Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tytalus 01-28-07, 11:09 PM	I'm currently making a backup character, and I fell in love with Caelic's fantastic idea (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=681698) to make it a Changeling [ECS] posing as a kobold. To summarize the basic idea, you take Warshaper [CW] levels (for various nice bonuses), the Racial Emulation feat [RoE] and pick up Kobold fighter substitution levels 2&4 (+2 CON/STR), e.g.: 01: Fighter [Racial Emulation, FighterFeat] 02: Fighter subst. (+2 CON) 03: Fighter [Feat] 04: Fighter subst. (+2 STR) 05-08: Warshaper [Feat @ lvl 6] This leaves the little guy at level 8, and that's where I'm stuck. To emphasize the "blessed by the dragon" flavor, I'd like to get into Chameleon [RoD] at this point, but can't seem to meet the 8 ranks in Bluff (not a class skill for fighter or warshaper). Any ideas on how to get there? In particular, is there a way to get a skill as a class skill? At the moment I can only think of the 3.0 version of Cosmopolitan [FRCS]. On a different note, Tome of Battle introduced a number of fun varieties for melee characters. The Diverse Background feat [RoD] could help to deal with multiclass penalties., so would it be better to finish off with Warblade (or Crusader) instead? Of course, I could throw out the fighter levels altogether and go Warblade/Warshaper all the way. I really like them, though. Is that better? Sources: all WotC without Psionics. Multiclassing should be minimal, especially avoiding dips. 28 point buy. Starting level likely 10. Campaign revolves around a huge war (downtime minimal; fights common, including large-scale). Opponents are mainly orcs, giants, and aberrations. Any help is appreciated!
Blade2718 01-29-07, 12:13 AM	Since you'll be dealing with opponents larger than you (mostly), I think it would be even more atypical if you focused on throwing them. Setting Sun maneuvers would make your character even more "against the grain".
Tytalus 01-29-07, 12:48 AM	Since you'll be dealing with opponents larger than you (mostly), I think it would be even more atypical if you focused on throwing them. Setting Sun maneuvers would make your character even more "against the grain". That's a good point, but not quite what I had in mind. I'll either focus on the (long) spear (terrible weapon, I know), or natural attacks. Note that since he's actually a changeling, he will be medium size, even when emulating a kobold.
DavidWL 01-29-07, 03:42 AM	To emphasize the "blessed by the dragon" flavor, I'd like to get into Chameleon [RoD] at this point, but can't seem to meet the 8 ranks in Bluff (not a class skill for fighter or warshaper). Any ideas on how to get there? In particular, is there a way to get a skill as a class skill? At the moment I can only think of the 3.0 version of Cosmopolitan [FRCS]. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=749560 On a different note, Tome of Battle introduced a number of fun varieties for melee characters. The Diverse Background feat [RoD] could help to deal with multiclass penalties., so would it be better to finish off with Warblade (or Crusader) instead? Hmm. Really I think this is a matter of preference. Do you like initiators better, or spellcasters? Given your build, personally, I'd finish with a combination of ToB stuff. Of course, I could throw out the fighter levels altogether and go Warblade/Warshaper all the way. I really like them, though. Is that better? Given that you start at 10th level ... Fighter 4/Warshaper 4/Warblade 1/Crusader 1 will net you a lot. I don't think you gain that much by having the first 4 levels being Warblade (ok, you'll get access to higher level manuevers, but if you took feats that would generally balance it out). In general, I don't think Fighter 3-4 are worth it. I'd stop at Fighter 2 -> Fighter 2/Warblade 2/Warshaper 4/Warblade 1/Crusader 1/ Still, take it with a grain of salt, as I'm not an experienced ToB optimizer. Best, David EDIT: I just realized my sketch above would inflict an Experience Penalty. Hmm....
Tytalus 01-30-07, 08:59 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=749560 Thanks DavidWL, that's great stuff! Fighter 4/Warshaper 4/Warblade 1/Crusader 1 will net you a lot. I don't think you gain that much by having the first 4 levels being Warblade (ok, you'll get access to higher level manuevers, but if you took feats that would generally balance it out). In general, I don't think Fighter 3-4 are worth it. I'd stop at Fighter 2 -> Fighter 2/Warblade 2/Warshaper 4/Warblade 1/Crusader 1/ Still, take it with a grain of salt, as I'm not an experienced ToB optimizer. Well, fighter 4 (kobold substitution level) nets me a +2 STR, and fits flavor-wise. The problem with adding in ToB stuff is (multiclassing penalties aside) that it makes for a rather messy build, which I'm trying to avoid. One extra ToB class might fly, but two probably wouldn't Of course, I could drop the (very nice IMHO) fighter levels and just go Warblade 4 / Warshaper 4 / Warblade ++ ... I'm just not sure how much better this is than Fighter 4 / Warshaper 4 / PrC++ Using a fitting PrC, such as Chameleon, Kensai, etc. I'd also love to avoid having to take more feats at 1st level, as I need Racial Emulation in any case and would love to take Dragonwrought as well. Flaws may or may not be an option.
runestar 01-30-07, 10:04 PM	Where's this warshaper prc? I seem to be hearing about it a lot...
DavidWL 01-30-07, 10:14 PM	Where's this warshaper prc? I seem to be hearing about it a lot... It's from the complete warrior. Also, this is a helpful link (From Surreal's link list): http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/lists Best, David