Best Options for Point Buy 24? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Options for Point Buy 24? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
UglyCrippledGuy
12-28-06, 01:27 PM I'll soon be playing a somewhat low powered campaign with point buy 24 and low gold. With these considerations, what would be some good character options to still be competitive?

While any class from any book is allowed, it is a rather low magic world, and I'd rather avoid casters if possible.

I think a fighter with a greatsword would work fine, but I'm going for something a bit more exotic if possible.

I was thinking maybe something along the lines of Rogue, but this is not absolute yet.

Thanks.
ksbsnowowl
12-28-06, 01:51 PM Crusader from Tome of Battle.

Or Warblade from the same book.

Swordsage (again, ToB) might be a bit too mystical for your taste.

Str 14 (6 points)
Dex 12 (4 points)
Con 14 (6 points)
Int 10 (2 points)
Wis 12 (4 points)
Cha 8 (0 points)

With 2 points left over to spend where you like. I'd suggest boosting either Dex or Wis to 14, depending on if you are a crusader or swordsage. If you go warblade, maybe drop wisdom to 10 and boost Int to 14.
Fwib
12-28-06, 02:12 PM Low gold? Low stats? Roleplaying challenge required?

Vow of Poverty! (Book of Exalted Deeds)
Apocabramanic
12-28-06, 02:15 PM Tome of Battle. Absolutely. In a low magic world, those martial adepts are the closest it can get to actual magic(who can cast Heal while placing a dire waraxe slash right into the evil dragon's eye? Yeah, the crusader! And on low levels, it's just a 1d6+1 healing, but the dire waraxe slash can remain :D). And the most fun to play, I assure you.

edit: A Crusader with Vow of Poverty could do, heh?
(It's very, very unlikely for an actual Warblade to take the Vow of Poverty)
tsuyoshikentsu
12-29-06, 12:40 PM A VoP Swordsage would actually be pretty good -- especially if it was the unarmed variant.
Adroit
12-30-06, 01:12 PM If you aren't opposed to being a Wildshaping force of destruction, I'd recommend the Wildshape Ranger Variant/Master of Many Forms/Warshaper.
Istarion
12-30-06, 04:13 PM If you start from lvl 6 onwards:

Soulknife 4/Fighter 1/Soulbow X

Stats:

Str 12 (4)
Dex 13 (5)
Con 10 (2)
Wis 16 (10) + levels
Int 10 (2)
Cha 8

use the remaining point in whatever you like, Dex may help, but you are going to be in full plate most of the time. If you are going to be not so short of gold, use a monk's belt and the strongest periapt of wisdom you can afford. (this setup can ease your Str requirements, so lower it to 8, and raising your constitution.)

Stats with belt and periapts:

Str 8
Dex 14
Con 14
Int 10
Wis 16+levels+periapt
Cha 8

You get a nice free weapon, easing your cash needs, and you almost only need Wisdom, easying your stat needs. If you don't care sacrificing BAB (which I do not recommend) take one level of monk, eliminating the need of a monk's belt.

On feats, take sen archery, point blank shot, precise shot, psionic shot (and greater), fell shot, and psionic meditation. When you finish soulbow, get into Illumine soul to rebuild your psychic strike.
X-Codes
12-30-06, 06:13 PM The lower-powered the game, the higher-powered the spellcasters. Druid especiallly, since low point buy doesn't bother them.
Edea
12-30-06, 06:19 PM Non-caster? Crusader, far and away.

Caster? I'd vote Druid.
Random Sasquatch
12-31-06, 12:51 PM Depending on what party role you'll be filling. I'd recommend a psion or psychic warrior if you want to try something different.

Otherwise, go the druid route or the variant ranger/MoMF.
jameswilliamogle
12-31-06, 12:54 PM I think a Warlock works well in low pb games.
Istarion
12-31-06, 12:57 PM Depending on what party role you'll be filling. I'd recommend a psion or psychic warrior if you want to try something different.

Unfortunately, PsiWar is very MAD, unless you go in a ranged route, taking zen archery for lessening the need of physical stats.
Random Sasquatch
12-31-06, 01:17 PM Unfortunately, PsiWar is very MAD, unless you go in a ranged route, taking zen archery for lessening the need of physical stats.

Doesn't Psychic Warrior use CON for psionic abilities?

If so, pump CON for HP, Psionic abilities and Fort, then take steadfast determination for Will saves and work towards slayer.

If not, disregard this crummy advice and I'll default to the answer for everything...

Be a druid.
FiestFan
12-31-06, 04:29 PM Psywar uses WIS for Psionic abilities in 3.5. That said, a Half-Orc Psywar with these stats:
STR 14 (4) DEX 12 (4) CON 14 (6) INT 6 (0) WIS 16 (10) CHA 6 (0) seems perfectly viable.
Realms Walker
12-31-06, 04:34 PM I'm kinda partial to a Marshal from the PhB2 page 48. You might have a look at em as well..

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
UglyCrippledGuy 12-28-06, 01:27 PM	I'll soon be playing a somewhat low powered campaign with point buy 24 and low gold. With these considerations, what would be some good character options to still be competitive? While any class from any book is allowed, it is a rather low magic world, and I'd rather avoid casters if possible. I think a fighter with a greatsword would work fine, but I'm going for something a bit more exotic if possible. I was thinking maybe something along the lines of Rogue, but this is not absolute yet. Thanks.
ksbsnowowl 12-28-06, 01:51 PM	Crusader from Tome of Battle. Or Warblade from the same book. Swordsage (again, ToB) might be a bit too mystical for your taste. Str 14 (6 points) Dex 12 (4 points) Con 14 (6 points) Int 10 (2 points) Wis 12 (4 points) Cha 8 (0 points) With 2 points left over to spend where you like. I'd suggest boosting either Dex or Wis to 14, depending on if you are a crusader or swordsage. If you go warblade, maybe drop wisdom to 10 and boost Int to 14.
Fwib 12-28-06, 02:12 PM	Low gold? Low stats? Roleplaying challenge required? Vow of Poverty! (Book of Exalted Deeds)
Apocabramanic 12-28-06, 02:15 PM	Tome of Battle. Absolutely. In a low magic world, those martial adepts are the closest it can get to actual magic(who can cast Heal while placing a dire waraxe slash right into the evil dragon's eye? Yeah, the crusader! And on low levels, it's just a 1d6+1 healing, but the dire waraxe slash can remain :D). And the most fun to play, I assure you. edit: A Crusader with Vow of Poverty could do, heh? (It's very, very unlikely for an actual Warblade to take the Vow of Poverty)
tsuyoshikentsu 12-29-06, 12:40 PM	A VoP Swordsage would actually be pretty good -- especially if it was the unarmed variant.
Adroit 12-30-06, 01:12 PM	If you aren't opposed to being a Wildshaping force of destruction, I'd recommend the Wildshape Ranger Variant/Master of Many Forms/Warshaper.
Istarion 12-30-06, 04:13 PM	If you start from lvl 6 onwards: Soulknife 4/Fighter 1/Soulbow X Stats: Str 12 (4) Dex 13 (5) Con 10 (2) Wis 16 (10) + levels Int 10 (2) Cha 8 use the remaining point in whatever you like, Dex may help, but you are going to be in full plate most of the time. If you are going to be not so short of gold, use a monk's belt and the strongest periapt of wisdom you can afford. (this setup can ease your Str requirements, so lower it to 8, and raising your constitution.) Stats with belt and periapts: Str 8 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 16+levels+periapt Cha 8 You get a nice free weapon, easing your cash needs, and you almost only need Wisdom, easying your stat needs. If you don't care sacrificing BAB (which I do not recommend) take one level of monk, eliminating the need of a monk's belt. On feats, take sen archery, point blank shot, precise shot, psionic shot (and greater), fell shot, and psionic meditation. When you finish soulbow, get into Illumine soul to rebuild your psychic strike.
X-Codes 12-30-06, 06:13 PM	The lower-powered the game, the higher-powered the spellcasters. Druid especiallly, since low point buy doesn't bother them.
Edea 12-30-06, 06:19 PM	Non-caster? Crusader, far and away. Caster? I'd vote Druid.
Random Sasquatch 12-31-06, 12:51 PM	Depending on what party role you'll be filling. I'd recommend a psion or psychic warrior if you want to try something different. Otherwise, go the druid route or the variant ranger/MoMF.
jameswilliamogle 12-31-06, 12:54 PM	I think a Warlock works well in low pb games.
Istarion 12-31-06, 12:57 PM	Depending on what party role you'll be filling. I'd recommend a psion or psychic warrior if you want to try something different. Unfortunately, PsiWar is very MAD, unless you go in a ranged route, taking zen archery for lessening the need of physical stats.
Random Sasquatch 12-31-06, 01:17 PM	Unfortunately, PsiWar is very MAD, unless you go in a ranged route, taking zen archery for lessening the need of physical stats. Doesn't Psychic Warrior use CON for psionic abilities? If so, pump CON for HP, Psionic abilities and Fort, then take steadfast determination for Will saves and work towards slayer. If not, disregard this crummy advice and I'll default to the answer for everything... Be a druid.
FiestFan 12-31-06, 04:29 PM	Psywar uses WIS for Psionic abilities in 3.5. That said, a Half-Orc Psywar with these stats: STR 14 (4) DEX 12 (4) CON 14 (6) INT 6 (0) WIS 16 (10) CHA 6 (0) seems perfectly viable.
Realms Walker 12-31-06, 04:34 PM	I'm kinda partial to a Marshal from the PhB2 page 48. You might have a look at em as well..