Class for a Hellbred character concept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Class for a Hellbred character concept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
highbulp
01-25-07, 09:57 PM I'm working on a character concept for a Hellbred character--the idea is that he was once a powerful wizard/warrior/guy who was about to take over the world or some such, but then at the last second changed his mind, performed a good deed, and was killed for it. So now he's reborn as a Hellbred, and is pretty much the same power-hungry character, except with a concience. So he was to conquer the world and all, but doesn't really want to hurt people. In the abstract he's Evil, but he tends to respond to specific situations in as Good.

But I need a class for the character. I was originally thinking of using a Duskblade (because they looked fun to play), but the more I thought about it, the more I liked him as a spell-caster. He struck me as a blaster, so I changed the build to a Warmage. But I'm not a big fan of the class (as direct-damage specialists aren't real great), so I'm leaning back towards Duskblade again. I think the higher level Duskblade spells could give me the image/effect I'm looking for (being able to fire off Disintegrate is perfect for the character).

Since both classes I'm considering seem to be generally regarded as "weak," I'm looking for some input. Do people have fun playing them? Which would be more fun? Are there other classes/builds I should be considering?

Other Requirements: No FR or Eberron material, no 3.0 material if possible. Nothing too feat intensive, as I'd like to be able to take some of the Devil-touched Feats (which aren't great, but I think could be fun and would help play up the race). And simplicity is always better.
journeyman777
01-26-07, 12:20 AM You realize that a hellbred has no memory of his past life?

Between the two, Duskblade seems to be the better bet. I haven't seen it at the higher lvs, but it certainly wasn't weak at low levels. I'd consider taking leadership to get a henchman that is good at inflicting non-lethal damage. (cleric can work well)

For other classes, he sounds kinda manipulative so Beguiler or Warlock might work well for you.
highbulp
01-26-07, 12:29 AM You realize that a hellbred has no memory of his past life?

No, I must have missed that part. What's the point then? "I have these abilities but no memory of why"? It's like getting a set of mechanics and locking out any history/character to them. That flavor definately gets changed.

I had originally planned on Leadership, but I might forgo it because the guy who is going to be running this game isn't very experienced at DMing, and so I'd rather not make his job that much more complicated.

I don't think I see him as secretive enough to be a Beguiler, and I have another character concept for a Hellfire Warlock.
Grimmsfeld
01-26-07, 12:43 AM You realize that a hellbred has no memory of his past life?
Your opinion as to what "shadowy, vague memories of the past" implies. I swear, if I had a dime for every time someone said "You (do) realize that..." followed with an off-base assumption rather than actual fact...it's his character. He can remember whatever he wants; just don't expect to get any mechanical bonuses out of it.

As an aside, I wouldn't expect a soul to be able to repent for crimes that have been stripped from its memory.
Seerow
01-26-07, 12:52 AM I would recommend a traditional Gish over Duskblade anyday.

Something like Fighter1/Wizard5/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX

Or Wizard6/Dragonslayer1/Spellsword2/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX

The second is more feat intensive, but gives the armored casting you seem to want, CL19 (losing only a caster level at Eldritch Knight), and BAB+17
highbulp
01-26-07, 09:36 AM I would recommend a traditional Gish over Duskblade anyday.

Something like Fighter1/Wizard5/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX

Or Wizard6/Dragonslayer1/Spellsword2/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX

The second is more feat intensive, but gives the armored casting you seem to want, CL19 (losing only a caster level at Eldritch Knight), and BAB+17

For power, or because they're funner to play?

I like the first build (except with sorcerer instead of Wizard probably), except that the multi-classing could kick my ass. Hellbred have Favored Class: Paladin (and I'm definately not going to be playing a LG Paladin... though I guess I could ask the DM what he's going to be enforcing).

I don't see the character as a Dragonslayer either. Armored Casting would be nice, but I could live without it. I just happen to be looking at a Gishy character, so a lot of the classes involve some kind of armored casting.

Thanks for your suggestions though :)
Nifft
01-26-07, 10:13 AM For power, or because they're funner to play?

There is a difference? ;)
-- N
highbulp
01-26-07, 12:22 PM There is a difference? ;)

Yup. Hence the Bard.

I'm currently thinking Fighter1/Sorc6/Spellsword1/Abjurant Champion5/??? (probably EK, maybe more Spellsword). If the DM insists on using Favored Class, I'll replace Fighter with a level of fallen Paladin--so +1BAB, d10HD, armor/weapon proficiencies, but nothing else. Basically a fighter without the Bonus Feat.
The Livewire
01-26-07, 01:16 PM Check with your DM on if he'll allow Extra Spell feat to take spells from cross class lists.

Yes I know the Feat as ruled doesn't allow for it, but it can't hurt to ask. If he goes for it, Duskblade might look a lot more viable to what you're looking for.

Another option is the Battle Sorcerer from Unearthed Arcana. I've found at higher levels, you miss the spells and don't rely on the armor/weapon so much. My battle sorcerer just arcane marked her blade to read 'If you can read this, then I'm to close.'
highbulp
01-26-07, 04:07 PM Check with your DM on if he'll allow Extra Spell feat to take spells from cross class lists.

Yes I know the Feat as ruled doesn't allow for it, but it can't hurt to ask. If he goes for it, Duskblade might look a lot more viable to what you're looking for.

Yeah, except that I personally don't believe that it allows spells from other class lists. I'd be wrong to try and ask someone else to allow something that I wouldn't allow in my own games.

Another option is the Battle Sorcerer from Unearthed Arcana. I've found at higher levels, you miss the spells and don't rely on the armor/weapon so much. My battle sorcerer just arcane marked her blade to read 'If you can read this, then I'm to close.'

The weapon and armor proficiences are for the PrCs, and I think I'd really miss that extra spell slot per level. But I still might do battle sorcerer, as it does fit the character a bit more...
General_Ridley
01-26-07, 05:50 PM Warlock/Hellfire Warlock is a great choice, both for flavour purposes, and for fun.

Fighter 1/Paladin 4/Hellreaver 4/Knight of the Chalice 10/Hellreaver 1 is also good for the exact same reasons, if you want to go the martial route.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
highbulp 01-25-07, 09:57 PM	I'm working on a character concept for a Hellbred character--the idea is that he was once a powerful wizard/warrior/guy who was about to take over the world or some such, but then at the last second changed his mind, performed a good deed, and was killed for it. So now he's reborn as a Hellbred, and is pretty much the same power-hungry character, except with a concience. So he was to conquer the world and all, but doesn't really want to hurt people. In the abstract he's Evil, but he tends to respond to specific situations in as Good. But I need a class for the character. I was originally thinking of using a Duskblade (because they looked fun to play), but the more I thought about it, the more I liked him as a spell-caster. He struck me as a blaster, so I changed the build to a Warmage. But I'm not a big fan of the class (as direct-damage specialists aren't real great), so I'm leaning back towards Duskblade again. I think the higher level Duskblade spells could give me the image/effect I'm looking for (being able to fire off Disintegrate is perfect for the character). Since both classes I'm considering seem to be generally regarded as "weak," I'm looking for some input. Do people have fun playing them? Which would be more fun? Are there other classes/builds I should be considering? Other Requirements: No FR or Eberron material, no 3.0 material if possible. Nothing too feat intensive, as I'd like to be able to take some of the Devil-touched Feats (which aren't great, but I think could be fun and would help play up the race). And simplicity is always better.
journeyman777 01-26-07, 12:20 AM	You realize that a hellbred has no memory of his past life? Between the two, Duskblade seems to be the better bet. I haven't seen it at the higher lvs, but it certainly wasn't weak at low levels. I'd consider taking leadership to get a henchman that is good at inflicting non-lethal damage. (cleric can work well) For other classes, he sounds kinda manipulative so Beguiler or Warlock might work well for you.
highbulp 01-26-07, 12:29 AM	You realize that a hellbred has no memory of his past life? No, I must have missed that part. What's the point then? "I have these abilities but no memory of why"? It's like getting a set of mechanics and locking out any history/character to them. That flavor definately gets changed. I had originally planned on Leadership, but I might forgo it because the guy who is going to be running this game isn't very experienced at DMing, and so I'd rather not make his job that much more complicated. I don't think I see him as secretive enough to be a Beguiler, and I have another character concept for a Hellfire Warlock.
Grimmsfeld 01-26-07, 12:43 AM	You realize that a hellbred has no memory of his past life? Your opinion as to what "shadowy, vague memories of the past" implies. I swear, if I had a dime for every time someone said "You (do) realize that..." followed with an off-base assumption rather than actual fact...it's his character. He can remember whatever he wants; just don't expect to get any mechanical bonuses out of it. As an aside, I wouldn't expect a soul to be able to repent for crimes that have been stripped from its memory.
Seerow 01-26-07, 12:52 AM	I would recommend a traditional Gish over Duskblade anyday. Something like Fighter1/Wizard5/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX Or Wizard6/Dragonslayer1/Spellsword2/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX The second is more feat intensive, but gives the armored casting you seem to want, CL19 (losing only a caster level at Eldritch Knight), and BAB+17
highbulp 01-26-07, 09:36 AM	I would recommend a traditional Gish over Duskblade anyday. Something like Fighter1/Wizard5/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX Or Wizard6/Dragonslayer1/Spellsword2/Abjurant Champion5/Eldritch KnightX The second is more feat intensive, but gives the armored casting you seem to want, CL19 (losing only a caster level at Eldritch Knight), and BAB+17 For power, or because they're funner to play? I like the first build (except with sorcerer instead of Wizard probably), except that the multi-classing could kick my ass. Hellbred have Favored Class: Paladin (and I'm definately not going to be playing a LG Paladin... though I guess I could ask the DM what he's going to be enforcing). I don't see the character as a Dragonslayer either. Armored Casting would be nice, but I could live without it. I just happen to be looking at a Gishy character, so a lot of the classes involve some kind of armored casting. Thanks for your suggestions though :)
Nifft 01-26-07, 10:13 AM	For power, or because they're funner to play? There is a difference? ;) -- N
highbulp 01-26-07, 12:22 PM	There is a difference? ;) Yup. Hence the Bard. I'm currently thinking Fighter1/Sorc6/Spellsword1/Abjurant Champion5/??? (probably EK, maybe more Spellsword). If the DM insists on using Favored Class, I'll replace Fighter with a level of fallen Paladin--so +1BAB, d10HD, armor/weapon proficiencies, but nothing else. Basically a fighter without the Bonus Feat.
The Livewire 01-26-07, 01:16 PM	Check with your DM on if he'll allow Extra Spell feat to take spells from cross class lists. Yes I know the Feat as ruled doesn't allow for it, but it can't hurt to ask. If he goes for it, Duskblade might look a lot more viable to what you're looking for. Another option is the Battle Sorcerer from Unearthed Arcana. I've found at higher levels, you miss the spells and don't rely on the armor/weapon so much. My battle sorcerer just arcane marked her blade to read 'If you can read this, then I'm to close.'
highbulp 01-26-07, 04:07 PM	Check with your DM on if he'll allow Extra Spell feat to take spells from cross class lists. Yes I know the Feat as ruled doesn't allow for it, but it can't hurt to ask. If he goes for it, Duskblade might look a lot more viable to what you're looking for. Yeah, except that I personally don't believe that it allows spells from other class lists. I'd be wrong to try and ask someone else to allow something that I wouldn't allow in my own games. Another option is the Battle Sorcerer from Unearthed Arcana. I've found at higher levels, you miss the spells and don't rely on the armor/weapon so much. My battle sorcerer just arcane marked her blade to read 'If you can read this, then I'm to close.' The weapon and armor proficiences are for the PrCs, and I think I'd really miss that extra spell slot per level. But I still might do battle sorcerer, as it does fit the character a bit more...
General_Ridley 01-26-07, 05:50 PM	Warlock/Hellfire Warlock is a great choice, both for flavour purposes, and for fun. Fighter 1/Paladin 4/Hellreaver 4/Knight of the Chalice 10/Hellreaver 1 is also good for the exact same reasons, if you want to go the martial route.