[3.5 core] Dwarven Defender Dilemma [Archive] - Wizards Community

[3.5 core] Dwarven Defender Dilemma [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JohnCJ
10-21-03, 11:46 PM First Post.

I need a meat shield for a level 16, 3.5 core *only* game.
30 point buy, *no* starting equipment.

I went with a Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 9

str: 15
dex: 13
con: 22 (18+4 levels)
int: 13
wis: 12
cha: 6

HP: 193
DR: 3/--

Feats:
- Dodge
- Endurance
- Toughness
- Combat Expertise (for AC boosts)
- Improved Disarm
- Quick Draw (for chucking Throwing Axes)
- Diehard
- Tower Shield Prof.
- WF: Waraxe
- WS: Waraxe

Fairly basic, I know. The build (such as it is---God I miss Templar) focuses on his Tower Shield, armor and Defender abilities to beef up his AC, and a buttload of hitpoints to soak up the hits. He can chuck waraxes while in his Stance to mitigate the effects of immobility.

Here's my dilemma. Even with a 5' step from Mobile Defense, I know he's going to be stuck in a relatively small area while the combat rages around me.

Would it be more 'optimal' to add some Reach to this build to give me some greater options:

1. Drop Tower Shield for EWP: Spiked Chain
2. Drop Improved Disarm for Improved Trip
3. WF & WS switched to Spiked Chain

That would be giving up at least 4 AC for an extra 5' of reach and the ability to expolit the 3.5 Trip/AoO effect. Is this a good trade or have I overlooked something?

Thanks.
Jindl
10-21-03, 11:54 PM Fighters get tower shield proficiency for free...

Why not stick with the throwing weapons while in stance, pick up point blank, precise + rapid shot... (Drop expertise and imp disarm. and move 1 pt of int into 1 pt of Dex).

-Jindl
JohnCJ
10-22-03, 12:02 AM Tower Shield proficiency. Yes, I am an idiot. Thanks for pointing that out (I'm verrrry new to 3.5)

I like your idea.

I admit I *was* hesitant about giving up AC just so I could do tricks more suited to a Mobility Fighter, not a Meat Shield.

Thanks again.
nikademus
10-22-03, 03:54 AM My build for a dwarven defender with 3.5 core is :

01) Ranger 1
02) Fighter 1
03) Fighter 2
04) Fighter 3
05) Fighter 4
06) Ranger 2
07) Ranger 3
08) - 16) Dwarven Defender 1- 9

Feats
01) Track(r), Dodge
02) Exotic Weapon spiked chain
03) Toughness, Weapon Focus Spiked Chain
05) Weapon spec SC
06) Combat style Archery (r), Combat Expertise
07) Endurance(r)
09) Improved trip
12) Combat reflexes
15) Power attack

Stats at Lvl 16 30 Point buy

Str 16 / Int 13 / Wis 10 / Dex 14 / Con 20 / Cha 6

Buy Potions of Enlarge Person if you get the money.
Defensive Stance with a reach weapon and enlarge is better.

Nikademus

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JohnCJ 10-21-03, 11:46 PM	First Post. I need a meat shield for a level 16, 3.5 core only game. 30 point buy, no starting equipment. I went with a Fighter 7 / Dwarven Defender 9 str: 15 dex: 13 con: 22 (18+4 levels) int: 13 wis: 12 cha: 6 HP: 193 DR: 3/-- Feats: - Dodge - Endurance - Toughness - Combat Expertise (for AC boosts) - Improved Disarm - Quick Draw (for chucking Throwing Axes) - Diehard - Tower Shield Prof. - WF: Waraxe - WS: Waraxe Fairly basic, I know. The build (such as it is---God I miss Templar) focuses on his Tower Shield, armor and Defender abilities to beef up his AC, and a buttload of hitpoints to soak up the hits. He can chuck waraxes while in his Stance to mitigate the effects of immobility. Here's my dilemma. Even with a 5' step from Mobile Defense, I know he's going to be stuck in a relatively small area while the combat rages around me. Would it be more 'optimal' to add some Reach to this build to give me some greater options: 1. Drop Tower Shield for EWP: Spiked Chain 2. Drop Improved Disarm for Improved Trip 3. WF & WS switched to Spiked Chain That would be giving up at least 4 AC for an extra 5' of reach and the ability to expolit the 3.5 Trip/AoO effect. Is this a good trade or have I overlooked something? Thanks.
Jindl 10-21-03, 11:54 PM	Fighters get tower shield proficiency for free... Why not stick with the throwing weapons while in stance, pick up point blank, precise + rapid shot... (Drop expertise and imp disarm. and move 1 pt of int into 1 pt of Dex). -Jindl
JohnCJ 10-22-03, 12:02 AM	Tower Shield proficiency. Yes, I am an idiot. Thanks for pointing that out (I'm verrrry new to 3.5) I like your idea. I admit I was hesitant about giving up AC just so I could do tricks more suited to a Mobility Fighter, not a Meat Shield. Thanks again.
nikademus 10-22-03, 03:54 AM	My build for a dwarven defender with 3.5 core is : 01) Ranger 1 02) Fighter 1 03) Fighter 2 04) Fighter 3 05) Fighter 4 06) Ranger 2 07) Ranger 3 08) - 16) Dwarven Defender 1- 9 Feats 01) Track(r), Dodge 02) Exotic Weapon spiked chain 03) Toughness, Weapon Focus Spiked Chain 05) Weapon spec SC 06) Combat style Archery (r), Combat Expertise 07) Endurance(r) 09) Improved trip 12) Combat reflexes 15) Power attack Stats at Lvl 16 30 Point buy Str 16 / Int 13 / Wis 10 / Dex 14 / Con 20 / Cha 6 Buy Potions of Enlarge Person if you get the money. Defensive Stance with a reach weapon and enlarge is better. Nikademus