Blackguard Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blackguard Build [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DarkPaladin2005
07-11-05, 09:53 AM Good Morning- I was wondering if you all could suggest a Blackguard build for a low level campaign. The campaign starts at 6th level and I was thinking Fighter 5/Blackguard 1.

Here is what I am looking for:

Race: any combo is fine
Feats: went with wpn focus. wpn spec and the three needed to enter BG.

stats:
17 Str
12 Dex
16 Con
12 Int
14 Wis
17 Cha

****** I tried "searching" for similar build but wasn't able to locate any.

Thanks in advance!
Xeraph
07-11-05, 10:48 AM That is some nice scores... What books and sources are available to you?
Griff_Goodbeard
07-11-05, 11:15 AM A nice build that has been kicked around here in the past is:

Hex3/Rog2/Pal of Slaughter2/Blackguard1-10

Nets you:
Evasion
Mettle
Chr to Savesx2
Chr to Save again vs Spells/SLA
one off full BA
sneak att

I'd go with human for the bonus feat
BadCatMan
07-11-05, 11:37 AM For a start, you need a BAB of at least 6 to get into Blackguard, so you can't start taking it until level 7 at the least (after a full BAB base class).

And you probably don't want to end on an odd-numbered fighter level - no feat, no saves at level 5.

I love the Blackguard. (In Neverwinter Nights) I like to make use of the Blackguard's sneak attack by using stealth - creep up, back-stab the paladin or cleric, then be a heavily armoured, heavy damaging tank to take care of yourself in the ensuing chaos.

With high skills, armour feats and magic items, it is possible to have good stealth in heavy armour.

Damn! Blackguard doesn't get Move Silently as a class skill. At least he still gets Hide however.

Some options for base classes:

Rogue: High skill points, and take it at first level for even more. Concentrate on Hide and Move Silently (more on Move Silently to make up for Blackguard's lack). This will take care of the skill prerequisties. Knowledge: religion can be made up with cross-class ranks. This will also give more sneak attacks, evasion, uncanny dodge and trap sense. Imagine your enemies' surprise when you casually step around their traps, and dodge them sneaking up on you.

Ranger: Also has high skill points, see above. Track may help you hunt down your foes. If you prefer light armour (better with the stealth, but get a higher Dex), then the combat syles may be to your liking. Dual-wield weapons, or carry a double-weapon to deal extra damage. Favoured Enemy will help you hunt down and destroy your enemies. "All Kobolds must die!"

Barbarian: Less useful for skill prerequisites, but a fast moving Blackguard who goes into a brutal destructive rage is a scary thing. Also has uncanny dodge and trap sense.

Fighter: Take it to four or six levels, and grab your favourite feats, as well as Cleave, Improved Sunder and Power Attack.

Paladin: The classic base for a Blackguard, start with some Paladin levels, then trade them in. The later you turn evil, the more you can get in return. It will take longer to get to Blackguard if you keep taking Paladin levels, and especially if you squeeze in other classes in between losing your Paladinhood and turning evil, but you could gain the entirety of Blackguard if you take Paladin to level 11 or more, and have room for levels of fighter or rogue along the way. Okay it with your DM.

For races:

Halfling: Has stealth bonuses, which may help you. Your high strength can absorb the penalty. "Don't laugh at me!"

Duergar, Lesser or full: Has a whopping charisma penalty, but also has move silently (and hide if you use the Lesser version from Player's Guide to Faerun). Invisible can also help you sneak up on your victims. An Enlarged Blackguard is also quite scary. Naturally evil.

Drow: Lesser or full: Has a charisma bonus, extra saves and many useful abilities. Also naturally evil.

Human: You can never go wrong with a human.
runestar
07-11-05, 12:17 PM Well, at 6th lv, you won't be qualifying for the blackguard prc. Perhaps you might consider going paladin11, then trading in ten of those lvs for 10 lvs of blackguard straight. After that, maybe take a lv of nar demonbinder, 1 lv of spellsword, then eldritch knight all the way. If you choose to do this however, you may consider boosting your dex, to better take benefit of the mithral shirt you will more or less be stuck wearing. ;)
DarkPaladin2005
07-11-05, 12:35 PM Thanks for all the suggestions!

Our party is made up of only three PCs (we play once a month) we have a Wizard, a Cleric and me :P

I need to be more of a tank Blackguard then the Stealthier Blackguard.

I have access to everything except FR stuff.

I am not familar with the 1/2 dragon 1/2 X types of races but am open to them.
PhaedrusXY
07-11-05, 12:42 PM I need to be more of a tank Blackguard then the Stealthier Blackguard.Taking a couple levels of rogue doesn't make you disqualified as a tank. ;) Hexblade3/Rogue2/X2 is probably the best non-Palladin entry into blackguard. The X can be any full BAB class. You'll get Charisma to saves twice, Evasion, and Mettle. You can use Monk instead of Rogue, also, if you think you won't need to be the party trapfinder. (For combat ability, I'd personally prefer the monk levels, but that's just me.)
DarkPaladin2005
07-11-05, 10:43 PM /bump

anyone else have any thoughts/ideas?
X-Codes
07-11-05, 11:02 PM Blackguard has BAB +6 requirement...

Go Fighter 5/Tactical Warrior 1 (Miniatures HB) and then take Blackguard levels from there.
Gothic Rose
07-12-05, 04:36 AM Personally, my favorite Core blackguard build is Fighter 6/Rogue 4/Blackguard 10

Do you have access to the BoVD? If so, I HIGHLY recommend mixing BG with Disciple of Dispater, or Disciple of Mephistopheles.

A Hex 3/Fig 2/Ran 1/BG 7/DoD 8 is a potent build.
cherio
07-12-05, 04:39 AM Be a paladin of slaughter or tyrany, gain all the bonuses for beeing an ex-paladin, but dont lose your original bonuses, since you are stille the right alignment...
X-Codes
07-12-05, 04:59 AM Be a paladin of slaughter or tyrany, gain all the bonuses for beeing an ex-paladin, but dont lose your original bonuses, since you are stille the right alignment...

That might work if there wasn't such a thing as a DM. I dobut anyone in their right mind would allow that kind of exploitation of the Unearthed Arcana rules.

Anyway, I'm augmenting my Tactical Soldier idea. In order to get the requisite 5 ranks in Hide before level 7, you need to have Hide as a class skill at one time or another. Here's the setup:

Fighter 4/Ranger 1/Tactical Soldier 1
1) Combat Reflexes
1 (Fighter)) Power Attack
2 (Fighter)) Cleave
3) Improved Sunder
4 (Fighter)) Improved Bull Rush
6) Combat Brute

Use a falchion. Get keen and maiming properties on it as soon as you can afford them.

Turn 1)Charge and Bull rush nearest opponent, push him as far back as you can.
Turn 2)Take a -5 on power attack against the opponent you bull-rushed, sunder his shield if he has one. The shield should break, and you should be able to smack him one good.
Turn 3+)Use your tactical soldier abilities to flank with allies and power attack a lot.
Shandrakor
07-13-05, 01:02 PM I'm with Gothic Rose. Disciple of Dispater has wonderful flavor; you'll have to take 2 extra feats for access but it's a wonderful 4 or 8 level dip that makes for a really evil Blackguard. I tend to favor a Hex 2/Wolf Barb 2/Despot 2 (Dragon variant paladin; if your DM doesn't go for it just use the Paladin of Slaughter or Tyranny from UA) entrance to Blackguard. I'd probably go DoD first for 4 levels then Blackguard, but it's up to you.

Anytime you can fit in Combat Brute or Shock Trooper, do it, unless you're looking for more of a battlefield control build.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DarkPaladin2005 07-11-05, 09:53 AM	Good Morning- I was wondering if you all could suggest a Blackguard build for a low level campaign. The campaign starts at 6th level and I was thinking Fighter 5/Blackguard 1. Here is what I am looking for: Race: any combo is fine Feats: went with wpn focus. wpn spec and the three needed to enter BG. stats: 17 Str 12 Dex 16 Con 12 Int 14 Wis 17 Cha ****** I tried "searching" for similar build but wasn't able to locate any. Thanks in advance!
Xeraph 07-11-05, 10:48 AM	That is some nice scores... What books and sources are available to you?
Griff_Goodbeard 07-11-05, 11:15 AM	A nice build that has been kicked around here in the past is: Hex3/Rog2/Pal of Slaughter2/Blackguard1-10 Nets you: Evasion Mettle Chr to Savesx2 Chr to Save again vs Spells/SLA one off full BA sneak att I'd go with human for the bonus feat
BadCatMan 07-11-05, 11:37 AM	For a start, you need a BAB of at least 6 to get into Blackguard, so you can't start taking it until level 7 at the least (after a full BAB base class). And you probably don't want to end on an odd-numbered fighter level - no feat, no saves at level 5. I love the Blackguard. (In Neverwinter Nights) I like to make use of the Blackguard's sneak attack by using stealth - creep up, back-stab the paladin or cleric, then be a heavily armoured, heavy damaging tank to take care of yourself in the ensuing chaos. With high skills, armour feats and magic items, it is possible to have good stealth in heavy armour. Damn! Blackguard doesn't get Move Silently as a class skill. At least he still gets Hide however. Some options for base classes: Rogue: High skill points, and take it at first level for even more. Concentrate on Hide and Move Silently (more on Move Silently to make up for Blackguard's lack). This will take care of the skill prerequisties. Knowledge: religion can be made up with cross-class ranks. This will also give more sneak attacks, evasion, uncanny dodge and trap sense. Imagine your enemies' surprise when you casually step around their traps, and dodge them sneaking up on you. Ranger: Also has high skill points, see above. Track may help you hunt down your foes. If you prefer light armour (better with the stealth, but get a higher Dex), then the combat syles may be to your liking. Dual-wield weapons, or carry a double-weapon to deal extra damage. Favoured Enemy will help you hunt down and destroy your enemies. "All Kobolds must die!" Barbarian: Less useful for skill prerequisites, but a fast moving Blackguard who goes into a brutal destructive rage is a scary thing. Also has uncanny dodge and trap sense. Fighter: Take it to four or six levels, and grab your favourite feats, as well as Cleave, Improved Sunder and Power Attack. Paladin: The classic base for a Blackguard, start with some Paladin levels, then trade them in. The later you turn evil, the more you can get in return. It will take longer to get to Blackguard if you keep taking Paladin levels, and especially if you squeeze in other classes in between losing your Paladinhood and turning evil, but you could gain the entirety of Blackguard if you take Paladin to level 11 or more, and have room for levels of fighter or rogue along the way. Okay it with your DM. For races: Halfling: Has stealth bonuses, which may help you. Your high strength can absorb the penalty. "Don't laugh at me!" Duergar, Lesser or full: Has a whopping charisma penalty, but also has move silently (and hide if you use the Lesser version from Player's Guide to Faerun). Invisible can also help you sneak up on your victims. An Enlarged Blackguard is also quite scary. Naturally evil. Drow: Lesser or full: Has a charisma bonus, extra saves and many useful abilities. Also naturally evil. Human: You can never go wrong with a human.
runestar 07-11-05, 12:17 PM	Well, at 6th lv, you won't be qualifying for the blackguard prc. Perhaps you might consider going paladin11, then trading in ten of those lvs for 10 lvs of blackguard straight. After that, maybe take a lv of nar demonbinder, 1 lv of spellsword, then eldritch knight all the way. If you choose to do this however, you may consider boosting your dex, to better take benefit of the mithral shirt you will more or less be stuck wearing. ;)
DarkPaladin2005 07-11-05, 12:35 PM	Thanks for all the suggestions! Our party is made up of only three PCs (we play once a month) we have a Wizard, a Cleric and me :P I need to be more of a tank Blackguard then the Stealthier Blackguard. I have access to everything except FR stuff. I am not familar with the 1/2 dragon 1/2 X types of races but am open to them.
PhaedrusXY 07-11-05, 12:42 PM	I need to be more of a tank Blackguard then the Stealthier Blackguard.Taking a couple levels of rogue doesn't make you disqualified as a tank. ;) Hexblade3/Rogue2/X2 is probably the best non-Palladin entry into blackguard. The X can be any full BAB class. You'll get Charisma to saves twice, Evasion, and Mettle. You can use Monk instead of Rogue, also, if you think you won't need to be the party trapfinder. (For combat ability, I'd personally prefer the monk levels, but that's just me.)
DarkPaladin2005 07-11-05, 10:43 PM	/bump anyone else have any thoughts/ideas?
X-Codes 07-11-05, 11:02 PM	Blackguard has BAB +6 requirement... Go Fighter 5/Tactical Warrior 1 (Miniatures HB) and then take Blackguard levels from there.
Gothic Rose 07-12-05, 04:36 AM	Personally, my favorite Core blackguard build is Fighter 6/Rogue 4/Blackguard 10 Do you have access to the BoVD? If so, I HIGHLY recommend mixing BG with Disciple of Dispater, or Disciple of Mephistopheles. A Hex 3/Fig 2/Ran 1/BG 7/DoD 8 is a potent build.
cherio 07-12-05, 04:39 AM	Be a paladin of slaughter or tyrany, gain all the bonuses for beeing an ex-paladin, but dont lose your original bonuses, since you are stille the right alignment...
X-Codes 07-12-05, 04:59 AM	Be a paladin of slaughter or tyrany, gain all the bonuses for beeing an ex-paladin, but dont lose your original bonuses, since you are stille the right alignment... That might work if there wasn't such a thing as a DM. I dobut anyone in their right mind would allow that kind of exploitation of the Unearthed Arcana rules. Anyway, I'm augmenting my Tactical Soldier idea. In order to get the requisite 5 ranks in Hide before level 7, you need to have Hide as a class skill at one time or another. Here's the setup: Fighter 4/Ranger 1/Tactical Soldier 1 1) Combat Reflexes 1 (Fighter)) Power Attack 2 (Fighter)) Cleave 3) Improved Sunder 4 (Fighter)) Improved Bull Rush 6) Combat Brute Use a falchion. Get keen and maiming properties on it as soon as you can afford them. Turn 1)Charge and Bull rush nearest opponent, push him as far back as you can. Turn 2)Take a -5 on power attack against the opponent you bull-rushed, sunder his shield if he has one. The shield should break, and you should be able to smack him one good. Turn 3+)Use your tactical soldier abilities to flank with allies and power attack a lot.
Shandrakor 07-13-05, 01:02 PM	I'm with Gothic Rose. Disciple of Dispater has wonderful flavor; you'll have to take 2 extra feats for access but it's a wonderful 4 or 8 level dip that makes for a really evil Blackguard. I tend to favor a Hex 2/Wolf Barb 2/Despot 2 (Dragon variant paladin; if your DM doesn't go for it just use the Paladin of Slaughter or Tyranny from UA) entrance to Blackguard. I'd probably go DoD first for 4 levels then Blackguard, but it's up to you. Anytime you can fit in Combat Brute or Shock Trooper, do it, unless you're looking for more of a battlefield control build.