Another ToB build. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Another ToB build. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Out_of_the_Frying_Pan
10-14-06, 06:03 PM I've lurked around here quite a bit, trying to learn. This is my first real attempt at putting together something worth while, so please be gentle.

This is for a campaign I'll be starting with my brother's group pretty soon. He says he's got a pretty harsh campaign, but he won't tell us what it is. He did offer these houserules:

1) Rather than get a feat at every 3rd level, we will get a feat at every other level. This is to help compensate for the size of the party.

2) No XP penalties unless multiclassing away from related classes (fighter-->wizard for example).

The first 10 levels are already set in stone. The rest are up for grabs.

Title: Late Bloomer
Race: Human
Build Stub: Rogue 2/Warblade 4/Bloodstorm 4

Feats: bonus feats in parenthesis
1. Able Learner, (Point Blank Shot)
3. Precise Shot
5. Wpn Focus (Greatsword)
7. Power Attack
9. Wpn Spec (Greatsword), (RWM (Slashing))

It's the next 10 levels that I'm having trouble with deciding. I've decided to go with a thrower, as you can see above. I know what I want to do. I like the idea put forth in the ToB builds thread of combining a massive number of ranged attacks with Stormguard Warrior. Ultimately, I want the Weak Spot ability of the Master Thrower as well.

My question is this: should I hammer out all of the Master Thrower levels and postpone the total number of attacks I get to make or should I try and get all of the necessary feats and what not as soon as possible. Here are the three progressions I've come up with.

1) Master Thrower 5

11. TWF
13. Ironheart Aura
15. Stormguard Warrior

This gets to Weak Spot the quickest, but leaves out three possible attacks (ITWF, GTWF and Rapid Shot) as well as burning a feat for Ironheart Aura that the Warblade can get for free.

2) Master Thrower 2/Warblade +1/Master Thrower +3

11. TWF
13. (Ironheart Aura), Stormguard Warrior
15. ITWF

This leaves out two attacks (GTWF and Rapid Shot), but otherwise establishes everything else pretty quickly.

3) Master Thrower 1/Warblade +1/Fighter 2/Master Thrower +1

11. TWF
12. Ironheart Aura
13. Stormguard Warrior, (ITWF)
14. (GTWF)
15. Rapid Shot

This postpones the acquisition of Weak Spot until very late in the build, but it picks up all of the extra attacks and Stormguard Warrior very quickly.

So, what do you ladies and gentlemen think would be best? Is Weak Spot that necessary or can it be postponed? Do you have any other possible options? Please, let me know and tell me if I've violated any of the generally accepted practices.
xanadu
10-15-06, 01:35 AM I think it would help if we knew your stats and other party members.

If you have a high strength, I'd go for brutal throw instead of weapon specialization. Get twf earlier. Power attack as well if you have str.

I don't think there is a pressing need for weak spot if you have a high enough attack bonus. I prefer a good build at 12 and a decent build at 20 than a so so build at 12 and great one at 20. I'm not sure the bloodstorm PrC in not worth advancing...some of its abilities like "Blood Rain" seem rather potent.
Out_of_the_Frying_Pan
10-15-06, 04:01 AM I think it would help if we knew your stats and other party members.

Stats:

Str: 24
Dex: 14
Con: 16
Int: 16
Wis: 13
Cha: 13

Other party members: Cleric/Radiant Servant of Pelor and a straight Wizard.

If you have a high strength, I'd go for brutal throw instead of weapon specialization. Get twf earlier. Power attack as well if you have str.

Like I said, first 10 levels are set in stone. Since Bloodstorm Blade allows use of strength instead of dexterity for ranged attacks, I'd say brutal throw is less useful without using the retraining rules in PHB2. I do agree with your assessment of the relative strength of the builds, so I may try with the entire trick in the next few levels.

Any bit of advice from anyone else is still greatly appreciated.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Out_of_the_Frying_Pan 10-14-06, 06:03 PM	I've lurked around here quite a bit, trying to learn. This is my first real attempt at putting together something worth while, so please be gentle. This is for a campaign I'll be starting with my brother's group pretty soon. He says he's got a pretty harsh campaign, but he won't tell us what it is. He did offer these houserules: 1) Rather than get a feat at every 3rd level, we will get a feat at every other level. This is to help compensate for the size of the party. 2) No XP penalties unless multiclassing away from related classes (fighter-->wizard for example). The first 10 levels are already set in stone. The rest are up for grabs. Title: Late Bloomer Race: Human Build Stub: Rogue 2/Warblade 4/Bloodstorm 4 Feats: bonus feats in parenthesis 1. Able Learner, (Point Blank Shot) 3. Precise Shot 5. Wpn Focus (Greatsword) 7. Power Attack 9. Wpn Spec (Greatsword), (RWM (Slashing)) It's the next 10 levels that I'm having trouble with deciding. I've decided to go with a thrower, as you can see above. I know what I want to do. I like the idea put forth in the ToB builds thread of combining a massive number of ranged attacks with Stormguard Warrior. Ultimately, I want the Weak Spot ability of the Master Thrower as well. My question is this: should I hammer out all of the Master Thrower levels and postpone the total number of attacks I get to make or should I try and get all of the necessary feats and what not as soon as possible. Here are the three progressions I've come up with. 1) Master Thrower 5 11. TWF 13. Ironheart Aura 15. Stormguard Warrior This gets to Weak Spot the quickest, but leaves out three possible attacks (ITWF, GTWF and Rapid Shot) as well as burning a feat for Ironheart Aura that the Warblade can get for free. 2) Master Thrower 2/Warblade +1/Master Thrower +3 11. TWF 13. (Ironheart Aura), Stormguard Warrior 15. ITWF This leaves out two attacks (GTWF and Rapid Shot), but otherwise establishes everything else pretty quickly. 3) Master Thrower 1/Warblade +1/Fighter 2/Master Thrower +1 11. TWF 12. Ironheart Aura 13. Stormguard Warrior, (ITWF) 14. (GTWF) 15. Rapid Shot This postpones the acquisition of Weak Spot until very late in the build, but it picks up all of the extra attacks and Stormguard Warrior very quickly. So, what do you ladies and gentlemen think would be best? Is Weak Spot that necessary or can it be postponed? Do you have any other possible options? Please, let me know and tell me if I've violated any of the generally accepted practices.
xanadu 10-15-06, 01:35 AM	I think it would help if we knew your stats and other party members. If you have a high strength, I'd go for brutal throw instead of weapon specialization. Get twf earlier. Power attack as well if you have str. I don't think there is a pressing need for weak spot if you have a high enough attack bonus. I prefer a good build at 12 and a decent build at 20 than a so so build at 12 and great one at 20. I'm not sure the bloodstorm PrC in not worth advancing...some of its abilities like "Blood Rain" seem rather potent.
Out_of_the_Frying_Pan 10-15-06, 04:01 AM	I think it would help if we knew your stats and other party members. Stats: Str: 24 Dex: 14 Con: 16 Int: 16 Wis: 13 Cha: 13 Other party members: Cleric/Radiant Servant of Pelor and a straight Wizard. If you have a high strength, I'd go for brutal throw instead of weapon specialization. Get twf earlier. Power attack as well if you have str. Like I said, first 10 levels are set in stone. Since Bloodstorm Blade allows use of strength instead of dexterity for ranged attacks, I'd say brutal throw is less useful without using the retraining rules in PHB2. I do agree with your assessment of the relative strength of the builds, so I may try with the entire trick in the next few levels. Any bit of advice from anyone else is still greatly appreciated.