 caster level. Thats a big chunk of both damage and healing.

Quick Cast and Rapid metamagic should allow you to apply smiting spells as a swift action.

Ghoul touch is pretty nasty this way. If your trying to assure success stacking a couple of them on attack will focre mutiple saves.

Bull strength on yourself and channeling touch of fatigue is a good combo for trips.

Touch of idiocy can be a big boon at the end of a 15 foot arm when opposing spellcasters show up.

Remember, while your using a whip, your still a Duskblade. The whip wont make you a one trick pony, remember the rest of your toys!

Pure PHB
The long-arm assist.
Half-Orc Fighter/10
Feats.
1. XWP: Whip
1. Combat Experise
2. Improved Disarm
3. Improved Trip
4. Weapon Focus (Whip)
6. Two-Weapon Fighting
6. Improved Two-Weapon Fighting
8. Greater Weapon Focus (Whip)
9. Two-Weapon Defense
10. Improved Initiative

This is a build for a party thats already pretty filled with the basics. The concept is to assist the rest of the party.

Tips
At 10th level, youll be attacking 4 times each round. Use the highest bonus attacks for disarming opponents for better chances on the opposed attack rolls.

When using your lower bonus attacks switch to either trips to attack touch AC or use the Aid Other special attack to consistently hit AC 10 allowing for several +2 bonuses each round. The bonuses from improved trip and your Half-orc strength work well together.

Do carry other weapons, there will be times a whip just wont cut it. You have about everything thats useful for the build feat wise when running PHB only, pick a pair of standard weapons and focus on them with the next few feats.
TheRealOrion
06-30-07, 04:37 PM Where's the Whip Blaster from? I'm intrigued.
Twylyght
06-30-07, 05:37 PM The Duskblade is in the Players Handbook II. Whip Blasters my name for the build flavor :D blowing things up with a whip is just good fun.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TheRealOrion 06-30-07, 01:00 PM	There's always a running discussion about whips. Here's one (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=876611), and here's another (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=875006). I'd like to lay a challenge down to you all: make the best whip-wielding character you can. Note, "best" does not mean "does the most damage at a strike," although that's one of the things we can look at. I also want to see just plain cool builds. What's the most wicked-fun application for a whip you can think of. Here are the rules: character level 10 (solidly mid-range, no epic-level characters), no house rules, anything (class, feat, etc.) you use that's not in the core books must be labelled "Expansion." Anything from a book not published by Wizards must be labelled "non-WotC." I'm primarily looking for builds without magic items, although spells and other effects you can generate yourself are fine, of course. If there are particularly cool builds that require a magic item, note them separately. I'll post my own shortly, but in the meantime, go nuts!
TheRealOrion 06-30-07, 03:06 PM	Self-bump to keep this on the front page.
Twylyght 06-30-07, 03:22 PM	Well lets see here EXPANSION The Whip Blaster Human, Duskblade 10 Feats: 1. XWP: Whip 1. Smiting Spell 3. Combat Expertise 6. Improved Trip 9. Rapid Metamagic (12. bonus suggestion, Arcane Thesis, vampric touch) The idea. Working your way towards the great levels of destruction awaiting you at 13th level, youll be using that 15 feet of reach to deliver touch spells over a large radius of coverage. Its still highly suggested you keep a more conventional weapon handy should you be pressed into base contact. Tips As far as I can determine, channeld effects state only that the attack must hit for the spell to affect the target. So succeeding in the touch attack when attempting to trip should release the spells! The only exception I have found is the spell storing ability, where the weapon must do damage, which is by passed easily enough with the whip dagger, though it would require a normal attack. The Double (sometimes Triple) Whip Blast, the damage focus of the build. Arcane channeling + smiting spell. Delivers 1 whip attack and 2 spells if the whip makes contact. If you have a spell storing whip, you can deliver 3 spells with a single lash. At 12th level (or 13th if you dont take thesis) I am very fond of the triple vampric touch!. When level 13 would arrive later with the full attack arcane channel, thats a potential for delivering 4 or 5 vampric touches!!! If you did take thesis, they would be at +2 caster level. Thats a big chunk of both damage and healing. Quick Cast and Rapid metamagic should allow you to apply smiting spells as a swift action. Ghoul touch is pretty nasty this way. If your trying to assure success stacking a couple of them on attack will focre mutiple saves. Bull strength on yourself and channeling touch of fatigue is a good combo for trips. Touch of idiocy can be a big boon at the end of a 15 foot arm when opposing spellcasters show up. Remember, while your using a whip, your still a Duskblade. The whip wont make you a one trick pony, remember the rest of your toys! Pure PHB The long-arm assist. Half-Orc Fighter/10 Feats. 1. XWP: Whip 1. Combat Experise 2. Improved Disarm 3. Improved Trip 4. Weapon Focus (Whip) 6. Two-Weapon Fighting 6. Improved Two-Weapon Fighting 8. Greater Weapon Focus (Whip) 9. Two-Weapon Defense 10. Improved Initiative This is a build for a party thats already pretty filled with the basics. The concept is to assist the rest of the party. Tips At 10th level, youll be attacking 4 times each round. Use the highest bonus attacks for disarming opponents for better chances on the opposed attack rolls. When using your lower bonus attacks switch to either trips to attack touch AC or use the Aid Other special attack to consistently hit AC 10 allowing for several +2 bonuses each round. The bonuses from improved trip and your Half-orc strength work well together. Do carry other weapons, there will be times a whip just wont cut it. You have about everything thats useful for the build feat wise when running PHB only, pick a pair of standard weapons and focus on them with the next few feats.
TheRealOrion 06-30-07, 04:37 PM	Where's the Whip Blaster from? I'm intrigued.
Twylyght 06-30-07, 05:37 PM	The Duskblade is in the Players Handbook II. Whip Blasters my name for the build flavor :D blowing things up with a whip is just good fun.