Defender Hexblade [Archive] - Wizards Community

Defender Hexblade [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
shadowflamedancer
07-06-05, 10:17 PM Concept: This hexblade focuses mainly on defending his companion (a bard if you want to know) with abilities such as Improved Trip & Improved Disarm. They go around to areas of conflict, (read: wars) find out what is being fought over, pick a side, and heal/bardicly inspire their newfound allies. More than once their "allies" have declared the duo enemy agents, spies, or have even had different goals (expecting elves and finding dwarves! *gasp*)than the information told them. This character's alignment is undecided, (as opposed to the CG of the bard) and considers his companion a little naive, but watches over him like an older brother. They are both human, and although I could declare them siblings, I'd rather find a more creative link than that.

I was wondering if anyone could think of good reasons that the hexblade would watch over the bard. Life debt, order from superior(sp?), or whatever. I'm also wondering about mechanics and where to go. Both the characters will be starting at 4th level, and for feats the hexblade will have Combat Expertise, Improved Trip & Improved Disarm. Are there any "body gaurd-esque" feats?, and if so where are they. He would rather simply "neutralize" a threat than kill a person, but has no objection to killing when it is needed. Indeed, if somthing needed to be done to protect the bard (blackmail, assasination, taking the fall) the hexblade would be the one to do it. Thanks all!
DBoot
07-07-05, 01:02 AM As far as the numbers side is concerned, Consider either entering the Devoted Defender Class or picking up Combat Expertise, Improved Combat Expertise, and Allied Defense (Shining South). The latter will let your ally gain the benefits of your Combat Expertise. Since Combat Expertise is a dodge bonus, it applies to touch AC, something that will make both of you very very happy. Also, consider picking up Extra Spell: Wraithstrike (Complete Adventurer). It'll allow you to still fight (and trip and such) despite taking a large penalty to hit. Consider wielding a Guisarme. It has reach and allows tripping. If you can spare the feat, Spiked Chain is the way to go.

As for why he'd follow him around, there can be any number of reasons.
Neighbors, childhood friends, like-minded individuals who met on the field of battle, comrades from an adventuring group that had a falling out...

In terms of sheer combat prowess you are the more competent of the two (unless he has a hell of a bard build), a fact that in your past has resulted in you assuming the role of the protector, a role you take to well, both in your combat and social relationship.
shadowflamedancer
07-07-05, 02:32 PM As for the weapon choice, I currently have him weilding a ranseur, so he can make disarm attempts while staying a decent distance away.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
shadowflamedancer 07-06-05, 10:17 PM	Concept: This hexblade focuses mainly on defending his companion (a bard if you want to know) with abilities such as Improved Trip & Improved Disarm. They go around to areas of conflict, (read: wars) find out what is being fought over, pick a side, and heal/bardicly inspire their newfound allies. More than once their "allies" have declared the duo enemy agents, spies, or have even had different goals (expecting elves and finding dwarves! gasp)than the information told them. This character's alignment is undecided, (as opposed to the CG of the bard) and considers his companion a little naive, but watches over him like an older brother. They are both human, and although I could declare them siblings, I'd rather find a more creative link than that. I was wondering if anyone could think of good reasons that the hexblade would watch over the bard. Life debt, order from superior(sp?), or whatever. I'm also wondering about mechanics and where to go. Both the characters will be starting at 4th level, and for feats the hexblade will have Combat Expertise, Improved Trip & Improved Disarm. Are there any "body gaurd-esque" feats?, and if so where are they. He would rather simply "neutralize" a threat than kill a person, but has no objection to killing when it is needed. Indeed, if somthing needed to be done to protect the bard (blackmail, assasination, taking the fall) the hexblade would be the one to do it. Thanks all!
DBoot 07-07-05, 01:02 AM	As far as the numbers side is concerned, Consider either entering the Devoted Defender Class or picking up Combat Expertise, Improved Combat Expertise, and Allied Defense (Shining South). The latter will let your ally gain the benefits of your Combat Expertise. Since Combat Expertise is a dodge bonus, it applies to touch AC, something that will make both of you very very happy. Also, consider picking up Extra Spell: Wraithstrike (Complete Adventurer). It'll allow you to still fight (and trip and such) despite taking a large penalty to hit. Consider wielding a Guisarme. It has reach and allows tripping. If you can spare the feat, Spiked Chain is the way to go. As for why he'd follow him around, there can be any number of reasons. Neighbors, childhood friends, like-minded individuals who met on the field of battle, comrades from an adventuring group that had a falling out... In terms of sheer combat prowess you are the more competent of the two (unless he has a hell of a bard build), a fact that in your past has resulted in you assuming the role of the protector, a role you take to well, both in your combat and social relationship.
shadowflamedancer 07-07-05, 02:32 PM	As for the weapon choice, I currently have him weilding a ranseur, so he can make disarm attempts while staying a decent distance away.