Barbarian totemist [Archive] - Wizards Community

Barbarian totemist [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Friss_Kervrask
08-18-06, 10:44 PM I'm looking to make a Totem Rager (Magic of Incarnum) in a Evil aligned game. We are currently level 2 (So I have : Barbarian1/Totemist1) but I'm looking for a level 15 build (each level description could be nice). To be honest, it's the first time I make a totemist but I still know much about Incarnum.

My task is in 2 points. First, I need to find a nice race for my current level (Barb1/Tot1) and what Soulmelds to take and with what Chakra Bind. For the race, I want something tribal and brutal (Maybe an orc, a half-orc or a duskling...but I don't really sure of what a duskling have as race bonuses...we use 32 points buy system)

Second, I want a good selection of Soulmelds and Chakra Binds as a level 15 character as well as some feats.

Thank you all in advance for your help.
X-Codes
08-18-06, 11:33 PM For 15th level, I'd use a Duskling Totemist 3/Barbarian 3/Totem Rager 9.

For Feats you obviously need Cobalt Rage. Double Chakra [Totem] generally isn't a bad idea, either, nor are Power Attack and Leap Attack. For the last feat, Expanded Soulmeld Capacity is your best bet. Don't forget some kind of magical Pounce item to make the most out of Leap Attack.

At 15th level, your totem chakra has an essentia capacity of 4. That increases to 5 at 16th and 6 and 17th levels. Expanded Soulmeld Capacity should be used on one of your Totem soulmelds.

For which soulmelds and chakra binds you should use, theres a few combinations that work. First is Girallion Arms + Heart of Fire, both bound to your chakra. This is really only worthwile if you don't have a real weapon to swing, or maybe if you're fighting a lot of cold-based creatures, because you're losing a lot of damage from Power Attack and high Strength. If you have a weapon, then Ankheg Breastplate + Lamia Belt gives you a lot of attacks, all getting the bonus from Cobalt Rage and at least some Strength. It also gives you a solid Hide check in the odd instance you would want to advoid battle, aided by a lack of having an Armor Check Penalty.

You should read the Soulmelds for yourself. Theres a lot of things you can do as a Totemist, but you need to prepare your soulmelds according to what you'll face the next day.
Friss_Kervrask
08-18-06, 11:44 PM I've readed most of the soulmelds. And I do have a weapon to swing...a greataxe to be exact.

What do Cobalt Rage?

And can you make my stats? (32 points buy system) I forgot to tell...my first level is barbarian.
Tleilaxu_Ghola
08-18-06, 11:51 PM For 15th level, I'd use a Duskling Totemist 3/Barbarian 3/Totem Rager 9.
I'd actually recommend Azurin as long as your totemist & barbarian levels are within 1 of eachother. The extra feat is capital. Dusklings are cool, but feats are cooler.

For Feats you obviously need Cobalt Rage. Double Chakra [Totem] generally isn't a bad idea, either, nor are Power Attack and Leap Attack. For the last feat, Expanded Soulmeld Capacity is your best bet. Don't forget some kind of magical Pounce item to make the most out of Leap Attack.
Double Chakra is an EXCELLENT feat and you MUST take it ASAP. Expanded Soulmeld Capacity is one of the first feats you should take. Power attack & Leap attack are feats you should probably avoid -- natural attacks don't have a good power attack return and your base attack won't be as good as a fighters (totemist and totem rager both have average BAB). To augment your damage you're going to have to rely on your cobalt rage feat and some other sources like enhancement bonuses (due to essentia investment) and elemental damage (from soulmelds like heart of fire and kruthik claws). As for magical pounce, look no further than sphinx claws bound to your hand chakras (it grants full-attack on a charge with natural weapons only).

For which soulmelds and chakra binds you should use, theres a few combinations that work. First is Girallion Arms + Heart of Fire, both bound to your chakra. This is really only worthwile if you don't have a real weapon to swing, or maybe if you're fighting a lot of cold-based creatures, because you're losing a lot of damage from Power Attack and high Strength. If you have a weapon, then Ankheg Breastplate + Lamia Belt gives you a lot of attacks, all getting the bonus from Cobalt Rage and at least some Strength. It also gives you a solid Hide check in the odd instance you would want to advoid battle, aided by a lack of having an Armor Check Penalty.
No mention of landshark boots? For shame. That's the best soulmeld in the book. Mix that with heart of fire (as X-Codes pointed out) double bound to your totem chakra and you're looking at some really nice damage.

Look in my signature, there you will find a link to "Incarnum Tricks/Combos/Builds" -- it's a thread filled with Incarnum goodness and a lot of it is geared towards totemists. You should be able educate yourself quite quickly on the best soulmelds by perusing this thread.

Also, for a totemist build in action, I'll direct you to this Thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=666169). It's not exactly what you're looking for, but it basically shows how to optimize the landshark boots soulmeld. Instead of skirmish you could easily substitute in totem rager and the damage might be improved greatly. The build in that thread aims for more than damage though -- I was trying to optimize for mobility, skills, and damage.
Friss_Kervrask
08-19-06, 12:15 AM *Evil laugh* Duskling then...feats are not a problem. My DM allow ''buying''feats for 100 gold and 1 week of training.

What is the effect of Cobalt Rage?
vogster
08-19-06, 12:43 AM *Evil laugh* Duskling then...feats are not a problem. My DM allow ''buying''feats for 100 gold and 1 week of training.

Wow, can you say overpowered!
Friss_Kervrask
08-19-06, 12:49 AM not really since we can only buy half our HD in feats. But it's a very good bonus :D . Usually I don't train in his game but with the monsters that come out I'm better to take it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Friss_Kervrask 08-18-06, 10:44 PM	I'm looking to make a Totem Rager (Magic of Incarnum) in a Evil aligned game. We are currently level 2 (So I have : Barbarian1/Totemist1) but I'm looking for a level 15 build (each level description could be nice). To be honest, it's the first time I make a totemist but I still know much about Incarnum. My task is in 2 points. First, I need to find a nice race for my current level (Barb1/Tot1) and what Soulmelds to take and with what Chakra Bind. For the race, I want something tribal and brutal (Maybe an orc, a half-orc or a duskling...but I don't really sure of what a duskling have as race bonuses...we use 32 points buy system) Second, I want a good selection of Soulmelds and Chakra Binds as a level 15 character as well as some feats. Thank you all in advance for your help.
X-Codes 08-18-06, 11:33 PM	For 15th level, I'd use a Duskling Totemist 3/Barbarian 3/Totem Rager 9. For Feats you obviously need Cobalt Rage. Double Chakra [Totem] generally isn't a bad idea, either, nor are Power Attack and Leap Attack. For the last feat, Expanded Soulmeld Capacity is your best bet. Don't forget some kind of magical Pounce item to make the most out of Leap Attack. At 15th level, your totem chakra has an essentia capacity of 4. That increases to 5 at 16th and 6 and 17th levels. Expanded Soulmeld Capacity should be used on one of your Totem soulmelds. For which soulmelds and chakra binds you should use, theres a few combinations that work. First is Girallion Arms + Heart of Fire, both bound to your chakra. This is really only worthwile if you don't have a real weapon to swing, or maybe if you're fighting a lot of cold-based creatures, because you're losing a lot of damage from Power Attack and high Strength. If you have a weapon, then Ankheg Breastplate + Lamia Belt gives you a lot of attacks, all getting the bonus from Cobalt Rage and at least some Strength. It also gives you a solid Hide check in the odd instance you would want to advoid battle, aided by a lack of having an Armor Check Penalty. You should read the Soulmelds for yourself. Theres a lot of things you can do as a Totemist, but you need to prepare your soulmelds according to what you'll face the next day.
Friss_Kervrask 08-18-06, 11:44 PM	I've readed most of the soulmelds. And I do have a weapon to swing...a greataxe to be exact. What do Cobalt Rage? And can you make my stats? (32 points buy system) I forgot to tell...my first level is barbarian.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 08-18-06, 11:51 PM	For 15th level, I'd use a Duskling Totemist 3/Barbarian 3/Totem Rager 9. I'd actually recommend Azurin as long as your totemist & barbarian levels are within 1 of eachother. The extra feat is capital. Dusklings are cool, but feats are cooler. For Feats you obviously need Cobalt Rage. Double Chakra [Totem] generally isn't a bad idea, either, nor are Power Attack and Leap Attack. For the last feat, Expanded Soulmeld Capacity is your best bet. Don't forget some kind of magical Pounce item to make the most out of Leap Attack. Double Chakra is an EXCELLENT feat and you MUST take it ASAP. Expanded Soulmeld Capacity is one of the first feats you should take. Power attack & Leap attack are feats you should probably avoid -- natural attacks don't have a good power attack return and your base attack won't be as good as a fighters (totemist and totem rager both have average BAB). To augment your damage you're going to have to rely on your cobalt rage feat and some other sources like enhancement bonuses (due to essentia investment) and elemental damage (from soulmelds like heart of fire and kruthik claws). As for magical pounce, look no further than sphinx claws bound to your hand chakras (it grants full-attack on a charge with natural weapons only). For which soulmelds and chakra binds you should use, theres a few combinations that work. First is Girallion Arms + Heart of Fire, both bound to your chakra. This is really only worthwile if you don't have a real weapon to swing, or maybe if you're fighting a lot of cold-based creatures, because you're losing a lot of damage from Power Attack and high Strength. If you have a weapon, then Ankheg Breastplate + Lamia Belt gives you a lot of attacks, all getting the bonus from Cobalt Rage and at least some Strength. It also gives you a solid Hide check in the odd instance you would want to advoid battle, aided by a lack of having an Armor Check Penalty. No mention of landshark boots? For shame. That's the best soulmeld in the book. Mix that with heart of fire (as X-Codes pointed out) double bound to your totem chakra and you're looking at some really nice damage. Look in my signature, there you will find a link to "Incarnum Tricks/Combos/Builds" -- it's a thread filled with Incarnum goodness and a lot of it is geared towards totemists. You should be able educate yourself quite quickly on the best soulmelds by perusing this thread. Also, for a totemist build in action, I'll direct you to this Thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=666169). It's not exactly what you're looking for, but it basically shows how to optimize the landshark boots soulmeld. Instead of skirmish you could easily substitute in totem rager and the damage might be improved greatly. The build in that thread aims for more than damage though -- I was trying to optimize for mobility, skills, and damage.
Friss_Kervrask 08-19-06, 12:15 AM	Evil laugh Duskling then...feats are not a problem. My DM allow ''buying''feats for 100 gold and 1 week of training. What is the effect of Cobalt Rage?
vogster 08-19-06, 12:43 AM	Evil laugh Duskling then...feats are not a problem. My DM allow ''buying''feats for 100 gold and 1 week of training. Wow, can you say overpowered!
Friss_Kervrask 08-19-06, 12:49 AM	not really since we can only buy half our HD in feats. But it's a very good bonus :D . Usually I don't train in his game but with the monsters that come out I'm better to take it.