Middle Aged Fighter [Archive] - Wizards Community

Middle Aged Fighter [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fraser1986
11-23-04, 06:54 AM I'm about to start in a 5th level feurun campaign and have an interesting idea for a fighter. His name is Vall Dawnbringer and he came to adventuring later in life. He was originally a captain in the army of the King of Cormyr. However, due to a surprise Sembian raid his hometown was pillaged and his family are missing, presumed dead or slaves. His regiment was all but destroyed and has been disbanded. He has left the army and is seeking revenge....

I really like the idea of an older fighter, no longer as strong, quick or tough as younger men but he makes up for his lack of natural strength with a greater reliance on skill and using his intelligence. What i was wondering is how can i stay true to the character concept but still make him an effective warrior. I thought he could make use of expertise/disarm/trip etc....

I think he would wear breastplate armour as it gives good protection in battle but doesn't encumber him too much if he needs to climb or jump or something. He might even invest in masterwork armour to further increase his manouverablity. He would wield a long or bastard sword and a large wooden shield. The wooden shield is lighter, and since it is less valuable he can abandon it if required without any worries.

What does anyone think and what suggestions do you have?

Thanks in advance
atheolos
11-24-04, 06:34 AM I really like the idea of an older fighter, no longer as strong, quick or tough as younger men but he makes up for his lack of natural strength with a greater reliance on skill and using his intelligence. What i was wondering is how can i stay true to the character concept but still make him an effective warrior. I thought he could make use of expertise/disarm/trip etc....

Most fighting styles will use either strength or dexterity, both of which take penalties as a character ages. You constitution also drops as you age. However, the penalties at middle age are only -1 to Str, Dex and Con, if I recall correctly. That wouldn't make me change my whole character concept. If you are really worried, think about taking a level or three in rogue to give your character more non-combat abilities and sneak attack damage.
Neofish
11-25-04, 04:16 PM I made some feats for middle-aged or older characters, check'em out HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=330050)
Trydan
11-26-04, 03:55 AM Take the Leadership feat. You could be commanding, and have your followers do the real fighting for you. Thus, you become a Kommandant or General or something.
JohnSnow
11-30-04, 05:55 PM As atheolos pointed out, the penalties for being middle-aged are only -1 to Dex, Con, and Str. To compensate, you get +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. If you want a min-max suggestion, try assigning your stats so that the mental ones are "odd" numbers and the physical ones are "even." Then the +1 to stats will help you and the -1 won't hurt you. Cheesy, but it works.

So let's look at what you DON'T want (or can't manage). Try to avoid "borderline" scores in Str, Dex and Con. You'd hate to lose access to a feat because your Dex dips. Some feats that are probably right out include:

Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (Dex 17)
Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (Dex 19)
Manyshot (Dex 17)
Improved Precise Shot (Dex 19)

Carefully allocating scores should let you keep Str and Dex scores of at least 13. And the Int 13 for Combat Expertise makes that an attractive path. Bear in mind that for a 5th level campaign, you've gotten one ability increase.

Your basic concept seems to be to create a "smart" fighter. So, Combat Expertise is good. After that, consider Improved Trip, Improved Disarm, and maybe Improved Initiative. If you can keep a Dex over 13, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Combat Reflexes (more useful with a higher dex), and Whirlwind attack are good too.

Rapid Shot and Shot on the Run along with Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot would give you decent ranged attacks so you can stay out of danger.

Between the longsword and bastard sword, I'd go with the longsword. An extra feat (No EWP) so you can get +2 to damage (Weapon Specialization) beats an average damage increase of +1 any day. And you CAN use a longsword two-handed if you want to.

Another good option in the Realms (especially with your age-related INT bonus) is the feat Cosmopolitan, which lets you add a skill to your class list. Not a bad idea for a "smart fighter" character concept.

Look into some of the Tactical Feats from Complete Warrior if your DM will let you.

A couple levels of rogue or ranger (to reflect cunning or dirty tricks) wouldn't be a bad idea and might complement the concept. IIRC, Rangers in the realms can choose groups (like, say, Sembians) as their favored enemies. Maybe he was a scout in the army (started as ranger) until his group was slaughtered and he only dedicated himself to combat (fighter) afterwards.

Just some ideas.
Tony Vargas
12-01-04, 06:04 PM Core, Expertise would certainly be the feat to use as a foundation (since your INT will only be going up, and other stats may be dropping). I'd avoid feats with DEX and STR requirement (which, admittedly, is a lot, but it'll play to the character concept). The feats that take expertise as a preqs are good choices too. Improved Feint is also pretty apropriate, since your CHA is also only going to go up. Ditto Leadership. Same goes for Intimidate, for that matter. With a relatively high INT you should be able to afford a few skills, like Bluff and Intimidate, and they'll be very apropriate, as well. With a higher WIS, you WILL save won't be so bad, and further bolstering it (Iron Will) might be an advantage, as enemies waste will save spells on the fighter who they expect to have a poor WILL save.

Medium Armor might be a good choice, if you have the DEX for it, so might heavy if your STR is holding up. Weapon and Shield works well with Expertise, to maximize AC, but for a weapon, you might consider the flail, which works well with trip and disarm.

I'd second the idea of a rogue level or few - the extra skill points don't hurt, and the sneak attack works well with Feint, which is a very apropriate tactic for the "old age and cunning vs youth and skill" concept. ;) No more than 4 levels, overall, though - you don't want to sacrifice anymore BAB than you have to.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fraser1986 11-23-04, 06:54 AM	I'm about to start in a 5th level feurun campaign and have an interesting idea for a fighter. His name is Vall Dawnbringer and he came to adventuring later in life. He was originally a captain in the army of the King of Cormyr. However, due to a surprise Sembian raid his hometown was pillaged and his family are missing, presumed dead or slaves. His regiment was all but destroyed and has been disbanded. He has left the army and is seeking revenge.... I really like the idea of an older fighter, no longer as strong, quick or tough as younger men but he makes up for his lack of natural strength with a greater reliance on skill and using his intelligence. What i was wondering is how can i stay true to the character concept but still make him an effective warrior. I thought he could make use of expertise/disarm/trip etc.... I think he would wear breastplate armour as it gives good protection in battle but doesn't encumber him too much if he needs to climb or jump or something. He might even invest in masterwork armour to further increase his manouverablity. He would wield a long or bastard sword and a large wooden shield. The wooden shield is lighter, and since it is less valuable he can abandon it if required without any worries. What does anyone think and what suggestions do you have? Thanks in advance
atheolos 11-24-04, 06:34 AM	I really like the idea of an older fighter, no longer as strong, quick or tough as younger men but he makes up for his lack of natural strength with a greater reliance on skill and using his intelligence. What i was wondering is how can i stay true to the character concept but still make him an effective warrior. I thought he could make use of expertise/disarm/trip etc.... Most fighting styles will use either strength or dexterity, both of which take penalties as a character ages. You constitution also drops as you age. However, the penalties at middle age are only -1 to Str, Dex and Con, if I recall correctly. That wouldn't make me change my whole character concept. If you are really worried, think about taking a level or three in rogue to give your character more non-combat abilities and sneak attack damage.
Neofish 11-25-04, 04:16 PM	I made some feats for middle-aged or older characters, check'em out HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=330050)
Trydan 11-26-04, 03:55 AM	Take the Leadership feat. You could be commanding, and have your followers do the real fighting for you. Thus, you become a Kommandant or General or something.
JohnSnow 11-30-04, 05:55 PM	As atheolos pointed out, the penalties for being middle-aged are only -1 to Dex, Con, and Str. To compensate, you get +1 to Int, Wis, and Cha. If you want a min-max suggestion, try assigning your stats so that the mental ones are "odd" numbers and the physical ones are "even." Then the +1 to stats will help you and the -1 won't hurt you. Cheesy, but it works. So let's look at what you DON'T want (or can't manage). Try to avoid "borderline" scores in Str, Dex and Con. You'd hate to lose access to a feat because your Dex dips. Some feats that are probably right out include: Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (Dex 17) Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (Dex 19) Manyshot (Dex 17) Improved Precise Shot (Dex 19) Carefully allocating scores should let you keep Str and Dex scores of at least 13. And the Int 13 for Combat Expertise makes that an attractive path. Bear in mind that for a 5th level campaign, you've gotten one ability increase. Your basic concept seems to be to create a "smart" fighter. So, Combat Expertise is good. After that, consider Improved Trip, Improved Disarm, and maybe Improved Initiative. If you can keep a Dex over 13, Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack, Combat Reflexes (more useful with a higher dex), and Whirlwind attack are good too. Rapid Shot and Shot on the Run along with Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot would give you decent ranged attacks so you can stay out of danger. Between the longsword and bastard sword, I'd go with the longsword. An extra feat (No EWP) so you can get +2 to damage (Weapon Specialization) beats an average damage increase of +1 any day. And you CAN use a longsword two-handed if you want to. Another good option in the Realms (especially with your age-related INT bonus) is the feat Cosmopolitan, which lets you add a skill to your class list. Not a bad idea for a "smart fighter" character concept. Look into some of the Tactical Feats from Complete Warrior if your DM will let you. A couple levels of rogue or ranger (to reflect cunning or dirty tricks) wouldn't be a bad idea and might complement the concept. IIRC, Rangers in the realms can choose groups (like, say, Sembians) as their favored enemies. Maybe he was a scout in the army (started as ranger) until his group was slaughtered and he only dedicated himself to combat (fighter) afterwards. Just some ideas.
Tony Vargas 12-01-04, 06:04 PM	Core, Expertise would certainly be the feat to use as a foundation (since your INT will only be going up, and other stats may be dropping). I'd avoid feats with DEX and STR requirement (which, admittedly, is a lot, but it'll play to the character concept). The feats that take expertise as a preqs are good choices too. Improved Feint is also pretty apropriate, since your CHA is also only going to go up. Ditto Leadership. Same goes for Intimidate, for that matter. With a relatively high INT you should be able to afford a few skills, like Bluff and Intimidate, and they'll be very apropriate, as well. With a higher WIS, you WILL save won't be so bad, and further bolstering it (Iron Will) might be an advantage, as enemies waste will save spells on the fighter who they expect to have a poor WILL save. Medium Armor might be a good choice, if you have the DEX for it, so might heavy if your STR is holding up. Weapon and Shield works well with Expertise, to maximize AC, but for a weapon, you might consider the flail, which works well with trip and disarm. I'd second the idea of a rogue level or few - the extra skill points don't hurt, and the sneak attack works well with Feint, which is a very apropriate tactic for the "old age and cunning vs youth and skill" concept. ;) No more than 4 levels, overall, though - you don't want to sacrifice anymore BAB than you have to.