Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thorir 06-15-06, 01:18 PM	Hi everybody! I'm going to play a new, "Bounty Hunter" Character and thought of a Bloodhound (CAdv). (Maybe the Justiciar would be better, but he's too lawful :D) So, that's my first idea: Ranger 6/Rogue 2/Fighter 2/Bloodhound 10 (Not in that order) So, what's your opinion on this, any tipps or suggestions? What Feats should I take and in what order should the Levels be chosen (should they be chosen at all?)? Well, just write whatever you would do better! :) [Books allowed: Core, Complete..., Environment, Races of..., Heroes of..., etc.] Thanks in advance, Thorir
Surreal 06-15-06, 03:26 PM	A couple months ago I was mucking around with a monk/bounty hunter/justiciar build, trying to get the most out of strength damage. With the stacked "crippling strike" class features, and a monk's weakening touch (CW), I could conservatively do 12-15 strength damage in a surprise round. With some psionics in there, even more strength damage could be achieved, then grapple the heck out of your target. If you're going more the detective route, then half-elf ranger sub levels from Races of Destiny are a perfect fit. Also something to consider is that Bloodhound is a potential early-entry PrC. You can qualify easily with Ranger 4 if you can get the required skills as class skills (there are a few feats which do it).
Thorir 06-17-06, 09:08 AM	Thanks you for your answer! My DM said we'll start at Lvl.7, so the early access to the PrCl isn't that important. For now, my build looks like this: Ranger 3/Rogue 1/Fighter 1/Bloodhound 2 and I like it. I'm going to advance three more Levels in Ranger (the TWF-bonus!) and maybe add one more Level Fighter if I need another Feat. Is it worth to take another level Rogue for the Evasion-ability? (Oh, and of course I'm advancing as Bloodhound) But I'm still not sure what Feats I should take... Assuming I'll take a human (wich is very likely), I'll have 5 Feats to start with. Here is my first plan (PLEASE write what you would do better!): - Iron Will Steadfast determination (for Reinforcing the weak will-save) - Two Weapon Defense - Greater Two Weapon Defense - Combat Expertise (the two/three together give a nice AC-Boost) - Deft Strike Improved Disarm (The campaign will be a low-magic/low-level setting where even the greatest Hero is about Lvl.14, so especially the AC-Boni are worth a lot, I think) Thanks in advance for any suggestions! Thorir
TalinXT 06-17-06, 09:37 AM	Dont bother wiht the weapon defenses. They waste a feat that you could use a shield to do the same thing. IF you get Imp Shield Bash you can even fight with it with all the same benefits in one feat. I'd play off the Combat Expertise and snag Imp Disarm. Afterall the easiest way to catch soemone alive is to take away their toys. I would only take deft strike if there were no casters or grapplers in the group afterall Touch attacks beat hiugh armor classes based off natural and worn armor.
Zendu 06-17-06, 09:38 AM	IMO iron will is for suckers. Toss steadfast determination[con to will](phbII) in there,you allready have the preq for free, and your on your way to stone warden cheeze(RoS). Depending on your alignment, wounding weapons might also be nice. Make sure you grab an animal with scent for your companion as well, even if your dm doesnt give you a bonus for it.
Thorir 06-17-06, 09:59 AM	Thanks for the helpful replies! @TalinXT: I think I'll stay with the "Two Weapon Defense", because, as I said, in the given low-magic campaign it'll be pretty hard to find a shield wich grants a +6 AC-Bonus. (Also I didn't like the "Sword 'n' Board"-Idea for this Character) But I'll swap Deft Strike with Improved Disarm. Why haven't I thought about disarming? It's nice, fitting and stylish! Thanks! @Zendu: Steadfast determination is great, I'll change it. But I think I take the alternative 4th Level Ranger-Ability (PHB II) => no animal companion. It's a personal thing - I just HATE to have an animal companion!! ;) OK, UPDATE..!!
Surreal 06-17-06, 01:19 PM	I think there's a feat somewhere that lets you make a single attack while taking a total defence action...
Thorir 06-17-06, 02:51 PM	This would be interesting indeed... but you don't mean "Defensive Strike" (CW), do you? If you do so, this feat isn't worth considering for me. You just get a (small) Bonus in the NEXT Round if s.o. has missed you while you've used total defense. Hm. And also it needs Dodge as Prerequesite, wich isn't part of plan at all. :( (But I really hope you mean another one... :D )
Thorir 06-18-06, 04:53 AM	:bump: Any other suggestions? (e.g. concerning Feats or Equipment - is a Flail more useful than a Longsword? etc. etc.) EDIT: Oh yeah, and: is Evasion worth taking another Level of Rogue? EDIT2: Or would it be better to go with Ranger 4/Bloodhound 3? Then it would just take four Levels to get Improved TWF and Crippling Strike (instead of 6-7)...but how do I get the Ranks in "Gather Information" (I mean other than to convince the DM to change the Class-Skils ;) and what Feat should I leave out? (Steadfast determination or Improved Disarm...I think I'll have to decide this when I know my Wis-Score...) HELP PLEASE!!
Thorir 06-18-06, 07:16 AM	(Sorry for Spam, but another Idea just came to my mind) Another Option would be Human Paragon 1/Ranger 4/Bloodhound 2. I'm pretty close to my two goals (Improved TWF and Crippling Strike) and through the paragon I get "Gather Information" and a Will-Save-Boost (Steadfast Determination could be dismissed for the moment). I think this Version is my favorite for now. Comments?
Surreal 06-18-06, 01:09 PM	The feat City Slicker from Races of Destiny gives you Gather Information and a bunch of other sneaky rogue-like skills which are great for a detective type build. I think there's another feat in Eberron which gives you Gather Information.