Axe Master [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Axe Master [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Rotogar
12-18-03, 06:28 PM Okay, I'm looking to plan out the development for my next D&D PC and I've lately been hitting the combat casters pretty hard (Cleric/Paladin) so want to go another direction. Not enjoying the straight spell casters much, I figure I'll go straight combat. But I know a guy in my group will go tank (he always does) and I don't want to compete. So I'm thinking of the following concept. Any help with putting a min/max plan together would be nice.

Human (needed for the area of the campaign world) Axe Master.
Focus on thrwon axe as opposed to melee combat. Now I know the axe is not the most range friendly weapon, which is why I need some help making the most out of it.
Fiendish Dire Weasel
12-18-03, 07:07 PM Can't think of many "tricks" to make a difference, basic ranged character rules work for the most part:

Far Shot doubles the range for thrown weapons, definatly want that.

Point Blank is great as you're probably going to want to be within 30' most of the time anyways. Need it for Far Shot anyways.

You'll need Quick Draw, so you may want to check out "Hurling Charge" from the Mini's Handbook.

So, the first few feats you want, if you're a fighter:
Point Blank
Far Shot
Quick Draw
Weapon Focus: Thowing Axe
Weapon Specilization: Throwing Axe

For PrCs Master Thrower (from Complete Warrior) would make all the difference. Since the idea of throwing axes at people works good with Barbarian in concept, maybe:

1>Barb1: Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus: Thowing Axe
2>Barb2:
3>Fighter1: Precise Shot, Far Shot
4>Fighter2: (fighter feat, Power Critical?)
5>Fighter3:
6>Master Thrower1 (Free Quick Draw): Hurling Charge
7>Fighter4: Weapon Specilization: Throwing Axe
8-11>Master Thrower2-5: Improved Crit at 9th
12+ From here on mix Barb and Fighter as desired. Final combination maybe Barb7/Ftr8/MasterThrower5

Basically, run around with a shield, light armor & a bunch of throwing axes. Throw one or two from range to soften people up then use Hurling Charge to close. The extra 10 feet of move will keep you moble and let you make longer charges.

Thats what I got off the top of my head, I'm sure some of the others can tighten the idea up.
Rotogar
12-19-03, 02:27 PM Would Ranger be a useful class in there for the archery combat style?

Also, which would be more important, STR or DEX? I'm assuming DEX since that controls the To Hit as well as the AC. But STR will affect the damage and the To Hit once she gets to melee. Since she'll be a Barbarian/Fighter, I'm assuming INT is the least important stat, followed closely by WIS/CHA.
rilem
12-19-03, 03:39 PM Regarding ranger: Note that the combat style says "archery" and not "ranged weapons" Axes ain't archery, unless you get a DM reprieve.

Barbarian does seem a good fit, especially since you'll get strength damage bonuses.
Lord Likk
12-19-03, 03:55 PM does it stipulate that it can't be used at range? if not, rgr2 might be decent, as long as you saty in light or no armor.
PhaedrusXY
12-19-03, 05:30 PM Originally posted by rilem
Regarding ranger: Note that the combat style says "archery" and not "ranged weapons" Axes ain't archery, unless you get a DM reprieve.

Barbarian does seem a good fit, especially since you'll get strength damage bonuses. It gives you the Rapid Shot feat. Rapid Shot can be used with thrown weapons. It doesn't matter that it's called the "Archery" combat style, that's just flavor text.
Fiendish Dire Weasel
12-19-03, 05:45 PM Honestly I'd skip Ranger, seems to me you're only going to carry a limited number of throwing axes, Fighter levels let you make more of the few you use as opposed to throwing lots and lots. I would go "quality over quantity". Focus and Specilization will help keet the throwing axes useful in melee, 'cause without it's a kinda weak melee weapon.

Between Str and Dex, both are important in my opinion. Dex will let you hit at range and keep your AC up. Strength will always apply to damage and help in melee. Unless you pick up Finesse I would try and balance them, maybe favoring Dex since you can boost Str with Rage if needed.
Rotogar
12-19-03, 06:12 PM Originally posted by Fiendish Dire Weasel
Focus and Specilization will help keet the throwing axes useful in melee, 'cause without it's a kinda weak melee weapon.

Is it better to stick w/ Throwing Axes? I was thinking about switching to Battleaxe (or even Great Axe) once it was time to get into melee combat.
Lord Likk
12-19-03, 06:58 PM i'm not saying you need to take ranger or dual-weild, but use both of your hands! i doubt there's any such thing as a 2 handed throwing axe, and i doubt you're willing to be a large race and take hulking hurler lvls (though i do highly recommend them), so either you weild 2 throwing axes, one throwing axe and a melee weapon in the other hand, a throwing axe and a shield, switch to a 2 handed throwing weapon (like orcish shotput or something), or just go ahead and be inefficient.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Rotogar 12-18-03, 06:28 PM	Okay, I'm looking to plan out the development for my next D&D PC and I've lately been hitting the combat casters pretty hard (Cleric/Paladin) so want to go another direction. Not enjoying the straight spell casters much, I figure I'll go straight combat. But I know a guy in my group will go tank (he always does) and I don't want to compete. So I'm thinking of the following concept. Any help with putting a min/max plan together would be nice. Human (needed for the area of the campaign world) Axe Master. Focus on thrwon axe as opposed to melee combat. Now I know the axe is not the most range friendly weapon, which is why I need some help making the most out of it.
Fiendish Dire Weasel 12-18-03, 07:07 PM	Can't think of many "tricks" to make a difference, basic ranged character rules work for the most part: Far Shot doubles the range for thrown weapons, definatly want that. Point Blank is great as you're probably going to want to be within 30' most of the time anyways. Need it for Far Shot anyways. You'll need Quick Draw, so you may want to check out "Hurling Charge" from the Mini's Handbook. So, the first few feats you want, if you're a fighter: Point Blank Far Shot Quick Draw Weapon Focus: Thowing Axe Weapon Specilization: Throwing Axe For PrCs Master Thrower (from Complete Warrior) would make all the difference. Since the idea of throwing axes at people works good with Barbarian in concept, maybe: 1>Barb1: Point Blank Shot, Weapon Focus: Thowing Axe 2>Barb2: 3>Fighter1: Precise Shot, Far Shot 4>Fighter2: (fighter feat, Power Critical?) 5>Fighter3: 6>Master Thrower1 (Free Quick Draw): Hurling Charge 7>Fighter4: Weapon Specilization: Throwing Axe 8-11>Master Thrower2-5: Improved Crit at 9th 12+ From here on mix Barb and Fighter as desired. Final combination maybe Barb7/Ftr8/MasterThrower5 Basically, run around with a shield, light armor & a bunch of throwing axes. Throw one or two from range to soften people up then use Hurling Charge to close. The extra 10 feet of move will keep you moble and let you make longer charges. Thats what I got off the top of my head, I'm sure some of the others can tighten the idea up.
Rotogar 12-19-03, 02:27 PM	Would Ranger be a useful class in there for the archery combat style? Also, which would be more important, STR or DEX? I'm assuming DEX since that controls the To Hit as well as the AC. But STR will affect the damage and the To Hit once she gets to melee. Since she'll be a Barbarian/Fighter, I'm assuming INT is the least important stat, followed closely by WIS/CHA.
rilem 12-19-03, 03:39 PM	Regarding ranger: Note that the combat style says "archery" and not "ranged weapons" Axes ain't archery, unless you get a DM reprieve. Barbarian does seem a good fit, especially since you'll get strength damage bonuses.
Lord Likk 12-19-03, 03:55 PM	does it stipulate that it can't be used at range? if not, rgr2 might be decent, as long as you saty in light or no armor.
PhaedrusXY 12-19-03, 05:30 PM	Originally posted by rilem Regarding ranger: Note that the combat style says "archery" and not "ranged weapons" Axes ain't archery, unless you get a DM reprieve. Barbarian does seem a good fit, especially since you'll get strength damage bonuses. It gives you the Rapid Shot feat. Rapid Shot can be used with thrown weapons. It doesn't matter that it's called the "Archery" combat style, that's just flavor text.
Fiendish Dire Weasel 12-19-03, 05:45 PM	Honestly I'd skip Ranger, seems to me you're only going to carry a limited number of throwing axes, Fighter levels let you make more of the few you use as opposed to throwing lots and lots. I would go "quality over quantity". Focus and Specilization will help keet the throwing axes useful in melee, 'cause without it's a kinda weak melee weapon. Between Str and Dex, both are important in my opinion. Dex will let you hit at range and keep your AC up. Strength will always apply to damage and help in melee. Unless you pick up Finesse I would try and balance them, maybe favoring Dex since you can boost Str with Rage if needed.
Rotogar 12-19-03, 06:12 PM	Originally posted by Fiendish Dire Weasel Focus and Specilization will help keet the throwing axes useful in melee, 'cause without it's a kinda weak melee weapon. Is it better to stick w/ Throwing Axes? I was thinking about switching to Battleaxe (or even Great Axe) once it was time to get into melee combat.
Lord Likk 12-19-03, 06:58 PM	i'm not saying you need to take ranger or dual-weild, but use both of your hands! i doubt there's any such thing as a 2 handed throwing axe, and i doubt you're willing to be a large race and take hulking hurler lvls (though i do highly recommend them), so either you weild 2 throwing axes, one throwing axe and a melee weapon in the other hand, a throwing axe and a shield, switch to a 2 handed throwing weapon (like orcish shotput or something), or just go ahead and be inefficient.