Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GoMango 08-22-07, 02:03 PM	Ok I will admit it I am still in 2nd Edition mind lock. I am an old time gamer and have recently been reenergized by D&D. I found a good game group and am having difficulty enjoying my time. Let me explain before you flame. The people I play with are 3.5 rule set gurus. They pick and choose, build and stack all manner of class’s and prestige classes. I don’t have the knowledge base to build a competitive character. The campaign has been going on for over a year; I am joining a table with two players who have been in the story and campaign since day one. This is my first hurdle. I will have to role play this out it seems and try to fit in. The larger issue is how to create a character in a system I know close to nothing about that can run with a 10th level buffed out and well equipped Monk and a 10th level multi-classed prestige Arcane caster. My original character failed miserable, mostly due to my lack of interest in the back story and after the first game session I felt so out classed. It made me sick, now don’t get me wrong I don’t have “Item” envy and I don’t typically get character envy, or at least I used to not. However with my lack of 3.5 knowledge I feel out gunned. My goal is to play a Cleric/Fighter, my favorite 2nd Edition class. We play in the Scarred Lands setting but our dm is very flexible when it comes to prestige class’s that require gods or traits from other realms or source books I am only getting 8 levels to use here so here goes. Stats to work with: 12, 15, 16, 17, 17, 18 ( and yes I rolled them myself in front of the DM 4dg drop lowest) My Dm is being kind enough to let me keep these stats for my new character, I am grateful for that. My first failure was as follows: Silvan (races of renown pg 24): Cleric level 6 (Nemorga) Basically the character was flawed in my mind and I never got it off the ground, it’s not what I wanted basically. I have two ideas; I am hoping someone here can help me maximize my race/stats and class/prestige to get me off the ground running next week. All Human Idea 1: Warlock/cleric/eldritch disciple not real combat ready but the dm and I have come up with a weapon of legacy idea that will fit right in, thought the weapon does have draw backs its rp factor is high. Idea 2: Crusader (ToB)/Cleric/Ruby Knight Vindicator (hybrid for campaign setting) this appeals because its about as cool a combat cleric as I have found I am not opposed to ECL races, however it would have to be a good enough build that it could survive in a level 10 hard core campaign I have read about reserve feats and that like and think that for a cleric/fighter using one to get some good healing without blowing spells would work out great. I am hoping this forum can aid an old time gamer, by getting me into the 21st century, game breaking ideas are welcome as well, I have access to most of the books through friends, I just don’t have time to read them all. ADVICE ADVICE IDEAS!!! Please help me.
camirblu 08-22-07, 07:48 PM	I run into somewhat similar issues. To me, RPGs are about the role-play, and stats get in the way. However, d20 is also heavily number crunching. I would be tempted to stick with pure cleric. It's a great way to learn the class and just how different a 3.5 cleric and a 2.x cleric/fighter can be. You'll have access to all the spells and can fairly pick and choose each session. Consider also visiting the Character Optimization boards and finding the Cleric Handbook...just remember that cleric 20 is fairly powerful on its own, especially as a combatant. This is also much more a CO question than a development one. Taking fighter levels with cleric will nerf your spellcasting ability. So will alot of LA. The cleric in 3.5 really doesn't need fighter levels, especially with spells you'll have access to at later levels. Which again is why caster levels are important. Otherwise, if you're really looking for cleric/fighter, you might try the duskblade, but I don't know too much about him. Someone else is probably more useful there. If you're more looking for an adept-style fighter rather than a cleric-fighter one in particular, I think the term for those here is "gish." Check out, in that case, the wizard and druid handbooks as well. They're available in the CO boards.