Best classes for a monster hunter? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best classes for a monster hunter? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Solymyr
08-08-04, 10:35 PM What would be the best classes to be kinda of a "monster hunter" Van Helsing for example. Nothing too focused(like dragonslayer) but good at hunting and tracking down things like giants, dragons, magical beasts, abberations etc. Anything that might be giving problems to a village/town and they pay you to go hunt it down.

Fighter4(feats)
Ranger1(track, twf/ambi, a favored enemy)
Occult Slayer5(never hurts to be good against magic)

10 levels left.

Ranger certainly fits the bill, but the favored enemy bonuses are few and far between.

Also, what might be some good feats?

Thanks!
amalcon
08-08-04, 10:40 PM Given your notes on Ranger, I assume we're talking about 3.0. In this case, you've got a good setup there. Too bad so many monsters aren't evil; if you mostly care about evil monsters, do a search for the "stalker of evil".
Solymyr
08-08-04, 10:47 PM That would be really cool if they were all evil :)

Foe Hunter, Dragon Slayer, etc are great but way too focused. Something more generic would be nice.
catharz
08-09-04, 12:30 AM Totally stalker of evil. Monsters *are* evil.

Either that or Ranger 20.
incubus
08-09-04, 01:45 AM For 3.5:

Wizard or bard. Spells give you what you need (protection from evil and the like), and both have access to every knowledge skill (which means you know what you're facing).
Solymyr
08-09-04, 02:12 AM Lemme rephrase that lol.

Melee monster hunter :P
Timely Drought
08-09-04, 03:00 AM I'd start ranger with maxed animal handling, and get some spider eater pets as soon as you can. Sort of a master of the hunt concept.
Solymyr
08-10-04, 11:35 PM *shameless bump*
Matt Neuman
08-11-04, 03:34 AM I'm not going to give you a build but I will offer you some advice.

If you want to play a van richten, er... van helsing monster hunter type there are really only a few basic things you need for it to work, and unfortunately, some of them do require you to step off of the +1 BAB/Lvl path.

IMO, the things you need to succeed are:

Proficiency with All martial weapons.
Track and enough ranks in survival to use it.
Access to ALL knowledge skills.
Search, Spot, Listen as class skills at decent levels.
Hide, Move Silenty as class skills at decent levels.
Ability to use scrolls, wands, etc from a variety of classes, either by having the class or via UMD.
Flavor-wise (only), the ability to turn undead is really nice even if you aren't that great at it, as is the abilty to create holy water.

With that in mind, I'd go with some combination of bard and ranger with maybe a couple levels of cleric tossed in.
catharz
08-11-04, 04:03 AM Originally posted by Matt Neuman
If you want to play a van richten

Van Richten was an Expert. As in the NPC class ;)
Solymyr
08-11-04, 04:11 AM How about...

Human

Cleric1/Fighter2/Ranger1/Wizard1/OccultSlayer5/WildernessRogue10

No exp penalty, domains, twf/ambi, track, martial weapon proficiency, and ability to use just about any item, without needing to max UMD.

Nice and versatile, with good sneak attack, but lowish BaB. Specialized at taking down magical/magic using foes(a fairly large group) but not opposed to taking down whatever is necessary.

What would be a good FR deity/domain set to go with?
Solymyr
08-11-04, 04:16 AM would a level of druid offer much?
Sisyfos
08-11-04, 04:20 AM Originally posted by Solymyr

Cleric1/Fighter2/Ranger1/Wizard1/OccultSlayer5/WildernessRogue10

No exp penalty, domains, twf/ambi, track, martial weapon proficiency, and ability to use just about any item, without needing to max UMD.

You do realize that you have to try to kill ALL spellcasters with this build, even your party members if they cast spells?
Matt Neuman
08-11-04, 04:23 AM Van Richten was an Expert. As in the NPC class

Almost certainly. ;-)

Although I think he was originally written up as a thief, for lack of something better.
Solymyr
08-11-04, 04:25 AM Not so. Occult slayer is good for fighting against magic, and many of them may hate magic, but it says in the entry that occult slayers may still use magic, but they focus on martial methods.

I've been looking at this prc for a while anyway...talked to the DM and he agrees it coud be used as someone "trained" to fight magic, not necessarily hating it.

Best of all a character with this type of focus can reasonably justify having 1 level in all of these classes. You are better at fighting magic if you understand it on all levels.
Matt Neuman
08-11-04, 04:28 AM Cleric1/Fighter2/Ranger1/Wizard1/OccultSlayer5/WildernessRogue10

Not enough class levels that give you knowledge skills, IMO.

And Occult Slayer isn't really all that great for the 'traditional' monster hunter.

For that matter, neither is foehunter or similar classes, since they focus too much on one type of enemy.
Sisyfos
08-11-04, 04:37 AM Originally posted by Solymyr
Not so. Occult slayer is good for fighting against magic, and many of them may hate magic, but it says in the entry that occult slayers may still use magic, but they focus on martial methods.

I've been looking at this prc for a while anyway...talked to the DM and he agrees it coud be used as someone "trained" to fight magic, not necessarily hating it.

Of course you can house rule it with your DM. But by the rules the story is different:

The occult slayer is driven to confront any arcane or divine spellcaster who crosses her path. Occult slayers believe that mortals are too irresponsible to wield magic, and that those who dare to do so must be slain.

Anyhow. Stalker of evil is a lot better match for a monster hunter IMO than this occult slayer combination.
Solymyr
08-11-04, 04:40 AM where is stalker of evil?
catharz
08-11-04, 04:45 AM Originally posted by Solymyr
where is stalker of evil?

Well, easrch funcion is off, but IIRC it is (thanks to FarKadeNear) Ranger X/Stalker of Kharesh [BoED] X/Foehunter [MotW] X.

Ranger to qualify, Stalker for Favored enemy (evil), and Foehunter to really destroy those evil foes.
The Stacking SR and DR are really nice, and Rancor ain't half bad.

The build is open enough for personaliztion, as you only need around two levels of SoK and 6 of Foe.
Solymyr
08-11-04, 04:59 AM Sisyfos, Catharz...thanks :)

I don't have BoED with me but I'll definitely give it a look. Foe Hunter would be awesome with its foe as evil :)

Ranger1/Fighter2/WildRogueX(3?)/FoeHunter(9?)X/StalkerX(?)

Look good?
Sisyfos
08-11-04, 05:14 AM Originally posted by Solymyr
Sisyfos, Catharz...thanks :)

I don't have BoED with me but I'll definitely give it a look. Foe Hunter would be awesome with its foe as evil :)

Ranger1/Fighter2/WildRogueX(3?)/FoeHunter(9?)X/StalkerX(?)

Look good?

You need to take stalker levels first to get chosen enemy (evil) before taking foehunter.
Solymyr
08-11-04, 05:21 AM Originally posted by Sisyfos
You need to take stalker levels first to get chosen enemy (evil) before taking foehunter.

Oops that wasnt in order lol

Rog1/Rang1/Fig2/Rog2

Can Stalker be qualified for by then? 4 normal feats, 2 fighter bonus, +5 BaB?
Solymyr
08-11-04, 10:21 PM WildRogue1/Ranger1/Fighter2/WildRogue2/StalkerOfWindstrom4/FoeHunter10

How's that look?
HoshiAdam
08-11-04, 11:51 PM Originally posted by Sisyfos
Of course you can house rule it with your DM. But by the rules the story is different:
The occult slayer is driven to confront any arcane or divine spellcaster who crosses her path. Occult slayers believe that mortals are too irresponsible to wield magic, and that those who dare to do so must be slain.
Actually Sisyfos, there are other pertinent sections of the class description that aren't included in that quote. Specifically:Spellcasters who become occult slayers are considered to have seen the error of their ways - although they may still cast spells, they rely primarily on their battle prowess and their ability to resist magical effects to defeat their enemiesBecause of the inherent discretion that occult slayers display, a candidate for this prestige class must be chosen and trained by another occult slayer who is willing to share her secretsThose two quotes, combined with the lack of a 'May no longer advance in any spellcasting class' type of restriction, make it very reasonable that an occult slayer doesn't have to be Forsaker-like in their obsession with killing spellcasters. IMO, it would be a house rule that an occult slayer would be required to kill any spellcasters they found. I think the PrC description allows for a wide variety of different Occult Slayers - from the lawful good paladin-like slayer that doesn't like to see mages dominate over the weak, to the chaotic evil madman that kills any spellcasters they find.
Solymyr
08-12-04, 01:48 AM 1 WildRogue1: Dodge, Alertness
2 Ranger1: TWF/Ambidexterity, Favored Enemy(Magical Beasts), Track
3 Fighter1: Weapon Finesse(Shortsword), Twin Sword Style
4 Fighter2: Weapon Focus(Shortsword)
5 WildRogue2:
6 WildRogue3: Favored of the Companions
7 Stalker1:
8 Stalker2:
9 FoeHunter1: ?
10 FoeHunter2:
11 FoeHunter3:
12 Stalker3: ?
13 FoeHunter4:
14 FoeHunter5:
15 FoeHunter6: ?
16 Stalker4:
17 FoeHunter7:
18 FoeHunter8: ?
19 FoeHunter9:
20 Stalker5:

Some possible feats: Iron Will, Improved Critical...what else could be good?
Sisyfos
08-12-04, 08:05 AM Ok. So by RAW occult slayer only needs to try to slay all mortal spellcasters except himself. So he does not need to suicide. And now I am not houseruling anything.

Sisyfos
HoshiAdam
08-12-04, 09:55 AM The logic I was trying to present was:
1. Spellcasters can become Occult Slayers.
2. Only Occult Slayers can train occult slayers.
3. Therefore, an Occult Slayer must be able to train a spellcaster.
4. In order to be able to train a spellcaster, the caster must still be alive.
5. Therefore, Occult Slayers don't have to kill every spellcaster they come across.

The simple solution to this is to only travel with Elans or undead, who by some definitions are immortal. From a balance point of view, it is a well balanced PrC in my mind, and doesn't need the restriction of killing any casters they come across.

p.s. - Didn't mean to sound rude earlier, I apoligize.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Solymyr 08-08-04, 10:35 PM	What would be the best classes to be kinda of a "monster hunter" Van Helsing for example. Nothing too focused(like dragonslayer) but good at hunting and tracking down things like giants, dragons, magical beasts, abberations etc. Anything that might be giving problems to a village/town and they pay you to go hunt it down. Fighter4(feats) Ranger1(track, twf/ambi, a favored enemy) Occult Slayer5(never hurts to be good against magic) 10 levels left. Ranger certainly fits the bill, but the favored enemy bonuses are few and far between. Also, what might be some good feats? Thanks!
amalcon 08-08-04, 10:40 PM	Given your notes on Ranger, I assume we're talking about 3.0. In this case, you've got a good setup there. Too bad so many monsters aren't evil; if you mostly care about evil monsters, do a search for the "stalker of evil".
Solymyr 08-08-04, 10:47 PM	That would be really cool if they were all evil :) Foe Hunter, Dragon Slayer, etc are great but way too focused. Something more generic would be nice.
catharz 08-09-04, 12:30 AM	Totally stalker of evil. Monsters are evil. Either that or Ranger 20.
incubus 08-09-04, 01:45 AM	For 3.5: Wizard or bard. Spells give you what you need (protection from evil and the like), and both have access to every knowledge skill (which means you know what you're facing).
Solymyr 08-09-04, 02:12 AM	Lemme rephrase that lol. Melee monster hunter :P
Timely Drought 08-09-04, 03:00 AM	I'd start ranger with maxed animal handling, and get some spider eater pets as soon as you can. Sort of a master of the hunt concept.
Solymyr 08-10-04, 11:35 PM	shameless bump
Matt Neuman 08-11-04, 03:34 AM	I'm not going to give you a build but I will offer you some advice. If you want to play a van richten, er... van helsing monster hunter type there are really only a few basic things you need for it to work, and unfortunately, some of them do require you to step off of the +1 BAB/Lvl path. IMO, the things you need to succeed are: Proficiency with All martial weapons. Track and enough ranks in survival to use it. Access to ALL knowledge skills. Search, Spot, Listen as class skills at decent levels. Hide, Move Silenty as class skills at decent levels. Ability to use scrolls, wands, etc from a variety of classes, either by having the class or via UMD. Flavor-wise (only), the ability to turn undead is really nice even if you aren't that great at it, as is the abilty to create holy water. With that in mind, I'd go with some combination of bard and ranger with maybe a couple levels of cleric tossed in.
catharz 08-11-04, 04:03 AM	Originally posted by Matt Neuman If you want to play a van richten Van Richten was an Expert. As in the NPC class ;)
Solymyr 08-11-04, 04:11 AM	How about... Human Cleric1/Fighter2/Ranger1/Wizard1/OccultSlayer5/WildernessRogue10 No exp penalty, domains, twf/ambi, track, martial weapon proficiency, and ability to use just about any item, without needing to max UMD. Nice and versatile, with good sneak attack, but lowish BaB. Specialized at taking down magical/magic using foes(a fairly large group) but not opposed to taking down whatever is necessary. What would be a good FR deity/domain set to go with?
Solymyr 08-11-04, 04:16 AM	would a level of druid offer much?
Sisyfos 08-11-04, 04:20 AM	Originally posted by Solymyr Cleric1/Fighter2/Ranger1/Wizard1/OccultSlayer5/WildernessRogue10 No exp penalty, domains, twf/ambi, track, martial weapon proficiency, and ability to use just about any item, without needing to max UMD. You do realize that you have to try to kill ALL spellcasters with this build, even your party members if they cast spells?
Matt Neuman 08-11-04, 04:23 AM	Van Richten was an Expert. As in the NPC class Almost certainly. ;-) Although I think he was originally written up as a thief, for lack of something better.
Solymyr 08-11-04, 04:25 AM	Not so. Occult slayer is good for fighting against magic, and many of them may hate magic, but it says in the entry that occult slayers may still use magic, but they focus on martial methods. I've been looking at this prc for a while anyway...talked to the DM and he agrees it coud be used as someone "trained" to fight magic, not necessarily hating it. Best of all a character with this type of focus can reasonably justify having 1 level in all of these classes. You are better at fighting magic if you understand it on all levels.
Matt Neuman 08-11-04, 04:28 AM	Cleric1/Fighter2/Ranger1/Wizard1/OccultSlayer5/WildernessRogue10 Not enough class levels that give you knowledge skills, IMO. And Occult Slayer isn't really all that great for the 'traditional' monster hunter. For that matter, neither is foehunter or similar classes, since they focus too much on one type of enemy.
Sisyfos 08-11-04, 04:37 AM	Originally posted by Solymyr Not so. Occult slayer is good for fighting against magic, and many of them may hate magic, but it says in the entry that occult slayers may still use magic, but they focus on martial methods. I've been looking at this prc for a while anyway...talked to the DM and he agrees it coud be used as someone "trained" to fight magic, not necessarily hating it. Of course you can house rule it with your DM. But by the rules the story is different: The occult slayer is driven to confront any arcane or divine spellcaster who crosses her path. Occult slayers believe that mortals are too irresponsible to wield magic, and that those who dare to do so must be slain. Anyhow. Stalker of evil is a lot better match for a monster hunter IMO than this occult slayer combination.
Solymyr 08-11-04, 04:40 AM	where is stalker of evil?
catharz 08-11-04, 04:45 AM	Originally posted by Solymyr where is stalker of evil? Well, easrch funcion is off, but IIRC it is (thanks to FarKadeNear) Ranger X/Stalker of Kharesh [BoED] X/Foehunter [MotW] X. Ranger to qualify, Stalker for Favored enemy (evil), and Foehunter to really destroy those evil foes. The Stacking SR and DR are really nice, and Rancor ain't half bad. The build is open enough for personaliztion, as you only need around two levels of SoK and 6 of Foe.
Solymyr 08-11-04, 04:59 AM	Sisyfos, Catharz...thanks :) I don't have BoED with me but I'll definitely give it a look. Foe Hunter would be awesome with its foe as evil :) Ranger1/Fighter2/WildRogueX(3?)/FoeHunter(9?)X/StalkerX(?) Look good?
Sisyfos 08-11-04, 05:14 AM	Originally posted by Solymyr Sisyfos, Catharz...thanks :) I don't have BoED with me but I'll definitely give it a look. Foe Hunter would be awesome with its foe as evil :) Ranger1/Fighter2/WildRogueX(3?)/FoeHunter(9?)X/StalkerX(?) Look good? You need to take stalker levels first to get chosen enemy (evil) before taking foehunter.
Solymyr 08-11-04, 05:21 AM	Originally posted by Sisyfos You need to take stalker levels first to get chosen enemy (evil) before taking foehunter. Oops that wasnt in order lol Rog1/Rang1/Fig2/Rog2 Can Stalker be qualified for by then? 4 normal feats, 2 fighter bonus, +5 BaB?
Solymyr 08-11-04, 10:21 PM	WildRogue1/Ranger1/Fighter2/WildRogue2/StalkerOfWindstrom4/FoeHunter10 How's that look?
HoshiAdam 08-11-04, 11:51 PM	Originally posted by Sisyfos Of course you can house rule it with your DM. But by the rules the story is different: The occult slayer is driven to confront any arcane or divine spellcaster who crosses her path. Occult slayers believe that mortals are too irresponsible to wield magic, and that those who dare to do so must be slain. Actually Sisyfos, there are other pertinent sections of the class description that aren't included in that quote. Specifically:Spellcasters who become occult slayers are considered to have seen the error of their ways - although they may still cast spells, they rely primarily on their battle prowess and their ability to resist magical effects to defeat their enemiesBecause of the inherent discretion that occult slayers display, a candidate for this prestige class must be chosen and trained by another occult slayer who is willing to share her secretsThose two quotes, combined with the lack of a 'May no longer advance in any spellcasting class' type of restriction, make it very reasonable that an occult slayer doesn't have to be Forsaker-like in their obsession with killing spellcasters. IMO, it would be a house rule that an occult slayer would be required to kill any spellcasters they found. I think the PrC description allows for a wide variety of different Occult Slayers - from the lawful good paladin-like slayer that doesn't like to see mages dominate over the weak, to the chaotic evil madman that kills any spellcasters they find.
Solymyr 08-12-04, 01:48 AM	1 WildRogue1: Dodge, Alertness 2 Ranger1: TWF/Ambidexterity, Favored Enemy(Magical Beasts), Track 3 Fighter1: Weapon Finesse(Shortsword), Twin Sword Style 4 Fighter2: Weapon Focus(Shortsword) 5 WildRogue2: 6 WildRogue3: Favored of the Companions 7 Stalker1: 8 Stalker2: 9 FoeHunter1: ? 10 FoeHunter2: 11 FoeHunter3: 12 Stalker3: ? 13 FoeHunter4: 14 FoeHunter5: 15 FoeHunter6: ? 16 Stalker4: 17 FoeHunter7: 18 FoeHunter8: ? 19 FoeHunter9: 20 Stalker5: Some possible feats: Iron Will, Improved Critical...what else could be good?
Sisyfos 08-12-04, 08:05 AM	Ok. So by RAW occult slayer only needs to try to slay all mortal spellcasters except himself. So he does not need to suicide. And now I am not houseruling anything. Sisyfos
HoshiAdam 08-12-04, 09:55 AM	The logic I was trying to present was: 1. Spellcasters can become Occult Slayers. 2. Only Occult Slayers can train occult slayers. 3. Therefore, an Occult Slayer must be able to train a spellcaster. 4. In order to be able to train a spellcaster, the caster must still be alive. 5. Therefore, Occult Slayers don't have to kill every spellcaster they come across. The simple solution to this is to only travel with Elans or undead, who by some definitions are immortal. From a balance point of view, it is a well balanced PrC in my mind, and doesn't need the restriction of killing any casters they come across. p.s. - Didn't mean to sound rude earlier, I apoligize.